I got some bad news over the last weekend. I've been dealing with the fallout since then. It has sapped my brain giving me a serious case of writers block... I still wanted to get another chapter up, so here it is, but it is also short.

Thank you for the reviews and encouragement Gabrielmizore311, Snakewithwings, and Guest!

Master of the Boot: I always look forward to your reviews and am glad that you are enjoying the story so far!

Chapter 5: The Vatican Section XIII

"For the last time, chief Makube, I have not ordered nor sent my men to attack agents of your organization." Sir Integra was pacing back and forth along the length of her desk as she talked with the replacement of Enrico Maxwell. The battered remains of the cigar on the desk and the blanching of her knuckles did little to hide the sheer amount of anger and frustration that she was feeling.

"I, of course, believe you. Unfortunately my brethren are less apt to take the words of a protestant woman such as yourself at face value."

In the background barely audible came a voice that yelled out. "Protestant whore!"

"Shall we meet in a neutral place to discuss this further, I do so hate to discuss such matters over the phone."

"Fine. Meet me at the same location that we have used in the past." Sir Integra let the sarcasm drip from her voice, "And do try to be on time."

XxXxX

Sir Integra approached the same spot she had been with her last meeting with the Vatican with William not far behind. She examined the painting next to the section of wall that Alucard had phased through the last time they had been here. She found herself wishing that he would show up again, even if it meant that she would have to deal with his smart mouth. She turned her head as she heard the footsteps approaching. "As always the Vatican remains unable to use a simple clock."

Chief Makube approached followed by one of his agents, Heinkel Wolfe. Both wore their robes of office. Whereas Makube's face was an unreadable blank slate his companion wore one of mixed annoyance and fury. The bandages around Heinkel's face did little to hide the damage that had been done during the last conflict.

"Forgive our rudeness," Makube bowed his head slightly, "We were detained by some of your men."

"I told you already and I will only repeat this once more. They are not my men."

"Then explain those!" Heinkel shouted with the lisp caused by her injuries and threw several bloody patches at Integra's feet. The patches had the insignia that unmistakably identified them as Hellsing. "Do you take us for fools?"

"No, I take you for idiots." She gave a smirk at the rage apparent on Heinkel's face. She indicated for William to pick the patches up. He handed her one of the less bloodied ones for her to examine. She turned it, looking at it from all angles before speaking. "It's a fake. A very good imitation but not good enough."

"Of course you would say something like that!" Heinkel sputtered.

"Now, now, we must remain calm." The soothing voice of Makube was directed to his subordinate.

Sir Integra held up the back of the patch to the eyes of the Vatican agents. "This is missing a crucial element that all but one of our patches carry. And so it is a fake."

"You sound very confident." noted Makube.

"Of course. If you remember we had an incident some time ago where my organization was attacked and my men turned into ghouls. We now have a mechanism in place in our patches containing a small but lethal dose of silver. Once triggered by a soldier it can inject the liquid silver into the body thus preventing the conversion to a ghoul or to kill the ghoul once turned." She smirked at the look of astonishment on Heinkel's face.

"The implementation has been recent, but all of the men currently serving under Hellsing have these upgraded badges. This is obviously the work of someone who was not aware of the changes and their attempt to cause a disruption between our organizations. I'm sure you would agree, chief Makube, that another fight between our groups at this time would not be in your best interest."

Makube's strained voice was the only indication of his annoyance at the outcome of the discussion. "No, it would not." He turned on his heel and beckoned for his subordinate to follow.

William waited until the two were out of earshot before remarking. "That went rather well, did it not, Sir?"

"Of course it did."

"And sir, I was not aware of the changes made to our updated patches as you put it."

This time the smile reached Integra's eyes. "As I said to them, it was a very recent addition."

At this he actually let out a small laugh. "As you say."