I backed against the wall, listening for the sound of my approaching enemy. I was in bad shape, barely alive even. Three bullets had impacted my chest in the last firefight. Carefully I crept through the corridors until a bullet entered the base of my skull and exited through my face.

"Gotcha, Freshmeat!"

The screen turned red, displaying the respawn timer.

"How do you keep doing that?" I growled.

I had taught Alucard how to play video games a few days ago and he picked it up surprisingly fast. I'd challenged him to a game of HALO 2 thinking of humiliating him; in fact I had yet to kill him without getting killed twice in return.

Mistress pushed open the door and stepped carefully between the piles of junk that littered my floor. She stood silently, tapping her foot impatiently. When neither of us acknowledged her presence, Mistress stood in front of the T.V.

"Having fun?" Mistress inquired.

"Well, yeah," I responded.

"New orders; turn off the game and get to the briefing room on the double."

I hunched my shoulders and followed Mistress out. Am I in trouble? Did I screw up somehow? Mistress didn't say anything to me on the way and that didn't help my nerves at all.

A long table dominated the room with the troop commanders including, much to my dismay, Pip seated around it. He bounced up and pulled out the chair next to him; beaming at Mistress.

"I have saved a seat for you, mon cherie!" Pip's tone oozed false charm.

I glanced at Mistress and she gave me an approving nod. I stomped over and stood next to Pip, looming menacingly. He tried to stare me down, but I grabbed his head roughly and bent his neck sideways.

"I've always wanted to try French food," I growled.

Sir Integra strode into the room and gave me a disapproving look. "Do you mind?" she asked in an exasperated tone.

I released Pip's head and seated myself next to Mistress. Walter brought in a cart with a computer and LED projector on top. Sir Integra unrolled a blank screen and the projector flared to life. Clearing her throat, she began the briefing.

"The next mission will be an undercover op." A factory and an office building appeared on the screen. "This is a rapidly growing cybernetics company, Evantech. This company's value was recently appraised in excess of 1.1 billion American dollars. To celebrate, their CEO is hosting a party for their major stockholders; myself included."

"Vat does zees haf to do vis anything?" Pip interrupted.

"I was getting to that," Sir Integra replied curtly, "cybernetics requires extensive knowledge of human physiology. It can be used to replace lost limbs, repair nerve damage, or even boost physical capabilities to superhuman levels." Recognition bloomed on everyone's faces. "Yes, the freak chip. Evantech's meteoric rise is suspicious indeed; it's not inconceivable that it has some connection to the chip."

Sir Integra's remarks set the room abuzz. Several minutes passed, everyone clamoring to voice their theories and propose solutions. Alucard phased through the rear wall and drew his pistols. Two shots rang out and the center of the table disintegrated.

"I believe my Master was still talking," Alucard stated.

"Thank you, Alucard. It is possible that Evantech is developing or producing the freak chip. If that is the case we need to know just how involved Evantech is. If there is no connection, the freaks may be targeting the company to expand the chip's production. I have a meeting with Enrico Maxwell of Section XIII that night so I will be unable to attend. Using my invitation, a team of two operatives will go in my stead. Any volunteers?"

"Hey, if we give Alucard a cane, he can go as a pimp," one of the soldiers offered.

Alucard gave him a dirty look and stuck his tongue out.

"Maybe we should paint his face and he could be Gene Simmons from Kiss!" I suggested.

Sir Integra flashed a rare smile. "Good suggestions, but there are two problems. One is that Alucard will be accompanying me to my meeting; the other is that the costumes will be specialized. The CEO is an anime enthusiast, so all costumes must be appropriate for the situation. Walter will, of course, act as tailor. Now, do we have any volunteers?" Sir Integra asked for the second time.

Mistress stood up almost immediately. Pip followed suit. Two others stood up and I got to my feet as well.

"Superb," Sir Integra said softly, "Nate and Seras will be going, Pip will act as chauffeur. The event takes place the night of October 31 at 1900 hours; that's just over one-and-a-half months from today. Everyone but the three participants is dismissed."

The room soon emptied of all occupants except for Mistress, Pip, Sir Integra, and myself. Sir Integra clicked her remote and a new picture appeared on the screen. A well-dressed man in his mid-twenties was walking with a briefcase in his left hand. Fairly tall, unshaven, and with a shock of brown hair that looked as if it had never known the touch of a comb. A thin pair of glasses rested in front of focused eyes.

"This is the CEO of Evantech, a man known as Erik. He is also responsible for inventing almost three quarters of Evantech's products. You must use whatever means necessary to discover what he knows. If he has no connections to the freaks, then we shall keep him under surveillance to prevent him from falling into their hands. Is everything clear?" Sir Integra inquired, finding no questions she dismissed us with a wave of her hand.

I am so sorry about the wait! I blame Final Fantasy VII. As an apology, you get two chapters this go-round!