Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Authors note: I'm aware that you can't really dislocate a shoulder with a rifle, unless you hold it really badly. Trust me, Jane held it badly. Think of this as the climb up the rollercoaster dear readers...

Chapter 21

Two pairs of eyes turned to Seras as she came into the room. She had a moment to register that both looked slightly disappointed, before her master burst out laughing and Jane rolled her eyes up in disgust.

"Come in Seras." Said Jane as she rose, holstering her sidearm. "I have something for you."

As Seras came into the room, Jane turned and hissed something under her breath at Alucard, before stalking off towards another part of the room. She guessed that Jane hadn't wanted to be heard, but vampire ears are very sharp.

"Keep pushing, and we're going to have a very interesting time one day."

Seras moved quickly to where Jane was waiting, not willing to think about what she had heard – some things were better left alone. Then her attention fixed on the rifle before her and she lost her train of thought and blurted out:

"That's massive!"

Her eyes gleamed in anticipation but there was a moment of hesitation as well.

"Don't you think it's a little too big, would I even be able to carry it?"

"I think it suits you, police girl." Her master smirked, as he came up behind them.

"You really think so?" she asked in excitement, turning to look at him. "It's taller than I am."

"It's a little over two meters; you should be able to manage that."

The remark was casually thrown over Jane's shoulder as she started fetching ammunition cases. Seras gaped at her and then looked back towards the rifle, although in her head it seemed more like a cannon.

"Now, take a look here."

Jane beckoned her closer and started pointing out various features. She explained that it could be used as a single shot long range rifle, it had the capacity to become an anti-vehicle weapon and with a quick rotation of the bolt, it converted to fully automatic fire.

"Although I advise bracing before pulling the trigger in that mode." Added Jane with a grin. "When I tested the belt feed, I could feel that it'll have a tendency to kick back."

"You've fired this?" sneered Alucard. "I doubt it."

"Not the way you're thinking idiot." Snapped Jane. "I've already dislocated a shoulder once with a rifle, and that was enough for me."

"So how did you test it?" asked Seras timidly.

"I have clamps mounted on fixed posts for large calibre weapons testing. Clamp it, load it and pull the trigger." Said Jane with a shrug. "It's not perfect but it gives me a feel for if there's any problem."

Seras stood for a moment, staring at the weapon, remembering that it had once graced a helicopter gunship. That her master had faith in her to wield it, was overwhelming. Her thoughts were interrupted by Jane speaking softly.

"Hold out your hands Seras."

She did as requested and watched as Jane hefted the rifle up in the crook of both her arms. It looked heavy, although when it was placed across her outstretched palms, the weight felt the same as her old rifle in D11. Once again, her own strength surprised her.

She turned to look at her master and was happy to see that there was a hint of pride in his gaze.

"It definitely suits you, police girl."

"I've made some armour piercing rounds, some incendiary rounds and some basic explosive ones. I'll come up with some more interesting goodies when I have some more time."

Jane waved her hand at the boxes she had brought out. Then she crossed over to the internal phone and dialled for her favourite lackey.

"Murphy, come and load some boxes into Miss Victoria's vehicle."

She was helping Seras put the cannon into its case when the little man came to the door and paled as he saw who was inside. He really didn't want to go in there, having to walk past both of Hellsing's undead agents.

"Get in here Murphy."

Jane's tone was suddenly more frightening than either vampire and he scurried in and starting carting the boxes away. As he practically ran out of the room, he missed the nasty little smile Jane sent his way. But Alucard didn't.

It reminded him of himself when he was amusing himself by scaring some unsuspecting Hellsing employee.

"You don't like him do you?" he enquired in a silky tone.

Jane gave an inelegant snort and then said:

"Not really. I suppose my little digs are unbecoming of a superior officer but it isn't really hurting him, and who knows – maybe one day he'll find a spine."

Her honest answer was met by deep laughter and she found herself enjoying the sound far more than she should. Then Sera's giggles joined in and she added her own snicker of amusement.

The sounds of merriment were interrupted by the sudden ringing of the phone on her main desk, and Jane picked it up while waving her hands at the others to pipe down.

"Yes Major?"

"Shit!"

"Have you sent me the plans?"

Still holding the phone, she turned on a large screen and waited as a building schematic was uploaded. She studied them while listening to Major Ferguson outlining his plans.

"Okay. It can be done, but I'll need at least an hour for assembly, can we hold that long?"

"Send Tim and Oliver, they're the best demolitionists we have."

"They'll know, tell them I'm sending pipe cleaners and I can scrounge up four balls of hell."

"Okay, out."

She put down the phone and turned to Seras, saying wryly:

"You're about to field test that thing a lot sooner that you thought."