The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen:
The New Generation

Chapter 1
Introductions and Recruitment

"Oi, Michael," Joe hissed. He was talking to a bigger boy sitting behind him. The boy lifted his head up form his work and glared at Joe, exasperated.

"What is it, Joe?"

"Pass this to that Amy bird, will ya?" Joe dropped a folded piece of paper onto Michael's desk as soon when the teacher wasn't looking.

Still glaring, Michael hissed, "All right. Just this once. Don't expect any more favours anytime soon."

"Cheers, mate."

Michael folded the paper into a more streamlined shape and as soon as the teacher turned away, he threw it to the shy girl sitting on the other side of the room. It landed precisely on the girl's textbook in little more than a second. By the time the teacher looked at them again, Amy had already slid the paper into her desk drawer.

It was at this time that a knock issued from the door. Mrs. Smith the old teacher went to get it and standing there was an impeccably-dressed moustachioed man, a book tucked under his arm. He said something to her, and then she went out to continue the conversation.

Amy took out the note. "Dear Amy Harker," it read, "You are the most beautiful bird I've ever seen, love. Fancy a snog? Love, Joe." Amy glared at Joe from across the room. Joe grinned back at her. He nudged Michael. "Reckon she fancies me, eh?" Michael just shook his head without looking up and continued working.

The teacher came back into the room, and the man could still be seen standing in the doorway. "Michael, Joseph, Amelia and Mr. Jekyll. Will the four of you kindly step outside for a moment." Amy quickly shoved the note away into her pocket. Joe glanced at Michael and Amy, receiving glares in return. Augustus Jekyll, a small and pale boy sitting in the far corner was looking frail and miserable, as always. The whole class was whispering and shooting odd glances at the lot now.

"Uh, we haven't done nuffin', Miss," Joe called out.

Only to receive a glare from Mrs. Smith, too. "I certainly hope not. Mr. Charles Shaw from the Department of Defence at the ministry wishes to have a word with you. Go on, out."

Reluctantly, the four children got up from their desks and headed for the door. Jekyll was the last one out, and he looked as if he were about to faint. "It's going to be all right," the teacher told him as he walked out the door.

"Right, then." The man – Mr. Charles Shaw – clapped his hands. "I suppose I ought to introduce myself. My name is Charles Shaw, and I work at the Department of Defence in the ministry. Nothing to fear, I'm not a bad man. Not a kidnapper or anything of that sort. I believe your father can vouch for me, Mr. Quatermain." He turned to Michael. "Mr. Quatermain. Have you ever thought about your ancestors… who they might be… what they might have done?"

"Criminals, were there?" Michael asked, confused. "Did they do something horrible that I'll have to take responsibility of?"

Mr. Shaw shook his head hastily. "No, no… nothing of the sort. It's a the complete opposite, in fact." He turned to address everyone. "Your forefathers… and foremother, so it would seem… were heroes."

"And so you have come to recruit us to form the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen once more." Jekyll had spoken.

Mr. Shaw was quite taken aback.

Everyone was wondering what was wrong with that Jekyll lad. What a ridiculous comment that was, that ponce, what was he on about?

Joe broke the silence – he burst out laughing. "Honestly, Gus… been reading too many o' those comic… ahem, graphic novels… haven't you?"

Mr. Shaw spoke up. "Mr. Jekyll is right. Yes, indeed. That is indeed what I have come to do. My orders are to seek out the descendants of the original League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and reform the League."

Michael stared at Mr. Shaw. "So, our grandfathers were Extraordinary Gentlemen, then?"

"Great-grandfathers. For your case, Mr. Quatermain, it was your great-great-grandfather. And Miss Harker, it was your great-grandmother. And yes, they were blessed with – or cursed with, for some – skills beyond ordinary human standards."

"I have heard of the legend of our forefathers. Incidentally, their recruitment turned out to be a façade. The man who recruited the very League happened to be the villain himself," Jekyll said. He folded his arms and stared evenly at Mr. Shaw.

"I assure you, I am no villain. Far from it, in fact. Tell me then, Mr. Jekyll – you seem very well-informed – have you heard of a man called Dorian Gray?"

"Yes. He was the traitor."

"Yes, he was. It was said that he died – Miss Harker's great-grandmother saw it personally, for it was she who caused the death. After a lengthy fight, Miss Harker – Mina Harker – managed to procure Dorian Gray's enchanted portrait, which bore his years and his sins. She showed it to him, and he withered away and turned into dust. The portrait of the man grew young and beautiful once more, and everyone thought the man was gone. Well, just recently, the painting has been changing, the man's face decaying ever so slightly every once in a while. We suspect that Dorian Gray might very well be back."

" 'ang about, 'ang about… how'd a man who turned into dust come back to life? I thought turning into dust is a permanent thing, innit?" Joseph asked.

"We have no idea as of yet how or why he is back, but we will find out very soon. Which is where your help will be needed. We are sending the League to investigate this matter."

"We're just lads, mister. Why's the government sending children on spy missions?" Joseph asked, still uneager about the idea.

"We have reason to suspect that Mr. Gray is working undercover as a teacher in a public school in Ireland."

"What makes you think we've got the extraordinary skills our ancestors had?" Amy asked.

"Because I have faith in you that with or without any powers, you will succeed in this mission. It's true, we cannot be certain of whether you still have the skills or not. Well, yes, I'm quite certain that Miss Harker and Mr. Skinner are still in possession of a measure of the powers of their forefathers."

Amy looked down at the mention of her name. It was horrible, this curse… to use it one day would turn her into a savage beast, she was sure of it. And there might be no turning back.

"What about the rest of the League? It can't be just the four of us, obviously," Michael asked.

"Yes, of course, there are two more. Mr. Sawyer and Miss Nemo."

"That wouldn't be Bob – Robert – Sawyer, would it? Little American lad, straw-coloured hair, very nice kid? Lives across the street from my house."

"Yes, Robert Sawyer is his name. Also, at this Irish public school you shall be attending, you will be joined up with a rather unpleasant boy around your age. His name is Artemis Fowl. He has agreed to assist the League on this mission."

" 'ave we got to pay for the semester, then?" Joe asked.

"No, all financial matters will be settled by the ministry." Mr. Shaw checked his watch. "Ah, I have to leave. I shall stop by each of your homes personally to explain everything later in the afternoon. Until then, I bid you good day."

With that, he walked away.

The four of them exchanged glances.

"What d'you reckon?" Joe asked.

"He's a decent chap. I believe him. We'll just see how it all plays out when hecomes by later," Michael replied. "I think we should get back inside."

The newly-inducted members of the League shuffled back into the classroom, showing no hint at all as to the conversation that had just taken place. Anything to do with the League would have to wait till afternoon. Right now, they had classes to attend, like any other children in the country.