02 Remembering the Avenger

As the professor was checking in to the hotel, the waiting naval officers intrigued him. They seemed to know him by sight but waited until he presented his credentials to the desk clerk.

Once confirmed, one of the naval officers approached Aronnax and said, "I'm glad you decided to return to New York, Professor. There is someone who wishes to meet you."

Aronnax was tired and slightly annoyed. He asked, "And who is this person?"

The second naval officer said, "Vice Admiral Richard Saunders."

For a moment, Aronnax stood frozen. Coming to New York, he felt great anxiety. The professor had not undertaken an ocean voyage since his encounter and eventual escape from Captain Nemo. Instead, he published various works on discoveries while aboard that magnificent submersible boat of his.

There were certain things he left out of the stories. It had been ten years and no one questioned him about the omitted details. Aronnax once made an inquiry of the United States Navy in an attempt to ascertain if the admiral survived the sinking of the frigate, but no response ever came. He erroneously assumed the admiral perished.

The first naval officer said, "We wish for you to accompany us."

Aronnax said, "Let me check in to my room first. I have been traveling and am quite tired. I need a few moments to store my belongings. I'll be down shortly."

"Very good, sir," acknowledged the second naval officer.

The press had announced the professor's arrival. As a result, stories regurgitated about the man that once terrorized the oceans. People seemed less interested in the scientific convention at the museum. Aronnax had expected some type of inquiries concerning the matters of his undersea journeys but this invitation was surprising.

It was an enigma. Yes. He seeks information. How did he find out about her? No one knew she was on board the Nautilus, except of course those that sailed the mighty boat. Why else would he extend an invitation? Aronnax had to stop puzzling the matter. The admiral found out and knew that the professor had information. Would he want to hear the entire account?

As a man destined for the gallows, Aronnax resigned himself to the escort of the naval officers. Instead of going to some type of military headquarters, they boarded a ship named the Water Witch. For a moment, Aronnax was dread that they would go off on a misadventure. He quickly realized by the nature of the crew that this vessel was enjoying shore leave. Only the slightest of hands maintained deck watch.

The officers led Aronnax to a stateroom and thereupon he met the admiral. This man clearly spent the better part of his life upon the seas. His careworn face displayed deep sorrow. Sparsely decorated, the room characterized one belonging to a man dedicated to military service. A painting hung on the wall and the eyes seemed to follow the professor in anger.

"Thank you for coming. I am Vice Admiral Richard Saunders. Do you know why I have sent for you?"

Aronnax said, "I believe that I do."

Saunders nodded, "I had a chance encounter with a harpooner who told me certain things. I have certain difficulties accepting the things he said."

Aronnax asked, "Is it that you don't believe him or simply refuse to believe him?"

"Both," said Saunders. "Do you know this harpooner?"

Aronnax replied, "Ned Land accompanied us on a most fascinating yet frightening journey."

"Aye, he's the one. When he talked about her, I could tell he had interest in her and she of course knew to reject his type. I hope to hear a more objective rendition of the tale."

Aronnax said, "I shall try my best for you sir, but it is difficult to render objective that which is subjective by human nature. Do you know her fate?"

Saunders said, "Yes, he told me. In all of your articles and publications, not once did you mention her. Why?"

Aronnax replied, "The Nautilus was no place for a woman. I had no idea she had family still alive. In fact, we had no idea you survived when Captain Nemo sank the George Washington."

In anger, Saunders stood and snapped, "How dare you refer to him as captain! He was a cold blooded murderer!"

Aronnax said, "Perhaps I should go."

"I pray that you stay," said Saunders, softening his tone in a pleading manner. "Forgive me but I am old and tired."

For a moment, Aronnax considered leaving. Yet how could he leave this father filled with so many unanswered questions pertaining to the fate of his only daughter? He was tired from his long trip. How dare this man impose upon him to relate such a long story? Nevertheless, he felt obliged. He had a right to know. Her painting's eyes seemed to soften, encouraging him to remain.

Aronnax asked, "How did it come to be that she was lost?"

As the admiral sat, he asked the ensign to bring coffee. He took a deep breath and recounted the tale. This was a ploy on the professor's part, for Aronnax remembered her side of the story concerning her displacement from the frigate. He wanted to know if the father was truly remorseful for compelling her to join his military expeditions, no place for a young girl becoming a woman.

Oh, such sorrow! His life suffered the tragedy. When he learned along with the rest of the world that a man impersonated a dread leviathan, he regretted that God saw to that man's end with the maelstrom. He deserved vengeance when it came to his own daughter. Saunders lost his only child twice – in the wounding of the George Washington and in the dread maelstrom.

Ah, vengeance – it was a concept the professor remembered quite well from his travels. Even the very name stemmed from the pagan goddess dread Nemesis the avenger! Aronnax felt a familiarity that he once experienced ten years prior. It sent chills down his spine.

Then it was the professor's turn to speak, and his recollections took several hours. Aronnax dared not recite the ichthyologic wonders or observations of underwater wrecks. Now, such things did not interest the father. Saunders already admitted that he read the book.

After telling the exhausting tale, Saunders merely nodded and thanked Aronnax for his time. Was the painting smiling at him? The professor felt a strange sense of atonement as a man confessing his sins to a priest. He should have done more.

Aronnax finally said, "I am sorry for your loss."

"I know why the harpooner chose not to save her," said Saunders. "He believes that monster won her. I think she was just trying to survive. In the end, though, she did die a pointless death! Thank you for coming, Professor Aronnax."

Aronnax took his leave and returned to the hotel to rest a while. The professor's mind was noisome and troubled. Indeed, there was a story to tell. He had a blank journal and wrote down in precise detail the admiral's story.

Still, it was not enough. He needed more than atonement with a grieving father. During the convention, Aronnax remained distracted. Some chose to discuss the various mammalian orders and matters of ichthyologic concern. Others pressed him to recount his time aboard Nautilus. What caused renewed interest?

Aronnax learned that Ned Land was still in town awaiting a whaler ship to deploy. He sought him out and learned Ned was at a bar casually biding his time. Pleased with seeing an old friend, Ned invited the professor to join his lonely table. Aronnax asked him about the admiral.

"I talked to him but he didn't believe me," said the Canadian. "What's got him so upset?" Ned looked at his full pint briefly and then easily drained it.

Aronnax replied, "He was distressed to learn of her being alive and on Nautilus. He asked me why I didn't mention her in any of my publications."

Ned said, "You know as well as I that Nemo won her over completely! No one would have believed us. Even your publisher, if I recall. Ask me anything about that voyage. Then write that story."

"Me? But I'm a scientist, not a novelist," Aronnax said.

Ned said, "Who says you can't be both? Besides, you've already done it once."

Aronnax said, "I shall try."

Ned asked, "How is Conseil?"

Aronnax sighed, "He is very busy. I visit him in Belgium when I can. Oh, his son is quite the handful!"

Ned laughed, "I'm sure that son of his will be reciting the various mammalian orders by the time he's five! If it's no trouble, I'd like his address."

Aronnax said, "Of course. I've never had a better apprentice and now he is an assistant curator."

The waitress brought another pint. Ned sighed heavily and emptied it quickly. He said, "I never should have talked to the man."

Aronnax asked, "How did you come upon him?"

Ned said, "I was down at the docks and I heard someone call to him. I almost didn't approach him. I guess I shouldn't have. He got what he wanted and then treated me with the utmost contempt! Bah! Let him wallow in his pity. It was his damn fault to begin with. What kind of a man drags a girl around the world on a warship?"

As Aronnax sampled the strange pint, he said, "What's done is done. We've all made mistakes."

Ned sighed, "Aye, that's true. Still, we lived and she didn't. Damn it!"

That night, his mind refused to remain quiet. Aronnax started journaling things the girl had told him. He realized that perhaps he did have to write the story. Only then could he receive absolution for what they failed to do. Even at the time of their escape, there was no guarantee they would succeed. They could have easily drowned in the surge.

Perhaps word had spread that Aronnax was revisiting the issue of the Nautilus. A few days after he started chronicling the events, he received a curious guest. He was a union officer named Captain Cyrus Smith. He insisted upon seeing the professor.

"Forgive this intrusion sir," said Smith. "I appreciate that you sailed the Nautilus and lived to tell the tale."

"Indeed," Aronnax said. "May I ask your interest in the matter?"

Smith replied, "By circumstances of an escape via balloon from the Confederacy coupled with a strange wind, I found myself with several companions marooned on a volcanic island we eventually called Lincoln Island. It was on this island that I met Captain Nemo."

Aronnax was excited to hear of this and said, "Tell me more. Did he tell you of his intentions to build his submersible boat?"

Smith said, "Lincoln Island was his refuge after the maelstrom. Nautilus survived but suffered many casualties. You and your companions were fortunate but held responsible for the damage to that boat of his. Nemo was the last survivor."

His heart raced. Aronnax had no idea that Nemo survived the maelstrom. Taking a chance he asked, "Was there perchance a woman accompanying him?"

Smith said, "No."

Aronnax said, "Please tell me your story."

For several hours, Aronnax listened to the officer's story. He was most interested in the girl's fate but the officer had nothing to offer in that regard. There were other things such as learning Nemo's true name and nationality. Nemo's change in heart interested the professor as well. The land, which he had thoroughly despised, had become his home once again.

Then Smith presented Aronnax with a journal. He explained that when the castaways suffered from lack of certain provisions, a mysterious chest washed upon the shore. Inside, it contained useful items including weapons. The journal was contained within specially sealed wrappings.

The journal Aronnax had seen before, although not complete. This was the journal that every man on Nautilus had been sworn to toss overboard if he should be the last. So! Nemo did continue chronicling his affairs.

Smith said, "I've read it, sir. I've had this journal for a while, unsure of what to do with it. When I learned that you were coming to New York, I decided to seek you out and give it to you."

"This is most kind of you," said Aronnax. "I had often wondered if the avenger continued with his purpose or if instead he pursued his scientific curiosities."

"Captain Nemo kept an accurate and technical account," said Smith. "Each article is written four times – French, English, Latin, and German. You won't appreciate some of what you read, I'm certain of that."

Aronnax said, "There simply wasn't time and we were unsure if we could even survive the maelstrom."

Smith said, "You won't find atonement in his writings."

Aronnax sighed, "I had hoped that the girl survived. It's curious, you see, for her father is in town and inquired about the Nautilus. Alas, he will continue on his journeys."

Smith asked, "Is he rich?"

"He is so much poorer as he mourns the loss of his only daughter. Come! Let us get some dinner," said Aronnax. "You have been most gracious indulging my curiosity yet you came here to satisfy your own."

Smith said, "He saved our lives."

After a moment Aronnax finally said, "In a way, he saved my life. Oh, it was in more ways than merely plucking me from the ocean! Come! Let us get some dinner and I will tell you of our voyage beneath the seas."

Several hours later, Aronnax pondered the various discussions. Something felt amiss. Perhaps his exhaustion denied him sufficient reasoning to pinpoint the discrepancy. He knew that he had a task of self-importance to conduct. Would the world care to hear about a young girl lost at sea?