Chapter 1: Vampire Hunters
The moon glowed beautifully as the stars began to glitter. Mosquitoes were bothering any and all who decided to cross the moist, grassy plains of England. Fireflies were passing through taller grasses but seemed to like lighting paths for small children to capture them. Except no child ever played this late at night, even if they were orphans. Crazy people were up at this time of night. With robots rising in the age of early mecha, even a homeless person knew better than to go traveling about while malfunctioning droids and madmen prowled the city streets. At least any normal person knew better than that. She hasn't been a normal human in 31 years.
"This is Hellsing here. Seras. Seras, are you there? This is Hellsing. Report."
"A-ah, aye!" Seras answered, snapping out of her gaze at the moon. She shook her head violently then patted her cheeks before saying, "I'm moving in the direction you ordered, ma'am."
"Well, don't get yourself lost. God forbid, you lose your place and let the target get away. Try to remember we're depending on you to take care of the trash."
"Aye, I won't let you down!" Seras claimed, raising a victory fist.
______________________________________________
Monday, August 14, 2030
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
A college graduate began his part-time job as a tutor in the Royal Northern College of Music. He was a very strange man from what the students commented as the semester came to an end. He was rarely seen outside, even when other teachers invited him to join in on their coffee break, and hardly tutored during the day which made it frustrating for some staff members who were ready to leave home at the specified time. He often came to tutor when the tutoring center was closed or when the supervisor set up a dark corner for him to sit in. It made him seem too creepy to ask him questions, but, when the students did, they grew to love his lessons. Occasionally, when it rained or was cloudy enough to block any fragment of sun, he would simply show up and sit anywhere in the center. Otherwise, he always wore a hat or hoodie to block his face from the sun. He was a young man who didn't need to wear fancy cloaks or suits yet and hated the sun. A lot of girls seemed to like him, and boys who were very shy adored him as well. Though he appeared creepy and unapproachable, he was quite athletic and charming. This lovable, young man was not all he seemed to be though.
About a week ago, there were reports starting with a teenage frat that people were disappearing with only one lost item left behind them and maybe a spot of blood. You could almost mistake the findings for simple papercuts, in the case of the frat boy, but the situation became very serious very fast. After the frat kid was a dancer and after her a tuba player; soon, it was a dean and a few alumni. In the span of eleven days, fourteen people were gone. Not knowing what to do, an immediate evacuation of the school was announced until one brave flute virtuoso admitted to seeing the perpetrator.
After calmly packing her bags, a moan was heard down the hall. Assuming some skanky teens were "handling business," the flute player thought nothing of it and continued to do what she came back to school for. However, the moaning soon turned to a violent, blood-curdling scream. Frightened, she called out to see what might have happened; then, out of the darkness with blood on his hoodie sleeve was that sweet, college tutor the girls loved.
The local police and staff members of the tutoring center demanded an explanation from the young man, but they all chose an unfortunate time to approach the lad. Once the sun fell and the sky became dark, the tutor abruptly answered the number one question bestowed upon him since he was hired:
"W-what...are you?"
___________________________________________
September 4th
Suburbs of Manchester
The police couldn't wrap their heads around the situation bestowed upon them. A college tutor might be responsible for the disappearances of eleven attendees of a university, and no one knew his background. None of the deans had any records of the tutor other than he graduated at the ripe age of 24 and was looking for work to help pay off graduate studies. What turned him into a serial killer? Several SWAT members were stationed in front of a tent that was behind a SWAT van and chopper that still had power flowing through its wings as they turned. A black, armored Cadillac Escalade pulled up to the tent and SWAT vehicles a couple of feet away for security reasons. Once the truck stopped, all anyone saw was blonde hair, a shiny monocle, and an elegant cross hanging like a pendant from someone's collar. A SWAT member took sight of the person and walked up to the truck. He nodded with some relief in his eyes.
"Integra Wingates of Hellsing, we've been expecting you."
"Who's in authority here?" the woman questioned.
"This way, ma'am. We're at a loss here. Figure'd you could lend some words of wisdom."
The SWAT member escorted the Lady Integra to the tent, looking straight forward, and only on occasion did he look down to the ground out of habit when he was humbling himself. He wanted to say that she looked like his mother in a way, but she didn't know how she would take it. He heard that she became rather sensitive to her looks due to older age. As they entered the military tent, one of the leading detectives diligently read over the same files to get some sort of clue but he was coming up shorter and shorter every time. A small tea-making robot was positioned on a table making quick cups of coffee and warm water for jasmine tea. The detective looked up to the tent's entrance after smashing his fist onto the table and spilling hot coffee all over the ground.
"The hell is going on now? First disappearances, now a woman in an eyepatch. Anything else I need to know about?"
"Yes, you can shut the hell up and watch your mouth," Integra snapped, meshing her fingers together behind her back. "Women have been working in leading corporations for years now. Don't think one wouldn't be the head of the Hellsing Organization. Who is in charge here?"
"I am..." the detective growled, eyebrow twitching.
Integra had to fight to hide back a laugh, but his eyebrow was getting the best of her. That usually never happened before. She collected herself and remarked, "Figures. Well, you no longer need to worry about this investigation, chief. Hellsing is now in charge of the details."
"And what's your statement for this sudden change of authority, Lady Hellsing?"
"It is quite simple. Two hours ago, we've lost communications with a team that was sent to investigate the premises before we arrived. Our cameras detected what we call ghouls, humanoid monsters or otherwise zombies to call. Whoever or whatever you see coming out of this universtiy is a ghoul a.k.a. zombie to call."
"...I don't understand," the SWAT escort whispered, obviously quite confused.
"You see, ghouls are made by draining a human of his or her blood for nourishment and restoration. It's like water for the parched and meat for the famished. The drinker of the blood is a ghoul's master. With that said, it is safe to assume that there is a vampire somewhere in the building or outside in the distance."
"You can't be serious. Can we get some real help from someone who's not crazy?"
"Do you want more people to die, or do you want help?" the SWAT escort argued, concern etched in his voice. "I called this woman for help, so take it and let her explain! Miss Hellsing, I see what you're saying and all, but vampires can't possibly exist any other way besides media like books, models, movies. Hell, there's Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Interview with a Vampire, Priest, all these references."
"What you believe and what you don't know tells me you can't prove me wrong, and you can't have a better solution to your problem," Integra stated before leaning a bit to the SWAT escort's face. She used probably one of the most shrewd, seductive voices she could produce to persuade him to join her side. "Doesn't it make sense? The victims are drained of blood, there is no clear evidence that a human was involved, and all the people you've sent out no longer answer to you but another."
The SWAT member and detective silenced themselves then. She was right on several grounds even without tangible proof, and some of the craziest things that have occurred over the years since the dawn of mankind didn't have to be seen to believe. What was stopping a vampire from existing? Drooling fan girls who couldn't fall in love with a normal man because they're in love porn?
Integra sighed as the men remained quiet for some time then said, "Forget it. You wouldn't understand or believe a damn thing I'm saying, and it is probably best that no one does. This case is under our jurisdiction now. We, the Royal Protestant Knights under the queen, are going to continue protecting this great country of ours by destroying any and all inhuman creatures who threaten our pretense. Any objections? Good, let's get down to business, shall we? I'm sure there are plenty of virgins at the university. Vampires will emerge from the earth as we know it in a matter of moments. Our job is to wipe out the head vamp and rid the area of all underlings following. We've got two of our best men on the job as we know it. They'll have your man in a couple of minutes."
"W-what?" the detective questioned, apparently zoned out from something.
"What kind of people are they? What kind of woman are you?" the SWAT escort inquiried.
"I am a gentlewoman who carries an iron will that was raised by hardship and specially trained by authorities you couldn't measure up to in this lifetime or any other one. My people are fitted to the job of exterminating these cretins of the night. Fact, they know the ways of these cretins better than anyone else."
"Who are they?" the detective asked.
"One agent is named Alucard. The other, Seras."
_______________________________________________
"Gorgeous moon we're having tonight."
Alucard could remember many a night when the moon glowed with a radiance no jewel could produce. It's nights like these when vampires truly shine and step out of their shadows is what he would normally say. These thoughts were interrupted once he smelled blood in the air. Human blood and vampire blood were mixed as the wind carried the scents to his nose. He grinned and let a curious glint from his sharp teeth show the questions running through his mind, even if there were very few being posed.
"I wonder how little Draculina is doing? She's probably lost herself in the bushes somewhere," he whispered to himself, hearing a gunshot in the distance. He turned very slightly to the noise of some untold violence transgressing between his Draculina and the enemy but instantly noticed that the overbearing scent of blood was nowhere near Seras. It was coming from elsewhere. His grin turned to only a smirk before saying, "That or someone's got the drop on her."
Back at the tent, Integra was waiting for her tea to be made by one of the Wild Geese boys. She started to think about hiring another butler soon; otherwise, she was going to be getting a lot of crappy tea made for her until her death. Well, it wasn't like Walter was going to be her butler forever, but he could have at least chosen a successor. Yeah, that made sense. A butler chooses a younger butler to do her bidding and make her tea for the rest of his life. That was just stupid. The Wild Geese man placed her tea in front of her and gulped as he waited for her evaluation. She sniffed, complimenting the smell, and then drank some. Obviously, the smell was supposed to mask the horried tart taste.
"Sweet Christ, I need a better-made cup of tea. Taste buds are aging on me, too," Integra commented. "43 points."
"How'd a crabby woman like you get to run the Hellsing Org?" the man questioned, mumbling to himself.
"I wonder how those two are doing. Better not be playing around."
'What's this? Is the lady showing concern?' a familiar voice commented, raiding Integra's mind.
"Alucard, what the hell?" Integra questioned, turning her earpiece on to him.
'I got bored. These ghouls were easy to handle, so I began admiring the scenery tonight when I noticed the smell of blood in the air.'
"Where's Seras? She isn't lost, is she?"
'Would it surprise you if she wound up on the other side of the planet?'
"In fact, it would."
"Sorry to disappoint you but little Draculina was doing her job accordingly. Evidently, someone else is doing your dirty work, Master."
"What?"
'I don't know who it is. Just that there's blood somewhere and it's not just a human's.'
"You two best investigate the matter. If there's someone killing our targets and innocent bystanders, we need to know if they are friend or foe to us or to the humans. I'll hear of no repurcussions."
'Seras, that is enough now. Master wants us to investigate something more interesting.'
"I can tell her that myself, you blood-sucking bugger! Seras, there is someone else killing ghouls and humans on campus. Find them and evaluate whether they be friend or foe."
"R-roger!" Seras said, saluting to Integra's voice on her earpiece.
_____________________________________________
Her mission was simple: retrieve sample data from the vampire and ghouls parading around some English university. Easy. Too bad she never had an easy assignment. The moment she arrived on the university's campus, she was forced to kill several humans who were at risk of turning into vampires themselves. A school was the best place to find plenty of virgins, so why weren't all vampires smart enough to know that? Because the most intelligent ones weren't among the crazed, purposeless, homicidal lot. Like this college tutor who was a vampire, for instance; he was perhaps one of the smartest targets she had ever faced. He made sure there was no evidence that could possibly follow him with exception to false clues and information. Never were there just pools of dried blood where the murders were happening. She had to commend him for his meticulous "clean-ups."
A soft, cool breeze passed over the bottom half of her face. She couldn't feel the wind underneath her scarlet armor, and it made her feel like a cold-blooded killer, something that was in fact needed in her line of work. Being a vampire hunter and scientist had its advantages, but it also came with a great price every now and then. Her lips were beginning to dry as small gusts of wind traveled through her tattered scarf and the part between her plump lips. She puckered them briefly then meshed them to keep the moisture in her lipstick. She smacked her lips a few times before turning slightly to hear a person walking up behind her. The ghastly breaths coming from the being signaled what was planning to attack her: a zombie.
"I am sorry," she apologized, revealing a golden scythe protruding from her forearm. The zombie tilted his head as if pondering what she meant. "I am sorry that you had to die because of some selfish punk. You didn't deserve to be like this. Please forgive me. I don't like having to kill someone...the same age as me."
"Then why not join them?" a shrewd voice asked.
She looked above her, and, in a tree, simply kneeling like a prowling cat, was the vampire tutor. His eyes were an ominous red as they glowed in the dim moonlight. Blood still hung from the corner of his mouth as he licked his lips with his long tongue. She remained still as death as she watched him chuckle and stare at her lips lustfully.
He said, "You all can be together, chatting about gossips and doing your nails. It will be the same, except...you can't enjoy a large pepperoni pizza and beer with the tales."
That made her snap instantly. He dare insult these children? These children had hopes of being something in life, having careers and families, making music that the world would love, and he dare insult those dreams? She gritted her teeth, growled, and abruptly sliced the tree by the stump with her boots' golden heels. As the tree descended and startled the vampire, she rushed up the tree and punched his ribs. She could feel them crack and break as blood spewed from the vamp's fanged mouth. She reeled back then punched him again in the jaw, feeling the snap in the bone, but a smart vampire knows when he's about to be killed by brute strength alone - strength that she had. The vamp tutor sneered at the armored woman and broad-jumped in mid-air to escape her. Whatever she did to him, he reasoned, she did a good job removing his energy. There weren't any more sources for blood and, if he wanted to face that woman, he would need it soon. As he was stumbling to get away, a red flash passed the corner of his eyes. Suddenly, there she was in her scarlet and gold armor with the scythe on her right forearm. With barely any energy left in him, he backed away quickly and used telepathy to call on a few ghouls who managed to keep a few kids hostage in case of an emergency like this. The woman saw his eyes flicker but only cared about killing him as relentlessly as he killed his victims.
"I have a tale for you, teach. It's about a vampire who dies by the blade."
Right then, several ghouls appeared with one twenty-year-old boy in their clutches. The woman growled then decapitated all of the ghouls surrounded him. Quickly, the vamp tutor grabbed the kid, positioned his chin right in the hollow part of the boy's neck, and grinned victoriously.
"H-hold it! Don't you want this boy to be safe? You wouldn't kill a human, would you?"
"No, but I can kick his ass to get to you if he doesn't DUCK!" she shouted. She high-kicked the vamp tutor and boy with her sharp heels and watched as they both hit the ground gripping their wounds. She noticed the kid was already trying to move but was afraid to keep going. She encouraged him by screaming, "Kid, GO!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone