Hellsing Fan Fiction ❯ Amoare ab Hostis ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Author's note: Anytime you see this, ~*~*~ it means flashback, k? When you see them again, it means the flashback has ended. I didn't know the name of Integra's grandfather, so I made one up. If someone knows, please tell me.

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"Alucard..."

Red coat tails swirled as Alucard turned to face the man who had called his name. Arthur came to a stop before him, slightly breathless from what appeared to be a rushed journey through the mansion.

"I'm glad I caught you in time."

The good-natured young man offered the vampire a smile, which he returned. While they weren't friends persay...no, no, Hellsing code of conduct would never allow that...Arthur and Alucard had developed a polite cordiality between them over the years. Something which Arthur's father and Alucard's master, Sir Rupert John Hellsing disliked very, very much.

"In time for what?" Alucard asked him.

"The old man wants to see you," Arthur told him with a grimace. "Both of us, actually. I'm supposed to escort you to his office after dropping Walter off with Fargason."

Alucard sighed and gave Arthur the kind of look that said, "I really don't have time for this." The young man grinned and clapped the vampire on the shoulder, before turning back down the way he'd come, towards his father's wing of the mansion.

"I know he can be a badgering old codger, but we've got to go through with it anyhow. Chin up, vamp." Arthur threw an infectious grin over his shoulder. All of Arthur's smiles were infectious. He just had that sort of effect on people.

Upon reaching the door to Sir Hellsing's office, Arthur suddenly dropped to his knees and clapped his hands together in a mock prayer. "Oh please, please dear Lord! Let it be quick and painless!"

Alucard chuckled appreciatively, helping his compatriot to his feet. Arthur laughed under his breath, careful not let his voice carry to the man on the other side of the door. He quickly dusted the knees of his trousers off and took a deep breath, shrugging his shoulders in resigned reluctance before knocking on the door in front of them.

"Come in." A gruff voice demanded from behind the wall of polished oak and brass.

Arthur turned the doorhandle and held the door open for Alucard, motioning him to go forth into the lion's den first. The vampire gave him a sidelong look from beneath his lashes, and Arthur returned it with a look of pure innocence before following him in. The door shut smoothly with a quiet click behind them, drawing the attention of the man they'd come there to see.

"Well," dropping his pen onto a stack of papers before him, Rupert stood and came around his desk to stand before the two men. "It's good to see that you can carry out some simple orders at least, Arthur."

"Yes, Father." The younger Hellsing replied, because it was expected of him.

But Rupert's attention wasn't on his son, it was on the vampire standing next to him. His shrewd beady eyes swept up and down the undead figure before him with distaste, a muttered insult making his mustache ruffle. Rupert Hellsing had never liked Alucard, despite having been stuck with him after his father died. The vampire had been indebted to their family for generations, and upon taking the oath that elevated him to the position of Sir Hellsing, he had promised to protect and honor the Hellsing name in all of its inheritance and estate. That included the vampire.

"As you both know," he began briskly. "We've recruited a young man by the name of Walter Dollneaz from one of the Queen's special force units."

When both men nodded, Rupert continued. "Dollneaz has been watched for several years now, as have a few other young men his age, but in the end we decided on Walter."

"Decided on?" Asked Arthur curiously. "Decided on for what purpose?"

"A weapon." His father told him curtly.

Alucard grinned. "Obviously."

"You'll speak when spoken to, vampire." Rupert growled.

Arthur cast an apologetic glance over to Alucard before asking, "What kind of weapon?"

Rupert was silent for a moment before answering. "We've come across some information recently that Iscariot is planning on doing some...experimentation. Some little orphan brat they've been passing off as an alter boy, apparently. They're going to try and develop him into a weapon to use against not only vampires and ghouls, but Hellsing itself. There have been rumors for years, of course, which is why we've been monitoring our own potential agents-"

"Children." Arthur corrected him angrily.

"Watch your tone, boy," the elder Hellsing warned. "In any case, we only recently discovered the full extent of their agenda. They plan to use a combination of magic and science to create a super human...a man with increased strength, agility, speed, and an extended lifespan, possibly even immortal. Since the process will take years, possibly even a decade to complete, they've chosen a child to undergo it."

"My God," breathed Arthur in horror. "The Vatican using magic? It doesn't seem like them."

"It's not," his father nodded. "But it seems they've become maniacal in their persuit of wiping the earth of all demons. And a tad desperate to do away with us, as well."

"So they're going to mutate this young boy then?" Asked Arthur in disgust.

"Yes," his father answered simply.

"Permission to speak, Master Hellsing?" Alucard spoke up softly.

"Granted."

"Am I right in assuming that you also intend this magical and scientific mutation for Walter?"

Arthur's head whipped from Alucard to his father in shock. "Father, no!"

"Quiet!" Rupert snapped impatiently. "Yes, I do. Do you have a problem with that?"

"I do." Alucard answered.

"Too bad. Your opinion isn't what matters, vampire, but your ability to be put to use for Hellsing."

"Then why, pray tell, did you call me here?" Asked Alucard quietly.

"To tell you to stay the hell away from the boy," he snarled. "Sergent Graham informed me of your closeness with him over your extended vacation in Viterbo. You did a little bit of sightseeing? No more. You are to have no contact with Dollneaz from this point on."

"Why?"

"Because I said so!" Lord Hellsing boomed.

"Father," Arthur interrupted. "I must protest to this as well. If only because I doubt that Walter will consent-"

"The boy's consent is unecessary." Rupert informed him briskly.

"What- but father!"

"There's no need to worry about upsetting your delicate sensibilities, Arthur. You will not have to witness the transformation."

"How...what do you mean?" Arthur questioned weakly.

"I'm sending you to the Hellsing base in Ireland. You'll help General McMillion to run operations there until furthur notice."

"I'm not going anywhere!" Arthur argued vehemently.

"You are, and there will be no further arguments. Go pack your bags, son. You leave at dawn."

Arthur knew his options. He could stay and yell some more, and eventually be dragged out by armed soldiers, or he could leave with some dignity. Drawing a deep, sharp breath, he sent one last heated glare at his father before spinning on his heel and making a furious exit from the room.

"You are dismissed as well, vampire." Rupert announced loftily after his son had left.

"Just one last thing, Master."

"Yes? What is it? I have things to do." He snapped as he swiftly crossed around his desk.

"His name," the vampire murmured. "The boy to be transfigured for Iscariot's purposes...do you know his name?"

Rupert turned around slowly, giving Alucard a wary glance. "Yes, we do. Dismissed."

"Is it Alexander?"

The lord and master of Hellsing's eyes sparked dangerously. "It is now," he spoke lowly.

"So you didn't know." Alucard smirked superiorly.

"How did you?" Rupert hissed. "That information has been guarded by the Vatican more safely than the Holy Grail!"

"Nevermind how I knew." Alucard purred as he began to walk slowly toward his master. "The question is...what more do I know?"

Rupert eyed the vampire with suspicion. "What do you want?"

"Leave Walter alone." Alucard demanded coldly, baring his fangs. "Let me take his place."

"You?" Rupert scoffed. "We can't use you! You're a-"

"You can. And you will. And in return I will eliminate your tiny...blonde...problem."

Lord Hellsing gasped softly as the use of that particular word. "I don't know how you know this. But we have a deal. How much time do you need?"

"Give me...four years. Walter will be eighteen then. If I have failed in my promise, then you can do what you will with me. Walter will no longer be a child, so Arthur's conscience will be clear."

"Done."

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Author's note: In case you're still confused, this flashback occurs after Walter and Alucard arrive back in England in chapter four.