Chapter 3

The next day:

Integra inspected her appearence in her bedroom mirror. She looked over her suit making sure it was free of wrinkles and adjusted her lapel pin on her tie. Then running a brush through her hair she took one last glance before feeling satisfied with her over all appearance. She left her room and headed toward her office for the day. As she took her seat she heard a knock at her door.

"Come in." She said.

Walter opened the door and entered the office. Integra looked up at her old confidant. "Has there been any progress?" She asked.

"I'm afraid not at the moment Sir Integra. We've done an extensive search on file and there doesn't seem to be any record of this woman. We have no means of identifying her at this time. I would suggest that we do a sweep of all the pubs in Manchester as well as keep tabs on the usual spots here in London." Walter answered.

"Not even a name?" Integra asked frustratedly.

"No sir." Walter replied.

"All right. We'll post agents at any social spots this woman may strike next." Integra said. "Was there anything else Walter?"

"Yes sir. The seamstress is here to take your measurements for your gown."

"Very well." Integra sighed with a less than enthusiastic look upon her face.

###########################################

Rome,

The Vatican's Section Thirteen Iscariate Organization:

In a small room a mahagony coffin was positioned in the center of it. A man of middle years lay within the box. Surrounding it were Enrico Maxwell, his assistant Father Renaldo, Alexander Anderson and a small host of other priests who knew the deceased. They all bowed their heads in a moment of silent prayer for their fallen comrade.

After the moment passed, Maxwell spoke. "Tis a sad day for Iscariate. Father Mallery was one of our most devoted members. In service to our lord he did lose his life against a child of the devil. He gladly devoted his life to God. It was his mission in life to bring the lost masses back into God's favor."

"Aye. Father Mallery was a loyal servant of God. He was a good shepard to his flock. May the lord accept him into his heavenly graces." Anderson said.

As the ceremony concluded Maxwell motioned for Father Renaldo and Anderson to approach him. Father Renaldo produced an envelope. Maxwell took and opened it up.

"We have surveilance photos of the she devil who killed Father Mallery. We do not know her identity but she has struck against prominent Roman men. Father Mallery was the only one strong enough to resist her evil temptations and he paid dearly with his life." Maxwell said.

He turned to Anderson and handed him the photographs. "She has not been seen since in Rome so I believe she has fled our borders. It is quite possible she has gone to where much of the demonic filth fleas...England."

"Yeh want me to hunt the demoness down?" Anderson asked.

"Yes. But if she has indeed fled to England, I'm afraid you may have dealings with our old rivals."

"Yeh mean Hellsing and it's pet demons."

"Exactly. If I am correct, the Hellsing Organization may also be hunting her. They will also no doubt dispatch their walking abominations against her as well. It is up to you to find her first." Maxwell said.

"Yeh want me to deal with Hellsing as well?" Anderson asked.

"Eradicating the unholy creature that took the life of Father Mallery is our greatest concern. But if Hellsing should get in your way, you know what to do." Maxwell answered.

###########################################

That evening at the Hellsing mansion:

"Seras it's fantastic! It's absolutely breathtaking!" Zoey exclaimed looking at the dress Seras would wear to the ball.

"Do you know what Alucard is wearing?" She asked.

"I have no idea. But knowing him it won't be a plain tuxedo. If there's one thing I've learned about Alucard he loves making a grand entrance." Seras answered.

"Well if he looks anything like he did when I first him with you, you both will turn a lot of heads." Zoey commented.

"That's another thing I've learned about Alucard. He loves making humans jealous, specially the men." Seras replied.

"Come on. I want to show you the dress I picked out." Zoey said.

"All right."

###########################################

In Manchester, MI-5 agents were conducting their investigation at the pub where Sadie and David Alcot had been seen leaving together.

"Have you seen this woman?" An agent asked.

"Yah. She was in here a night or so back. Pretty hot looking thing she was. She left with one of the regulars." Said a patron.

"Is there a problem?" Asked the bar tender.

"We're conducting a murder investigation. This woman is a person of interest. Did you observe her leave with a Mr. David Alcot a night or so ago?"

"Yes. Matter of fact I did. She'd been coming here for a couple of nights but always left by herself. Then one night she took interest in Mr. Alcot. They had a drink, and then they left in his car."

"Did she happen to say anything to you, a name perhaps?"

"Sadie. She said her name was Sadie. I'd never seen her before til bout a week ago when she started coming in here." The bar tender said. "Is she a suspect?" He asked.

"For the moment no. But we need to find her so we can ask her a few questions about her time with Mr. Alcot. She may know something about his death." The agent answered.

"It's a shame. David was a good bloak, he was. Once a week he'd buy a round of drinks for everybody."

"Thank you. You've been very helpful."

###########################################

Despite the late hour, the streets of London were buzzing with activity. People came and went from late night clubs and hot spots with monotonous regularity. A well dressed man was leaving a gentlemen's club when he saw a woman standing on the corner leaning against a lamp post. He walked over to her.

"Lonely tonight love?" He asked.

"Maybe." She said. "Looking for some company tonight?"

"The night is still young. Would be ashame for such a lovely lady such as yourself to see it end all by yourself." The man answered.

"Well, I'll take that as a yes. I'm Sadie. What's your name handsome?"

"Larwence Manning."

###########################################

Integra was in her office taking in a few moments of quiet to clear her head. The ringing of the phone jarred her from her concentration. She silently cursed the machine and then picked up the receiver. "Yes."

"Sir Integra. We've learned from MI-5's investigation of one of the pubs in Manchester that the woman was seen leaving with Mr. Alcot by several patrons. She spoke briefly with the bar tender. She gave her name as Sadie. She'd went to the pub for about a week before picking up the victim on the night in question. No other patrons were approached before then. We've also learned that she is now here in London. She was seen leaving with a man next to one of the more popular gentlemen's clubs here in the city. We're having them followed as I speak."

"Good. Call me immediately if anything happens. It would be advisable to use caution when observing this woman. She may not look very dangerous, but we've yet to discover exactly what we are dealing with here. Do not take action unless you have no other choice."

After hanging up the phone Integra summoned Walter, Alucard and Seras to meet with her. Walter arrived within a few moments, while Alucard and Seras materialized immediately in her office.

"You summoned us master?" Alucard asked smoothly.

"I've recieved word on the woman we've been trying to track. She gave her name to the bartender at the Manchester pub as Sadie. She's also moved on from Manchester and is now here in London. She was seen leaving with a gentleman." Integra replied looking toward her two vampires.

"Our scouts are tracking the two to a line of flats not far from where they were first discovered." She said. "I'm having the woman observed as we speak. Just in case there should be trouble, I'm dispatching Alucard and Seras en route to deal with any potential problems."

###########################################

Sadie entered Lawence's flat as he held the door open for her. "Such a gentleman." She commented.

"Mum taught me how to have proper manners. Please, make yourself at home." He said.

"Don't mind if I do." Sadie replied.

"Care for a drink Sadie?" Lawence asked.

"Yes, please." Sadie answered. "Do you mind if I have a look around?"

"Here, I'll give you the guided tour." Lawence said.

###########################################

"This is where the target and prey were spotted. They've entered one of the flats just a few moments ago." Said one of the Hellsing scouts.

"We will take it from here." Alucard said in a firm commanding tone as he and Seras vanished from sight.

###########################################

"This is quite a bedroom you have here Lawence." Sadie said in a playful voice.

"It's certainly not as grand as some hotels I've stayed in, but it's quite cozy." Lawence replied.

"It looks very cozy...doesn't it?" Sadie asked pressing her body against that of her host. She looked intently into his eyes.

"My...such lovely eyes....lovely...eyes." Lawence said as he began to feel drowsy.

"Yes. They are the last thing you will ever see." Sadie said with a wicked smile as she pushed her victim down upon the bed. She straddled him brazenly undoing his pants.

"You're going to die tonight. But don't worry. I will make your final moments enjoyable. Your life essence will keep me young and strong. Your wealth will satisfy my material needs. And your seed will give me daughters to continue my kind." She said.

"And my bullets will blast your sorry ass back to hell where it belongs harlot." Said a deep, menacing voice.

Sadie turned with a gasp to find Alucard and Seras standing behind her. The barrel of Alucard's Jackul was pointed right at her heart.

"A thief, a whore and a murderess...the devil will have quite the time cataloging your sins." Alucard sneered as he prepared to fire his gun.

Before he could even get off one shot Sadie lept from her victim moving like lightening. She turned herself into vapor and escaped through a cracked window.

"What? She anticipated my move." Alucard said with surprise.

"Where the hell did she go?" Seras asked.

The two vampires rushed to the window to see only people moving about through the London fog. Alucard scanned the area quickly locating his prey.

"She's about to get into that cab. And she's changed her appearence. She's made her hair short and red. Her height's changed as well. She's a bit taller than she was when we spotted her."

"What are we waiting for then? Let's go get her!" Seras shouted.

She was about to rush out the window when Alucard grabbed her arms and threw her to the ground. He covered her body with his.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you!" Seras yelled. Her eyes widened as she realized why Alucard shoved her to the floor. A silver bayanet like sword was now protruding from his left shoulder.

He grunted and growled through the pain as he looked over his shoulder. "We're not alone." He said as he pulled the offending weapon out of his flesh.

"That weapon looks...familiar." Seras gasped.

"Well, it looks like my prey got away from me." Said Alexander Anderson.

He stood behind Alucard and Seras with a demented smile upon his face. He brandished two blessed silver bayanets. Alucard stood up and faced his rival with a fanged grin.

"The target is ours Iscariate dog. This is none of your affair." He growled aiming his gun at Anderson's head.

"That demon is responcible for the death of one of our most cherished priests. I shall send her soul into the pit of fire as retribution for his death. And if you two insist upon standing in my way I shall send ye to join her!"

"You should have done away with her while she was in your land. She invades Hellsing territory now, and Hellsing shall deal with her." Alucard snarled.

"What the hell are you people doing in my house?" A voice fearfully protested. Lawence had come out of his trance and was now being stared down by the two Hellsing vampires and the Iscariate paladin.

"On ye knees and beg ye the lord's forgiveness for your unholy fornication!" Anderson shouted and raised one of the blessed blades. Before he could bring the weapon down a silver bullet whizzed past the terrified human shattering the blade and hitting Anderson right between the eyes.

"You and your holier than thou rederick." Alucard growled. He turned to Lawence who stood gawking in utter horror. Alucard got a maniacal grin on his face.

"This is where you're supposed to run screaming in terror human." He replied with a sarcastic smirk.

Lawence did not wait around to see what would happen next. He stumbled to get to his feet and made a rather hasty exit from his domicile. Alucard looked down at Anderson who lay motionless on the floor.

"Pathetic Iscariate dog. He never learns." Alucard said with a laugh. His jest quickly turned to shock when Anderson sprang to his feet. Weapon in hand, he lunged not for Alucard, but for Seras. Before she could get out of the way the blade went into her chest. She managed to block the thrust just enough to keep the silver blade from piercing her heart, but not by much. She fell to her feet about to grasp at the handle.

"Don't Seras!" Alucard shouted. "If you move the blade it will slice into your heart!"

"I might not be able to kill you so easily, but I can make sure that the world is minus your little bride." Anderson sneered.

"I will tear you to shreds Judas priest!" Alucard yelled angrily.

"Save your little mate or take me out. What will it be vampire?" Anderson asked haughtily.

"Next time Anderson, I will show you no mercy." Alucard snarled as the vatican palidan vanished into the night.

Alucard knelt before Seras. "Try not to move Seras. I will have to reposition the blade before I can pull it out. This will be painful, but I promise you I will make his suffering ten times as bad." Alucard said as he carefully wrapped his hand around the bayanet's handle.

Slowly he turned careful not to move it upwards and hit Seras's heart. She ground her teeth trying not to cry out in agony. The pain was more excruciating than any she'd ever felt. Not only the cold blade cutting into her flesh, but the silver burning it as well. Her body shook with the intensity of the pain until Alucard moved the sharp edge to a safer angle, then with one quick jerk he yanked the blade from Seras's body. She let out a cry of pain collasping into Alucard's waiting arms. He tugged the sleeve of his coat and shirt up so his arm was exposed. Quickly he bit into the skin causing blood to pour from the wound. He held the bleeding extremity over Sera's wound. The laceration instantly healed when Alucard's blood touched it. Then he held his arm to her mouth so she could drink.

When she felt her strength returning she stopped feeding from his arm. "Damnit." She cursed to herself. "I let him catch me off guard. And we let the target escape."

"We both got caught off guard. Our master will not be pleased to hear Anderson has gotten involved in this." Alucard said.

"Oh God, the scouts!" Seras gasped.

Alucard took Seras's hand and together they vanished from the flat. They materialized only to find every scout had a blessed blade sticking out of their chests. Alucard glared at the group of corpses. He heard vehicles approaching.

"Reinforcements have come to clean up the crime scene. Fergason is with them." He replied.

Just as he spoke, Fergason rushed toward the scene with officers in tow. He looked with shock upon the bodies of the Hellsing scouts.

"What in God's name happened?" He asked.

"The Palidan Anderson, that's what happened." Alucard growled.

Saying nothing more he and Seras left the scene to return to the mansion. Fergason looked at the carnage shaking his head. "Sir Integra will not be happy about this."

Next