4876/Chevaliers

Chevaliers
Date of Scene:	14 December 2016
Location:	Hellsing-1 Europe <HE1>
Synopsis:	A meeting of Paladins in Hellsing-1 Earth.
Cast of Characters:	Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped), 992, 151, Maya, Sir Gawain, 1084, 946

---

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  Welcome to Earth. It is not a pretty place. Since the multiversal game of fifty-two card pickup, it has been plopped down on the borderlands of the Corrupted Flatlands, and the corruption has been steadily seeping into the boundaries of Earth's geography. Along with corruption has come a seemingly relentless tide of hte unliving.

  While most first-world countries with standing militaries are reasonably able to look after their own affairs, the same cannot be said of some second-world or third-world countries. If the movement of refugees over the last forty-eight hours could be plotted on a map, it would probably look like a spirograph. Or maybe a pile of spaghetti.

  Yeah, probably spaghetti.

  Speaking of spaghetti, Paladin Heinkel Wolfe can be found at St. Peter's Basilica, leaning against one of the columns of Bernini's Colonnade. The faint glow suggests the priest has a cigarette lit; the flare of red light every so often suggests the priest is actively smoking it. Bad manners? Maybe, but Heinkel doesn't seem to care too much. No thunderbolts are forthcoming from the heavens above.

  A starched white collar suggests the priest is indeed a priest; the cassock-like coat is long enough to reach the ankles. Heinkel waits with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched against the chill -- temperatures have dropped somewhat since the multiversal reshuffling, and though there's some slush on the plaza grounds, tonight it's cold but clear.

  For now, the androgynous paladin has elected to wait. Leaning up against her leg is a hardwood cane; the faintest bit of bandaging peeks from beneath the collar.

  Next to Heinkel is what looks suspiciously like a portable heater, which may or may not have been dug up on short notice for Ainsley's benefit.

Sigrun Stem (992) has posed:
Sigrun has been to Rome, though the Rome she knows is a different entity entirely. She marvels at the architecture as she slowly approaches the meeting place, occassionally snapping her fingers towards statues and buildings, finger-snapping which is accompanied by a brief flash of magical red light. Even aside from that, she looks obviously out of place. Her clothes do not match any fashion from earth, though they're no less practical for it, and and the wooden mask is...

Well, it's a featureless wooden mask. At night, in a touristy place.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
Ainsley has only been on this job for a couple of days and already she is making a trip to a world that is burning down around the ears of its inhabitants. She arrives by car, a rental sedan that she acquired just so she can get from point A to point B without collapsing due to her cold-blooded nature. The vehicle is parked as close as she can get to where she needs to go in order to meet with Heinkel.

    Then she makes the trek over to where the Paladin(squared) is standing to wait for them. She gravitates immediately to the heater, despite how thickly she's layered herself. She even has a hood on her head. To take some of the edge of the cold, she's wearing some magic trinket on the end of her tail. It won't work if it gets to blizzard conditions, but she can at least walk around without worrying about dying on some street because she got too cold to move.

    "Where do you need us first?" she asks, having become very proactive. She holds up her badge to identify herself. 'Chevalier Ainsley - Judge of Cursebreaker Division - Investigator in MACB' appears in the air in clearly legible English for a moment, and vanishes when she puts her badge away. Much fancier than the typical government ID badge.

Maya has posed:
Hellsing coming out into the open? That was one of the bigest warnings of how bad things were to an long time Elite such s Maya. She had not been lying when asked for help she simply said tell me when. So here she is as When has come a hell of a lot sooner. Maya's dressed like she fell out a post nuclear movie from the various Earths on this world or maybe better to some of the actual post nuclear worlds out there in the Multiverse.

They were not yet to hunt but she was ready for it just in the event it should become needed, her rifle was slung across her back, however while not a Christan she understood this was holy ground to a large amount of this world and she wouldn't make use of her hardware unless something was threatening it. Her blue hair might stand out and she doesn't seem bothered as she ends up making for the meeting though her Paladin's badge is pretty clear to see carved nto the metal chest guard she wore.

"Chevalier Maya Artistan, Jurists of the CB division."

She had other titles and was loathed to use any others save Junker, or Blue Witch.

"Sometimes known as the Blue Witch."

Sir Gawain has posed:
Zombies. Sir Gawain has very little experience with zombies. However, he has read stories, and sometimes they're weak to sunlight or fire! Also, as a newfound Paladin officer, he should be there to help all those in need that he can during this time of crisis, and he's free right now, having finished what he can currently do at Dun Realtai and Chicago.

As the Knight of the Sun arrives at the square, he's dressed in a black suit with a gold tie, with black gloves, having spent the last of his Union paycheck on it not long ago. The blonde knight smiles at Heinkel as he approaches, recognizing her from the description she gave. He glances at Sigrun as she shows up, but has absolutely no idea who she is. He doesn't go on guard or anything, though, some people just like masks!

Instead, as he approaches, he pulls out his badge, which, like Ainsley's, flashes words clearly into the air. 'Warden Gawain' with no fancy other ranks attached, because Gawain isn't as busy as the lizard. "We're here to help, Chevalier Wolfe!"

Seras Victoria (1084) has posed:
Seras Victoria arrives via helicopter. Hellsing has provided transportation most of the way, but she makes the last legs of the journey on foot - and she seems hesitant to dash much faster than an olympian athlete could manage... even though she could -probably- manage to reach car-like speeds if she put some effort into it.

    But the imposing and majestic architecture of the famous basilica isn't the reason she's so slowed. Not that it doesn't have her attention on approach. She can't help but show a little awe for the architecture.

    Not that London doesn't have its fair share of places of interest.

    The young woman, who can't be older than her early twenties at the most (in truth, 19) is clad in an oddly bright yellow uniform that can't possibly be standard issue for the Hellsing organization. One can only imagine that whoever designed it had very odd tastes. Because it forgoes pants in favor of shorts and knee-high socks.

    It marks her as an agent of Hellsing... but the left arm's red cuff now sports an additional Paladin patch.

    "Chevalier Seras Victoria. Squire of the Proving Grounds, and soldier of Hellsing. /PLEASE/ don't call me Police Girl."

    This last bit's aimed straight at Heinkel with a bit of an indignant - albeit childish - glower.

    She's here for business, so that's probably all she's going to say on that matter.

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  The light from the colonnade slowly dims, and finally fades out entirely. After a few seconds, a flicker of light springs up in the shadow -- a cigarette lighter, which illuminates Heinkel for the brief instant before the lighter is dropped back into a pocket.

  The priest looks up at about the same time, only to notice Sigrun on the approach, admiring the architecture. It is a point of pride, even if Heinkel wasn't raised by the church; the architecture is beautiful, and there's a certain tranquility to this place at night. No matter the hell on earth that mars the outside world, one can be close to God, here, and one can find at least a little piece of tranquility, if that is what they seek.

  Pushing off from the column, the priest stoops to pick up the heater, straightening and using the cane to hobble over towards the impromptu meeting place.

  There's a helicopter. The helipad is on the far side of the Vatican, but even Heinkel knows the sound of rotors. Those flat lenses turn and stare at Seras for a few seconds, and it might even get uncomfortable after a few seconds.

  It's tempting to say 'if it's good enough for Integra it's good enough for me,' but Heinkel knows well the value of diplomacy.

  "Vhatefer you say, Paladin Girl."

  Seras /DIDN'T/ say she couldn't be called that.

  Heinkel's attention turns back to the assembled Paladins, utterly ignoring the Draculina now. "So. Ve're going to lay out vhat things are looking like, but ve're going to go... say, eine little problem at a time, ja?" The paladin squinches thumb and forefinger demonstratively. "So, I'll haf the big von out of the vay, before letting Victoria take ofer."

  "Velcome to the piazza San Pietro," Heinkel says, showing teeth in a grin. The voice is utterly androgynous; it's almost impossible to tell whether the paladin is a man or a woman, and the natural roughness from heavy smoke and hard drink don't help. "St. Peter's Square. The church behind you is St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most important churches in Catholicism."

  The heater is held up and offered to Ainsley without a word. You're welcome, the paladin's amused expression seems to say. It's even battery operated. A little old, but built like a tank and perfectly serviceable.

  "But ve're not here for a tour, und I'm no tour guide. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Chevalier Heinkel Wolfe. Or Paladin Heinkel Wolfe, no pun intended, I guess. Vhichever is easier for you to associate vit me." Those blank lenses sweep the assembled party. "Call me Heinkel, or Wolfe, or vhatever you vant. It doesn't much matter to me."

  Ainsley asks where they're going first, and the paladin shrugs. "Right here." A forefinger is jabbed straight down at the ground. "Tonight, ve're not going after anything. To the best of my knowledge, und it should be good knowledge considering this is our seat of operations, Rome is safe, and has tightened its borders accordingly. Refugees are allowed in for the moment, but there ist a standing military presence and talk of building a vall to shut out the peninsula."

  That cassock-like coat rustles as the paladin shrugs. "As you can see, I'm not in any shape to go hunting." A gesture is given towards the cane. "And tonight, Victoria und I vill be explaining vhat the situation is looking like. At least, as much as ve can glean from the news und vhat our superiors are able to tell us."

  Those opaque lenses turn sidelong a little, at the arrival of Maya. A nod is given.

  Gawain, however, gets a longer look. Heinkel's mouth compresses into a thin line around the cigarette. "Ja. Ve're going to need all the help ve can get, I'm sad to say. Things aren't looking so good." Those lenses look to Seras, as though waiting for the Draculina to chip in whatever she feels might be useful.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley's eyes widen when she's handed the heater. She grabs it and holds it in her hands a little awkwardly, but since it's portable and simple enough, he can hold it in one arm without any problem. She smiles gratefully at Heinkel after that and murmurs a humble, "Thank you."

    As Heinkel clarifies what they're here for, Ainsley nods lightly at that. She places her off hand on the hilt of her longsword, a weapon almost perpetually held at her hip. Here where the holymen crawl through every nook and cranny, though, she has the weapon bound. She wasn't expecting a fight unless they got transported somewhere that was having a real problem.

    "I'm listening," she says, her face going from gentle gratitude to the cool serious stare that emphasized her reptilian features. Seras is given an expectant look from Ainsley, too.

Maya has posed:
Maya is a respectful Heathen at least and simply listens and wits to hear what Heinkel's got to say at this point. She also recalls something "Also it's one of the largest and oldest historial archives on the planet is it not? Might there be anything in it's Archives?" She hears about how they will have to shut the walls eventually, it's not evil, they can only take so many and protect so many from the tide. They are taking who they can but they can not take everyone.

"So I have come to offer my help against the tide here. We have had cronic undead issues on my world for centuries. So where do you need us and how do you wish to deploy us?"

Seras Victoria (1084) has posed:
"The situation is like this, Paladins. As Sir Integra Hellsing explained it to me." Seras Victoria takes a firm tone when she turns to address the others. She did twitch once when addressed as 'Paladin Girl' but only a little. And she does pause to take in a heck of a breath - because as she turns her head to look over everyone who's come she has to fight the urge to whimper and take cover behind one of the columns.

    The people here are kind of SCARY. Not because they want to be... but because to one of her inexperience, they all seem so solid and confident.

    Only monsters can be so confident. Monsters... of a sort.

    "Whatever happened after the Multiverse... exploded and came back together... set off some kind of undead PLAGUE across this entire world. The wilds outside our borders aren't safe. There's no pattern it. One night zombies just sprout up somewhere. Sometimes the bodies come from graveyards... but others seem to just spring up from the Earth in unlikely places. It's not just zombies either. We've had reports of other monsters. Some of it matches Vampire activity - Hellsing's specialty - and some of it weirder things that haven't cropped up in decades. We THINK these are monsters coming out of hiding to take advantage of this chaos-" Seras shows a rather fierce display of clenched teeth, her own vampire fangs clearly visible for a moment there... if anyone has doubts about how SHE feels on this matter, that sets it straight.

    She hates these abominations.

    "-... and in other cases, nothing matches up. How much of it's from our world? How much of it from elsewhere? We don't know, and that makes every operation all the more dangerous. Enough... enough lives have been lost to this disaster already..."

Sigrun Stem (992) has posed:
"Well, I may be a Paladin, but I was a monster exterminator before I was a paladin. Best earn my paycheck, right?" Sigrun mentions, she's mostly listening, and with her face obscured like that it's hard to say what she thinks of all that's going on. "I assume everyone else here at least has a basic clue of what that kind of job involves, right, Hellsing Girl?"

Sir Gawain has posed:
Gawain just smiles at Heinkel's stare. He is absolutely too cheerful about this situation. He shortly after pockets his badge, as he listens to her explanation. "Understood, Chevalier Wolfe! We're happy to be assisting you. What is the situation in the rest of the continent like?"

Gawain then turns, and listens to Seras' explanation right after he asks. He takes a moment to think, noticing Seras' teeth as she clenches them, but doesn't seem to care much, as he responds. "Is anything known about their capabilities? How do they fare against fire? Sunlight? Do they have resistances? We're going to need a lot of information if there's an entire swarm out there!" The knight shuffles around, before nodding to Sigrun. "Of course, Masked Paladin! Our duty is to get as many people to safety as possible, destroy or divert as many of the monsters as possible, and see if there's a way to find a longterm solution, in that order!" He does turn to Heinkel and Seras, though. "Unless you have a different basic plan in mind, as you are the local experts."

Maya has posed:
Maya Says "So it does sound pretty bad I'm ready to get ot work ondoing what I can to dela with this abominations. There has to be a source, things like this don't just happen without reason even in a place as chaotic as the multiverse,." Maya gets quiet and starts to thin about this, it's like hunting na old enemy of her's and it has her lost in thought.

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  "Ja, don't vorry about it." Heinkel grins, showing teeth, though the expression doesn't seem to be meant to be intimidating. "I know you don't like cold that much, so I figured I vould make things a little more comfortable for you. Ve haf a lot to explain, so ve might be here a vhile."

  Besides, doing something nice for other people is a rarity. Most paladins spend their lives doing the grittier side of the Lord's work, carrying out the necessary evils, and sacrificing their own shot at salvation to ensure someone else gets their ticket to the Kingdom of Heaven. Any paladin can be content with that much. At least the hereafter will be toasty warm?

  "Ja," Heinkel offers, to Maya, but it comes with a shrug. "It has a long and historied archive, but that's not vhy ve're here tonight. Ve're here because it's my base of operations, as an agent of Iscariot." The paladin's head lowers, lenses flashing in the plaza's lamps. "More importantly efen than that, it's safe territory. Ve haf no recorded incidents in the whole of Italy, and ve can easily call in the might of Iscariot if ve do. That may change, but for now, it's safe."

  Falling silent through Seras' speech, the paladin rolls the cigarette back and forth between slightly pointed teeth; although they're not nearly as pointy as Seras'. Still too pointy for a normal person, and the fact that those sunglasses don't hinder vision in the least suggests Heinkel Wolfe is perhaps something slightly more than human... although it's not easy to say what. Or, maybe the paladin is blind. Yeah, probably just blind, right? Makes more sense, doesn't it? "Ja. Victoria has the right of it. Ve'fe had a spike in international incidents. Ve can't assign paladins fast enough to put out all the fires. Iscariot has a few thousand paladins, gife or take at any given time, but ve're all running around vit more vork than ve know vhat to do vit."

  There comes a slight frown. "Ja, there are also other things out there. Iscariot vas handling it, but there's so much that ve can't sort vhere they're all coming from. As Victoria says, ve haf things taking advantage of all this, too. Gets fairly difficult to sort out vhat's vhat."

  "Honestly, aside from stopping these unliving, relief efforts vould go a long vay. I know there are plenty of third-vorld countries that hafen't been heard from at all. Plenty of second-vorld und first-vorld countries, too, in trouble. I hear Austria vas hit pretty hard. I also know Russia is dealing vit problems of their own." Heinkel thumbs toward the sky. "They haf the most corruption by landmass, from vhat satellites can tell us."

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  The priest hobbles a little closer to the group, leaning on that hardwood cane. It does not appear to be a nifty sword-cane; just a plain hardwood cane with a rubber stop. Since when does Iscariot employ such beat-up agents, anyway? "Ghouls. That's the most of vhat ve're dealing vit. Think of them as shambling creatures that used to be people, but aren't any more. The lights aren't on und nobody's home, that's for damned sure. The only vay you can put them down und make them stay down is to obliterate the heart or the head. High-caliber firearms vork. So does fire. Blades, too. Blessed blades, like the vons Father Anderson uses, efen better."

  Right, Seras?

  "As for long-term solution... ve'fe tried combatting the corruption but it seems resistant to vhat's been tried so far. Ve had bishops in Russia doing vhat they could. Not just from our denomination, either." Heinkel pulls the cigarette away, gesticulating with the lit end before popping it back into clenched teeth. "Nothing's vorking. Vhich I guess ist something of a comfort; if the sanctity of the Lord von't vork, neither does anything else."

  Different plan? The priest shrugs, leaning hard against the cane. What of the priest's face is visible seems to fall, just a little. "Nein. I'm only a paladin, not a bishop. But my guess vould be to set up some kind of relief for the refugees. Ve haf a lot of them, and that's just vhat I'fe seen in Rome."

  "Vhat do you think you can do about that?" Those flat lenses sweep the assembled Paladins, head cocked just slightly.

Sigrun Stem (992) has posed:
"My holy water supplies are short, but I've got some spare incendiary arrowheads to use. Would prefer the holy water arrowheads in an urban environment, don't want to kill the living dead only to set the city on fire." Sigrun leans against the wall and moves her head around in an excaggarated motion. "If you need any explanation why, well in the second half of the nineteenth century the O'Leary family in Chicago had a Chupacabra problem. The Exterminator treated the problem like a nail to his fiery hammer."

Sir Gawain has posed:
Gawain waits patiently as the questions he posed are answered. "I see. I should be doubly effective, then! Excalibur Galatine is both holy and capable of being ignited! That's my sword, that is!" But, the main plan here seems to be relief, not mass-slaughtering, so he changes the subject to another question. "What regions are at their safest? It's hard to say, with the recent everything, if there's yet something we can do out there, but if we can set up relief camps in the least heavily-hit regions, it'd be a good start. About the most immediate problem, the Roman refugees, we can see about getting basic aid supplies, food and water, as well as medicine, but I'll have to check our resources! Protection is also pretty easily loaned!"

Gawain then turns to the others. "Any thoughts on what else we can do? Speak up now, it's important!"

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    "The Chicago Fire," Ainsley helpfully clarifies, instantly knowing the parallel from her own historical knowledge, "It would appear that recklessness burned down a huge swath of Chicago in her world." She adjusts her grasp on the heater in her arm. It did enough to keep her torso warm, and that was the important part of her body. The rest of her would survive just fine as long as she stayed wrapped up in her winter clothing.

    "I can begin establishing communication lines immediately, to try and find survivors in stricken areas. I have a few methods to augment existing systems, and in a pinch I can act like a living radio tower. That way we can find what areas need the most help and spread out resources out accordingly." Then she turns to regard Maya and points to her, "You should focus on healing. Among us, you are probably the most valuable, so it would be a good idea for you to be on the ground assisting in the worst of it. There will be a lot of people in those places that need your help." She considers after that, flexing her gloved hand as it goes back down to her side. She glances over at Sigrun, suggesting, "You could be integral to getting to people trapped by the swarms of undead and monsters. If you can get to them and secure an area, people can get to them and transport them to safe areas. You can move better than most of us."

    "White Berserker, my Servant, can assist in clearing areas so that survivors can be transported through more efficient means and in larger numbers to the safe areas Gawain suggests establishing. She is very strong, and nothing short of a very powerful vampire can give her pause, if that." Her own personal Monster, how about that. Might echo of Hellsing a bit...

    She looks to Seras, and adds, "Perhaps you can team up with Sigrun. You seem like an agile type and what you mentioned before over the radio could work well with her abilities. You'd be able to cover each other like no other two might be able to." She spares a glance to Gawain after that.

    Then she awkwardly adjusts the heater under her arm again, and adds, "Just suggestions. Since you asked." She keeps a good poker face, but she realizes she might be too excited about this.

Seras Victoria (1084) has posed:
Weeeeeeell. BLESSED BLADE DISCUSSION sends a SHIVER right down Seras' whole body. She bites down the urge to SHRIEK and very quickly acts entirely on instinct...

    And skitters behind one of the bulkiest, toughest-looking dudes in the gathering.

    That being Sir Gawain.

    The irony.

    Then he goes and talks about its nature.

    The traumatic memories hit a fever pitch. The Draculina's now VISIBLY JITTERING and holding her breath - not that she'll run out of it...

    She doesn't need to breathe, after all...

    A few side-steps later brings her over near one of the columns instead.

    Not that she's going to say a WORD about being spooked.

    Still... she takes a few moments to steel herself up and regain composure quickly.

    "In... intelligence is desperately needed, alongside shoring up safe places for refugees. ... Another thing that's desperately needed is a... useful way to counter Ghoul bites that doesn't just help the unbitten..." Her expression turns rather downcast there.

    "Someone in the Paladins might have a way."

Maya has posed:
Maya Says "I understand we're at a stable point that is well defender, better than air dropping us into the thick of things from the start.: She listens on following after their host. Maya doesn't quesiont what any of her allies are openly if she suspects something there's no reason to bring it up. It's their business adfter all.

"So all the things in the shadows are making plays in the middle of this chaos. The russians too? I see"

White Berserker (946) has posed:
    There's some sparking behind Ainsley when something materializes behind her, at first, it's the metal shimmer and sparks off the Bridal Chest before the Bridal Berserker herself, White Berserker makes herself known. She's been following Ainsley all this time from the saftey and comfort of intangibility.. "Nnngh." is the first word... sound... thing out of the Servant's mouth as she keeps a look at the area. With all the talking going on and discussion that she was able to follow... White Berserker really only had one thing to add...

    "Berserker... smash...?"

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  "Vit a few minor exceptions, any Iscariot priest can consecrate things." Heinkel leans back and forth a little on the cane, considering. That androgynous voice drops a pitch or two even further; a fleeting impression impression of masculinity, as the priest thinks the logistics through. "Let's see, ve haf about a hundred here in the Vatican at any given time, usually slightly less, und most of the time they haf enough time to consecrate crates of vials... if ve haf at least half of those doing that efery time they pass through Vatican City, that gifes us..."

  Heinkel gives a shake of the head. "I'm too tired to do the math, but the bottom line ist that supplies aren't a problem. It's more that ve don't haf enough hands to distribute them." Or shoot them, depending on what kind of supply it is. "Iscariot ist stretched thin. Efen if ve took volunteers, vhich ve don't, it takes time to train a paladin. Years. I only got a pass in that regard because I vasn't unfamiliar vit the veaponry or the tools of the trade."

  Fingers tap against the opposite forearm, the fabric of Heinkel's gloves making a dull sound against the coat's fabric. "Vait, Chicago?" The priest's head tilts very slightly at Sigrun. "Second half of the nineteenth century? That sounds familiar. The Great Chicago Fire, vasn't that? Although if your vorld is like Earth but turned on its ear, I guess you haf a different name for it." There's a short pause, and one hand rises to ruffle through ragged-cut dark blonde hair. "Also, I'm pretty sure the von ve had vasn't caused by chupacabras."

  "Ja, your sword should vork," Heinkel adds, to Gawain. There's a slight tilt of the head at the name of the blade, but the priest doesn't question too much. This is, after all, a knight of the Round Table that's being addressed. After enough years, one learns not to squint too hard at the multiverse. "If not von, than the other, but both together ist efen better. Sort of like having Father Anderson's blessed bayonets, und then maybe setting them on fire, I guess."

  Actually, that's not really a bad idea... maybe that should be suggested to him next time they meet... some kind of chemical incendiary, maybe, and a new treated alloy that can withstand the heat...

  A shake of the head brings Heinkel back to the present. Gawain is looked at again, and that cigarette rolls from one side to the other as Heinkel considers. "Italy ist safe. I'm pretty sure most of the British Isles are, too, but that von's up to Paladin Girl; she knows more about the situation in England." The cigarette is rolled to the other side, tip lighting briefly as Heinkel takes a thoughtful draw from it. "Another good place ist France. I hafen't heard of any major incidents there. Just by news reports, I'd guess Russia is the vorst off of any of the countries. I can ask Chief for a formal report. Probably he overlooked issuing von to me vit eferything going on, ja?"

  The others are eyed, judging by where those flat lenses turn. "Ja, you can talk to the personnel here in Vatican City. Ve haf our own radio station und broadcast tower, but maybe you can help them boost signal or something." Heinkel gestures somewhat nebulously. "Communications aren't my strong suit, so you'll haf to talk to them on the specifics."

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  "My talents mostly stop at shooting things in the face," Heinkel adds to Ainsley, "so you'll haf to excuse my lack of planning." Heinkel grins, which is a mostly-friendly sort of show of teeth. "But I agree vit that. The front lines, as it vere, are the hardest-hit places on the planet. Region. Thing." Multiversal geography induces headaches. For sure.

  Heinkel looks to Ainsley while the lizard person suggests a few plans of action, and apparently they're sound enough to meet with Iscariot approval. The priest nods slowly. "Ja. Paladin Girl ist better as mobile response, from vhat I'fe heard of how Hellsing makes use of her. So ist a lot of Iscariot, but ve're only human--" Uh huh, "--und our ability to reach an area is not so fast as hers. I can get most places fast, though, as long as I know vhere I'm going ahead of time."

  "Nein, nein. Don't vorry about it." Heinkel reaches down and rests a hand on Ainsley's head briefly. It's like a headpat, except Ainsley has no hair to ruffle. The glove is thick, that much is clear; the warmth from Heinkel's hand is muted. The hand is also broad, and strong. Heinkel must have a hell of an impressive handshake. Thankfully the hand withdraws quickly. It would be a much more normal clap on the shoulder but Ainsley's too short and Heinkel's too tall. "Actually, I appreciate it. Ve haf so little manpower at this point that any help ve can get is a gift from God, ja?"

  Even if it comes in the form of the adorablest feathered serpent mini-me. One does not look a gift lizard in the mouth, because there are no teeth to judge--

  Heinkel's head whips around. Where the hell is the Draculina running off to? "Get back out here, you coward," the priest calls, a sliver of annoyance leaking into what is otherwise a thoroughly genderless voice.

  The priest shrugs, on the heels of Seras' admission. "Ja, maybe. That's vhat I hope--"

  Suddenly, Berserker. Heinkel stares somewhat blankly, cigarette drooping down at a sharp angle. Somehow, despite those lenses being so opaque, one might get the impression of flat disbelief from the priest. Or maybe eldritch creatures appearing out of thin air that aren't Alucard requires a little bit of brain rebooting.

  Heinkel coughs awkwardly, rolling the cigarette back into place to tilt out the right side of the mouth. "Ja, smash, maybe. But not yet. Ve haf to get those people out of danger, first, und then ve can smash them all ve vant. Vhich, I'm going to be honest vit you here, I vant to smash them a fucking /lot/ right now, ja?" Scowling, Heinkel exhales a puff of smoke in a harsh almost-sigh. "Fucking ghouls. I'fe had about enough of them ofer the past forty-eight hours. I hope Chief drags Yumie out of vhatefer shit-hole leads she's investigating in South America right now, because I could /really/ use her here..."

  A few seconds of silence pass.

  Heinkel Wolfe manages a delicate and slightly awkward clearing of the throat. "Pardon my French."

  To Maya, the priest only shrugs. "The Russians haf their hands full dealing vit the gangrene that just sprang up in the middle of their country. They're just trying to survive, right now, in vhatefer vay they can." The priest sighs a cloud of smoke. "I can only imagine vhat kind of Hell that must be right now."

Seras Victoria (1084) has posed:
"England is making do." Seras answers-- though her attention SWERVES towards White Berserker... about two seconds /BEFORE/ the Servant Manifests. What's up with THAT?

    Seras herself might not know, really.

    Her eyes do go VERY WIDE VERY QUICKLY THOUGH and she reaches for what's probably a concealed weapon... but doesn't go so far as drawing it. "What... WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! She appeared... from thin air!!"

    Well that's enough to get Seras completely overlooking being called a coward. The column now makes for very effective cover.

    Since White Berserker's not exactly leaping around slaughtering everyone... she comes back out in a few moments and explains.

    "England is making do. Hellsing's stretched thin. We don't have near the sheer quantity of elite troops as Iscariot, but the few we do have are keeping the worst of it at bay. What we're having the most trouble with are some weird vampires who keep cropping up out of nowhere and making everything worse..."

Ainsley (151) has posed:
    Ainsley let's out a gentle squeak when her head is patted. Somehow, it feels like she appreciates the gesture of friendliness... As if the essence of a gentle 'yay~' dispersed into the air, complete with the brief shut of her eyes and her mouth pulling into a smile. She spares a look over at Seras, her very ... animated behavior drawing attention from her as well. She looks back to Heinkel in time to realize her Servant startled Heinkel. She smiles in apology to that, the brief tension giving away an awkward air. "Soon, Berserker," she says, over to the unusual Servant. She redirects her attention to Heinkel

    "I'll need to talk to your Vatican friends to get some communications augmented," she says. "Let's get this ball rolling, <yes>?" She just said 'yes' in Spanish, which is weird because she doesn't really have a discernable accent.

    She looks around at the others, ready to wait until everyone's had their questions answered, if needed. Seems she's prepared to start doing what she can as soon as possible.

    To Seras, though, finally... "You are a jumpy one... She is my Servant, and my friend. A magical familiar, of sorts. She remains intangible in order to limit the drain on my own mana reserves. I apologize if she startled you. She really is no danger to anyone here."

    Then, wordlessly, or seemingly so, Ainsley reaches to rest a hand on Berserker's arm for a moment and she gives a supportive smile.

Maya has posed:
Maya thinks for a moment longer yes they need to find the source or they are just going to be cutting branches off and not getting to the root of this cancer. She nods about Russia, she knows the nation tends to be tough, enduring but this would tax anyone. The sooner they stop the source or sources the better and more lives they will end up saving. "Man if you jump like this Seras? Your going to be leaping and clining to the cealing like a cat at some things out here."

Sir Gawain has posed:
Sir Gawain smiles in relief that they do, in fact, have supplies. He then nods brightly at Ainsley. There's a reassuring nod from him as she speaks; he approves of her plan and of her stating it. "I'm not the most tactical myself, I'll admit! I just want to help people any way I can! Judge Ainsley's plan is an effective way of approaching my suggestion, and we can bring in Paladin aid to supplement the hands you are missing."

Gawain also nods towards Seras, but first responds to her panicking. "Don't worry, none of us are going to hurt you! We're all here to help. I suggest we can also set some people to help in Great Britain, if your Hellsing organization would be willing to let us assist. I'll have to go over logistics with someone who knows how to do logistics, but we should be able to provide help to both Iscariot and Hellsing!"

And then, Gawain turns to be facing both Heinkel and Seras. He moves if needed. "So, is there anything else we need to know?"

White Berserker (946) has posed:
    White Berserker blinks and tilts her head, she's unsure of why people are being surprised... at least one seemed to have seen her before she came into view somehow. She'll have to ask her Master about that later. For now, she notices the hand upon her and she places her hand back on it, assuring her Master she is there. "Then... Berserker can help... when you need me." she calmly states, a strange looking smile upon her face.

    There were a few people here she knew, giving an idle wave to Gawain at least... well, she /did/ know Gawain's voice, she wasn't sure she met that person outside the radio. "Hello... Gawain." she comments in her slow and steady voice. "I... do not... want to harm... people here. You are... allies of Master..."

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  Heinkel glances over in Seras' direction when the Draculina starts flailing about a Servant appearing out of thin air. Is she really freaking out about that, when her master is freaking Alucard? "Can it, Police Girl!" Heinkel snaps, this time with honest annoyance. "Ve can't haf you stopping to freak out about efery veird thing that happens in the Multiverse." That androgynous tone gentles, but only a sliver. "I know it's hard, und I know it's a lot to adjust to -- God knows -- but ve don't haf /time/ to jump at efery little thing."

  There's a short pause.

  "Although I guess this means your instincts are good. Can't really complain about that." The priest sighs. "Haf to find the good in something, ja?"

  Heinkel's head bows, shaking slowly from side to side at Seras' mention of Iscariot. "Ve don't haf as much as you think, Hellsing. A lot of us haf fallen to the ghouls und a lot of us vere already embroiled in investigating those freaks you're talking about. Ve don't know vhere the chips are coming from, or vhy. But right now, they're at the bottom of our priority list, as a matter of necessity."

  "Ja." This, to Ainsley; and those flat lenses swing toward the Quetzal. The priest, at least, is speaking in English; heavily accented in German though it may be. "I'll haf some of our experts talk to you. It might be best if I'm vit you at the time, though." One hand wobbles a bit uncertainly, and the priest affects an awkward expression. "It isn't that you'll be attacked, but most people are still getting used to the idea of the supernatural, ja? Better I'm there for your sake. My presence vill tell them it's okay. Besides, they'll appreciate the vork you're going to do for them, I'm sure."

  Heinkel's head cocks slightly at the explanation of White Berserker. "Hunh." It's mostly a noncommittal sound, given alongside a puff of smoke. "I vould guess not, or she vouldn't be here. She vould also haf, eh, maybe a half-dozen paladins coming out of the voodvork to shoot her in the face, too, I'd think. Myself included. I myself vould probably die, this close, but I vould be able to do significant damage before I did." A statement normally meant to troll is given completely straight-faced, and it speaks to the gravity of the situation that Heinkel's own expression is solemn.

  The priest does glance at Seras when the Draculina acknowledges that England's keeping its head above water, but doesn't comment further. A doubting glance, maybe; but that's probably not at all inappropriate, coming from the division named after Judas Iscariot. One could hardly expect Hellsing to be forthcoming about any potential vulnerabilities, especially not to their bitter rivals.

  "I can't think of anything else offhand," Heinkel responds to Gawain, shrugging one shoulder to a rustle of that cassock-like coat. "Mostly it's just a question of numbers. Reports vary, but some places, the numbers are as bad as ten to von, ghouls to defenders, vhether they're Iscariot, Hellsing, a nation's military, or civilians that manage not to be idiots about it. That, und establishing refuge for the people who vere affected by all this mess."

  The priest shrugs again, frowning around the cigarette. "A lot of people vere affected. I imagine Russia is the vorst off. The corruption is spreading rampantly, and nothing seems to purify it, either." The cigarette wags a little from one side to the other. "Gross."

Heinkel Wolfe (Dropped) has posed:
  Half a glance is shot at Seras -- are you done cowering behind the colonnade yet? -- before the priest focuses on the group at large again. "I guess that's about all ve haf to report, if Victoria hasn't got anything else to report. Do any of you haf any questions? Now ist a good time to ask, vhile things are relatively calm." The priest leans on that cane, sweeping the others with a glance.

  "So. Any questions, about anything, vhile ve haf time to talk freely vitout interruptions like 'the vorld burning down around us?'"

Seras Victoria (1084) has posed:
Seras GRINDS her teeth a little at being repeatedly called a coward.

    "If there's a good part in being outnumbered by ghouls, it's that Ghouls almost never use any tactics and most of them aren't armed." She's trying to talk in the most distant way possible, while her personal feelings -scream- on the horror that is the reason WHY most Ghouls are unarmed, unarmored, and have no real combat strategy...

    It's because most are just ordinary people with terrible luck...

    "Our enemy isn't hard to fight. As long as you keep some distance they might as well be... shambling pumpkins. Numbers are the problem.... the reason they're dangerous is... they spread. Any corpse left in their wake that's intact enough becomes one..."

    She gulps rather obviously, eyes settling between Gawain and White Berserker... just flicking back and forth. Because she can TELL there's something very, very odd about both. That much is rather clear.

    WHAT though, that's the million dollar unspoken question.

    "Right then. I'll get everyone in touch with the leadership of Hellsing, likewise!"