As you may have realized, I've re-uploaded the chapters.
The most changes occur in this chapter, so I suggest you give it a quick perusal to make sure you don't get confused later on.
Okay, enjoy.
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The tour had been dull to her. Tank came to realize that the general layout was very simple, but the repetitive decoration scheme made directional comprehension difficult. It surprised her how many portraits of stuffy old men there were in the house.
She saw the firing range (impressive), the training grounds (adequate), the cafeteria (out of place), and last of all, the barracks. Sir Integra refused to have her in the rooms the men shared, and so she was placed in a room all her own. She would need to find some way to show Sir Integra that she wasn't to be treated differently.
"Here we are, miss." Said Walter, placing some pyjamas on the table. It had taken some effort, but he had convinced her to let him carry them there. Tank walked in after, hands in her jacket pockets.
She was pleased with the room: A small twin bed, a side table, and a larger round table in the centre (only one chair, she noticed), along with one dresser. It was clean, lacking personality. She liked it. She liked few things, but the Hellsing organisation seemed to be tailored just for her.
She turned to face butler, and nodded. "Thanks, Walt." She cast a glance toward the pyjamas. "See you tomorrow, I guess?"
"Indeed, miss Whitehorn, I shall see you bright and early." Walter made his polite exit, shutting the door behind him gently.
Tank cast a glance at the door, then jumped to action. She ripped off her jacket, yanked the skirt off and made quick work of the blouse. Lastly, the nylons. She stared down at them in disgust before tearing them off, balling them up in her hands, and throwing them to the ground. "Never again."
She put on the pyjamas, which were much larger and more comfortable.
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The night had been... unnerving. She couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching her. But she was used to being paranoid, and so she kept an eye on the door, and daydreamed of cleaning her gun until sleep couldn't be put off any longer.
And now it was morning, and she was marching down the hallway to Sir Integra's office, for the briefing, in a blouse and pyjama pants. But that wasn't really on her mind.
She hoped that it wouldn't take too long, higher ups had a habit of being redundant and long winded. If she was to go on a mission, she wanted brief instructions, not the life story of every casualty. Short and sweet, that's how she liked it.
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"Sir Integra, we have a problem." Said the butler from her office door.
"What is it Walter?" Said the knight with impatience.
"Well, as you know, I sent for miss Whitehorn's belongings, and, ah..." Sir Integra looked up from her paperwork to see possibly the largest dog she had ever seen sitting obediently beside Walter.
"Oh." She said wide eyed.
"Oh, indeed, Sir." Integra looked from the dog to the man, and back and forth again. She smiled in realization.
"That's why she asked for her things. I bet if she didn't have that dog to take care of, she wouldn't give a damn what happened to her belongings."
"I believe you're right, Sir." Walter pulled out a canvas military duffle bag from behind him and dropped it on the floor in front of him.
"Besides the dog, this is all that was there, nothing else. It's a shame really." Integra looked up at Walter. It was odd for him to comment on his opinion of someone's character. Walter approached, the dog lazily trudging behind him to unceremoniously plop down beside him again.
"Well, it seems so important to her, and she's going to have to get rid of it." The knight gave him a questioning glance before swiveling in her chair to face the window.
"And why would she have to get rid of the dog?"
"Well Sir, it certainly can't stay here, look at it..." and Integra did. She turned to face the beast again. It was tall, its head reaching Walter's waist. It was grey and had long shaggy fur, with white paws. The thing was panting up a storm, looking at Integra blankly. Seemingly harmless.
"Walter, we house a vampire, possibly the most deadly one on this earth. At least if this thing bites someone, the worst that could happen is rabies. And if this is her only pleasure, I have no problem allowing it." Walter looked uneasy, it was obvious he was not convinced this was the best plan. Integra took on a softer demeanor.
"Walter, I have my cigars," she began, "Alucard has his murderous rampages, the soldiers have their wild parties, and I know for a fact that you enjoy a nice 20 year old scotch on occasion." The corner of the butler's lips raised, beginning to understand her logic. Integra continued.
"If her vice is simply a dog, I'm quite content. Perhaps it is even useful."
"Very well, Sir."
"Orio! C'mere." They heard the gruff command from the doorway. Sir Integra hadn't heard Tank approaching whatsoever, and apparently neither had the dog. The monstrous hound bounded up to her with its tail wagging, tongue hanging out, ready to be loved. But the girl simply gave it a pat on the head and told it to sit, but he was okay with that.
"Oreo? Like the American biscuits?" Walter eyed the girl questioningly, the canines name out of character with the girl's personality.
"Orio, as in the constellation Orion." The dog was looking back and forth between the two people saying his name.
"The great hunter, I hope the name is a reflection of the dog's usefulness." Integra steepled her fingers. The dog gave a great yawn, ending in a loud whine.
She looked down at the dog. He stared up at her, still panting. "Hm." Tank huffed, and the dog ceased his panting, and raised his large black ears in question.
"When the situation calls for it." A small silence worked its way over the room. Integra shared a glance with Walter.
"I'm keeping the dog." She said with hard eyes. Integra kept her eyes on Walter,
"That settles it, then."
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"And that is how we defend the crown. And it is by these tactics that England has remained safe against the forces of destruction within our own world. The vampires, ghouls, and anything else that goes bump in the night." She finished dramatically.
Tank said nothing. Didnothing. No expression, nods, or even the sound of her breathing. Unknown to Integra, it was only because her speech had dragged on for over an hour.
God that was long, how did I know that was going to turn out like that? Tank thought she heard a small chuckle in her mind, but came to the conclusion that it was her own.
"Kay."
"what?" Integra was perplexed. Never in all her years had she come across a soldier that, when confirmed of the existence of everything that was unholy, said "kay."
"S'okay, I get it. When is the first mission? I don't think I'll bring Orio on the first one."
"You don't have any questions?" Integra felt doubtful toward Tank's nonchalant approach toward the subject.
"No."
"Why not?" Integra was at a loss for words. She was used to denial, objections, even laughter, but the clam demeanor of the girl left her feeling... deflated.
"Well, because you've explained everything. Well, that and I've always 'sorta known that something was up with this place. I mean, it's pretty obvious."
Integra was stuck with her arms crossed, and a dumbfounded expression. The knight was so used to explaining the situation to stubborn police chiefs and the occasional grieving family that the complete and instant acceptance of the facts came as a surprise. The only reply she could come up with was "huh."
"Are we done now, Sir?" Integra pulled herself out of her stupor.
"Ah, yes. You are dismissed. But be ready for 21 hundred hours, we're on duty tonight."
"Yes, Sir."
"Now get out."
"Right away Sir."
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Tank took a moment to watch Orio as he investigated his new surroundings. He walked the perimeter of the room, sniffed under the table, sniffed the sheets on the bed, sniffed just about every square inch of the room before laying down under the table.
Tank tossed her duffel bag onto her bed and opened it. She pulled out the top layer of clothes, followed by two boxes of ammo for her 9mm she had brought with her. Another layer of clothing, and then her last gun was revealed. A 45 caliber 1911, oh how she adored this gun.
A pair of red eyes hid in the darkness, observing her, sizing her up.
She ran her hand down the slide, feeling the cool metal against her skin. She retracted the barrel and locked it in place, leaving the chamber exposed. She raised the gun to her face, breathing in the smell of gunpowder and lead. She sighed, relaxed.
The eyes soaked up her actions, loving every moment.
She placed the gun on the table, then returning to the bag, retrieved the magazines and bullets.
Alucard nearly purred with delight as she filled the magazines.
Tank chastised herself mentally, she had not even put her belongings away and she was playing with her toys. She smirked to herself and put the last magazine down. She returned to the bag, which by this time was only half emptied of weapons. Alucard watched as she dumped out the remaining contents of the bag onto the bed, losing her patience with taking her time. She picked up all the weapons, with great care, and placed them all on the table. She then began to put her clothes away.
Alucard took this time to look at the assortment of weapons on the table. He was amazed at the variety. Over his long life, (but mostly while serving the Hellsings) he had learned about a wide variety of weapons, and felt something akin to pride at recognizing her weapons. He took inventory.
The two handguns, Two Recon Tanto Knives, a Boker magnum Bowie knife, p001 Tactical folding knife, and a common butterfly knife. Along with a set of what Alucard remembered the troops calling 'brass knuckles', he thought them juvenile, and if he were to use them, redundant.
It was times like these he appreciated the non-regulated use of personal weapons within the Hellsing Organisation.
Alucard was content with his quiet observations, and took his leave.
Tank could feel the tension in her shoulders relax slightly, and decided she couldn't wait to leave for the mission.
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She was ready. She had her boots, her knives, guns, spare ammo, bulletproof vest, and even her old dog tags (and real pants). She was heading for the door when Orio tried following her. She looked to the door to make sure there was no one before giving in. She got down on her knees and gave the dog a big hug. She rubbed his shoulders, making him groan in delight.
"Take care of yourself, handsome." The dog sat down as she stood back up. "There's food and water over there, and I know you know how to take care of business in the bathroom. Take advantage of the alone time and clean your balls or something." The dog gave a small whine and laid down. "Exactly." She replied, as though it made perfect sense.
There was a voice from nowhere. 'All troops in squads A through E, report to the main firing range.'
Tank recognised the voice as Walter's as she left her room. She could hear the other men opening their own doors behind her, on their way as well. She picked up the pace so she wouldn't be in the middle of them. Besides, she wanted to be there before hand, prove she wasn't going to hesitate or be weak.
"Hey pretty lady!" She ignored the comment and stomped ahead.
Sir Integra and Walter were waiting when she got there. She had managed to get some distance between her and the other men, but they had continued whistling and cat calling. Now that the boss was in view, all were silent. But covered snickers could be heard. Fucking assholes. She thought to herself. The troops were beginning to fill the room, it seemed everyone was there.
"Tank." Sir Integra addressed her. She strode towards her when...
"Pff haha. Tank? She's a fucking shrimp." It was the man from before. Tank whipped around and grabbed the repulsive mans collar, surprising him. She pulled her gun up to his face.
"Got something to say to me?" He simply whimpered. The room was dead silent. She let go of his shirt, but didn't lower her gun. She pulled out her bowie knife from its strap on her thigh and held it to his gut.
"Don't talk to me, ever." The man looked from her to Sir Integra, who looked very calm, and was doing nothing to stop the girl.
She shoved him away. He stumbled, but regained his balance.
"Crazy bitch..." She heard from around the room.
"Gentlemen," sir Integra began with her booming voice. " this is Tank Whitehorn, our newest member of the family. She is a superior to you all and I expect you show her respect, as I have no objections as to how she obtains it." The Sea of men had a ripple of whispers and doubts run through it.
"She is on my personal Fireteam, but for tonight she will work beside you in a platoon." She crossed her arms "Any questions or complaints should be quickly forgotten." She turned to Walter, who opened an overhead screen with a map on it.
"We are going to a hotel tonight boys. Two chipped FREAKs checked in and worked their way out from the inside, leaving nothing dead. The area is overrun with ghouls, and it's your job to take them out, as always." The men were attentive, the girl noticed. None were phased by the nature of the mission. This helped quell any lasting regrets from her earlier meeting with Sir Hellsing.
"We are unsure of the location of the vampires, but if they are spotted, shoot to kill."
Integra went on to explain the strategy, the teams, the time frame, and any other minute details that would be essential to the mission.
"Are you ready men?"
"Sir, yes Sir!"
They left through large doors towards the back entrance, where armored cars were waiting to bring them to the hotel in question.
"Tank." Integra addressed her once again.
"Yes Sir?" She asked quickly, anxious to get on the cars.
"You'll need these." The knight handed her ten magazines full of silver bullets. Tank felt her heart pump harder at the thought of using all ten of them.
"And this is essential too." She was also handed a silver cross on a chain. Less exciting, but mandatory nonetheless.
"If you run out of ammo, don't hesitate to take some off the men, I'm confident we'll have some casualties, and dead men don't need ammo. Now get out there."
"Sir yes Sir!"
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Re-re-vamped chapter (hahahaha vamped -_-)
Review, ( If you wouldn't mind, I mean, if you have the time, please and thank you. *whimper*)
Snowflake124