Chapter 3 – Recollections
Decades passed. Gregory also reached his demise and his son continued his legacy, also continuing their bloodline. Sherwin, now 60 years old in the year 2103, has a son as well: Henry Penwood. Henry took over his father's duties when he reached his 20s. Sherwin guided him all the way and the two of them work together as a team especially in the present because vampires and ghouls started to fill their paperwork. Sherwin stays in the Hellsing manor in stand by for any reports for Seras to go on her missions while his son stays in the communication headquarters.
One night, Sherwin received a call from the local police in a district some kilometers away. The police reports a swarm of ghouls in their location and they can't handle the situation any longer. He hung up and called for Seras quickly. Seras then materialized from a shadow in Integra's old office, which she sometimes do. She appeared in front of her former master's desk which and where Sherwin now uses as their main meeting room.
"Sir!" She stands still and salutes.
"Seras, there's trouble. A swarm of ghouls in the 27th district, northwest from here. Get there as soon as possible." He dismissed her quick.
"Yes Sir!" She salutes and leaves quickly.
She flew and soon located the area where there were a number of local police trying to fend off the ghouls. She arrived, seeing a barricade of police men shooting ghouls from afar that were coming towards them. She got hold of two MG42 machine guns on her hands and asked permission to the chief. The chief took a moment before he realized that she was under the military special operations unit. The reason why he didn't recognize her is because she still wears her Hellsing uniform which Gregory and Henry never bothered to change for her. In respect to Seras's former master, they didn't mind her change of uniform and let her be. The chief soon allowed her and she went ahead.
She starts to shoot out the ghouls that were coming. One by one, she kills them, blowing off their mindless heads.
Ma Cherie, do you think this is a big one?
I don't know, Pip. But maybe… The report says the ghouls are quite a number.
Ah, shall I scan the area for you then?
Yes. Please do. I'd appreciate it.
Seras puts the gun down for a while. She touches the ground with her left shadow-arm to scatter her shadow and allow Pip to scan the area while she explore the area to kill the ghouls. She picks the gun up from the grassy soil and began her search and destroy over the area. Indeed, there were a lot of the ghouls. She wonders if they had firearms but unfortunately, the ghouls she had seen so far had none. Meaning, the ghouls were just civilians. Unarmed civilians. They're most likely to be the innocent ones. She continued to shoot, kill and slaughter them. There were so many of them that she ran out of ammos. She didn't anticipate that there was a huge number of them that's why she only brought enough bullets. Her night was going to be a bloody one. And so, she charged into hand-to-hand combat, decapitating some, piercing their heart and sometimes punch their heads, making it fly or hit a trunk of a tree then splatter into bloody and fleshy smithereens.
When she finished the ghouls, she searched about the area to find the maker, the vampire. She surveyed the area, walking and running around for hours. Unfortunately for her, there was no one. She couldn't see anyone, feel a presence, smell a lingering scent nor hear the groans of any more ghouls. She stood there for a moment, thinking that maybe this could be a trap. She called Pip telepathically…
Found anything?
I'm sorry, Ma Cherie. There's nothing I can find. I've scanned almost everywhere but there is no vampire.
What? That's impossible, Pip. How can there be ghouls without their maker? Maybe it fled after it's full…
Could be so, Seras. Let's go back and report.
Yes, I agree. I couldn't find anything nor any traps. I'll meet you with the police officers. I'll report that the mission is complete.
Seras came back to the chief and reported that every ghoul was annihilated. She also suggested to stay on guard for the vampire who made the ghouls for the reason that she couldn't locate the vampire and searched everywhere. Pip soon returned to her, enveloping her left foot, to her leg, to her arm. Seras then saluted and dismissed herself. She started to walk back home as she talks to Pip…
This is weird, Pip. We've been extinguishing ghouls and vampires but never have we encountered such incidence where there's no vampire controlling the ghouls.
Did you notice it, Ma Cherie?
Notice what?
That the ghouls were moving on their own instincts, searching for their called 'food'. They only walked to where life sources were and that's the small town a distance away from the road.
Hmmm. I see. Then wouldn't that mean that they might've come from somewhere farther from here?
It could be, Ma Cherie. Let's investigate later. The sun's almost up. And I know how you hate the sun. Seras laughs a bit.
Quite true. I think I've inherited that from Master. Moreover, I never noticed the time. We should hurry.
Indeed. Let's go. Mister Sherwin might still be waiting for us.
Seras came back and found Sherwin in his quarters, resting. She decided to report later that evening to not disturb her current master. She went to get some medical blood for her and Alucard then went straight to his chamber to ask him about the incident if he knows something about it or if it ever happened before…
She arrived and saw her master in his usual throne as if he was expecting her. His face was stern. It always was her to greet him first.
"Good morning, Master." She smiles and tosses him a blood packet. He catches it with one hand.
"What's good about the morning, Seras?" He sighs. "You never learn."
Always. So. Cruel. She frowns. Or maybe he's just still bitter after all. It must be boring for him to stay in this dark chamber with nothing to do or even talk to. She knows how he can have that bad mood and just be cruel to her. He can't annoy her like he annoys Integra. She sighs. She knows she can't casually talk to him because he'll just deadpan her or just leave her hanging so she decides to cut to her main question.
"Master, have you had an incident where there's no vampire that created the ghouls?" Alucard raised his eyebrows as if she was asking a stupid question but her face wasn't trying to be stupid. He was wearing his orange sunglasses and his expression wasn't clearly shown to his fledgling. She had a reason to ask that stupid question. Alucard hums.
"That's… interesting but your question is still stupid. The vampire must've fled after its fill."
"But Pip scanned everywhere and found nothing as well." She became a bit nervous, anticipating her master's reply.
"Very interesting indeed… How far did he scan?" Seras willed Pip to appear in his solid form.
"Report, Pip. I didn't get the details earlier." Pip stands beside her, a shadow connecting them.
"Mister Alucard. Mornin'. I've scanned 2 kilometers around the area. Do you think the vampire has gotten farther in just a small amount of time?"
"Did you scan thoroughly?" Alucard asks.
"Yes, I did, Sir. I'd feel anything if something or someone was there. But unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing. Just civilians, wild animals and some cars parked around."
This time, Alucard looked amused for what her familiar can actually do. He smiles a toothy grin.
"Hmph. Then there's something more we must do in order to find that vampire. That vampire might be powerful to have a swarm of ghouls and escape in a nick of time."
"What should we do, Master? Is it possible that this vampire might be as strong as us?" Seras chirps.
"Possibly, Seras. You must patrol other places and find that fiend. I suggest the opposite direction where the ghouls were headed. And moreover, you know you can just let Mr. Bernadotte roam around in his form, right?" Seras gulps and Pip stays quiet but he wears a ridiculous smile as if he's teasing Seras. Alucard growled silently in disgust. His fledgling and her familiar… Seras never did drank from anyone else after drinking from Pip. Alucard gets the reason why; and that's why he was disgusted.
"Nevermind." Alucard waves a hand to dismiss them.
Pip nods to Seras and Seras makes him a shadow again then she lets him envelop the whole mansion.
"You never learn, Seras… Don't tell me that that's going to be your issue now." Alucard says with a hint of anger. He'd never thought he'd have to lecture her about things like having a bond with familiars.
"I have my reasons, Master. I won't let anyone falter my decision. And no, I don't need you to lecture me about those things. I know what I'm doing." She said seriously. Alucard did nothing. He just lets her be.
"Fine. But make sure you drink more blood. And by that, I mean–"
"I don't need it, Master. I'm satisfied with donated medical blood. My personal favorite's A-negative and my most favorite is B-positive." She smiles innocently. For the first time, Alucard was greatly amused by her. He grins.
"Alright. Mine's A-negative." He smirks, remembering something. "May I ask why A-negative is your… personal favorite?"
Seras blushes a bit. She was a little embarrassed but she can't hide it anymore.
"Because when I refused to drink blood and–"
"Still trying to be human, eating human food, continue." He teases her, chuckling darkly. Seras puffs her cheeks in annoyance.
"You didn't have to… Ugh." He was just as amused, teasing her like this. She continues.
"Integra threw a blood packet on the table. It was A-negative. She talked to me about my denial… She took her glove off and stabbed her index finger and ordered me to lick it." She blushes more in the memory. Alucard was listening to her intently.
"I see." He grins wider. "And did you like the blood packet she gave you?"
"W-well… Uhmm… Yes." She said shyly. Alucard laughs at her mockingly.
"I-i-i-it's not funny, Master! But that's when I felt how much she cared." She smiles warmly at the feeling.
"And did you know why she gave you an A-negative blood packet?" Alucard asks if she does know.
"No. All I know is that that's the first blood packet I had and only accepted." Seras' eyes widen in wonder. Alucard wears a casual smile.
"It's Integra's blood type." Seras's eyes widened, her dark ruby eyes glimmering in understanding.
"So that's why!" Seras basically screamed and Alucard chuckles at her reaction.
"Yes. That's why you liked A-negative. Integra knows how to handle disobedient vampires who refuse to drink blood and get stronger. After that event, you liked A-negative ever since then, am I correct?"
"Y-yes…" Seras plays with her fingers in a shy reply.
"She knew the first drops of blood you'd taste was hers that's why you came to like her blood type." He explained further more.
"Does your reason of liking the same blood type differ from mine, Master?" She said rather teasingly.
"A bit. I only like A-negative when it's from her." He said casually. Seras laughs.
"I can't help but agree." She giggles more.
Later that evening, Sherwin called Seras for her to report. Instead of materializing in the office, she went through the door. Her greeting was the usual.
"Good evening, Sir Penwood. Seras Victoria reporting." She salutes.
"Good evening as well, Seras. I heard from the chief early this afternoon about what happened. May I ask the full details now?" Sherwin sits, grabbing a folder on the table.
"Yes, Sir. The ghouls were definitely a swarm. They were heading to the small town across the road where the local police tried to fend them off. I sent Mr. Bernadotte to scan a diameter of 2 kilometers of the whole area but unfortunately, no vampire was found nor present. I also searched further but there was nothing. Not a smell, a sight, a sound, nor presence. I asked my Master about the situation when I came back but unfortunately, there's no case of ghouls without their maker or makers." She summoned Pip in the office, enveloping the whole room, his voice slightly echoing.
"Good evening, Sir Penwood. What Ma Cherie reported was true. The creatures that were only there were humans, animals and various vehicles. We will search again tonight. Farther. Mr. Alucard suggested we search where the opposite direction of the ghouls were heading. Moreover, Ma Cherie missed something."
"What?" Seras asks.
"The ghouls were normal civilians. None of them was armed with a weapon and the ghouls were just heading to where they can find 'food'. It seems that the innocents were victimized. We don't know what the vampire plans on doing but we must find this or these vampires as soon as possible." Pip exclaimed.
"Yes. I agree. It would be great trouble if the vampires aren't stopped." Sherwin says, knotting his fingers together, resting his elbows on the table.
"Permission to leave, Sir!" Seras stands straight.
"Permission granted, Seras. Be thorough in your search." He commanded.
"Yes, Sir!" She gets Pip into her again and leaves.
When Seras left, it was Alucard's turn to make his appearance.
"Good evening, Sherwin." He grins toothily.
"A-ah. Alucard. Good evening." Alucard smirks. Sherwin still have his ancestors' nervousness.
"About Police Girl's report, never has Integra nor her ancestors experienced such problem. And it's practically impossible for ghouls to exist without a vampire. This problem, unfortunately, you have to face. And I'm still following my Master's orders so don't think that I'd listen to you so quickly. I'm only doing this because it is what she desires me to do."
"I know, Alucard. I am no Hellsing and never will I be. I respect your insights. Your intellect would be enough for me to face this. Shouldn't you go hunting as well?"
"Yes but you wouldn't like the aftermath." He grin evilly. Penwood jolts a bit.
"A-alright. I'll have a servant drop you your meal."
"The servant itself is the meal." He chuckles darkly.
"Alucard, please. You know the rules."
"I don't follow rules."
"Then at least listen to me as Integra ordered you to."
"Very well but don't bribe my Master's orders to me so often. It's obsolete and I may get tired of following it. Lastly, consider this as a warning. This vampire or whatever is making the ghouls is strong. As my Master commanded me, I should warn you and protect you in whatever may happen." He laughs softly but darkly. "I will hunt again when I find a fitting opponent. This is going to be fun." He chuckles more.
Sherwin felt nervous. He almost always did whenever Alucard teases him like that. He was afraid of what might happen, of course, but he knew that the vampire would still be loyal to his Master's words. When he composed himself, Alucard was gone already.
Meanwhile, Seras and Pip were researching the area farther away from the first scene. Seras was flying about the place where she slaughtered ghouls and so far as her sight allows it, there was nothing around and flew farther to the next district. When she sees the road separating the area, she landed and set Pip to scan the area.
I'll be right back, Ma Cherie.
With that, he spread all throughout the place and began his search. Seras went to the opposite area he's searching. She explored the vast fields to the path of the woods. She figured that maybe the vampire is hiding in the woods because it's being hunted. She walked deeper in the woods but there was nothing there. She focused further, using her sight, her ears and her smell. She also heightened her sensitivity to feel any presence but there was really nothing there. It's weird, she thought. She wondered how and why. It also crossed her mind of the possibility of another shadow organization that's breeding ghouls, if not vampires.
The night was silent and the moon was glowing bright. She recollects her memories from Millennium's motives. She remembered the Captain and the messenger who weren't vampires. Maybe we're not fighting a vampire. She thought to herself. It was possible and she came to some conclusions. She inspected the woods then soon went to the place where she and Pip were supposed to meet. She called him.
Anything out of the ordinary, Pip? No leads on my side.
There was no response.
Pip? She called, wondering why he isn't responding.
It took a while before he replied…
Sorry, Ma Cherie. Come west and fast. I found three young people about the same age as Henry.
Alright. She starts to move. Were you spying on them?
Yes.
Why?
Because it's unusual for three young adults to be living in an old shack in the middle of the small woods.
I see. I'm almost there.
It wasn't long when she came. She finds the old shack Pip was talking about. It was surrounded by old mossed trees. There was light in the shack, visible through the cracked windows. It was old but could still be used.
I enveloped the area, Ma Cherie.
Alright. I'll start my investigation…
She peeked through the window of the shack. There, she sees a mended table, 3 repaired chairs, and nothing else but the three young adults with their bags and things collected into one of the corners of the shack. Two of them were boys and the other is a girl. They wear casual clothing enough to call them somewhat middle class but their clothes were rather dirty. Maybe because they live here and they couldn't find any place to stay. She wondered. She inspected further. They looked like they're relatives since they were talking and getting together well. It made her more curious to why such persons were living a lifestyle like this and considering the danger that the creature she was searching for, it's perilous for three young individuals to be in the open. She decided to talk to them and get them to safety. She moves to the door…
Ma Cherie, what're you doing? You should just survey them.
I will. But they need to be someplace safer. They're still young and who knows if they know about the creatures we kill to protect them? Continue to scan the area, Pip. I'll handle this.
She stands before the door and knocks. Pip just kept on guard and silent. It took a few beats before the door opened and a young blonde man stood before her, pointing a revolver at her. His two companions were at a corner, trembling in fear.
"What do you want?" The young man asks.
"Good evening. I'm not here to harm you. I'm Seras Victoria of the military special operations unit. Please do not fret. I'm here to help you." She says calmly but serious, giving a small smile enough to convince them. But the young man didn't move his weapon. He inspected her further.
"Liar. Your uniform doesn't say it. And you're a vampire. Don't think you can fool us. We may be weak but we're not to give our lives so easily." He said, giving an angry face.
Seras noted that the three were rather good-looking. The young man in front of her has blonde hair and emerald green eyes, the young girl has a dark shade of blonde hair with baby blue eyes and the other young man wearing glasses has reddish-brown hair and purple eyes. She smiled at the young man's bravery. "Yes. I'm a former soldier of the Hellsing organization. I'm a vampire who kills vampires that threaten the citizens of our country. So please, believe me."
"Why would we do that? You already lied. Why do you think that we'll trust you then? Moreover, what do you mean by 'a former soldier'?" He eyes her suspiciously.
She shows her badge of the special operations unit. "Alright. I'll explain. The Hellsing Organization is no more. My former master has passed away decades ago and I was appointed to the special operations unit because I'm a vampire. And as for my uniform, I'm loyal to my former master even though she passed away. My master now doesn't complain of my uniform and he respects that I'm still loyal to my former master. Moreover, my uniform has a sentimental value to me. It's very important for me." Seras explains. Her uniform symbolizes her and Pip's union; the uniform in which Pip's blood encompassed when she took his blood. That's her main reason why she doesn't want to change her uniform; her loyalty to Integra being her second.
The young man drops his weapon after her explanation. "Very well. Why do you come here if you're not hunting for blood?"
"I came here because it's dangerous for you young individuals to be in the middle of the woods. My mission is to find a vampire that created a swarm of ghouls a night ago. You three must be relocated someplace safer. Please come with me."
"A vampire who created ghouls?" The young man looks confused.
"When a vampire bites or drains a deflowered individual, it becomes a ghoul– a mindless body controlled by the vampire. Come. I must bring you to the town's shelter for the homeless."
The young man looks at his companions and signaled them to come with. They complied, carrying their things but still kept their guard. Seras leads them out of the woods to the road. As they walked, Seras questions them to what happened to them…
"Why were the three of you in that old shack? And by the looks of you three, you seem to be in the middle class."
The young man was the one to speak for his two companions were rather hesitating about the situation and to the fact that she's a vampire. The young man sighs as if he had no choice but to explain.
"We don't want to be kept in the shelter. We're dependent enough if you notice that. Moreover, our parents were murdered by a vampire." He glares at her.
"I see… So you're siblings? I'm sorry to hear that. I'll report your situation to my boss and maybe he can help you."
"We're siblings and we don't need your sympathy. We just want our own peace." The young man looks forward, dipping his hands in his coat pockets.
Seras shuts her mouth. She's used to these kinds of situations but it was quite unfair for her. The young man was the one to ask her a question next.
"You mentioned the Hellsing? Hellsing organization? Your former master passed away along with it? And if my guess is right, that organization would use vampires to kill other vampires?" He asks, his brow raised.
"Yes, unfortunately, my former master did. And no. My vampire master and I are the only ones dispatched in these special kinds of missions."
"Vampire Master?"
"Yes. He was the one who turned me into a vampire and work under Hellsing before my former master died."
"I see. Is he your father then?" Seras chuckles at his question. She hummed, thinking of the right answer.
"You can say that… Master Alucard is too old for me and I have eyes on someone else." She smiles wide, joking, then laughs a bit.
The young man then kept silent after nodding to her answer. They reached the local shelter and Seras made sure the three were kept safe and well-attended before she left. She called Pip back to her when she got outside.
Let's report back.
Ma Cherie, I don't know what to say. I'm a bit flattered really, a bit serious and a bit concerned. But I'm really flattered.
Seras chuckles. Well, I believe I did the right thing, don't you think?
Ok ok… But be careful next time. I know they're humans but you can never know what those humans can do under the right circumstances.
Seras and Pip returned to the manor and went straight to Sherwin to report. She elaborated what happened. Sherwin sighs, resting his arms on the table.
"Good work, Seras. Thank you. I'll see what I can do for the three young adults tomorrow. You are dismissed."
"Good night, Sir Sherwin." She leaves.
A/N: So! It's been another week! As I promised, I updated! But I don't know when I'll break that promise. Maybe the following week because my final exams are coming... Hell week as I call it. Anyways! Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I totally appreciate and cherish them. Yes, I really do. Haha. Please do review and criticize or PM me if you have questions! I'd like to thank Ayame99 for her support! Thank you very much for encouraging me and giving me ideas! I couldn't have thought this story out without you! Haha!
To the blood-types and fondness of Alucard and Seras... If you guys noticed, in OVA IV, Integra tossed a blood packet of A-negative on the table, in the middle of the plates of Seras' (cooked) meals. I figured that it was her blood-type. Why? Because in the TV Series, it was noted that the blood used to transfuse into Integra's body was A-negative. Hahaha! So there's my excuse. As for Alucard... We all know how much he loves Integra... I mean Integra's blood. *winks* Lastly, B-positive. It's just a random guess of Pip's blood-type. And I thought that: If Integra's blood-type is A-negative, then I'll make Pip's blood-type B-positive! Get it? LOL. Such a lousy excuse and it's not even worthy to call an excuse!
All of these and more when I get back after my Hell-week war of exams! Stay tuned for more! Auf Wiedersehen!