Wings of the Damned

by DianaPrince31

The Vatican employs Dr. Lazarus Thorton to bring Enrico Maxwell back to life in order to restore the Iscariot Organization to deal with Italy's Chimera problem. But after learning of the Catholic Church's policy of toleration of all walks of life, Enrico believes that the Church poses a bigger problem to Italy, than Chimera. Rated M. No pairings. Part 2 of Winds of Change series.

10. Of Cyanide and Branding Irons

Wings of the Damned

Sapphirewyren

Chapter 10: Of Cyanide and Branding Irons

Author's note: Here's the next chapter. Sam is in Italy and is looking for the Silver Mask

Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing

Rome Ciampino Airport

The first thing Sam noticed when she arrived at Rome Ciampino Airport was the amount of security. Several decades ago when she was in Italy there were not as many security patrols. It was the type of security that got Sam's attention. The men were mostly in black with the purple and silver logo of the Iscariot Organization. Their gaze swept over the throngs who passed through the arrival gates as if they were looking for someone in particular. Sam was now glad that Integra had her fly a commercial jet instead of a private jet. She still got to sit in first class; Integra was not an uncivilized monster. As Sam made her way to the hotel Residenza Cellini she noticed that in the streets of Rome were the same; Iscariot soldiers patrolling everywhere. Sam also noticed plainclothes police trying to blend in with the crowd of citizens. "That's weird, I thought that Iscariot only showed up when there were vampires," the shapeshifter said to herself. The atmosphere of Rome was also noticeably different from the last time Sam had visited. It had a sense of heaviness, sadness, and melancholy; as if it had never known any happiness. When Sam arrived at her room, she flopped down on the bed. How on earth was she going to find one single person in a country of over 3 million? Integra was asking for the impossible! Enrico had not been very forthcoming with any information about the Silver Mask, only that he was a male vigilante. Sam supposed the reason why Enrico didn't give any information was due to his lack of intel. That and even if he knew, he wouldn't tell Hellsing anyway, so now she was here looking for someone invisible. He mostly did his deeds in Rome or Enrico wouldn't be complaining, so that was something. And since the Silver Mask waited until night, Sam figured she could catch a couple of z's before looking for the preverbal needle in the haystack.

Streets of Rome 6:00pm

It was too early for the Silver Mask to be out, but Sam felt compelled to walk around and get a sense of her surroundings and observe the people. "Where are all the clubs? How's a girl supposed to have a good time?" Sam muttered to herself after seeing the sixth building that she knew was a club, but now had a "for sale" sign or was turned into a new business completely. A man passing by heard her and said "Those places are no longer allowed. They incite lust and licentious behavior." He then walked away but not before giving the shapeshifter a dirty look. "Hey! Keep looking at me like that and I'll shove my boot up your ass!" This threat man sent the man scurrying. Sam soon found herself in front of a large cathedral. Since everything else in this country was boring Sam figured that she might as well check it out though she was not really a religious person. When Sam entered the building, she saw that an evening Mass was taking place and a very obese Cardinal was presiding over it. Then a strange smell hit her nose and it was coming from the large golden chalice that the Cardinal was holding. Sam could smell the wine, but it was the underlying odor she was concerned with. It was poison! It was a mixture of oleander and cyanide. She watched in horror as the fat Cardinal, lifted the large golden cup to his lips and chug all the contents. Weren't they supposed to only take a sip? As she ran forward, several guards grabbed her. "Dammit! Let me go, you clowns! That fat priest was just poisoned!" The whole congregation and the guards looked at her in awe. The cardinal scoffed "What do you mean, I've been…." The sentence was not finished before the cardinal's eyes bulged and he vomited blood all over the altar. He bought his hands to his mouth as another set of vomiting occurred. The congregation members screamed and ran for the exits. Looking up at the balcony, Sam caught a glimpse of something shiny. The Silver Mask! Sam broke out of the stunned guards' grasp and leaped up into the balcony, but the vigilante was already gone. Sam sighed; she hated giving Integra bad news.

Hellsing Manor

Even before he was in front of the office doors, Philip could hear his boss yelling. Oh, great another telephone call that pissed her off. Integra had a terrible habit of breaking things when she was angry. All the tea in the world in the world couldn't calm Integra when she was on this level of pissed. As he opened the door, Philip saw Integra screaming into the phone "What the hell do you mean he's dead?!" The person on the other end said something and Integra slammed the phone down. When it looked like she was going to throw it, Philip said "Sir, before you throw that, I must tell you that we are running low on replacements." Integra glared at him for a moment but did not throw the phone. When Philip set the tea tray down and poured a cup of tea, Integra asked "What about cups?"

"Sir?"

"Are we running low on teacups?"

"Ummm…no sir we are not."

Philip regretted that answer instantly because Integra downed the tea like a shot of whiskey and then threw the cup against the wall, shattering it. Philip sighed, "I take it the phone call was bad news?"

"However, did you guess? Cardinal Antonio Ricci was assassinated by the Silver Mask."

Integra sighed, she knew what to expect next; a phone call from Enrico, probably to lay the blame at her feet. The idiot couldn't comprehend that not all the citizens in Italy were happy with his rules. No amount of parties and festivities would make people happy. Unfortunately, Enrico had been so paranoid that he only consulted with only four Cardinals about everything, none of them being her contacts in the Vatican, so Integra had no idea what Enrico was doing, but if she could get a hold on this Silver Mask fellow, she'd find out. Integra sighed again; this was going to be a long next couple of days. Just then the phone rang.

Vatican City

When Enrico found out that Cardinal Ricci was murdered, angry was not the word to describe it. "It was that damn Silver Mask wasn't it?"

"Yes it was" confirmed Bishop Salvaggio. "There was also a suspicious woman, who knew that Ricci was poisoned. We ran her face throughout database and nothing showed up. We suspect that maybe they are working together."

"I know it's that Hellsing sow! Who else? She's sending her people here!"

"We are trying to get in contact with Hellsing now…"

"Don't even bother, she most likely won't answer. We'll go on a different route. Contact the United Nations, I consider this a breach of jurisdiction."

"I can't believe she'd have Ricci killed in a church, while he was doing a Mass" exclaimed Salvietti. "Has she no respect for anything?"

"Find that unknown woman! I know she's working for Hellsing!"

A guard came in and whispered something into Salvaggio's ear. When he left the bishop turned to Enrico, "Your Holiness, it would see you're right, that woman came off a flight from London, her name is Sam Hopkins, most likely an alias." Enrico chuckled, "Integra thinks she's so smart. The little girl is playing a dangerous game."

Cardinal Bianchi entered the room and said, "The U.N. said the meeting is going to happen in 3 days."

"Fine, but Hellsing is NOT to know of this, we need to catch that bitch off guard for once!" This ought to teach that woman a good lesson!

As he made his escape from the cathedral, the Silver Mask was sure that the unknown woman must have been a daywalker or something of that matter because she could tell that there was poison in the chalice. He had made sure that he was not seen when slipping the poisonous concoction into the bottles of wine. So how she knew was beyond him. It mattered little to him, she was not chasing after him now, so he could acquire his next target.

Sam followed the scent of the Silver Mask until she lost it because it was soon muddled among the of the other scents of the city. Sam sat down on a nearby bench "I'm not a fucking bloodhound" the shapeshifter scowled "What the hell am I doing?"

"Such foul languages from one so pretty" came a voice from above Sam. She looked up a tall man in dark priest's clothes.

"Buzz off, priest. I'm busy."

The priest tilted his head, "You look like you're busy being idle."

"I'm still busy, so unless you want me to tear you to shreds you'd better move along."

Surprisingly the priest chuckled, "Sir Integra did say you'd be cranky after she was done yelling at you."

'Well she was…what did you say?"

"Sir Integra sent me to find you, Sam."

"And you are…."

"I'm Father Luca Castenello, pastor of the Santa Rose del la Vergina Maria* church in Tuscany. By now the Iscariot Organization knows you are here, so you might want to lay low while searching for this Silver Mask fellow."

"I thought Sir Integra hated Catholics, why would she work with one?"

"I think she just despises Catholics like Maxwell."

Sam figured if she had to lie low, it might as well be with someone who knew about Hellsing. She knew better than to trust him outright, but Integra was not stupid, so maybe this priest could be useful. A couple of minutes later, Sam was on her way to some remote church in the hills of Tuscany, not exactly where she thought she would be. The church itself was a small stone building with a heavy wooden door with a large cross nailed to it. The inside was quaint and cozy with 24 wooden pews lined up in two rows of 12. The altar was made of oak and the size of a standard office desk. The six stained glass windows depicted various images of the Virgin Mary including one where she held a single bright crimson rose. Sam suspected that was where the church got its name from. "Wow, this place is dinky" commented Sam. Father Castenello's laugh vibrated around the small building "Yes Enrico made sure that I was sent to the most miserable place he could find. The joke's on him, I prefer this to the politics of the Vatican City."

"What did you do to piss him off?"

"A lot. But the one that got me here was disagreeing with his ideas of running the Iscariot Organization."

"Iscariot? Integra is full of surprises. She hates these bastards with a passion. Passion, I think that be put to better use- like having a good toss between the sheets."

Father Castenello laughed again and said, "Let's go and see what Sister Isabella cooked for dinner." The two headed towards a larger brick building. It was surrounded by a white picket fence and in the front yard were a couple of chickens and goats, which panicked at sensing what Sam was. "Don't think about eating the animals or Sister Isabell will have a fit" chuckled Father Castenello. Sam just rolled her eyes. Sister Isabell was happy to have a guest for dinner, even an unexpected one. As the three sat down to eat, the topic went from a light-hearted tone to where the other priests were to the serious note of the missing day walkers and the Iscariot Organization.

"When Enrico became Pope, he had no tolerance for day walkers. They weren't allowed in churches and they have even fewer rights than before. The rule is that priests are supposed to turn them away, but I find that I can't disallow anyone from entering God's house. So, several day walkers came to church. Besides I couldn't tell the difference anyway. There was one in particular named Alberto who came to Mass every Sunday and he would stand in the corner, head bowed for the entire Mass and since he never bothered anyone I let him be. Then he suddenly stopped coming. At first, I wasn't worried, but soon more day walkers who were regulars stopped attending Mass and then I became worried."

"You weren't worried that Enrico might send Iscariot after you for letting day walkers going to church?" asked Sam.

"No, I didn't care about that. I figured that he forgot about a tiny church in the sticks anyway. Sometimes we barely have bread for communion. One evening I heard a noise that sounded like a large truck and I watched as the Iscariot Organization soldiers opened the back and release what I thought at first were Chimera, but when one of them turned their head in my direction, I saw it was Alberto. But he didn't look like he normally did. His eyes were red and black and he had huge fangs in his mouth, nothing at all like his usually quiet demeanor. The day walkers attacked people and then Iscariot showed up and made it look like they are saving people when they were most likely just knocking them out and carting them off to do it all over again."

Sister Isabella handed Sam a newspaper article that spoke of a successful extermination of a group of day walkers that 'attacked' people and it also stated that there were no causalities. "It's a lie, I was there for that one and I saw three people get killed!" said the nun. This new information stunned Sam. How could anyone do that? Wasn't the job of the Iscariot Organization to protect the people from vampires? What the heck was wrong with Enrico? Father Castenello got up from the table, went to a closet, and took a box down from the top shelf. Even though the box was labeled 'Bibles', he took out a stack of pamphlets. "This is what the Silver Mask was giving people."

" 'The Truth?' What a fitting name" said, Sam.

"He wanted people to know what the Vatican was truly doing, but then Enrico threw a huge countrywide party, shifting the people's attention," said Sister Isabella disgustedly.

"Well then, let's shift the people's attention again."

"I saw this on the altar one Sunday," said Father Castenello holding up a DVD. "When I saw what was on here, I was appalled." The priest played the DVD, on it the person holding the camera, showed the caged Chimera, dazed day walkers who had come down from their induced high and ghouls that stumbled around in their enclosure oblivious of the walls that held them in. "This is what the Vatican is hiding from the people. The great Enrico Maxwell claims to protect his people when he puts them in mortal danger!" seethed Father Castenello. The footage showed documents and writings about the serum used on the day walkers and their information on their lives, which explained how they were captured. The video then skipped several days ahead, it revealed a pack of Chimera tearing through the streets attacking people. The only difference about this 'attack' was that the Chimera wore large shock collars that activated every time they approached too close to a human. But not all the Chimera was affected by the shock treatment and people were still torn apart. A short while a couple large trucks came into view and several men stunned the monsters and placed them in the back of the vehicles, just as Father Castenello had said previously. There were numerous more scenes like this on the DVD before it cut off. The three sat still for a couple minutes. Father Castenello had already seen the footage, but the two women had to process exactly what they just viewed.

"Why not release this on the media?" asked Sam.

"The new government controls all forms of expression. Everything is scrutinized and reviewed before it is aired" explained Father Castenello. "Also, all radio and television studios are heavily guarded; the Silver Mask would need an army to get inside."

"And I have to still look for the guy…"

"I know Sir Integra wanted you to find out who the Silver Mask, but maybe it's best to let him expose Enrico," said Father Castenello. Sam scratched her head, if the Silver Mask killed Cardinal Ricci, it was most likely that he would go after the other three cardinals in Enrico's little circle, so she could wait until he went after Maxwell to confront the Silver Mask. This saved her from searching all over the country. "Well Sir Integra did say to find out who the Silver Mask was; she never said anything about stopping him from what he is doing."

Three days later- Saint Peter's Basilica

The funeral for Cardinal Antonio Ricci was held on the morning of the meeting with the UN. The turnout was a large affair, as the Cardinal was pretty popular. Cardinal Salvietti was one of his closest friends. He had always thought that Ricci would either die from laughing too hard or from eating too much. Projectile vomiting his liquefied insides all over the altar was not the way anyone thought that Ricci would go. Salvietti looked around at the congregation as they lined up to receive communion. Noticeably missing was the wine, no one wanted to take a chance that it was poisoned. Completely understandable thought Salvietti. He had spent the last couple of days drinking tap water afraid of anyone handling his drinks. With the Silver Mask, still on the loose and no one knowing his identity, trust and morale among the people sank. Damn that Silver Mask! As the Cardinal held up a communion wafer for the next patron, he saw a glint of silver. Salvietti froze, there in front of him with a dark hooded sweater and his trademark mask on, was the Silver Mask. "Hello, Salvietti" the vigilante whispered, "I have a gift for you." With that, the Silver Mask stuck a thin serrated knife into the Cardinal's kidney. He stabbed repeatedly, the jagged blade of the knife essentially pulling out the older man's insides. A woman screamed and the Silver Mask bolted towards the doors, several guards stepped forward and blocked his path. The masked man threw a couple of smoke bombs and while guards coughed and sputtered, he disappeared. "He sure does know how to make a scene" muttered Sam as she watched from the shadows.

Late Evening- Hellsing Manor

Integra sat her desk, staring at the remains of yet another phone. The blasted thing was ringing all day- ALL DAY. She did not have time to hear Enrico ranting at her about spies, vigilantes, and silver masks, it was sad really.

"You know, master, you should try and conquer your anger" purred Alucard, who had phased into the spacious office. "Besides, I think we are running out of phones because you keep throwing them."

"Well you'll be happy to know that I didn't throw this one, I merely put several bullets in it."

Alucard chuckled, "There isn't a difference if the phone no longer works."

Integra sighed, for once Alucard was right, not that she'd be stupid enough to tell him. Letting Enrico get her pissed was not good, but the Italian pissant had a way of getting under her skin. If Integra could clock him in the mouth, just one good punch was all she needed, and then she'd feel better. Philip walked into the office, "The phone is for you, Sir. But seeing you how you treat the phones, I'm not comfortable giving you this one."

"You don't have to, tell whoever it is that they can go and piss off!"

"It's Mr. Adebiyi Obademi, President of the United Nations Security Council."

A thin platinum eyebrow was arched, "What does he want?"

"He says it has something with you breeching jurisdiction regulations. He insists that you log on immediately. He sounded quite upset."

"I can only wonder what Maxwell was whispering in his ear."

The meeting was supposed to start 25 minutes ago. Obademi looked at his watch and sighed. Just as he was about to reschedule the meeting, the image of the Hellsing director flickered into view. "You're late, Sir Hellsing" fumed the president. The expression on Integra's face was anything but apologetic, "You'll have to forgive me, I am used to attending meetings in person, not with this damnable technology."

"Sir Hellsing, Maxwell says that you have sent personnel into Italy without consulting him" stated Miyamoto. "Is this true?"

"Yes."

"SHE'S LYING!...wait what?" said Enrico. "I thought she was going to deny it…." Integra rolled her eyes; yeah someone slipped something into his drink.

"And can you tell us why you didn't consult Maxwell?"

The director shrugged, "I don't like him. Talking to him is the same as talking to a pig. Though I'm sure the pig has more reasoning ability." Enrico's face turned red, but before he could have another outburst, Obademi said, "Sir Hellsing, there is no need for insults. Did you send a vigilante called the Silver Mask to Italy?"

Integra chuckled, "Are you people drinking the same thing Maxwell is? No, I did not send some clown called the Silver Mask."

"You are lying, sow!" screamed Enrico "I know you sent him! He killed Cardinal Salvietti during Cardinal Ricci's funeral!"

"I give him points on creativity."

"I knew it! She sent him!"

"Maxwell! There is no need for yelling!" exclaimed Miyamoto. The U.N. director then held up a picture, it was of Sam at the airport, "Do you know this woman, Sir Hellsing? She was at the scene of Cardinal Ricci's murder and somehow knew that he had been poisoned."

"Yes, she works for me."

"And what is she doing in Italy?"

"Looking for this Silver Mask clown. Even though she's sure taking her damn time."

"I know that's a lie! She's probably been sent to kill me!" said Enrico.

"You forgot already Maxwell? I said if you do anything stupid, I would kill you."

Enrico turned to the two U.N. officials, "You see? You can't believe anything she said. She already lied to you once."

Miyamoto cleared her throat, "You forget that you and the former pope lied as well. This is just a squabble between two people who don't like each other, a waste of time."

The Hellsing commander scoffed, "That's the smartest thing I've heard any of you asses say."

Miyamoto glared at Integra, "Excuse me?"

"You're excused. Let me tell you this once and one time only, the Hellsing Organization DOES NOT answer to any of you. So, you will not call me to pointless meetings like this because this pissant whines to you every time he fucks up. I have important things to do and spending valuable minutes staring at your mugs is NOT how I want to spend them. And next time have the meeting in person, I'm not doing this damn hologram crap. I'd rather see my victims squirm face to face." At seeing their stunned expressions, Integra smirked and lit a cigar. Enrico looked like he was going to explode, "You dare speak to me in that rude manner, Miss Hellsing!?" He was hoping to get Integra mad by calling her 'miss', however, the broadening of her grin was not what he expected, "This is war! WAR, MISS HELLSING!" By now, Integra was doing her best not to crack up, "Oh Maxwell, you've neither the intelligence nor the stones to go to war with me. But if you insist, I will rain hell down on your pathetic little country."

"You bitch…"

"Yes, I am a bitch. A bitch you do not want to mess with. A word of advice, little boy, worry about that Silver Mask fellow because as I recall you have two more Cardinals in that boy's club of yours." The commander looked at her watch, "Looks like it's time for tea. I wish you all a good evening." When Integra logged off, the other three sat staring at each other for a good minute. That was not how they expected the meeting to go. The U.N. officials logged out silently leaving only Maxwell. When he finally logged off, he was angry. He had hoped to get some answers and had wanted the U.N. to put some restrictions on Hellsing, but she made it clear that nothing the U.N. did would hinder her. He was sure that the Silver Mask was working for her. No matter he would find that vigilante and he would make sure that Integra gets a front row seat to his execution.

Meanwhile, in a nearby church, the Silver Mask walked out of a confessional. There was still one more thing that needed to be done. Soon all the madness would be over and Italy would go back to the way it was. No more needless executions of innocent people and all these so-called 'attacks' would end. The Silver Mask's next target was the oh-so-great leader, the Holy Father, Enrico Maxwell. He made his way outside the Holy Father's window. He knew that Enrico never slept unless he knew that he was properly guarded. The Silver Mask dispatched the guards around Enrico's room and made his way stealthily into his room. He took out a metal stake, how a fitting way for him to die, like the creatures that he pretended to protect the people from. Just as the Silver Mask was about to drive the stake into Enrico's chest, he caught movement out the corner of his eye. When he turned around, the vigilante found himself staring into the hazel eyes of a woman. "You do know that if you kill him, they will just replace him with someone who is the same, right?"

"So, you're saying that I should let him live, it that it?"

"For now, everyone still believes that this idiot is without sin. But you have proof that shows that's not true. And if you hear me out, I'm sure the people will finally see the truth." The woman handed him one of the first pamphlets he had made. "Believe it or not, there are quite a few people who are waiting for some kind of sign to revolt against this façade of a government."

"Why are you helping me?"

Sam grinned, "I want the clubs and nude beaches back." The Silver Mask laughed softly, "I guess I'll hear your plan out then."

"Great. But first I have a little gift from Sir Integra for Enrico."

A couple of minutes later there was a loud shriek as Enrico was branded on his chest with the Hellsing logo.

Somewhere in London, a certain director smirked.

Chapter End

Author's Notes: We are finally at the end. So what happens next? What is Sam's plan? Will Enrico need to have half of his chest removed? Will the people learn the truth and if so, will they believe it? Join us in the last chapter.