Chapter 5

"This is non sense!" Enrico Maxwell spat as he left the meeting. Integra was the second to exit, though she had a rather smug grin on her face. While she couldn't be the one holding Anderson's leash, she had the assurance that Maxwell couldn't lengthen it either. She enjoyed watching him try to keep his composure to keep up the charade of being a total gentleman in the presence of the queen. Of course once out of her site however, he would return to his usual hypocritical, and bad tempered self.

"Pity Alucard couldn't see it. He'd have been quite amused." She said to herself.

Enrico waited impatiently by his car for the Hellsing leader to emerge. She walked out of the building where the meeting had been held. She didn't even try to disguise her profound amusement of the situation. At last she felt Iscariate was being put in its place.

"Wipe that smug grin off your face Integra Hellsing!" Maxwell barked.

Integra's eyes narrowed to mere slits. How dare this upstart from the Vatican give her orders. "That is SIR Integra Hellsing to you Maxwell. And just so you know, I'm no happier about this than you are. But the queen is right. As long as Hellsing and Iscariate are at each other's throats this she demon running loose will never be dealt with. It would serve to our advantage to work together instead of being at odds."

"You understand this SIR Integra Hellsing." Enrico growled. "If those vampires of yours should get out of line for even a second, do not think I will hesitate to let Father Anderson deal with them appropriately."

"It's that sort of behavior that has cost us two chances to destroy the demon running loose in England. And just so you know Enrico Maxwell, if Anderson threatens Alucard and Seras in any way, they too will be given full permission to deal with him in any way they deem necessary. But for Rome's sake and England's we need to set aside this ridiculous feud and concentrate on the situation at hand. Just make sure you keep Anderson under control." Integra replied coldly.

"I do not control Father Alexander Anderson. He is not a puppet. He is a chosen warrior of God raining down..."

"Oh spare me your fanatical rederick. Keep him under control unless of course you'd like him shipped back to Rome in a thousand small pieces." Integra warned.

Enrico watched with a furious scowl as Integra walked away from him and got into her white Rolls Royce.

"After this she demon has been done away with, your little pet vampires will be next." Enrico growled to himself and got into his car.

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Zoey was in her room looking over her dress. She'd chosen a strapless a-line dress in sapphire blue satin with a sparkling silver wrap to cover her shoulders. She turned hearing a knock at her door.

"Zoey, it's me, Stewart."

"Come in Stewie!" Zoey chimed happily.

Pickman entered, his cheeks red from embarresment. He wasn't really fond of the little nick name Zoey had given him. Now he knew how Seras felt when Alucard called her 'police girl.'

"Zoey, um, could you please not call me that...all the time?" He asked trying not to hurt the girl's feelings.

"I can't help it. It's such a...."

"Um, Zoey. I came here to tell you that the engagement ball is being postponed. The queen and Sir Integra both felt it wasn't a good idea to go ahead with it while there's a threat to London running loose."

"You mean there's still a threat? I would have thought Alucard and Seras would have long since taken care of it." Zoey said with a hint of disapointment.

"Usually that's the case. But Iscariate's vampire slayer Alexander Anderson has been getting in the way. Stupid blighter comes along and pokes his nose where it ain't wanted." Pickman replied.

"Then what is Hellsing going to do?" Zoey asked.

"Well, the queen has ordered a truce between Hellsing and The Iscariate Organization. Personally, it's not the best idea I'd have come up with, but given the circumstances we don't have much choice. Sir Integra isn't too happy bout it. She trusts Enrico Maxwell as far as she could throw him." Stewart answered.

"She wouldn't have to throw him. Alucard could probably hurl him to the moon." Zoey said.

"Yah, but then she'd have to put too much trust in him. Hence the saying trust him as far as he could be thrown." Stewart replied.

"True. Do you think Hellsing and Iscariate will be able to co-exist?" Zoey asked.

"I'd be more worried about will Alucard and Anderson be able to get through five seconds without trying to destroy each other. Those two can't stand the site of each other let alone the thought of having to work on the same side. But until this problem is taken care of I guess they don't have much choice." Stewart answered.

He looked to see the dress Zoey had just been inspecting. "Is that the dress you're going wear to the ball?"

"Yes, it is. Course I guess I better cover it up for now seeing as the ball's postponed."

"I wouldn't worry. If Sir Integra can actually get Alucard and Anderson to work together then the matter should be resolved very soon." Stewart said.

"Are you busy right now? I was just about to have afternoon tea." Zoey requested.

"I've got a few minutes."

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Anderson waited at the hotel where Maxwell and his assitant Father Renaldo were staying. Maxwell entered his suite with a displeased look on his face.

"What has happened?" Anderson asked.

"It would appear for the time being that we will be forced to stand along side Hellsing in order to find the demoness who killed Father Mallery." Maxwell growled.

"Stand along side Hellsing? Stand along side that pathetic little kindgergarten club who uses the very black demons they're charged with destroying? Such thing is an abmoniation in the eyes of God." Anderson proclaimed.

"I would agree, but it is stand with Hellsing or let the she demon continue to run loose. It is how one would say, the lesser of two evils." Maxwell replied.

"The lesser of two evils is still evil." Anderson said.

"Be that as it may, for now we have no choice. These continued stand offs with Hellsing is costing us a victory in Father Mallery's name. For now we will abide by this temporary truce. When we have cut down the wicked hell cat who murdered one of our own, we will deal with Hellsing and their little undead pets." Maxwell warned.

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That evening the members of Hellsing and Iscariate gathered for a meeting in the study. It would be an uneasy time for both groups considering that Alucard and Anderson would be in the same room together. Any other time Integra and Enrico would gladly have let Anderson and Alucard go at it. Each hoping his or her man would destroy the other. But this was a serious threat to countries in which the respective organizations served. For now, personal issues would have to be set aside for the good of England and Rome.

"As you know the queen has requested that both Hellsing and Iscariate work together to rid our respective countries and the world of the female demon that now runs amuck on our streets. Both have made attempts to dispatch the thing, and both have...failed." Integra began with a low grumble upon the word 'failed.' She paused and then continued speaking.

"Out of encounters with the creature we have learned some about her unique abilities. She is quite a powerful succubus. She drains the youth and life energy from men after seducing them. The victims are left dry, decrepit shells. She also has the power to change her appearence, take the form of mist and manipulate her enemies with her mind. Both Alucard and Father Anderson have experienced the last power first hand."

Alucard looked away with a scowl. Anderson however grinned smuggly. That made Alucard scowl even harder. Nothing would have pleased him more than to take his Jackul and pump the judas priest full of silver bullets, and Anderson knew it. For now he took satisfaction in the fact that Alucard could do nothing without his master's command. It was at times like these the no life king despised his bondage.

"Soon enough Iscariate dog, soon enough I'll shoot that smug grin off your face." He thought.

"We have also learned through eyewitness testimonies from both England and Rome that this creature goes by several aliases. Here she has been identified as Sadie. But in other places throughout Rome and Italy she was known as Mariana, Angelique, Monique, Anna and several others. Because she can change her appearence with realitive ease it makes detection impossible for humans. The only beings who can track her down and catch her are those who are themselves not human." Integra said.

"How exactly do we plan on catching and destroying this filthy demon?" Enrico asked skeptically.

"First we must pin point her location. And as I just stated, we need someone inhuman to track her movements. Normally I would send Alucard to track and hunt her down himself. But after the last few scirmishes with this creature, she will most likely be expecting that. So I am sending Captain Seras Victoria to track the demon down. Once she has the creature's location, one of my men will act as a decoy to lure the succubus into a trap. When she is vunerable, Alucard and Anderson will be deployed to dispatch the creature." Integra explained.

"Your men are weak. She won't have to read them like a book because their sin ridden thoughts will give them away the first moment she sees them. One of Iscariate's loyal and dedicated followers should take the risk. Only a man who is dedicated to God can resist this vile temptress." Enrico interjected.

"As I recall, one of your priests was killed by this thing. What makes you think that risking another will make any difference? Appearently he wasn't as strong as you thought." Integra replied.

"You question the integrity and sacrifice of Iscariate's priests? What would a feeble Protestant wench know about true loyalty and faith in God?" Enrico accused.

"You dare insult my master?" Alucard growled unholstering his Jackul and pointing it at Maxwell.

"Go ahead vampire. Give me a reason." Anderson warned unsheathing his sacred blades aiming them at Alucard.

"Enough!" Integra shouted. "This constant bickering will get us no where!"

She turned to Alucard. "Put away your gun." She ordered. Silently, but begrudgingly the vampire obeyed.

"Father Anderson, sheath your blades." Maxwell insisted. With the same silent but begrudging attitude, Anderson did as he was told.

"We must be unified if we are to beat this thing." Integra insisted.

There were a few tense, uneasy moments of silence between the representives of the two factions. Alucard and Anderson stared daggers into each other while their employers waited for them to settle down. Once there was peace again, Integra took out a cigar, cut the tip and lit it. She took a drag off it before speaking again.

"So far the victims have been men in their fourties, perhaps even early thirties. She has been very selective about who she attacks. The men have been near middle age and very wealthy. After she has taken the men's life force, she also takes any material possessions of value or currency itself. Appearently she has expensive tastes. She likes wearing exotic and most likely high priced perfumes. She prefers to rob men of their lives and wealth in order to attain what she wants." She said.

After taking another puff, she continued. "After a fight with Captain Victoria the creature was wounded and has skulked off somewhere to lick her wounds. But it will not be too long before she is on the move again. Number one, she will need a fresh young male to renew her expended energy. Number two, that renewed strength will also revive her lust for the hunt."

"And just who do you propose is going to lure this creature? As you so politely put it she will be expecting something like this. If she can look into the minds of humans then she will know what you are planning." Enrico interrupted.

"She will need to rebuild her energy. And she likes men with sizable wealth. I plan on giving her bait she absolutely would not refuse. She's been feeding off the life energy of older men, but not too old that they cannot suit her purposes. I propose luring her with a young man of great wealth. And as fortune would have it we happen to have such a man. My fiance Kenneth Ascott has volunteered to be the bait. He will be arriving from Whales tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow evening the plan will be mapped out making sure no detail is left out to ensure Kenneth's safety." Integra replied.

"And you believe your husband to be will be able to lure this creature?" Enrico asked.

"A young man in his late twenties who just happens to be one of the sons of the Earl of Ascott will be a morsel this creature could not possibly resist. He will make the perfect lure for our target. Tomorrow evening we will discuss plans for entrapping and destroying the demon before she causes anymore grief. Tonight I am dispatching Captain Victoria to find the target's location." She answered.

"I don't want you getting into a confrontation unless there is no other choice. Captain Seras Victoria, your orders are to track down and locate the target. Then you will report your findings back to me."

"Captain Victoria accepts assignment sir." Seras answered.

"You will need to change into something a little less conspicuous than your Hellsing attire. You should wear something that will help you blend in with the masses. Do you think you can keep her from dectecting your presence?" Integra asked.

"I'll make sure she doesn't catch onto me Sir." Seras replied.

"Very well. Go get changed. To make sure you don't tip her off to your presence, take a cell phone with you. Report to me the moment you find where she's hiding." Integra ordered.

"Yes Sir."

"Here." Integra said handing Seras a small case.

"These are specially made contact lenses. They're tinted dark brown so they will hide your eyes. Not wearing sunglasses will make you a little less conspicious and help you blend in with the human populace."

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After being dismissed from the meeting, Seras returned to her chamber in order to get changed. She picked out a pair of tight fitting jeans and a navy blue blouse with a matching beret'. She put a black leather jacket on over the top. She got dressed and prepared to leave. As she was about to open a portal out of her chamber she felt Alucard's presence in her room.

"Alucard?" She asked turning to see him with a serious look on his face.

"Be careful Seras. She may be weakened but she is still very dangerous." He said.

"It's going to take more than some devil bitch to get rid of me. Besides, if she gets froggy I'll be more than happy to shoot her legs off." Seras said holstering her mini casul under her jacket.

"Wouldn't shooting her through her heart kill her quicker?" Alucard asked.

"Now I would expect you of all vampires to know better." Seras replied.

The elder vampire let out a dark chuckle. "Good point."

"Don't worry. I'll be all right." Seras said as she opened a portal and exited her chamber.

"God save the world if anything ever happens to her." Alucard thought to himself.

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Seras walked among the streets, her body illuminated by the street lamps high over her. So far she could dectect no sign of the target. She leisurely strolled letting herself blend in with the people becoming practically indistinguishable from them. It had been a while since she'd taken a stroll down the London streets. She looked around silently feeling out who was human and who may have been something else. So far she hadn't sensed anything out of the ordinary.

"I hope she hasn't left London yet. This chase could get a whole lot harder if she strays outside the city." She said to herself.

One by one, Seras searched local stores seeing if there was any sign of Sadie. Knowing the she demon had high end tastes, Seras knew to search some of the expensive places. She walked in one store pretending to be interested in looking at jewlery. The mulitude of pendents, rings, bracelets and other baubles was mind blowing. Diamonds, rubys, exotic man made stones, gold, silver...well, the silver Seras avoided. She watched out of the corner of her eye as a woman with long red hair entered the store. She was wearing a mid length black leather skirt and matching jacket. Upon her wrist was a sparkling diamond cut gold bracelet.

"May I help you miss?" A clerk asked seeing the lady was obviously interested in something.

"I'd like to see the diamond choker." She answered.

Immediately Seras sensed something. It was faint, but she sensed it. The creature had yet to find another victim. Her powers were still weak. She didn't look quite as young and vibrant as she had before. Not wanting to raise suspicioun, Seras exited the store but stayed close by. She watched as the woman tried on the choker but handed it back to the clerk. Obviously it wasn't what she was looking for. She left the store having no further interest. Seras had her back turned, but kept her eyes trained on what she now knew to be the target.

She let the woman get a few feet ahead of her before she started following her. After a brief foot pursuit, Seras saw the woman flag down a cab. She slipped into a dark alley. What emerged from it was not a woman, but a bat. Seras had put her shapeshifting lesson to good use and followed the cab from the air. So far the target had suspected nothing.

The car drove with Seras following from the sky. When the car stopped, Seras hovered about ten feet from the ground watching the woman pay the driver and then enter a hotel. She studied the hotel and memorized its location before flying away. She went back to the point where she'd started from and found the same dark alley in which to reassume her human shape. She made sure no one was listening and called Integra with her report. When the call was done, Seras immediately returned to the Hellsing mansion.

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Seras retired to her chamber after reporting to Integra. She changed out of her street clothes into a more comfortable pair of tight leggings and a night shirt. Then she took a mirror to remove the contact lenses.

"Oh, thank goodness. These bloody things irritate the hell out of me." She said as she carefully took the lenses out.

"It really was a silly idea to have those things made in my opinion." A deep male voice said smoothly. Seras turned to find Alucard walking through the wall toward her.

"I'd have rather worn sunglasses." She said.

"So our target is staying at a high end hotel is she?" Alucard asked.

"Yes. She went jewelry hunting but didn't find anything she wanted. I followed her in the sky after she took a cab. I would have gone in to see what room she was staying in, but somehow I think the commotion of well mannered people seeing a bat flying around would have defeated the purpose." Seras answered.

"When you've gained a little more experience I'll teach you how to travel as fog. In that form you can sneak in virtually anywhere undetected." Alucard replied.

"The woman I saw looked a little older, like she was in her mid to late thirties. Her powers are still not at full strength. I don't think she sensed I was watching her." Seras said.

"She'll need to find a victim to renew her strength soon. That is where our 'bait' will come in. She certainly won't be able to resist a fresh young male with vast wealth." Said the elder vampire.

"Kenneth has a lot of guts volunteering for this. Though I have to admit he would make the perfect lure."

"Indeed. Perhaps he's braver than I thought. That or he has completely lost his mind." Alucard mused.

"I guess we'll see after his first year of marriage to Sir Integra."

"More like his first month."

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