Chapter 5 - London still at war

      One month later.

      Seras runs up a residential street quickly, looking over the houses carefully. She could sense another vampire around, close. She had been on non-stop rescue missions the first two weeks after the attack. Digging through rubble or sometimes even piles of bodies to look for survivors. They were few and far between. The remnants of the British 1st Infantry had deployed to London to assist but was barely any help to her besides looking around and cleaning up the mess. Rogue vampire attacks were common due to the lack humans to feed on. The Mansion had been raided more than a few times but all of the attacks were quickly repelled. 

     "Seras, the Infantry units have been attacked every time they've tried to use that street. Make sure you hunt whatever is behind the attacks down." Integras voice called from the ear piece Seras was wearing. She looked over at a small flat on the corner of the street. Various messages were written on the walls, some in paint...some in blood. Many dismissed the existence of god. Some down right challenged him, others called it divine punishment. She quickly aimed down the street to the left, opening fire on a now moving figure that tried to sneak by her. Her massive rifle shredding cars, walls, and even the ground the rounds landed. The vampire was a quick one, jumping onto the roofs and starting to circle Seras. A loud whistling sound could be heard, then BOOM! The final roof the vampire landed on was completely obliterated. 

    "Hellfire has good effect." A male operator could be heard through the ear piece. Chunks of the vampire covered the street, a few still twitching for a few more seconds. It was an American Cobra a few miles out. The US Marines had sent a few platoons of their Expeditionary forces to assist. They made a mess of things...but they did their part. A convoy of trucks quickly drove past Seras, troopers started to get out and prod around the rubble on the street. They looked for anything of use and were to look for confirmable KIA's. Drivers licenses were most often how they marked civilians dead, simply pulling the wallet from the pockets of the now dead ghouls or bodies. 

    "Return to HQ, Mission Complete." Integra spoke calmly through the radio as she looked over the city from the roof of HQ. Machine gun nests lined the roof on all sides, sniper positions in various places as well. A few mortar crews at the center of the roof. They had cleared an LZ for helicopters on the front lawn. A UN Fleet was on the coast near the city ready to give both air support and supplies. The world united in a matter of hours to organize counter offensives against the Germans in both US and England. The Crisis in the US had been resolved in a matter of days. The Germans and Rogue vampires still plagued much of London, using the sewer and ruins to hide. Caution was nailed to the ground firmly. The Queen made it clear that  throwing troops at the problem would just make it much worse in London itself. 

     "Yes ma'am" Seras said, quickly leaping into the nights air and flying off to HQ. She rivaled a speeding bullet as she saored through the sky. HQ itself looked much better. Repairs had been made to the explosive damage on the outside. Metal shutters were placed over the windows all around the mansion. The road leading to the HQ had two checkpoints. One at the gate and one infront of the mansion. Spotlights were also put on the roof. The front doors had been replaced with much thicker metal doors. Seras slowly landed on the roof, the soldiers not even paying any attention to her. She looked around the roof but didn't see Integra, she must've went inside already. 

     "Have a good hunting?" A voice called out form behind her as she reached the stairs. Lestat stood in his human-like form. He wore a black suit without shoes. His wolf-like feet patting against the ground softly as he walked forward. It didn't take long for him to pick up English. It never did with any language. His accent was similar to Herras, a soft posh sounding accent rolling from his tongue. His voice seemed to match well with it as well. 

     "Wasn't much hunting really. The Heli took care of it really." She turned to face him completely, tilting her head a little. 

    "Our human counterparts have advanced a great deal since I last saw them a thousand years ago." He looked over at the city. "It's a shame that war is still as brutal as ever." He sighed softly and looked over at Seras, looking into her eyes. "Although I must admit, even this comes shy of some of the things I've witnessed...." As he was about to speak again, their comm links started to squak.

     "Seras, Lestat. Meet me in the briefing room."  Integras voice called out, prompting Lestat to look around before remembering there was a device in his ear. They both walked to the briefing room, seeing Integra sitting at her desk. "Seras, would you mind waiting outside for a second?" Integra said softly as she looked over at Seras, whom nodded quickly and stepped outside.  "Now, the Queen has authorised your service here. You understand what that means right?"

     "Of course I do. I'd rather be here than wandering the world again honestly." Lestat said as he looked over Integra, who was looking down at paper work. She took a few papers and placed them on the opposite of her desk. 

    "Once you sign these papers, Your honor is what will be at stake if you betray us." Integra looked up at him, she looked like she hadn't slept in weeks. Lestat only nodded as he walked forward. Integra began searching for a pen for him to sign it with. As she did, Lestat looked over the papers. He looked at one of his paw-like hands and raised a claw from his other to it, cutting it. He let the blood cover his paw before placing it down onto the paper. Integra looked up at him. "I suppose that'll work." She put the papers in a file and looked up at Lestat, seeming to be in a daze for a few seconds. She started to call in Seras but barely got the first letter out before falling unconscious Lestat quickly walked over, able to still hear her heart beating normally. She was merely asleep now. Seras came in after hearing Integra start to call her name. She could also tell she was asleep. 

    "I got it." Lestat said softly as he walked over to Integra, gently picking her up from the chair and starting to carry her. His warmth caused Integra to press herself against his chest. She was, simply put, out cold. She had been working almost non-stop around the clock. As he carried her through the hall he looked around. The blood stains remained but it was much cleaner than when he first arrived. Everything was picked up off the ground. Survivors had taken up most of the other rooms already. Most survivors happened to be on planes, trains, or boats when the attack hit. Few survivors were from even the outskirts of London. Only one or two were from the epicenter of the attack. 

    "I'll get the door." Seras said softly as she began following Lestat. He looked like such a frightful being, but he was so kind. It might make some peoples heads spin, but to her it was plain as day that he wasn't spared sentimental feelings at all. They talked here and there but neither really knew about the other much. As they reached the door Seras slipped in front and opened it silently. When Lestat tried to lay Integra down she grabbed onto his fur softly. It would be impossible for him to put her down without waking her up. He looked over at Seras and slowly layed down onto the bed, letting Integra rest against him. Seras blinked a little, Integra looked so peaceful as she slept. It was the first time she'd seen her look even a little relaxed. Seras sat down on the edge of the bed, looking over them both. She smiled a little and got up slowly, walking out and checking up on the HQ. She was unsure if Integra would appreciate Lestats actions so she would rather not stay their anway. Lestat himself on the other hand would eventually drift off. One of his arms wrapped softly around Integra. 