Gunsmith Cats Fan Fiction / Hellsing Fan Fiction / Black Lagoon Fan Fiction ❯ Night Angels: Aftermath and Beyond ❯ An Offer ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Night Angels: Aftermath and Beyond – Pt. 2 “An Offer”
Hellsing/Gunsmith Cats/Black Lagoon fanfiction
By Elwin ‘Blaine’ Coldiron

“Hellsing” and characters are created by Kohta Hirano, and is the property of Shounen Gahousha/Dark Horse Comics, Geneon Universal/Wild Geese/Satelight/Madhouse Studios, and Geneon Entertainment and FUNimation Entertainment, a Navarre company. “Gunsmith Cats” and characters are created by Kenichi Sonoda, and is the property of Kodansha/Dark Horse Comics, Vap/Tokyo Broadcasting, and Sentai Filmworks, and “Black Lagoon”, created by Rei Hiroe and is the property of Shogakukan/Viz Media, Geneon Universal, Madhouse Studios and Geneon Entertainment and FUNimation Entertainment, a Navarre company. I do not own neither series, nor the characters. I just write the fiction.

XXX

Revy had rousted herself from the half-drunken sleep she had achieved for herself. Listlessly, she looked over to the seat in front of her. Bridgett Healy, who had not touched a single drop during the trip from Thailand to England, was asleep in her seat, her English maid’s uniform still as emaculate as ever.

“Gotta say one fucking thing,” the Chinese girl mumbled as she smiled, fighting her hangover, “that girl knows how to stay neat – even while asleep!” However, as she settled down in her seat, she could not help to remember through the pain in her head the story she heard as they took-off for Europe:

SIXTEEN HOURS BEFORE…

“A damp what?” Revy grumbled, hearing Bridgett’s reply.

Bridgett, in the meantime, sighed irritably… as if she heard the same question over-and over again (which she did), repeated, “Dhampir! I am a dhampir!”

“And… that means?” Revy asked.

“That means that I am half vampire and half human,” Bridgett explained for the third time in a row, “but not belonging to neither! Can’t you get this through that thick head of yours?”

“Look kid, you can stop bitching at me!” growled Revy. “I get what you’re saying now, so don’t bite my fucking head off!” She then paused for a bit. “So does that mean you drink blood like a vampire?”

“Well, Sir Integra did mention I may have to drink it from time-to-time, but she said I wasn’t depended on it,” the maid replied. “I can still eat solid foods like a human, not to mention I have none of the weaknesses of vampires as well, which is why you saw me in clear sunlight.”

“I noticed. So what powers do you have?” asked Revy.

Bridgett thought for a bit. “Well,” she began, “try as I might, I cannot change forms like Rally or Seras, nor do I have telepathy, except with those two, and in a limited way with Miss Hedgley. I am as strong as a vampire, as I found out before we left – plus I discovered one other power they don’t have, at least in great abundance.”

“And that is?” Revy implored.

“Sir Integra called it ‘empathy’,” explained Bridgett, “the ability to feel emotions. Out of dumb luck, I found I can gauge how a person feels whenever I’m in close proximity of them, as well as picking up residual impressions from within rooms and so forth. Rally and Seras have something similar, but being vampires they’re limited to sensing fear.” She then looked at Revy, “I can sense you’re angry.”

“Hmm?”

“Anger… I can feel a great amount of it inside of you, possibly due to your past life experiences,” Bridgett told Revy. “However, I believe this anger you have is the source of your strength. You seem to draw upon this deep feeling of resentment and anger and channel it into action.”

“In other words, whenever somebody pisses me off, I let them have it.” Revy saw Bridgett nod. “Interesting, but it still doesn’t explain why Sir Integra sent you instead of that other maid.”

“Other maid?” Bridgett looked confused.

“Y’know… Moria?”

Bridgett finally got the hint. “Oh! Well, Miss Hedgley has to stay and help-out Sir Integra with filling-out the remainder of the household vacancies; we lost so many in the b… t-the incident!” Getting out of her chair, she added, “So she sent me to tend to your needs until we reach London. Now that everything’s taken care of, is there anything I can get for you?”

‘She’s holding back something,’ Revy thought to herself. ‘Oh well, better not get into that until later.’ Deciding to take advantage of Bridgett’s hospitality, she then asked the girl, “Is there any rum available?”

“Miss Hedgley did tell me you seem to prefer that libation among all others,” replied Bridget as she made her way to a small cabinet. “I’m sorry to say, but due to the current crisis London is facing, there happens to be a shortage of your favorite Puerto Rican brand, though, so I hope this dark Jamaican rum will do.” She handed Revy a dark bottle.

“Well that’s alright, rum’s rum in my opinion.” Revy then looked at the small shot glass the maid gave her. “Got anything larger?” she asked.

Bridgett blinked. “You mean something around… an ‘old-fashioned’ glass?” she asked, a little surprised.

“You could say that,” the pirate replied.

Taking the shot glass away, Bridgett made her way to the cabinet. “Well, here it is,” she said, handing down a squat, but larger glass, “although it’s a bit large for…” She then paused as Revy took the glass, then filled it to the brim with the dark liquor… as well as her eyes widening as Revy drank the glass until empty! “My word!” the young girl gasped. “How can anyone drink down such a large amount of liquor in one sip without gagging?”

“Been doing this a long time, kiddo!” Revy laughed as she refilled her glass. “Me and Rock often get into these drinking games; I was surprised how much he can chug when I first met him! Anyway if you like, you can join me!” she added, pointing the bottle at Bridgett.

“Uh… I think I’ll take a pass on that offer!” the maid remarked, holding up her hands. “Besides, I’m… not of drinking age yet!”

“Suit yourself!” Revy said, then proceeded to drink the glass dry again.

PRESENT TIME…

A loud buzzing was heard in the cabin, causing Revy to wince painfully. “Shit!” she grumbled, holding her head. “That does it, I’m sticking to Bacardi Gold from now on! That fucking Jamaican crap is just not good for me!”

Bridgett, on the other hand, ignored the pirate’s complaints as she woke up and picked up a handset. Listening for a few minutes, she nodded and said, “Very well, tell the ground to have the car ready when we disembark.” Looking up, she added to Revy, “We’re currently over London. We should be landing very soon.”

Revy indicated her acknowledgment to the young dhampir, afterwhich Bridgett made her way to the cockpit. Curious, Revy decided to look out the window of the jet. However, what she saw greatly surprised her.

Indeed London was below them – but the scene didn’t resemble anything like the fire the news agencies had broadcast about. In the center of the city, there was evidence of bomb cratering near many of the historical landmarks, which included the collapsed clock tower that once held Big Ben at Westminster Hall. Many of the bridges along the Thames River were wrecked, although a few, namely the Tower Bridge, were back in service. But the center of the devastation caught Revy’s attention – which strangely resembled a Nazi swastika! ‘Whatever happened here,’ she thought to herself, ‘it sure wasn’t no fucking fire like they said in the news! Looks like a goddamed war took place there!’

XXX

The landing was smooth enough, although Revy was a little mystified by the construction cranes around Heathrow Airport. But when she stepped off the Bombardier jet with her duffle bag, a harsh chill coursed across her tropical-acclimated skin. “Shit!” she grumbled as she shivered. “I was right… it’s fucking colder here than in Tokyo!”

“Sir Integra anticipated that problem, being you’re of a tropical clime,” Bridgett observed as she stepped off, “so hopefully she had the driver have a sleeved blanket ready until we arrive at the mansion.” She then looked at Revy and added, “So, you’ve been oversees before?”

“Yeah, kid,” the pirate grumbled as the two headed for the waiting car. “Accompanied Rock and Balalaika to some… business over there.” Her memories were still fresh about the battle Hotel Moscow had with the Washimine-gumi – and how badly it ended! “I rather not talk about it, though,” Revy added. “Too many bad memories.”

“I see,” remarked Bridgett as Revy stuffed the duffle bag into the open trunk. “Well, I won’t press for details on the matter.” Shutting the trunk, she showed the pirate to the rear seat. “It’s time we got going.”

XXX

The drive to the Hellsing mansion was rather unremarkable, although Revy was amazed at the amount of damage that has been done to London. ‘No doubt about it,’ she thought to herself, ‘it sure isn’t because of a fire! It definitely looks like the fucking aftermath of a war in this town!’ While pausing near a collapsed building, both women looked out the windows at a rather excited crowd, who had carried what looked like a little girl from within it.

“Looks like they found another survivor in there,” Bridgett said sadly to no one in particular, watching as a woman embraced the injured child. “From the looks of it, at least one of her parents has survived as well, if that woman’s overjoyed reaction is of any indication. I guess that’s one small miracle.”

“Yeah,” Revy added.

It was at least fifteen minutes later that the car had arrived at the Hellsing mansion… and even Revy was amazed that it too had been damaged extensively. Also, there appeared to have been the skeletal remains of some aircraft that was being dismantled on the grounds. However, the most shocking sight was what appeared to be a makeshift cemetery on the mansion’s grounds, if the temporary grave markers were of any indication. “Fuck! What in the world happened here?” gasped Revy.

“Sir Integra will give you a full briefing about the matter once you see her,” Bridgett said matter-of-factly, but then her eyes widened as she saw a familiar figure at the mansion doors. “I guess she wanted to make sure you had arrived safely.”

The figure outside the door – Hellsing family butler Moria Hedgley – stood dignified as the car came to a stop. Other than the brace she wore on her left leg and the metal crutch that supported her, she didn’t looked ill of ease. Her eyes, however, looked puffy and bloodshot, as she discreetly daubed them before the door was opened.

“Well look at you!” Revy exclaimed as she got out first. “You look like some fucking butler rather than a maid!”

“That is because I am a butler, Revy,” the brunette explained. “Our previous butler, Walter Dolnez, is no longer with us because of the crisis.” She then broke out in a smile. “Nice seeing you again, Revy. And from that greeting, you still insist in speaking in rather vulgar terms!”

“Fuck yeah!” Revy laughed.

“Miss Hedgley,” Bridgett said, carrying Revy’s duffle bag, “I didn’t expect you to be up so soon. Anything wrong?”

“Nothing, Miss Healy,” Moria answered, “just making sure to greet my old… er… friend.” She then shuffled uncomfortably on her bad leg and added, “Unfortunately, because of my condition, I won’t be able to escort Miss Xiang to Sir Integra’s office. Could you be a dear and do that for me?”

“As soon as I’m able to show our guest her room,” Bridgett said, but added, “But what about you? I thought you would be off that brace and crutch by now!”

Bridgett’s reply caught Moria off guard. Quickly glancing at the cemetery, she answered, “That’s… not important right now, Miss Healy. Now be quick about it, Rally should be getting up and would be expecting her rations. Seras is already up.” She then quickly turned around, making sure Revy and Bridgett didn’t see the tears that were welling-up in her eyes.

Revy scratched her head, but said nothing as she made for the door. Bridgett, however, could not help but to watch as Moria limped off towards the graves. ‘Pain… so much pain she has!’ the black-haired girl though, licking her top lip.

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be showing me my fucking room?” Revy blurted.

Coming out of her trance, Bridgett did a couple double-takes. “Er… sorry, I’m coming!” she managed to say, carrying Revy’s duffle bag with her.

As soon as she knew no one was watching, Moria hobbled over to one of the graves – one marked ‘Kenneth Hedgley’. Running her hand over the makeshift marker, the tears leaking from her eyes only intensified. “F-F-Father!” she sobbed, her free hand covering her face as she cried.

XXX

Thankfully, Moria had the presence of mind to have a clean set of warm clothing – a long-sleeved black shirt, new denim pants and jacket, and a pair of sturdy boots – for Revy when Bridgett show her to one of the less damaged of the mansion’s rooms. The maid then excused herself and waited outside the door as Revy re-dressed herself. Still, she had to wonder what in the world had happened. “Even they got hit hard by… whatever,” she said to herself as she got out her holstered guns from the duffle bag and put them on.

Bridgett was looking outside from the second-story windows overlooking the gravesite, noticing Moria crying near her father’s grave. “I can even feel her pain from up here,” she whispered, suddenly feeling the fangs in her mouth lengthening.

Just then, the door to Revy’s room opened up, startling the maid. “Anything alright?” the pirate asked, seeing where Bridgett was standing. Walking up, she also looked down. “What the fuck’s wrong with her?” she muttered.

“That’s her father’s grave,” came a new female voice. Startled, both Revy and Bridgett turned around, seeing Irene ‘Rally’ Vincent standing behind them, wearing a clean Hellsing uniform – with a sour expression on her face. “Her adopted uncle is also buried there, if you want to know.” But then the dour look Rally had on her face changed to a smile. “Nice seeing you again, Revy.”

“And you as well, you crazy bloodsucker,” Revy answered with a smile. “By the way, you’re looking sharp in that uniform. I’d like to see Balalaika try that style on!”

“Provided she doesn’t fill you with holes when you ask her!” Rally laughed, but then got serious. “You’re going up to see Integra?” she asked, which Revy nodded in agreement. “I also need to talk to her about…” she glanced at Bridgett, “… something. Bridgett, have you seen Master anywhere around here? I need her to back me up.”

“I’m sorry, Rally but I haven’t seen Seras anywhere,” Bridgett replied. “Besides, I just came back and Miss Hedgley said she was up already.”

‘Oh great!’ Rally said to herself, then telepathically told the young maid, ‘Bridgett, I just hope Master doesn’t do anything to embarrass anyone, especially with Revy around!’ Bridgett nodded as well.

“Uh… excuse me, but what the fuck are you two standing about not doing anything?” Revy asked, oblivious to the shape walking through the wall behind her, which caused panicked looks on both the faces of Rally and Bridgett.

“I believe they were mentally talking about me, Revy,” a new female voice said from behind the pirate. Startled, Revy let-out a yelp and jumped forward, spinning around and drawing one of her guns in response. Bridgett just blushed at the scene, while Rally covered her face in embarrassment. From in front of Revy, Seras Victoria walked calmly and stood her ground in the face of Revy’s gun, smiling all the same.

The look on Revy’s said it all – she was amazed at the sight as the red-clad No-Life Queen walked over to the pirate. “Shit!” Revy finally said, pointing at what was supposed to be Seras’ left arm, now a nebulous mass of shifting shadows. “What the fuck happened to your arm?”

“A long story, Revy. I’ll tell you about it when we have time.” Seras then looked over to Rally and added, “Well Rally, I suggest we get this over with.” Glancing over one side, she saw Bridgett again looking out the window. “Bridgett dear, aren’t you coming with us?” Startled, the maid nodded to them, then led the way to the third floor.

After leaving the landing, the four women walked down the hall, past some of the battle damage that was now being repaired – the men looking uneasily at Rally and Seras. Finally, they came to a pair of oaken doors, where Bridgett gently rapped twice. “Come in,” came the reply from inside them. Bridgett then parted the two doors, then beckoned Revy and the others to come inside.

Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing stood inside the reasonably-undamaged office, her back to the four women as she surveyed the damage outside from the window behind her desk. Turning to her right, she finally acknowledged her visitors. “Rebecca Xiang,” she finally began, “it is good to see you again.”

“Uh… the same to you,” Revy replied. “Oh, just ‘Revy’ if you don’t mind.”

“None at all,” Sir Integra answered, finally turning around to face them. But all Revy could do is gasp in surprise. The Hellsing leader was still the same as she looked when the Hellsing Organization visited Roanapur, but now a black eyepatch was over where her left eye was supposed to be. “I would not blame you, Revy,” she finally said. “Myself, along with much of my organization, have been a casualty of war these past weeks.”

“War?” Revy said. “Is that what the fuck happened?”

“Indeed, although it has been a bother trying to cover-up the truth of the matter to the majority of the world’s populace.” Sighing, Sir Integra continued, “This country, along with other cities around the world, had fallen victim to the last remnant of Hitler’s Third Reich – Millennium, the Last Battalion. They were the ones who had manufactured the FREAK chip that turned normal humans into imitation vampires, in an attempt of starting another war – a war mostly the entertainment of that damned Major!”

The Hellsing leader paused before continuing. “Oddly, much of the deaths that London had suffered were only a small percentage of Millennium’s blame. We were supposed to be assisted by the Vatican’s Section XIII, Iscariot Organization. But at the last minute, Archbishop Enrico Maxwell order all of his 5000 troops to slaughter innocents as heretics to the Catholic Church! Thankfully, Alucard had returned from the North Atlantic in time to blunt the entire battle – but sadly, he too has fallen victim to Millennium as well, and now is missing-in-action!”

“So that’s what happened here,” Revy mused. “So this is why you wanted me here – to let Balalaika and Chang know about this?”

“Actually, I had something else in mind, Revy.” Sir Integra seated herself at her desk and added, “You obviously seen the graveyard as you arrived?” Revy nodded. “Those graves are of much of my army, the Wild Geese and their leader, Pip Bernadotte.”

“Dutch’s French friend… dead too?” Revy gasped, shocked. “He’s not going to be happy when he hears about that.”

“Indeed, but that is not what I wish to tell you about.” Sir Integra then settled herself at her desk and continued. “We had survived, but this organization is badly damaged as a result of the conflict. And now we have just received word that the FREAK threat, although diminished by Millennium’s demise, is not over.” She picked-up a report on her desk, “I have learned, through sources I cannot disclose at this moment, the fact that damned Major had a quantity of FREAK chips manufactured and hidden in various locations, obviously to be used as a vengeance weapon should his plans for eternal war were thwarted.”

“Shit,” Rally breathed. “It looks like this isn’t going to end.”

Sir Integra didn’t reply to Rally’s observation, instead concentrating on Revy. “And if that is not enough, there is still the possibility that some of the few true vampires out there might seek to settle scores with Hellsing once they learn of our damaged state.”

“I guess,” Revy said, “but what the fuck does it have to do with me?”

“I have a proposition to put before you, Revy,” the Hellsing leader replied. “Obviously we still have Seras, Rally, Moria… as well as Miss Healy here,” nodding to Bridgett. “However, there are limits that vampires and dhampirs have to contend with. And that is where you come in… I wish to contract your services to the Hellsing Organization.”

“HUH!?!? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?!” Revy exploded. Seras and Rally braced, half-way expecting the pirate to strike.

“One year at the minimum, and at least sixteen months at the most,” Sir Integra added, ignoring Revy’s outburst.

“Who cares!?!” Revy growled, not liking this one bit. “I thought I was going to be in this shitty town for a week!”

For the first time at this meeting, Sir Integra looked contrite. “I understand how you feel, but it will take me that long to re-build the organization to the standards it had before Millennium struck,” she said. “Vampires and dhampirs I have, but I need human agents as well. If you were wondering how your associates in Roanapur will react to this, I had already taken an opportunity to talk to your employer Dutch about the matter.”

“Really?” the Chinese girl snidely remarked. “And what the fuck he had to say about it?”

“That he was understandably upset that he might not have your services, but he said it was your decision to accept or reject my offer if you like.” Revy was about to say something, but Sir Integra held out her hand, “Before you say anything, I am prepared to offer you a sum of £40,000 a month for your services, which is roughly $75,000, give-or take a few thousand dollars.”

“S-s-seventy-five… grand?” Revy was almost speechless.

“As well, I will pay the Lagoon Company a fee of £150,000 a month - $250,000 as compensation for the loss of your services during the period you are with me.” Sir Integra leaned over and added, “I beg of you – give my offer some time before you accept it or not.”

“Uh… okay,” Revy shrugged. “Are you certain you have that much cash to throw around for me and Dutch? Because if you do, I would like to learn how you got it!”

Sir Integra smiled. “Given the chance you accept my offer,” she said, still smiling, “then I will satisfy your curiosity about the origins of my family’s fortune. Take some time to think about, then let me know.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” Revy groused. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in my room.” Sir Integra nodded as the pirate led herself out.

“If you don’t mind, Sir Integra,” Bridgett added, “I should be excusing myself. I need to rest before resuming my duties.”

“You shall do so, Miss Healy,” said Sir Integra. But as Revy and Bridgett left the office, she noticed Seras and Rally still standing. “From the fact you two are still here, you have something that merits my attention.

“How correct you are, master of my master,” Seras replied as Rally stood next to her master.

XXX

Never in her life did Revy felt so conflicted in her life. Sir Integra represented everything in life she hated – authority, order, tradition – things she fought against while growing-up alone in New York’s Mott Street, and later on with the Lagoon Company in Roanapur. And now as she laid down on her bed, she was being asked to live amongst them for at least a year. What rankled her further that it was that she’ll be doing legitimate work for once! But as she laid down, she failed to see Bridgett, who had left her with a vacant look in her eyes.

“Fuck, how the hell did I end-up in this mess anyway?” she sighed. “I don’t fit-in with this place! It’s just too stuffy here!” But then Revy thought further, “Then again, she is offering seventy-five grand for my trouble.”

Revy rolled over on her face, groaning as she did. “Shit, I wish Rock was here instead of me! At least he can deal with these types – except for those vampires. But seventy-five grand…” Clearly this wasn’t going to be an easy decision for her.

XXX

“It’s about Moria,” Rally said. “It’s been over a week since she got stabbed during that raid we made and she’s still on that brace and crutch!”

“Not to mention this morning was the fourth in a row she’s cried herself to sleep,” Seras added. “She should’ve been able to get over her father’s death by now, but she’s still acting as if he was killed yesterday.”

“I have noticed it, too, if the bloodshot eyes she has is of any evidence,” replied Sir Integra. “I would imagine seeing her father killed the way he was – by Iscariot’s forces – affected her deeper than any of us realized.”

Rally then paused for a bit. “Come to think of it,” she began, “I noticed that Bridgett has yet to show any sign of grief over her parents’ deaths.”

“Do you have any idea how they had died, Rally?” the Hellsing leader asked.

Rally paused for a minute, trying to take-in Bridgett’s memories that she absorbed when she taken her blood. “They – Bridgett and her family,” she began, “were headed for the emergency shelters the government set-up after WWII, and maintained since. They, and a group of others got caught by a group of Iscariot’s soldiers and were mowed-down by gunfire. Bridgett’s father got hit by the first wave, but her mother forced herself between Bridgett and the bullets, acting as a shield.”

She paused for a second, “Bridgett caught sight her mother’s eyes as she died – and from what I gather, immedietly clammed-up rather than cried, because those killer priests were still about looking for survivors. They would’ve got her if Alucard didn’t choose that moment to re-appear on the Eagle and cleaned-up both Millennium’s and Iscariot’s army.”

Sir Integra paused for a second. “She kept her silence in order to survive – and now as a result is unable to express her grief in an adequate manner. Somehow, she must somehow find an emotional outlet for her grief… or we might see it happen, but in a hazardous situation!”

“The one question,” Seras added, “is how? Rally’s tried to talk it out of her, but Bridgett is still numb to the suggestion.”

“It was as though her parents’ deaths never occurred,” Rally further added. “It’s just not natural; I cried myself to sleep for three days after Mum was murdered, but she just…” All of a sudden, the dusky vampire seemed to drift-off. “Something’s off,” she finally said.

“What about?” Sir Integra implored, with Seras also looking on.

Rally slowly shook her head. “Can’t tell,” she said. “It’s as though different thoughts are going through my head right now!”

A FEW MINUTES PRIOR…

Finally entering the mansion, Moria hobbled towards the landing to the sub-basement level, the tears never seeming to be ending. “I… I can’t stop this!” she sobbed. “It’s as though… this burden in my heart is taking control! I cannot operate like this!” Stumbling against the wall, the young brunette buried her face against it and continued sobbing…

… Until a strange sound caught her attention. Looking up, she happened to see Bridgett standing twelve feet to her right. The young girl’s head was also downcast. “Oh… Miss Healy,” Moria sniffled, finally recognizing the girl through the distortion the tears made. “W… what can I do for you?”

For an uncomfortable thirty seconds Bridgett didn’t say anything, which made Moria think the girl was embarrassed for catching her in a vulnerable position. Then Bridgett looked up – and the brunette butler was shocked to see the girl’s mauvine eyes glowing brightly.

“Your pain…” Bridgett said in a low voice as she began to advance towards Moria, arms reaching out, “… give it to me!”

TO BE CONTINUED…

9/11/01
FDNY-NYPD-THE REAL HEROES