Rarity returned to the conference room to see that the body of Vinyl Valentine had either been removed, or had disintegrated, and then her remains moved. The doors had been somewhat lazily prepared and a few Hellsing guards stood outside just for extra protection. She gave each of the a nod before she stepped to Trixie's side. She was still smoking the cigar Rarity had lit for her before she had left. She looked up as Rarity approached and smiled around her cigar before removing it from her mouth

"You look dreadful Rarity," Trixie commented, nodding to Rarity's dishevelled and filthy appearance. Rarity herself gave herself a disgusted look.

"I admit I may have gotten a tad messier than I originally intended," she admitted. "But no one ever got anything done without getting a tad dirty in the process."

"Quite," Trixie agreed, smiling, taking a puff of her cigar before exhaling smoke in a cloud, hiding her face for a moment. "Your work is once again outstanding old friend."

"I do what I can to make sure the Hellsing Organisation runs as smoothly as it can Sir Trixie," Rarity said, bowing. "I have had remains of the... creature.. taking down to the basements to be examined under your direction of course, and have taken an inventory of casualties."

"Excellent. I look forward to seeing more of this creature." Trixie's eyes did seem rather luminous, glittering at the notion of putting her occult knowledge to use. Said glitter died however as she gave a series of wheezing coughs. Rarity cocked her head.

"I know I'm only your butler Sir Trixie, but the habit is detrimental to your health," Rarity commented, indicating the open cigarillo case on the table.

"I'm aware," Trixie agreed, though this did not stop her from taking another drag on the carcinogen. "How many did we lose?"

"In the attack? No more than six men were killed by Miss Valentine, including the two at the gate. out of the other four three became ghouls. the issue has of course been dealt with the utmost respect and care for our former comrades. In terms of the creature we lost roughly a few dozen good agents. It appears its body was resistant to bullets."

"I see," Trixie muttered. "I will have to speak with Alucard about this. When will we have communication channels open again?"

"Hopefully within the hour Sir Trixie," Rarity said, walking over to the large screen that was now situated behind Trixie.

"I see," Trixie muttered. "I wonder if Alucard found shelter with Twilight and Applejack."

"Knowing Alucard he will have most likely travelled to the nearest Hellsing outpost to regroup," Rarity informed her, adjusting a few cables by the screen. "Even if they were to walk, Hollow Shades is no more than two hours by foot. Barely anything to even a fledgling like Twilight."

"And what about AJ?"

"She was a member of the Ponyville Police Department," Rarity conceded. "I'm sure they'll all be fine, though I think AJ will be requiring rest when she arrives and Twilight a good steak."

"I think you should concern yourself with your own well being before the others old friend," Trixie said. "Why not take a bath and enjoy yourself for a few hours?"

"My duty is to the Hellsing family and the Hellsing organisation," Rarity said. "Right now we have just been attacked by an unknown enemy and Hellsing Headquarters is vulnerable. I will relax when Alucard returns Sir Trixie but for now we must be on guard and I must be attentive to better protect you."

"Our enemy has made their play and failed," Trixie commented. "They will not be so organised to prepare another attack so soon."

"Maybe," Rarity sighed. "But right now the front doors to the manner are currently embedded in the walls of the entrance halls."

Trixie chuckled: "I see your point."

There was a spark from one of the wires Rarity was adjusting followed by a small humming noise. A red light began to glow on the side of the screen. Rarity pressed a button and the screen began to power up, followed by the crackling of static.

"Communication incoming from Hellsing Outpost Thirteen, Sir Trixie," Rarity announced, stepping to Trixie's side as the screen glowed into life, revealing the seated Alucard, hands clasped in his lap.

"I see you've made yourself comfortable," Trixie said offhandedly. "Where are Twilight and Applejack?"

"There are resting," Alucard commented. "I have commandeered a Hellsing transport that will bring us back to the manner within the next two hours."

"I expect to see you before dawn then Alucard," Trixie said. "Understood?"

"Your wish is my command my Master," Alucard said, bowing his head. "How was the assault met?"

"Dispatched before five minutes passed," Rarity answered, stepping forward. "The vampire was mediocre at best and hardly worth my time. Her accomplice however I find infinitely more intriguing."

"Accomplice?" Alucard asked, tilting his head.

"Some kind of amalgamation of different bodies," Trixie summised. "I believe I have seen something like it before, but I'll need closer examination to be certain. I would like your opinion on it as well when you arrive."

"But of course sir Trixie," Alucard agreed. "And casualties?"

"It could have been far worse," Rarity told him. "The creature however had eliminated a few dozen of our agents before it was dispatched of."

"I see," Alucard murmured. "This veiled enemy is very.. interesting to say the least. I might even say I'm getting a little excited."

"We will see you when you return," Trixie said. "For now rest up Alucard."

"As you command my master," Alucard said, bowing his head as the screen went black. Trixie turned to Rarity.

"How soon can we replace the troops we lost?" she asked. Rarity looked uneasy.

"Well recruiting is always an option, though in the past that has always been slow. We can't divert forces from any of the outposts we're stretched thin as it is." She paused, face thoughtful. "Yes... I suppose..."

"Yes?"

"I have a few contacts in the... professional underworld. All legal you understand, just off the books."

"What are you saying Rarity?"

She paused before she walked over to the screen. After a few moments, she brought up a file. An email to be exact. "From one of my former colleagues. You may remember Fancy Pants used to work with me in weapons design?"

"Ah yes, before his retirement?"

"Exactly. Fancy does keep me up to date from time to time and has often spoken to me about the recruitment of... professionals."

"Professionals?"

Rarity looked sheepish. "In other words Sir Trixie: mercenaries."

"Mercenaries?" Trixie repeated. "Men and women who trade blood for money. Do you think we can trust the security of the manner to such people?"

"I asked Fancy the exact same question," Rarity said. "His response was that if we needed people we could trust, people who would remain loyal, so long as they were paid on time, then The Wonderbolts were the people to talk to."

"Has there been any news?"

Bishop Cadenza looked up from her desk as Father Armour walked in. Her grim face told him everything he needed to know. He sighed slightly.

"That makes the fourth we've lost so far."

"And the most important," Cadenza reminded. "Whoever these people are they're bold. Vincent was the most brilliant mind we had at our disposal."

"Isn't it convenient that our most intelligent and valuable assets are being abducted as they leave for vacation?" Shining asked. Cadenza removed her glasses, fixing Shining with a cool glare.

"What are you implying Father?" she asked.

"Just that it is more than a little suspicious," Shining replied. "If I didn't know any better, I would say there was a spy amongst us."

Cadenza frowned, resting her chin in her hand for a few moments, before she nodded slowly. "I would have to agree with you Father. These abductions reek of treachery. There is a spy amongst us in Iscariot and we must find them now."

"A spy for Hellsing do you think?" Shining asked. Cadenza laughed bitterly.

"No Father. No they seem to be too busy with their own vampire problem to be concerned with us at the minute. No, this is a new threat, one we haven't seen before." She look at him. "How are you feeling after the procedure by the way."

Shining rested his hand on his shoulder and massaged the flesh there. "A little rubbery, but other than that I'm fine."

"I see. Do you feel stronger?"

"I'll be honest with you, I'm not so sure. The only way we'll find out is with time I suppose."

"Yes. Only time will tell it seems."

If Lightning Dust had to sum up her situation at that moment in three words, those words would have been blood, sweat and sand. Needless to say she was less than happy. Her body ached her ears were ringing and all she wanted in the world at that moment was to soak in a nice hot bath. She felt sticky and unclean, tired and worn. Still, it was a living. The life of a mercenary was less than glamourous and she had volunteered to be a part of the Wonderbolts anyway. Apparently she wasn't cut out for the military. That was fine. She got a better rate working as part of a mercenary group than for an army. Rich warlords would pay millions for hired guns. Currently everyone of the Wonderbolts were being paid 20,000 Griffinstan Rupees a day. Back home in Equestria that was worth roughly 15,000 bits. Not bad for a days work.

The sound of movement outside her tent caught her attention, causing her to stir, before she went back to sleep. Her sleep was disturbed again however when the flap to her canvas tent was roughly pulled open and a lean, grizzled man stomped in.

"Wake up Dusty we're movin'!" he called, her tone jovial but his expression grim. Dust yawned and rolled over.

"Not my shift," she mumbled sleepily. "Go away Soarin."

The man sighed, before tipping Lightning Dust unceremoniously to the floor, much to her chagrin and with much swearing.

"The fuck was that for you arse!?" Dust cried, getting groggily to her sleep and brushing sand from blonde hair and rubbing sleep from her golden eyes.

"We're moving out," he replied. "War's over and we're out of a job. Captain wants us to get the fuck out of the country before our wanted poster's are all over the news."

"Fuck!" Dust swore under her bed as she began to pack up only the things that were most essential, and were most important. "We packing up the tents?"

"Dunno," Soarin replied, packing up his own things. "The Cap' never said."

"Great," Dust grumbled. "And I was getting used to it here. Who knows when we'll next get work?"

"Well it's not like we'll starve if we do eh?" Soarin chuckled, turquoise eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Seriously though, does the Cap have a back up plan?" Dust asked, straightening up, her backpack fully loaded.

"She always seems to," Soarin admitted, shrugging on his own bag. They looked uncertainly at each other, before the moved out into a light sandstorm, pulling their balaclavas over their mouths and noses, and lowering goggles over their eyes. They approached the meeting point behind a low ridge, where the rest of the Wonderbolts were gathered around the Captain.

"Listen up!" she called. "I wanna be on a plane in the next four hours! There's gonna be a flight to Equestria and we are gonna be on it! We're taking what we can and leaving everything else behind! Load up the jeeps and let's get moving 'kay?"

There was a hustle of movement as the Wonderbolts began to make there way over to their vehicles, however Soarin made his way over to the Captain.

"Boss what's next?" he asked. "Do we even have another contract prepared?"

The Captain looked at him, and though he couldn't see her mouth, he could tell she was smiling. Her braided ponytail was picked up by the wind and pulled behind her head, in a prismatic tail.

"We got a little nibble earlier today," she admitted. "Pretty good timing too considering."

"So long as it isn't another sandtrap I'll be fine," Soarin said. "Where're we off to from Equestria this time then?"

"Nowhere," the Captain said as she looped her rainbow hair back around herself in order to keep it in check. "We've got ourselves an... interesting proposal."

"What are you getting at Cap'?" Soarin asked.

Rainbow Dash simply winked.

Author's Note

I, am, the DEVIL

Thanks to:

Kyuubi325,
Gearico,
flame0987,
GuardianofRoin
and Eclair Young

for showing their support by favouring Hellsing Equestria.