21 An Incredible Journey

The two men spent most of the night discussing Nautilus's expeditions. Aronnax knew that Nemo had changed. He spoke lovingly of his wife and child. He hardly aged. The sea had blessed him with good health.

Aronnax asked, "What dangers might we encounter?"

Nemo said, "To get to Agartha, we must travel through hostile territory. It is surrounded by inner worlds full of prehistoric beasts. I've read the scientific books but I doubt they'll be helpful. These beasts have been secluded for millions of years and continued evolving."

Aronnax asked, "Will your electric guns work?"

Nemo replied, "I believe so. I also designed a portable harpoon launcher. I've made certain improvements to Nautilus over the last several years."

Aronnax said, "I see. You are unafraid to take your wife and child?"

Nemo replied, "I am not. Tell me, does Mister Land still ply his trade?"

"Why yes," said Aronnax. "In fact, he was just getting ready to leave on a whaling ship when I was in New York. You're not thinking of asking him, are you?"

"I was," said Nemo.

Aronnax asked, "But why?"

Nemo said, "I need a harpooner. I've read your book. I don't believe he deliberately left open the hatch. The terms would be quite simple. If he joins us for the adventure, he would be free to leave once we've completed the effort. Knowing his lust for money, I would even be willing to financially compensate him."

Aronnax said, "I don't know if he would come. How does Mademoiselle feel? For that matter, how should I address her?"

Nemo laughed, "She is my queen. The crew is accustomed to addressing her as Maharani."

Aronnax said, "Well then, Captain Nemo, should I address you as Maharaja Dakkar?"

Nemo said, "It lacks a familiarity from our previous existence. You may continue to call me Captain Nemo."

Aronnax said, "Then I shall address your wife as Madame Nemo."

Maria quietly said, "Madame Nemo suits me."

"My dear," said Nemo as he stood. "You should be abed."

Maria said, "I'm too excited to sleep."

Aronnax said, "I've made my decision. I will join you on this adventure. I would like to get some scientific books to help better prepare us for these prehistoric beasts you believe we will encounter."

Nemo smiled, "Very good. In the morning, we'll set you ashore in Le Havre. My wife will accompany you with resources to help you make your purchases. Then we'll set out to find Mister Land."

In the morning, Aronnax boarded the yacht with Maria and several sailors. He saw the barrel with the cable floating in the water. Nautilus intended to remain submerged. The yacht built up steam and headed towards Le Havre.

Aronnax asked, "How long have you had this yacht?"

Maria replied, "Several years. Sometimes we berth it in a cavern on an island that I dare not name. We return for it when we intend to go ashore."

Aronnax said, "I see. How can it keep up with the Nautilus?"

Maria said, "It can't. It runs on steam because it needs to as a disguise. When we need to get somewhere in a hurry, there are special chain holds in the bow. We lower two chains and attach them to Nautilus. It slows the submersible slightly but allows us to travel together and still at great speed."

"I see," said Aronnax.

Maria said, "Yes, it's quite useful too when Nautilus needs to take on air. The yacht obscures the view from passersby. Nautilus can't enter ports so we use the cable to communicate. Iravan took a good reading so he knows where we must return."

Aronnax asked, "Does he go ashore?"

Maria said, "On occasion, yes. The world is changing. He has changed. He still has a thirst for knowledge. Being unaware of events caused certain problems. He even reads newspapers when we get them. Oh, he knows some of the exaggerations designed to sell newspapers. He also still has friends on land."

Iravan said, "Le Havre."

Maria said, "Good. I hope that you will accompany us. Your presence comforts me."

"Of course," said Iravan.

The yacht docked at a pier. Two men approached looking for payment. Maria paid them thrice what they asked for, which was undoubtedly more than the regular rate. Her attire and jewels displayed great wealth.

Aronnax sent his letter to his assistant telling him he was going on an expedition and would not return for several months. Then the group visited several bookstores but Aronnax was not satisfied with their selections.

Maria said, "That looks like a library. Let's try there."

Aronnax said, "They won't sell us books."

"If the price is right they will," said Maria. "We'll compensate then adequately and they can procure more books. We just don't have time to order books. When we're done here, we have to find Ned's whaling vessel."

Aronnax said, "You're right. I can't help but notice how you've grown. Has he been good to you?" They continued walking the street in the direction of the library.

Maria smiled, "Very good. I've no regrets. He's a good husband and father. Oh how he loves Pierre! Wait until you meet Shanta."

Aronnax asked, "Who is that?"

"Iravan's sister," said Maria. "Her name means peaceful and calm but she is anything other than!"

Aronnax asked, "Does this mean that there are families on the Nautilus?"

Maria said, "Not really. Shanta has grown children. Her husband died in the rebellion. She visits her children when we're in the area. I was still pregnant with Pierre. Dakkar wanted me to have a helper. Iravan asked his sister and she agreed to join us. I instantly liked her! She speaks English. She still refuses to use the artificial language. I love her stubbornness. She does the cooking."

Aronnax asked, "What happened to Senthil?"

Maria said, "Senthil returned home a few years ago. His father was quite ill. He remains in touch with us."

Aronnax said, "So you maintain relations with India."

Maria said, "And other places too. There are freedom fighters all around the globe. There are less gold coins in the Bay of Vigo."

Aronnax laughed and said, "That is so like him."

"Oh, here's a music store," said Maria. "Indulge me for a moment."

Maria purchased some organ music. Aronnax noted the eagerness of the clerks to assist with the selection. Money clearly was not an issue for Maria and clearly an interest to the shop owner.

Then they went to the library. Aronnax found the books he was most interested in and Maria negotiated with the librarian for the purchase. It took several moments before the head librarian finally consented. He finally quoted a price and Maria tripled it, knowing that two of the books were rare and would be difficult to replace.

The head librarian said, "Madame is generous."

Maria said, "I want Professor Aronnax to have the best books available but I have to set sail. I do apologize for the inconvenience."

They returned to the yacht and left the port. Knowing how the yacht could find Nautilus, Aronnax felt reassured. He watched from the platform as several divers rigged chains joining the Nautilus to the bottom hull of the yacht.

Nemo said, "Pierre, would you like to accompany your mother on the yacht?"

Pierre said, "But I want to steer the Nautilus!"

Maria laughed, "So much like your father! Dakkar, it's alright."

A woman exited the hatch. Aronnax guessed she was in her late fifties. She wore traditional Indian clothing including a sari. She started scolding Iravan in a strange language.

Maria turned to Aronnax and said, "She's speaking Hindi."

Aronnax asked, "Do you speak it?"

Maria said, "Not with the proficiency she demands. She doesn't speak French so you'll need to converse with her in English. I love her."

Nemo said, "Well my dear, it appears that Shanta intends to go on the yacht."

Maria teased, "Whosoever shall cook your dinner?"

Nemo said, "I'm sure we'll manage."

Maria said, "For your sake, I hope so. Now don't spoil Pierre with those sugared sea cucumbers. He needs a balanced meal. Moreover, try not to let him stay up too late. Here is some sheet music."

Aronnax felt slightly embarrassed when the two passionately kissed. Yes, they were deeply in love. Perhaps this helped change the man who once extolled for vengeance.

In his blindness, Aronnax only considered Maria a student. After the escape, he realized he had genuine affection for the girl. He regretted leaving her behind on a doomed vessel. He also knew that Ned had interest but the Canadian's desire for escape precluded an intensive search of the boat. He knew his friend later lamented his decision.

Only once did Conseil speak of the matter. It was a very strange conversation. While Conseil never expressed any interest, he secretly had hopes but was too afraid to ask for advice on how to go about courting a woman. He knew Maria did not care for his aloof mannerisms.

Nemo remembered his guest and said, "Professor, my wife will extend Mister Land an invitation to join us. Do you wish to assist her on the yacht or would you prefer to remain on the Nautilus?

Aronnax said, "I think I can reason with Ned. After all, you must remember that he thinks she drowned in the maelstrom. He always regretted leaving her behind. I don't believe he'll react too well. How do you intend to find him?"

Nemo said, "I know where the whalers go. My wife will make the inquiries. She has a way about her that eliminates fear. In the off chance of any hostilities, the yacht will detach and we'll sink the vessel but I doubt we have anything to worry about with whaling ships."

There was an exchange of provisions before setting out across the Atlantic. Aronnax was impressed with the speed. The yacht kept up a good head of steam but had the advantage of Nautilus towing it.

Aronnax read the scientific volumes on deck. The weather was fair. A couple of times the Nautilus surfaced to replenish air. It only did so after communication with the yacht by way of the cable.

The yacht finally encountered its first whaler. Aronnax observed the communications in the artificial language. They clearly had to coordinate efforts. The yacht intercepted the whaler, which slowed to match course and both eventually stopped. The yacht rested along the port side of the whaler. Nautilus remained submerged.

"Bonjour," cried Maria.

The men on the whaler looked at each other. The yacht was not as tall as the whaler vessel. One man finally called in English, "Do you speak English?"

"Indeed," Maria shouted. "Have you spotted any icebergs?"

"None," replied the man. "Are you in distress?"

"No sir," Maria said. "This is going to sound a little strange, but I'm looking for a certain master harpooner named Ned Land. By any chance, is he sailing with you?"

"No, Madame," said the man.

Maria said, "Pity."

The man said, "He almost boarded with us but Mister Coffin and Captain Tufnell persuaded him to join the Albacore. They're headed north to Nantucket."

"Thank you," Maria said. "I hope you have a prosperous voyage."

Aronnax observed this was the process for several ships encountered over the course of the following week. Either the ships did not know where Ned Land was or they had an idea as to the location of the Albacore. He also noted that Maria was getting anxious.

Maria confided, "I'm concerned that Dakkar is spoiling our son. We're also running out of time."

Aronnax said, "Will we be able to make the journey?"

Maria said, "Dakkar wants an accomplished harpooner but you can imagine the difficulty of recruiting someone to Nautilus. Even I have to admit that Ned's good."

Iravan interrupted, "That appears to be the ship." He handed Maria the spyglass and she said, "Albacore. I hope he's there. Signal the Nautilus."

The yacht conducted its drill along with Nautilus remaining submerged. The whaler stopped, curious to see who flagged them.

Maria cried, "Ahoy! Thank you for stopping. Have you seen any icebergs?"

"These are dangerous waters," said a man obviously Captain Tufnell.

Maria said, "Really? Oh my. What sort of danger?"

Tufnell said, "Icelandic pirates are running through here stealing whale profits."

Maria said, "I see."

"Perhaps you should return to port."

Maria said, "Actually, I intend to but I'm looking for Mister Ned Land. Is he perchance aboard?"

There were a series of murmurs but finally Ned approached the railing. Maria shouted, "Ahoy, Ned!" Aronnax did likewise.

Ned turned white as a ghost. He finally found his voice, "I thought you were dead."

Maria said, "It's a long story. Would you come aboard?"

Tufnell said, "What is your intention?"

Maria said, "I have need for a harpooner and Ned Land is the best. I realize this would inconvenience you greatly and reduce your potential profit. If he agrees to join my ship, I would be willing to compensate you."

Ned said, "I'll be down in a moment."

A sailor threw a rope from the whaler to the yacht and Ned scaled down it quickly. He stood on the deck and looked around. Then he said, "You can't be here. How did you survive?"

Maria said, "Nautilus barely escaped."

Ned turned to Aronnax and said, "Professor, how long have you known?"

Aronnax replied, "I only just found out."

Spying Iravan, Ned said, "I remember you."

Maria said, "Look, I have a paying job for you."

Ned scoffed, "Using the treasure of Vigo Bay."

Maria said, "Well I could use treasure from some other part of the world if that pleases you better. I have need for a master harpooner."

Ned asked, "Who else survived? Did he survive?"

Maria flatly said, "Yes."

Ned asked, "What's he up to?"

Maria replied, "A scientific expedition. Look, Ned, I know things didn't end too well between us. I really didn't want to be the one to ask you to come with us but he asked me so emphatically. We're preparing to journey within the interior of the Earth by way of an underwater route. There will be great danger. He despises you but needs your skill."

Ned said, "So the Nautilus survived. Where is it?"

"Not too far," said Maria.

Aronnax said, "I am going, Ned. I know the expedition. I can't discuss it right now. We need a harpooner and you're the best. You also have sailed the Nautilus. This time, it's an invitation to join. When the expedition is complete, we are free to return to our lives on the land. He dislikes you intensely but he's willing to put that aside because he needs you."

Ned said, "I don't like it."

Maria said, "Then you should leave. Tell everyone that he lives. That is the risk he takes with this invitation."

Ned said, "I'd rather be aboard the Albacore when he sinks it than aboard the Nautilus."

Maria said, "The Albacore isn't a warship. He won't sink it in spite of your decision."

Aronnax said, "Please, Ned."

Ned asked, "Is there a chance we won't survive?"

Maria said, "There is danger. Your presence will better ensure we do survive but I can't make the guarantee."

Aronnax said, "I'm willing to risk it."

Maria said, "I ask that you come also for my son's sake."

Ned exclaimed, "Son?"

Aronnax said, "Yes. He is a bright lad."

Ned said, "So you two got married."

Maria said, "You make it sound awful."

"There was never a chance for us," said Ned.

Maria said, "You saw to that when you escaped and didn't bother coming for me. You've no idea how many men drowned that day when the Nautilus flooded."

Ned said, "I went to your cabin. You weren't there. The professor barely managed to evade Nemo in the lounge. Conseil said you weren't in the galley. There wasn't time to go running about the boat."

Maria said, "I nearly drowned that day."

"He saved your life," said Ned.

Maria said, "Yes, he saved my life."

Tufnell called to the yacht, "What goes on there? I want to be underway."

Ned looked at the two and finally said, "I'll go but not for his sake." He turned to Tufnell and called, "I'll be sailing with the lady."

It took a few moments to organize the transfer of gold as well as for Ned to retrieve his things. If he told his shipmates what he intended, he said nothing to Aronnax. The Albacore made way to resume its hunt.

Ned said, "So how do we find Nautilus?"

"It's ascending right now," said Maria. "Look to the port."

Indeed, the Nautilus emerged and Ned's eyes widened. He said, "Odds bodkins!"

Aronnax said, "He sails mostly for scientific purpose."

"But he still sinks ships," said Ned.

Maria said, "Just warships."

Nemo and Pierre stepped onto the platform. Nemo said, "So how much gold does he want?"

Maria said, "We didn't negotiate a price."

Pierre said, "That's Mister Ned Land?"

Maria said, "That is my son Pierre."

Ned looked at Aronnax who smiled. He said, "Named in my honor."

Nemo said, "Remove everything from the yacht. We don't have time to return it to its berth."

Ned asked, "Do you intend to let it go adrift?"

Nemo said, "I intend to sink it. We'll procure another one at a later date."

It took nearly an hour to transfer resources from the yacht to the Nautilus. Once completed, Nautilus sunk the yacht. There was a timetable to meet and Nemo was unwilling to let the yacht drift.

Nautilus made its way to the Laurentian Abyss, an underwater valley off the eastern coast of Canada. The deepest soundings came from Nemo, estimating close to four miles in depth. The hydrothermal vents created independent ecosystems that flourished despite sunlight.

In the lounge, Nemo had his guests assembled. Pierre sat with a journal. Maria looked reassuringly at the group. Nemo said, "Some of our modifications allow us to travel deeper than any man has ever attempted. As well, we moved most of our storage to the primary level of the boat and the holds converted to room sized air tanks. This will allow us to take on additional air, which will be pressurized."

Aronnax asked, "How long can we survive?"

Nemo said, "Four weeks. Be of good cheer, it will be plenty of time. We are looking for an underwater tunnel that will take us to the interior of the Earth. Once every ten years, this tunnel is exposed to the Atlantic due to seismic activity. Water enters a deep subterranean cavern. Once we enter this cavern, we'll sail until we reach Agartha. The subterranean cavern is oxygen rich."

Ned asked, "How will we get out?"

Nemo said, "There is another tunnel that leads to the Mariana Trench."

Aronnax asked, "How do you know of this passage?"

"Three documents," replied Nemo. "One is an ancient text in one of the earliest forms of Sanskrit, which has been in my family's possession for centuries. It speaks of journeying to this fantastic land, long presumed to be in one of the mountain ranges within Asia. Yet its starting point remained a mystery. Another document hails from the sixteenth century, which I procured at great risk."

Aronnax said, "You speak of the Arne Saknussemm document. I thought it was in Hamburg."

Nemo said, "It was. Professor Otto Liedenbrock discovered this document within an old book in a shop and learned its secrets in 1863. He boldly traveled the path taken by Saknussemm and in the course of five months traveled from Iceland to the Mediterranean by a subterranean passage."

Ned asked, "How could you possibly know of it? That was during your time of refusing to set foot on land."

"Incorrect sir," said Nemo. "In 1863, I was still assembling the components to build Nautilus. I did not leave the land until 1865. I read the various accounts and sought out the Saknussemm document. I interviewed Professor Liedenbrock extensively and he explained his deciphering of the codes. Then he presented me with a manuscript his nephew Axel wrote chronicling their journey. Later that week, I went to the Johannaeum and stole the Saknussemm document."

Aronnax said, "I never knew that the Saknussemm document was stolen."

Nemo said, "Undoubtedly, it was kept secret. Ever since the publication of the Liedenbrock journey, many enthusiasts have attempted to recreate the adventure. Unlike the good professor, the few that made it to the crater failed to return."

Ned said, "You're not going to the crater. You have a water route instead."

"Indeed," said Nemo. "There were enough similarities that I was able to discover the water entrance. Underneath the Atlantic lies a subterranean ocean. While Professor Liedenbrock was hampered by lack of a magnificent Nautilus, we shall continue where he and Saknussemm failed to reach."