Reposting this as a refresher for my posting of the remaining 
parts. (Yes, it's finished. Just had to rewrite it a dozen times
for a dozen different reasons.)

Set in the "Pulp Hellsing" timeline _not_ in the "Dances
Set To The Music Of Time" timeline.

*************************************************

            DANCES SET TO THE MUSIC OF TIME
                       An Epic History of Humanity
                          From The Age of Silver
                           To The Age of Crystal
                                 And Beyond

         http://rakhal.com/florestica/elsa-bibat/index.html

                 Other fanfiction by the same author:
          http://rakhal.com/florestica/elsa-bibat/index.html

                  Kindly archived by Larry F and
                   The Lost Library of Florestica:
                    http://rakhal.com/florestica/
*************************************************









-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: hellp.txt

**********************************************************************

    Disclaimer:

    Hellsing is owned by Hirano Kouta. All licenses belong to the proper
people. This is used without permission.

    The Shadow was created by Walter Gibson. All licenses and rights
belong to the proper people. This is used without permission.

    This disclaimer also applies to several intellectual properties
referred to in the text. Please be guided accordingly.

    This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its
complete form and proper credit given. No part may be reproduced for
monetary gain without permission from the author.

**********************************************************************

    Prologue

    Dame Integra Wingate Fairbrooks Helsing, hereditary Knight Commander
of the Protestant Order of the National Knights of Hellsing, savored the
taste of her cigar as she looked over her mail.

    After weeks of her incarceration and subsequent weeks of
preparation, Hellsing was finally back to operational capacity. The
"very thorough" fake investigation, orchestrated by the Queen and MI5's
infamous Diogenes Club, had cleared her of all wrongdoing and made her a
free woman. The Helsing Institute was still not in full operating
capacity, though it was well on its way. The London "earthquake" had
quickly overshadowed the Tower incident and had made possible the
reactivation of Helsing's military arm. Also, Ferguson's act of
sacrifice made it possible for the institute to be cleared of any
wrongdoing, once the proper "spin" was put to it.

    She was actually thankful for her arrest. Her weeks of imprisonment
had given her a chance to review what had went wrong in the entire
fiasco. Punctuated by Alucard's annoying visits to offer his blood to
her, her isolation had given her several ideas to make sure that there
was no repeat of the incidents that had led up to the Institute's almost
dissolution.

    Already, the Hellsing mansion was experiencing several upgrades in
defensive equipment. Cameras had been set around the perimeter, along
with some rather nasty surprises that Walter had concocted for the
unwary. The main gate and driveway were studded with traps, along with
the mansion itself. A repeat of the Valentine assault would not be
tolerated.

    She had also called in several favors. The Diogenes Club was willing
to help her Institute get on its feet, in exchange for a few favors and
a loan of her "special" agents every once in a while. They had already
helped her expand her investigation division and enabled it to do its
own investigations, independent of MI5's bungling. Diogenes had always
despised its bloated bastard creation, now its parent organization, and
they were quite glad to help. The Club was also doing some politicking
for her. It was an arena that she had despised before her incarceration,
trusting to the Queen's mandate. Her blind spot would have to be filled
eventually, but before that she trusted Diogenes enough for the job.
They were like her in a way, dedicated to Queen and Country in heart and
mind, unlike some of those idiots on the Round Table.

    General Hannay, a family acquaintance, had helped her do a selection
of new officers and troops for her military arm. Personal screenings and
complete background checks were required. She had somehow managed to get
the Institute to full battalion strength, with people she could rely on.
The new commander, a sturdy fellow by the name of Makepeace, was smart
and tough. He was leading a squad right now for a shakedown strike on a
ghoul building in West End.

    She also had some help from Walter's old friends. An elite Hellsing
team like the institute had had during World War II would not be amiss
right about now. She had even ordered Walter to find himself an
apprentice, though the chance that someone could be found who had the
toughness to be taught Walter's rather rigorous fighting style were
thin. There would be a bit of difficulty in finding the sort of "unique"
individuals that would comprise the new 'Sword of Hellsing', as the unit
had been called during the war, but it would all be worth it in the end.

    Integra's instincts told her that Incognito was just the first
strike. Alucard had mentioned that the demented vampire had a human
master. Her ruminations on that fact had led her to assume that
something big was coming and the institute was not ready for anything
like this. The thought had galled her at first, but one learns to
swallow pride inside a prison cell, no matter how well she was treated.
Ten years under her leadership had stagnated the Helsing legacy and had
almost led to its demise.

    Well, when you fall down, you get up and try again. Harder and wiser
the second time around. Integra let a wry smile appear on her lips as
she looked over more of the official memoranda. Everything was coming
together.

    Hellsing was going to war and whoever behind the FREAKs was going to
feel it. She'd probably have to reopen the mansion's torture chambers
after all.

    Sifting through the dross of official mail, she came upon two that
made her frown. Opening them made her frown even deeper. She looked up
from her desk. Walter, over-protective ever since she had been released,
was standing at attention by the door.

    Six hours like that, the man is incredible.

    "Walter, could you explain this?"

    The cadaverous butler arched an eyebrow as she held up a rectangular
piece of paper.

    "A cheque for two million dollars, madam."

    "I know that, Walter. But, what is this ...," Integra looked back up
at the cheque. "Cranston Group? What is this Cranston Group that it
gives us two million dollars?"

    "I would hazard to guess that it is for the same reason the Clark
Savage Foundation gave us a cheque."

    "Ah...yes, the other generous donor." Integra looked down at the
second piece of rectangular paper she was going to inquire about. Then
she realized something. Returning her gaze to her butler, she resumed
her questioning.

    "You were expecting this?"

    "They are old friends of the institute. Your grandfather met their
respective founders. I was privileged enough to meet them also. Doctor
Savage and Mr. Cranston were quite a pair. I believe you yourself met
the Doctor when he visited eighteen years ago."

    Integra leaned back into her chair and furrowed her eyebrows.
Eighteen years ago...

    A white-haired bronze giant of a man visiting her father about some
exercise regimen and a serum...

    "Yes...yes...I remember him. Mother held him in great esteem didn't
she?"

    Walter nodded. "Lady Parvati was an old associate of his. She also
held Mr. Cranston in high regard, though she was a bit wary about him.
They had a great respect for the Helsing legacy and your family. I would
assume that Doctor Savage's and Mr. Cranston's inheritors would take
interest in our current state."

    "You knew they were sending two million dollars apiece?"

    "That was the same amount that they gave after the war, madam. The
need for adequate resources, they said, in our particular field of
endeavor."

    "Then they know of our mandate?"

    "That I am quite sure of, madam."

    Integra steepled her hands before her as she considered the two
items before her. Four million dollars. She loathed to admit it, but
Hellsing was quite strapped for cash lately. The upgrades and repairs
had taken quite a bit out of the institute's annual budget; she had even
been forced to draw from personal funds to supplement it.

    Four million dollars would go a long way. Integra settled back into
her chair. But four million dollars also meant a big favor. She hadn't
been paranoid enough the first time around. The money could be bait
hiding a very sharp hook. Her gaze returned to Walter.

    "Do you think these friends of ours have an ulterior motive for
these generous donations?"

    Walter's lips quirked into a wry smile.

    "Who knows what evil may lurk in the hearts of men, milady?"

    Silence ruled as both master and servant considered the question.



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