The Lost Priest

Chapter 19

The Nightmare Begins

(A/N Yes, I'm still writing it. It's just taking me a lot to do this story do to college. I'm 20 now by the way. I'm so happy. Well, start reading.)

SOUNDS/sounds

Thoughts

Telepathy

(Last Time)

The Major looked over at the three large machines before him. Everything was going splendidly in the hour or so all of them will be full operational. The Doctor could indeed work wonders. He had one programmed to attack Rome, one for London, and the area were Hellsing and Maxwell had landed.

"Dok, you really are a true genius," The fat little Major sneered. "Vith us being able to control time like zis it feels like ve are gods. Gods of var zat vill stop at nozing to make zis vorld ours, no?"

"Of course, Herr Major," the Doctor bowed. "Ze machines only need to be primed before zey are ready. It should no more zan thirty or so minutes."

"Wery good. Ze men are all ready for zese game of chess to start," the Major grinned, rocking back and forth. "And soon it vill be Check Mate. Hahahaha…"

(Preset Time, Empire)

Seras stared out over the city one last time. It was her last night there after all. She was going to miss being able to walk out in the sun and not burn. She sighed and set her elbows down on the railing and propped her head on her hands. She was really going to miss this place.

"Oh, well, it was nice while it lasted," she moaned, closing her eyes, taking in the night air.

BOOOOOOM!!

Her eyes snapped open in a hurry. She sat up straight looking for the source of the explosion. Her eyes fell on the human half of the city. A part of it was going up in smoke and flames. She heard another explosion not far from the first one.

"What is going on," Seras exclaimed, running inside. "I have to tell someone if they haven't heard it already!"

Ion and his grandmother stood out in the garden after hearing the bombs go off. They could see smoke rising up into the air. Something was horribly wrong. It was the human side of the city. Who would dare bomb the capital like this?

"Grandmother, I don't like this," Ion spoke up. "Something is way wrong. Who could be bombing us? Think it's the Rosenkreus Orden?"

"I don't know. But Augusta will put a stop to this," Mirka said as another bomb went off this time on the Methuselah side. "Damn it! There must be bombs all over the city!"

"Your Majesties and Eminence, we have reports that bombs are going off on both sides of the city," Baibars announced, kneeling on the floor in the throne room. "However, according to other reports we are not the only ones being bombed. Albion and Rome are both also under attack."

"What? Are you sure," Esther stood up and followed by Caterina. "When did this all start?"

"The first known report was in Rome 1 hour ago," Baibars continued. "Along with bombs there are also foot soldiers as well. Rome is insisting that this is an attack by the Empire."

"That is ridiculous! Issue a state of emergency, right now," Augusta snapped out. "For what reason would we have to attack them? On top of that we are also under attack! Are they that blind?"

"Can we get a direct line to the Vatican and Londinium up," Caterina spoke, loudly. "We need to get in touch with our countries!"

"We are trying to establish links to both nations as we speak," Baibars announced. "But we are having trouble with the Vatican. They are denying our requests for a connection."

"That idiot brother of mine," Caterina spat. "He'll have the Pope start a war and blame it on the Empire before there is even an investigation!"

"What else do you know about them, Baibars," Augusta spoke sternly. "Is this an attack by the Rosenkreus Orden?"

"We are not certain, Your Majesty, I'm sorry," Baibars shook his head. "However, there are also an untold number of foot soldiers. All of them are armed. They are reported to be Methuselah if you could really call them that. There are also some unknown humanoid creatures along with them."

"Dammit to Hell," Augusta bit out. "How many of your men are down there?!"

"We have a connection up with the Albion government," a radio operator announced over the intercom. "Shall I patch it through to the throne room?"

"Yes, yes," Augusta shouted.

A blurry hologram image came in to view before them before it cleared. Two people stood before them and they bowed in respect.

"Mary, Virgil, what's happening," Esther exclaimed.

"We have issued a state of emergency. We are under attack and everyone is in a panic," Virgil spoke, trying to sound calm. "People are flooding the gates again. Our armed forces are already out trying to find the bombs and take down the foot soldiers. We have information that they may be Methuselah."

"Everyone is asking where you are. They want to know, Your Majesty," Mary said. "Should we tell them? I'll have the air force pick you up and bring back."

Esther turned toward Augusta hidden inside her throne. She didn't know what to do. She was a fledgling queen. She was nervous and scared. Her people are dying and she wasn't even there for them this time. What was she to do? She was hoping the Empress would tell her, but the Empress remained quiet.

"I don't know," Esther said, turning back to the Mary and Virgil.

"If I may make a suggestion," a new voice broke in. "I don't mean to intrude on you ladies, but this has Millennium written all over it. It would be unwise for her Majesty, Queen Esther to leave the safety of the palace walls."

"Sir Integra," Esther spoke as the Integra, Alucard, Seras, and Walter walked into the throne room. "Who is this Millennium you speak of?"

"Millennium is similar to your Rosenkreus Orden in that they want world domination. They enlist the help of man-made vampires. These artifical vampires can only make ghouls," Integra spoke in a cool voice. "I don't know how but I have my suspensions on how they got here. The android, Tres Iqus dropped one of the time devices back in my era during a small skirmish. It is possible that a member of Millennium may have gotten a hold of the time device, and maybe, judging from what I've heard, enlarged and duplicated the device to fit a large numbers of soldiers and weapons through."

"These ghouls that you speak of what are they exactly," Virgil asked, looking at Integra.

"They are the undead slaves of the nosferatu," Alucard spoke this time.

"Are they like the Auto-Jägers we faced about half a year ago," Mary asked.

"I'm not sure what your 'Auto-Jägers' are but ghouls are troublesome to deal with. Ghouls in essence are non-virgin people that have been bitten and drained," Alucard said, looking right Mary and Virgil. "But the ghouls made by Millennium can even be virgins, including children. Unlike the ghouls made by a proper nosferatu they don't die once their master has been destroyed. Ghouls can and will also make more ghouls."

"They sound like a virus," Virgil growled. "Just how do we stop them?"

"Your Majesty Augusta, we are picking up a signal from the air battle ship the Iron Maiden II," the radio operator spoke again. "They want contact clearance and the lady I'm talking to is a bit bitchy about it."

"Patch them through," August ordered as another hologram appeared beside Virgil and Mary.

"Sister Kate, what is going on in Rome," Caterina spoke to the blonde hologram.

"There was a state of emergency ordered out 15 minutes ago. Francesco of course has put the blame on the Empire. He has proclaimed this as war against the Church and is ready with troops to send out to the Empire, but his Holiness will not give the order until he talks to you first," Kate said in a clear voice. "However, Cardinal Francesco will not permit him to do so. He believes you gave the Empire information about the Vatican. He's accusing you of treason, Your Eminence."

"That's just like my elder brother to do something like this," Caterina growled. "He'll work Alec down until he gives in and gives the order."

"However, Lady Caterina, the Pope has managed to slip through Francesco's fingers and made his way to Father William's private office. He has patched at line through to the Iron Maiden. He is standing by."

"Can we get the connection through," Caterina asked, looking the operators.

"It's a go, Your Eminence," the operator said as one last hologram appeared.

This one appeared right beside Sister Kate. It was of two people in really close quarters from the looks of things.

"Your Holiness, could you remove your elbow from my ribs, please," William said as he and Alessandro tried to rearrange themselves.

"I would if you could get of my foot, Father," Alessandro cried out.

"What is this, William," Caterina said her eye twitching. "What are you doing?"

"Terribly sorry, Your Eminence, but this is a little safe-room I had modeled into my office, but as you can see it can only truly fit one person," William explained, removing his foot from Alessandro's. "I figured it would be the safest place for his Holiness at the moment, but the tight squeeze is really uncomfortable."

"Sister, Brother is saying you're to blame for the attack," the Pope whined.

"That is not true, Alec, the Empire is also under attack as is Albion at this very moment," Caterina said to the meek teenager. "It has been suggested by Sir Integra that it may be another radical terrorist group called, Millennium."

"Okay, but what do I do? I can't stand Brother's yelling. He keeps tell me to give the orders to send out the troops to the Empire but I don't want to," Alessandro said, looking right at his sister. "But if you're saying the Empire has nothing to do with the attack then there is no reason to."

"Hold on," Integra interrupted. "You're the Pope?"

"Y-yes, I am, ma'am," Alessandro said, cowering behind William.

Integra and her group just stared at the quivering hologram of the brunet teenager. He was scared of his own shadow for crying out loud. How did get elected as Pope? Moreover who did a kid get the title? Isn't the Pope supposed be of a fairly old age so their reign wouldn't last very long?

"Things have most certainly changed," Walter muttered.

"Tell me about it," Seras whispered.

"So then, you two are brother and sister," Alucard spoke with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, his Holiness is my younger brother," Caterina spoke, lightly.

"If that's truly the Pope then we're all in quite a bit of trouble," Maxwell broke in as Anderson walked into the room pushing Maxwell in a wheelchair. "Look at you cowering behind that man. You're the leader of the Church, are you not?"

"Yes, but—" Alessandro swallowed

"Then start acting liking it," Maxwell snapped as Alessandro let out a yelp and ducked fully behind William. "What sort of leader hides behind other people?"

"Your Grace, I would appreciate it you did not yell at him," Caterina bit out. "He gets enough of it as it as is without you doing the same."

"Forgive me, Your Eminence, but from where I come from the Pope is a grown man," Maxwell snapped back at her. "Not some young cowardly child like this quivering form before me!"

"Don't dare insult my brother," Caterina growled.

"STOP IT! No more yelling, please," Alessandro cried out holding onto his head. "I don't like yelling!"

"I am sorry, Your Holiness," Caterina bowed to him. "I will not yell again."

I'm glad I was never like that quivering little brat, Maxwell snorted. He's a down right mockery to the Church.

"The only course of action is to work together to defeat this Millennium threat," Augusta announced wholeheartedly. "Sir Hellsing, since you and your party are more adapt to this new threat we will be relying on you for your knowledge and strength. Will you please aid us?"

"Since you asked so nicely and since we seem to have also brought our problem with us, we will be more than willing to lend you a hand," Integra announced to the Empress. "I would be no knight if turned you all down, especially the new queen of my homeland. We will help in every way that we can."

"Thank you, Sir Hellsing," Esther said with a smile.

"Vell know isn't zis a cute sight. All Ze leaders together in one room. Vhat luck I seem to be having."

"Who said that," Baibars shouted, looking around the room. "Show yourself! What business do you have here?!"

"Who me? I just have a message from my, Herr Major," a young looking boy with animalist ears, stepped out from behind a pillar. "Since ve can't exactly do zis via live feed ze Major has recorded a message for you all."

They watched as a young dog/cat boy pulled out a small digital recorder from his pocket and turned up the volume. He then hit play. Everyone was listening intently.

"Good evening everyone. I am ze leader of Millennium. You may call me, Major. I must zank ze person who dropped zat clever little time device. Vhat possibility it has opened for me und my men. I vonder how you vill all fair. All of my chess pieces are in place, but I vonder vhere your pieces lay.

"If ze dear Sir Hellsing and Archbishop Maxwell are listening I a have few vords for you. As I speak your homelands are under attack by my men—"

"Tell us something we don't know," Integra snarled.

"—I vonder vhat vill happen. As far as I know I'm still holding ze aces. Allow me to let you in on a little secrete. Vhile you're here is zis time period my men are also attacking ze Vatican and London in ze year 2006. Soon ve vill spread out und take over more und more countries. Und zen vith time ze vorld itself. Ze fresh smell of gunpowder und blood is intoxicating to me und my men.

"I truly vonder vhat you vill do. By ze time you get back to zis era it may wery vell be too late to stop me. Vith an army of vampires und ghouls at my disposal und you two vithout a leg to stand on, vhat can you do?"

"Ha! What a daft fool," Alucard chuckled. "He's assuming too much."

"I guess, all you really can do is pray, but even zat von't stop me. Vhat a shame. No matter. In just a few days I know zat at least your era will be destroyed even if I can't get my grasp on ze future era. So, I can win on either both plans or one or ze other. Let's face it I vill vin, no matter vhat you do. I vill remold zis vorld into vhat I see fit. Und vith ze technology I take from zis era it vill be so much easier to rule on zis side of ze time stream. Until later. Good bye."

"What an interesting message," Augusta said as her shadowed form looked at Schrödinger. "The monologging was a nice touch. GUARDS!"

"Oh, dear me," Schrödinger said in a playful tone as he was surround on all sides. "Vhatever am I to do?"

Schrödinger was slowly backing up. This was going to an easy escape after all. He would like to see these fool guards come after him. It was he who was the fool. Before he could vanish he was nearly cut to pieces and shot. These people were really fast, too fast to be human. He was having a hard time avoid the guards they just seemed to coming after faster and faster.

"You dare come into my country, my city, and my home! Your Major has no idea who he's messing with! I am Empress August Vradica! The first and only ruler of the New Human Empire!" Augusta announced as the guards caught hold of him. "I have some words for your Major. Since you seem to be the delivery boy of sort perhaps you can give a message to your master!"

"Und vhat sort of message vould zat be," Schrödinger said, fighting in guard's grip.

"Tell him we will play his game. He wants a war he'll have one in abundance. I hope he is ready for what he gets. The Empire, The Vatican, and Albion will not fall prey to him. He will fall instead along with his army," August growled.

"Zis coming from a ruler who can't even show her own face," Schrödinger chuckled. "You honestly expect me to fear you. If I don't the Major sure von't."

"Then let me show what I can do," the hood on the throne left just a little ways. "Guards, stand a side."

The moment the guards let go of him Schrödinger fell to the floor, holding his hands over his ears. It felt like his head was going to exploded. What was this?

"I think I'll start with your fingers," Augusta said as Schrödinger let go of his head and watched as his fingers on both hands turn to dust. "I can easy continue this until you are no more that pile of dust. Now do as you are told little doggy. Unless you want to lose something more than your fingers."

Schrödinger stared at her in shock as the hood closed back down. She had just totally disintegrated his fingers to dust. How did she do that? He finally took off and out of sight completely.

"He got your message," Alucard said, looking at August.

"Where's Abel, Tres, and Hugue," Caterina asked.

"They went out with some of my men to see first hand as what's going on," Baibars responded.

"I want the council called to order," Augusta announced allowed. "Call everyone. We have to come up with a counter attack. Sir Integra, you will be in charge."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Integra bowed.

"The same goes for two," Esther said looking at Virgil and Mary. "Get everyone rounded up. Albion will not go down without a fight! Keep all lines open. Virgil, we're going to have to use Ghetto's resources."

"Understood, Milady," Virgil bowed as he and Mary blinked out.

"Alec, I know you're not going to want to do this but you've got to do the same," Caterina said, looking at her little brother and William. "William, Kate, I want to do this for me. William, I want to get his Holiness onboard the Iron Maiden. Kate, make sure you get a broadcast out everywhere when the Pope is onboard. Alec, you are going to announce to Rome what is really going on. Our dear brother will keep the real truth quiet, so he can start his own war campaign."

"I don't know if I can," Alessandro said, looking at the floor.

"Yes, you can, Your Holiness," Esther said, proudly. "I believe you. You have to tell the truth to everyone. If his Eminence starts his own war he'll only be helping this new threat."

"Alright," the Pope muttered.

"We are so scr—" Maxwell began but Anderson put a hand over his mouth.

"Ye just do yer best, Yer Holiness," Anderson spoke instead.

"Come on, Your Holiness," William said as the image faded out.

"I'll be there shortly to pick them up, Kate out," soon her image faded out.

"I pray they make it safely," Caterina murmured to herself.

"We can need all the help we can get," Augusta said. "Sir Integra, I know you and your men wish to return to your era and stop them there. I am sorry we are prolonging your return."

"As of right now you need our help," Integra said, looking at the Empress.

"But what about your era," Esther asked. "What will happen to the people there?"

"The same thing to the people here if we don't stop them now," Alucard spoke in his Master's place.

"Thank you," Caterina spoke with a smile. "We will do everything we can to end the war here, so you may get you back home."

"And thank you," Integra smirked back. "I will and shall do my very best."

Way off in the distance a shadowed figure watched the capital city, Byzantium went up in smoke. Normally he would be smiling about this, but this was something else entirely. He does not like these new upstarts thinking they could just take over. No one was going to take over HIS world. It was his and he would be damn if let this group take it away from him. There was going to be hell to pay.

(A/N Not one of my longer chapters but quite a bit still happened. Please review. I did work really hard on this chapter. It'll get even better in the next chapter. So please review.)

Millie M. Banshee