Author's Note – Yes, I'm finally updating this one. I've had a bad round of writer's block and I just couldn't come up with a way to continue, even though I have plenty of twists planned for this fic. I'm finally back on my original computer, so there shouldn't be some many typing errors and what not. And there are spoilers in this, so watch out. Well, onto the story. Disclaimer – I do not own Hellsing or any other series. All characters and other properties belong to their rightful owners. Enjoy.
Sir Integra stood on the roof of what was left of her family house, her arms folded across her chest as she gazed out at what was left of her country. There wasn't much to look at, and what she did see wasn't very pretty. The grass had been charred, mounds of blackened soil dotting the landscape like freshly dug graves. Even though it was still another hour till sundown, the skies were as gray and dull as the land beneath it, overcast with the remains of ugly gases, ashes and only god knew what else.
The leader sighed, her lungs silently rejoicing at the release of the foul air. The smell of blood, tear gas, explosives and gun smoke was still heavy on the wind, even though it had been almost a full month. A full month since Millennium had decimated more than three-fourths of the population in London. Since the Nazis had rained down on Britain's great city and captured it like a plague. A full month since she had failed.
It was one of the things that refused to stop playing again and again in her mind. It was a broken record, screeching the ugly truth to her over and over. She had failed. The Queen, the other twelve Round Table members, her men, her father, her family had depended on her to defend what they all stood for. They had expected her to hold all the things that go bump in the night at bay. To maintain a blissful ignorance for the rest of the population – perhaps the world – and to keep them safe.
And she had failed.
As this went through her mind yet again, a sudden mental picture of her father seared into view. It wasn't one of the ones where he lay sickly in bed, the heart monitor and other machines beeping annoyingly as he tried to smile for her. Those were usually the case when she sometimes remembered him – trying to be strong, trying to be a good father. Instead he was leaning back in one of the plush chairs in the library, a cigar held between his teeth as he bore a devilish grin.
'It's Sunday, Integra. Relax! God only knows how much longer till you won't have the chance for peace and quiet. You'll be head of the family one day, a tall pretty woman with your father's fire. Old Sir Iron's will still have to listen to a stubborn ol' Hellsing, and trying not to throw a fit about it. You'll be giving hell to those Freaks, too. And I hope I'm there to see it. You'll make us all proud, won't ya love?'
Integra pushed her glasses back farther on the bridge of her nose as she slightly bowed her head, and sighed. She shook her head as a wave of sadness and perhaps regret washed over
her. "I'm sorry. Unforgivably sorry," she replied quietly to the whispering wind. "I have failed you, Father." The wind whipped at her face. "I have failed everyone."
The wind continued to lash around her and the Hellsing grounds. She wondered what he thought of her now, her father. And wondered what her ancestor, the great Professor Van Helsing, tamer of the worlds fiercest creature also thought of his descendent. She doubted that either of them thought very highly of her now.
Remembering that night, her hand reached up and gently touched her left cheek just below her eye. Her final showdown with the Major had been tense, short, and a bit pricey. She knew at the time – just as much as she did now – that firing at him at point blank range was practically suicide. But she had done it. She had aimed and fired till her revolver was out of ammunition, watching the bullets tear through him like paper.
Until one of his bullets had finally made their mark. She remembered the sickening sound of the round piercing the delicate flesh, and the sudden pain as it all went black in her left eye. Or rather, it went black where it use to be. Blood had gushed but she had had little time to yell out her frustration and pain, before Seras had grabbed her arm and led her out of the Zeppelin. It had gone up in smoke, all except for the twisted metal frame.
When Seras had pried Integra's hand from the wound some time later, she realized that Seras had picked up her missing "limb". The operation had been awkward, with the draculina fusing her blood and saliva with Integra's wound, as the eye had been carefully placed back in her socket. It had not been easy. It had been difficult to try and not squirm; it had stung and burned something fierce. And even though her eye was almost the same as it had ever been, it still sometimes went temporarily blind, and a patch would be needed so that her vision and concentration wouldn't suffer.
With another sigh, she turned her attention to her belt where a tiny pager rang at her, it's tiny display blinking a bright blue. Since Walter obviously wasn't going to return to his former position as retainer of Hellsing, nor inform her of the Freak attacks that could be going on, she had found a way to send information to herself as soon as possible. It consisted of the remaining Round Table members – Sir Iron's, and two others – sending her emails as soon as their men caught even wind of paranormal activity, or paging her. This system was only to be used for the sole purpose of decimating the surviving Freaks or Nazi party members. It was also useful as since her "allies" were in no mood to speak with her face to face.
Another piece of proof of her failure.
She tilted the pager to read the message;
FREAK ON THE MOVE. SOUTH END OF LONDON. FEW GHOULS. RETALIATE IMMEDIATELY.
"Of course it is," she muttered as she clipped the pager back onto her belt and headed for the door into the building. South London for some obscure reason had been the main site for Freak activity, though no one was certain why. Possibly because that was the closest area to the fallen Zeppelin, except downtown London, and they avoided that area. And the only reason that the remaining Freaks would visit the wreckage would be to pick up any supplies they could salvage. Sir Integra, Sir Iron's and the others, however, had no intention to let the low-life vamps restock and try to cripple their human enemies. They wouldn't repeat the mistake they had made over fifty years ago.
Integra bounded down the stairs to the top floor of the mansion. She pressed the button that would page Seras – Integra had made sure that she had one as well – and summoned Alucard through their master-servant bond. Reaching her office she went through the door into the room where Walter's victims had waited. It was a small room, half library, half parlor, with a couple chairs and a sofa. She went to the other end of the room where a large closet sat. She swung open the doors to reveal several revolvers, pistols, and a few swords that she had recovered from the wreckage of the house.
As she began strapping on the belt for her sword, Seras appeared by her side. The draculina briefly looked over the weapons before she spoke. "What is it this time?"
"A Freak and a few ghouls. It's in the south end of the city again."
"If it's such a small party, why are you getting ready? Alucard and I can handle it."
"That may be true. But it's more than coincidence that they keep hording to that area. I want to find out what keeps bringing them in. There might be a possibility that there are human survivors as well." Integra flicked the safety on both of the pistols that she put on her person, and grabbed the pouch for shells. "Besides," she continued as she threw on her coat. "I think it's time that we put our prisoner to the test. And I'm not going to let him out of my sight."
"So we're having the coward take out the other cowards for us?" Both Seras and Integra turned to see Alucard leaning against the doorframe, the Jackall already in hand. "Should we really let him? He might see it as a reward rather than punishment."
"I doubt it. He won't see it that way when I'm done with him. I have something planned for him depending on the results of this mission."
"What do you mean, Sir?" Seras' face fell slightly. "Surely you don't think he'll find this to be some sort of discipline. As far as we know, he never actually liked the other members of Millennium in the first place. And to give him back his weapons…"
"We are not going to give him anything. He seems to have a knack for improvising for what he wants. So let him improvise in the field. He'll have nothing but his bare hands. Far as I'm concerned, his wires are as good as mine. Unless…" She trailed off and shook her head.
"Never mind. We'll deal with that when we return. I'll inform the Vampire myself of his new role."
With that said, Integra adjusted the collar of her coat and went out the door, the two vampire's right behind her. Having no time to spare, she dashed down the stairs. She had a pretty good idea of what could happen if Walter some how was set free in battle. There was little doubt in her mind that if he had the slightest chance, he would kill her instantly – or at least try to. Not to mention he was probably going to make everything a hassle for her tonight, once he was off the Hellsing grounds. But with no men to help her and her cause, and the Round Table members refusing to lend any of the soldiers they could spare, it was time to take desperate measures.
Once they reached the right level, they rounded the final corner to the dungeons, and went through the door into the cell area. Integra stopped in front of her prisoner's cell and peered for only a moment at him. He lay on his bench, ankles crossed and his arm over his eyes. Integra pulled out the keys from her pocket and rattled them on their ring to get Walter's attention. He opened one eye, from which he glared out at her under his forearm. It was evident that the tiny pieces of metal were grating against his ears.
"Get up," she ordered sharply. She then quickly opened the door and swung it wide open. Walter sat up slowly, never once removing his gaze from his former master, a slight scowl on his face. "It's time that you pulled your weight around here."
Transportation had been difficult to arrange at first. There were only three working vehicles left at the estate; a low-slung custom dark green and red 2008 Harley-Davidson FXCWC Rocker C, a black and red Ducati Monster S4RS that had been slightly extended in length, and a black Saleen S5S Raptor, all of which oddly survived due to their renovations for military life. Considering that the Ducati's length seemed just for Alucard's long legs, and Integra was still hesitant about getting in another car after she wrecked one about a month ago, it only made sense for Seras to take the Saleen.
With Walter riding shotgun.
As Alucard checked the Ducati for any signs of malfunction, Integra approached Seras with a key. "That car is the only vehicle that can carry numerous supplies, including weapons. It's also one of the most expensive things I own. Don't. Mess. Up." Seras nodded gravely. Integra gave their prisoner a quick glance, who was leaning against the wall, then back at the young vampire. "I would have Alucard drive, but that bike has become one of his favorite toys and I can't trust him with a car like that. And I doubt he'd be very careful with it if Walter is right next to him. I wish you luck." She then handed the key to Seras and raced to the Harley.
Seras sighed, then raced to her own vehicle. "Get in the car," she barked at her passenger. "We don't have time to dawdle. And if I have any trouble with you, I will tie you to the seat and gag you." Walter only scoffed but did as she said and slid into the Saleen as she fired the engine. The sound of the luxury vehicle being started was answered with the loud rumble of Integra's ride, and the long revving of Alucard lovingly testing the motorcycle he straddled. Integra rolled up to the button on the nearest wall and pressed it. As soon as the garage door barely allowed clearance, the senior vampire shot out with the squeal of rubber on cement. His master followed hot on his tail, the chopper rumbling loudly into the dark. Seras quickly shifted, and the Saleen whizzed out of the garage, the engine roaring into the night as it soon began to pick up speed.
Once they had gotten clear of the gate of the grounds, Alucard signaled to Integra and they both moved side by side in front of the Saleen, he in one lane and she in the other. Seras kept an eye on both the bikers in front and their surroundings for possible ambushes. As they all soared down the road, the draculina glanced occasionally at the speedometer. They were at eighty right now – speeding but traffic was nonexistent and the situation was serious. To think that she wouldn't have been able to operate such vehicles until she was dead…
As Seras began to realize just how much she missed the Harley – she had always used it when she had been sent out on those rare missions with Alucard after the war – her ward spoke. "I find this rather stupid," he stated with an annoyed tone. Seras gave him a glance as he continued. "Although Sir Hellsing wouldn't be so conspicuous with just herself on the bike, she has all of us in or on vehicles. An air raid would have been better."
"No, it wouldn't," Seras replied with a frown, her eyes locked on the road and her comrades. "We did that the first few days of recovery but the Freaks caught on pretty quickly. They have spotlights with them wherever they go now, and some firearms. The weapons don't do much to us, but they do slow us down a little. And every second counts. Air raids are impossible. Besides, their keeping their eyes out for anything suspicious."
"Driving two expensive custom bikes, and a rare sports car into the middle of an old warzone – or any other place for that matter – isn't suspicious?," the ex-butler scoffed.
"Not as much as you think. The Freaks are keeping an eye out for anything paranormal, anything vampiric that they aren't use to. Riding these make us look more like stupid mortal tourists, or big and rich hot shots wanting to see what's left of the city. If we appear to be blubbering mortal idiots, to be easy targets, they are more likely to come right into our line of fire. " Seras gave him a glare. "You're not the only tactician in this country. We can plan this sort of thing out just fine – without you."
"Really?," Walter asked with a sly smile. "Then why did you all bring me along?"
"Because we decided that you need to get off your ass and work for us. And more importantly Integra is not going to leave you at the mansion unattended!," she snapped, slightly
raising her voice. She shifted again as the two in front of her began to pick up some more speed. She glanced at the speedometer. The little red needle pointed to ninety-five. "We'll be arriving at south London soon. Sir Integra will tell you what to do. If you step out of line, Alucard and I will be more than happy to oblige any order she gives us to destroy you." Out of the corner of her eye she saw her passenger raise an eyebrow skeptically. "If I were you, Freak, I would keep that in mind." He said nothing as he stared out the windshield.
Seras, Alucard, and Integra moved around a series of moderately sharp corners with ease, all the vehicles gliding smoothly on the blacktop. Integra suddenly motioned to a long patch of ash and gravel up ahead by the road, just a few blocks on the outskirts of the city, where a few crumbling walls remained and just tall enough to hide the vehicles. They all pulled into the make-shift parking lot in unison, quickly cutting their engines. Alucard and his master dismounted as Seras and Walter slid quietly out of the car, shutting the doors quietly.
Integra pulled out her pistol and turned to the vampires standing around her and the Harley. "Sir Irons paged me with intelligence that there is one Freak – a former human survivor who turned to the very few refugee members of Millennium – and a small pack of ghouls. Keep an eye out, however. He or she may have made a friend of the same intentions." Giving her pistol one last look over for preparation, she looked at Walter dead in the face. "You have a lot in store for you, Vampire, depending on the outcome of the mission. We both already know that I won't tolerate any mishaps, whether they be intentional or not. So listen carefully. Scour the territory, look for ghouls or the Freak, and stay within at least one of our sights. If you find the target, you will report to us immediately and take out as many enemies as possible. Have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal," Walter replied with a sneer.
Integra gave her former butler on last glare than began to walk away. "Start hunting," she ordered. They split up, but staying within about fifteen feet of each other. As Seras kept her head down, walking silently among the rubble and the blackened walls, she pulled her own pistol from her belt. It was the weapon she usually used on missions, unless the situation became a bit more critical and she would have to resort to her shadow arm. Her gaze darted around corners and in the shadows, watching for any sign of their quarry. She saw Walter walk casually down a narrow path of gravel to her right, Alucard watching him with devious, dangerous eyes on the other side. The senior vampire followed, dissipating to thin air to arrive somewhere out of sight.
Seras turned down an alley, giving Integra – who was standing to her left – a brief glance to let her know where she was going. Integra nodded and they both disappeared into the dark alleys before them. The young No-Life Queen proceeded down the narrow space between the walls on each side, her senses waiting for any sign of the Freak. And if she was honest with herself, she was also waiting for any sign of Walter trying to pull a stunt.
Seras shook her head as she peered into the window on her right. She still didn't understand why Integra had brought Walter for this. Sure, she could see the logic and reasoning. But it still bothered her. Walter was not the kind of individual that she wanted to work with, even if he did want to take out the remaining Freak population. If he had betrayed them once, what was to stop him from doing it again…? And again, and again…? Not to mention his conduct towards her wasn't exactly the most wonderful way she had ever been treated. She peered into the next window. Nothing there either. She continued on, her hearing keenly tuned.
Another thing that bothered her was how vague her employer had been about after the mission. She had told them that she wasn't going to give him anything – but she hadn't said that she wouldn't return the traitor his precious wires either. And the way Integra seemed to have something on her mind, some… decision only made her wonder if the young Hellsing was actually hiding something from them. She trusted and respected Sir Integra but… it just didn't settle well with her that she had silently refused to tell her what she had in store Walter. 'I just hope you know what you're doing Integra', Seras thought.
Seras winded her way down the narrow passage, her firearm firmly in hand. Her eyes wandered over the walls above her, looking for any signs of some sort of ambush. The gray sky was a highlight compared to the blasted wall, and would reveal an enemy. Nothing yet. As she slowed her pace, she tilted her head back only a few degrees and sampled the air, letting her inhuman ability to detect the obscure. It smelt like it should under the current conditions – an old warzone. Her forehead creased in dissatisfaction. "Something's off…," she murmured. "Why haven't they-?"
She suddenly stopped when her ears faintly twitched. They had detected something. Holding absolutely still, other than the slight turn of her head, she listened, almost hoping to find something, to find an intruder. Was it human? Or the Freak they were hunting? She waited, holding stock still, the soft breeze that scattered the ash on the ground seeming to howl on her eardrums. Stillness…stillness…just quiet… Seras frowned as her ears heard nothing. 'Did I make a mistake? Was it just one of the stones falling out of the wall?'
There was a sudden streak of black behind her, screeching as it flung itself at breakneck speed. Seras reflexes kicked in and she spun in a tight circle to have the claws of her attacker miss her by mere centimeters. As the blur of dark clothing and sharp shrieks passed by, she snatched the closest layer of it, then swung it away. The thing slammed into the wall Seras had been facing with enough force to shove it half way through the bricks. The Freak recovered much more rapidly than she had expected and scrambled out of the wall, giving her a fierce snarl before sprinting to the left.
Seras wasted no time on pursuing the Freak, but unable to maneuver through the tight curves but at human speed due to her lack of using her new powers in such a situation. As she squeezed through a tight hole in a wall, she mentally contacted Integra. 'Integra! The Freak is on
the move, heading west towards you! Inform Alucard! She's aggressive and probably heading to her horde of ghouls! I'm in pursuit!'
'Don't let up! Stay on her! We'll be there shortly! Try to herd her to a place of our advantage!,' responded Integra. Seras aimed and managed to clip the Freak in the shoulder as they skidded around another corner. The Freak screamed as her blood painted the wall next to her, but continued to sprint to her destination. "You're not going anywhere!," Seras growled loudly, chucking up dirt in her tracks as she pumped her feet after her target, ash, glass, and gravel swirling behind her in her wake.
Author's Note – Good grief! It took me about three days or so to type this. It's the longest chapter I've ever typed. I was on vacation for a while so it took a long time to get this finished, and I do apologize for it being so late. Also, concerning the vehicles that I mentioned in this fic – I know nothing about them. I put the Saleen in there because I knew it was a really fast car and it looked good, the Ducati because I wanted to put Alucard on a bike but didn't think a chopper or even a Harley would fit his personality just right, and I put the Harley in there because I just like them. If you want to know what these bikes and car look like, just go to Google. Don't worry, I'll put up the next chapter as soon as possible. Thank you for reading this far and I thank all the people who left me reviews. Please tell me what you think – I was serious when I said I love reading the reviews.