Dawn broke, the sun's rays giving light to the previous night's carnage. Several soldiers of the combined Hellsing / DPSD force had fallen, but many more of the Global Fangs lay in ashes. Seras, having done all she could to help the wounded, was moving toward the briefing tent where Sir Integra was.
Alucard watched her as she approached. He was still delighted with how well she'd fought the night before. Few things outside of combat and tormenting Integra or the Police Girl made him feel that way those days… She'd come so far in her training in such a short time… It seemed he'd been wrong about her in more than one way. His previous fledglings were more "the type". They took to the darkness with ease, and left his side pretty much as quickly as they could. More often than not they would end up being killed, but he'd imparted on them what experience they would take. That the Police Girl had taken so long in making that transition… He'd thought her weak, but instead he had simply not seen where her true strength lied.
Strange… In all his years of walking the night, no experience compared with what he felt for her now…
But what of Integra? Yes, she was fascinating. She was strong, sure of herself and the power the possessed. And while occasionally she would relax and be more like the little girl he'd first met, that cool exterior always remained. Hence, she would be a challenge, and he always liked a challenge.
And Seras? She was coming into her own. While still a bit unsure of herself, she could soon grow into someone who was more than capable of running at Alucard's side.
It certainly wasn't a debate to be held in the few seconds before Seras arrived. But perhaps later, with one last test, he would be closer to an answer?
Sir Integra heard the Police Girl's approach. She and Walter turned to look at her. She spoke first. "Your report, Victoria."
The Police Girl spoke with more strength and clarity than he was used to. "Casualty reports are in. Three DPSD and two Hellsing soldiers were killed. Ten were wounded, two severely. The killed soldiers were checked to ensure they would not turn, and will be sent home for burial. General Oscar requests to be present at the burial of our soldiers."
"I will speak with him on that." To Alucard, that said, 'Of course he can be there, and I'll request to join them as well. And I'll probably be dragging the lot of you with me, but I won't tell you that just yet.' She continued. "What of Jemeth?"
"He fled during the battle. I'm not sure why he did not engage. But I do have more information about him." Normally there would be a pause while she waited for a 'go on' from Integra. As he'd expected, it didn't come that time. "Matthew contacted me during the battle. Our Matthew, that is, not the dark one we've been dealing with. He is still there, just trapped inside. He wants our help."
Alucard saw this as a good time to step in. "If his demon has taken control, that which makes up the Jemeth we know would still be inside. What Seras describes does not sound like a tactic the demon would use, so I believe she is correct."
Walter, silent up to this point, cast his vote as well. "If Mr. Jemeth is truly retrievable, I would say we should do everything in our power to bring him back."
Integra took this all in and thought it over. Alucard could see some of her thought processes as possible decisions churned in her mind. Finally, the answer came. "Very well. Walter, work with Fargason to locate Jemeth. We will continue to pursue him, and rescue him from himself if we can. You're dismissed."
Seras nodded, turned, and started away. Alucard followed her. A short ways outside the tent, Seras slowed and allowed him to come along side. "Thank you," she said.
He smirked. "For what? Backing you up when you're right?"
She gave a small smile in return. "For backing me up when I didn't think anyone would."
Alucard gave a chuckle. "Standing up for yourself when you're not sure anyone else will… Last night must have done more for you than I'd thought… Come with me." Not waiting for an answer, he turned and started away from the tent city base and into the rainforest. Confused, but curious, the Police Girl followed.
They stopped a ways out from the base. What sounds could reach them seemed to fade away as Alucard turned to Seras. "Your training has brought you far, Police Girl, but no amount of training will help you win our next battle. For that, you need to wholly believe that you know the truth, the confidence that you can do what you must, and the determination to fulfill your goal. There's only one thing which can give you what you need."
Alucard extended his right arm, pulling back the sleeve of his trench coat. "It is time to end your servitude to me. Drink my blood, Seras Victoria."
He had offered her this only once before, after their first battle against Paladin Alexander Anderson. She was too young then, to new to the world she'd joined before knowing what such a transition would entail. She had refused. It had been over three years since that day. If she truly wanted to save Matthew, and if she were to become the one who would remain at his side, this time she would accept.
Though she did not latch onto his arm immediately. Oh, no. That would not be his Police Girl. She would stare at his arm for a moment, weighing the consequences of each choice before making her decision. It was similar to watching Integra's mind at work, but at the same time it was equally fascinating to see what was different; Seras and Integra did not use all the same criteria.
Finally, she looked up into his eyes. In them he saw something he had not seen before, that very determination he'd wanted to see in her from the day he'd met her in that church in Cheddar. "I will, Master Alucard." Slowly, but not from fear, she lowered her mouth to his arm and gently sank her fangs into his flesh. She drank, more than a sip but less than a gulp, and just as gently released. She cleaned her mouth off as Alucard lowered his arm and sleeve.
He said nothing. Right now, it was time to stand and wait.
And then… Just what he'd been waiting for. Her eyes went wide and she gasped as the final infusion of his blood shot through her body. His sense of her presence changed, some of the usual links weakening as her own aura grew in intensity. He smirked and gave another chuckle. This was always his favorite part, watching a new vampire truly come into their own, and with Seras it meant even more.
Seras gave her head a quick shake as she tried to pull her senses back together. 'Wow,' her thought came into his mind.
'Different, isn't it?' he thought back.
She smiled. 'Guess I was wrong about the whole 'turning Matthew cutting off my links to you' thing.'
'True, you were wrong,' he smirked again, 'but it was fun to watch.'
Seras gave a scoff, and playfully smacked her fist into the side of his arm. "Oh, come on. Let's get back and see what's going on. I hear more noise back there, so they might've already figured out where Matthew went." She turned and started back through the rainforest. Stopping after a few steps, she turned to look at him. He was still standing there. "Coming?"
Alucard wasn't sure if he'd ever predicted her transforming to this degree… He'd have to keep an eye on her for the rest of this mission. "Certainly." That meant, this time, he'd walk back.
///
Matthew looked out over the sandy landscape before him. Somalia. He had to be insane to be there, but it was both the next best area of chaos to hide in and the location of a hidden Global Fangs research base. An empty one at that.
He and Alex made it out. They were the only ones to make it out of Columbia. Matthew realized quickly he had underestimated his opponent, and tried to regroup the Global Fang forces and fall back. But no! They HAD to keep fighting to the bitter end! Who cared if they'd lost fifty in the first round, they'd taken out some of the humans! First one to kill Alucard wins a golden cupie doll! Basically, it was hopeless.
Alex had seen that too. He probably blamed it on Matthew, but Matthew didn't much care. The former Global Fang decided figured it was time to leave as well, and why not take Matthew along if for no other reason than to silence him later?
Speaking of Alex, he was approaching. Alex stopped beside Matthew. "The Somalis sent in another raiding party. I took care of them."
He nodded. "Good work. I'll get the next bunch." It was strange. The locals would get too nosy, and then start shooting at Alex and Matthew because they were there. Then, they'd get offended when Alex or Matthew fired back for them firing, which meant they'd keep firing, and others would join in moments later. They had a decent collection down below.
"And something else," Alex continued. "I found a stockpile of the Shalrik serum downstairs. Considering it's just you and me here, I was thinking we might use it. Pump up for the battle, and maybe turn our floor decorations into a decent fighting force."
Matthew sighed. "Fine," he replied. "You can if you want. I've got something else in mind for them. Victoria and Alucard will probably come after me, leaving the human troops for you. Deal with them as you want. I'm not sure I really care about that damn serum anymore."
"I'll go get started. You might want to get over to the south wall. I spotted a group down there that might get a little frisky." He turned and went back inside.
Matthew sighed again. Hellsing was already on its way. They'd tracked him down pretty fast. Soon he'd learn if he'd be headed for something greater, or if he would get that rematch with Breka in Hell sooner than he'd intended.