The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
The Cabbala.
"When you were young and your heart was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)
But if this ever-changing world in which we're livin'
Makes you give in and cry, say live and let die
Live and let die, live and let die, live and let die
What does it matter to ya
When you've got a job to do, you gotta do it well
You gotta give the other fella hell. (…) – The Wings "Live and Let Die"
Warning: Violence, explicit language, possibly gore.
Timing: 2015, for particular timing of the characters original universes, see footnote of their respective chapters.
Rating: M, possibly MA.
Pairings: Wilhelmina and Allan (past). Wilhelmina and Orlando (friends with benefits).
Disclaimer: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen original comic books © Allan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. Neverwhere (in character of Lady Door) © Neil Gaiman. Atomic Robo © Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegner. Stargate Atlantis (in character of Spike the Wraith) © MGM Studios. Hellboy (in character of Karl Ruprecht Kroenen) © Michael Mignola. Slenderman © Eric Knudsen (as Victor Surge). The story © Czarna Archer.
Dracula (in character of Wilhelmina Murray) by Bram Stoker. Allan Quatermain by sir Henry Rider Haggard. Orlando (or his/hers alike) by Virgina Woolf.
Slick trigger finger for Her Majesty.
"Another ringer with the slick trigger finger for Her Majesty
One with the golden gun poison in your fantasy
Another bill from a killer turned a thrill into a tragedy
A door left open
A woman walking by
A drop in the water
A look in the eye
A phone on the table
A man on your side
Someone that you think that you can trust is just
Another way to die (…)." – Jack White and Alicia Keys "Another way to Die"1).
oOo
London.
Their way back to London seemed to last even longer. It was just an impression though, caused by the fact that presence of Slenderman seemed to peeve Atomic Robo even more. The fact that the creature offered – with Spike's help – to teleport them to France didn't help. Before Slenderman could get annoyed Spike took it upon himself to explain that Lady Door proposed the exact same thing and met refusal as well. That of course made Slenderman more curious about Door and her answer that she is an opener was met with Slenderman's understanding and approval. That only served to further irritate Atomic Robo.
Finally they reached London the next late evening but despite being almost dead tired they were informed that the 'M' was waiting for them. A man who identified himself as Bill Tanner2) escorted them to the MI6 HQ. The building was already almost entirely empty, most of people working there were regular office clerks, only few agents and ever present security guards were still present.
They climbed the concrete stairs leading to the entrance. They went unnoticed by anyone who could care about their presence. It was just before midnight and the only person around was a rat-arsed drunkard who would probably blame the delirium tremens for seeing them. That or he'd remember them as blue llamas in pink tutus.
They were led to the 'M's' office where tired Miss Moneypenny welcomed them with a smile that would be charming if not for the fact that it turned into yawn.
"She will be out in a moment." Miss Moneypenny informed them immediately after apologising for the yawn. "Back in MI5 there was special conference room for the League but after we took over that part of Intelligence, it was not assembled. The 'M' ordered one set only recently."
"It is in the archive wing." Mina said leaving her office. "The 'M' wanted to have it set here but I insisted it should be placed there, due to tradition." She continued. "He didn't oppose for too long, since after tomorrow morning it will be my burden."
"Miss Murray." Lady Door interrupted. "The hour is late and we are all tired after long hour of traveling by car, per Robo's insistence. I believe we all would appreciate if this could be done as quickly as possible."
"Or course. Follow me." Mina gestured eyeing the assembly. They truly looked extraordinary, perhaps even more than her own group did… at least when it was Jekyll who was present. "I am afraid that it will not be as quick as you would wish. But I have made sure that you have rooms waiting for you in the nearby hotel so that you may go to your rest."
oOo
The conference room was indeed in the archive wing, or rather in the archive basement. The corridors there were long and narrow, clearly from before the building was refurbished on numerous occasions. Unlike the part that was above, this was painted in unattractive grey-brown paint and the light bulbs were giving yellow light. Every now and then they passed a dark grey door with black number and chip-lock with small green light. The floor was made of concrete covered with linoleum in the shade of vomit and diarrhoea. It occurred to Door that it was no wonder that these two archivists decided to escape – this place was terrible.
They finally reached the room they were heading to. It was surprisingly large and well lit. The most prominent part was a wooden table and simple chairs. The floor was tiled here and the walls were white. It looked clean and much more pleasant than the corridors.
They sat around the table randomly, there were more chairs that was needed allowing them some space.
"I believe you were already preliminarily introduced to our problem." Mina started. "The time it took you to assemble as a group I have spent searching for more information what these traitors can possibly be after."
"What have you found Miss Murray?" Door asked taking her leading part.
"Searching through the archives did not yield the results one could wish for. I was able to find out some more detailed traces though. After searching through computer index of documents we were able to determine that there are at least five documents missing, all about Jewish and European folklore. The only one we were able to identify by actual date was created in the early XVIIth century."
"Herrin Murray, what kind of European folklore?" Kroenen asked. The term 'European folklore' meant nothing to him, the term was much too wide and it could be anything from any region and any period of time.
"It was not detailed but I believe that alchemy was mentioned." Mina replied. "After we have failed with the documents I decided to see if we are able to find the traitors or at least to see where they have been."
"Following their tracks could bring results." Spike agreed. "But from my own experience I know that such a route can be random and sometimes it is better to anticipate than to simply follow."
"Indeed so, yet the places they already visited will be part of the pattern that will allow us to anticipate their direction." Door decided. They needed a starting point other than London.
"Their first aim was Swiss and then the travelled to France. They are travelling south-west but they do it erratically. It is hard to guess how fast they will go, what will they travel with and where will they stray to."
"South-west? Sounds like they're heading to Spain or Portugal." Robo leaned back tapping his chin.
"Correct me if I stray with my logic. They have stolen documents regarding Jewish and European folklore which may include alchemy." Kroenen spoke again. "It seems that they follow to where large Jewish communities were in the past."
"You believe they seek for some alchemic secrets?" Door turned to the occultist.
"In the past, far past, alchemy, Cabbala and folklore interlaced and many alchemists were Jews, or studied Cabbala from Jewish teachers." Kroenen explained. "Indeed I believe they are searching for something that only Jewish alchemist or an alchemist who studied Cabbala could devise."
"Slenderman says that they won't find it in Spain." Spike shifted in his seat. He didn't mind Slenderman's telepathic contact no more, but he still felt awkward passing his messages like that.
"Why not?" Mina asked curiously.
"Until the end of XVth century Spain was inhabited by Jewish diaspora, but they were Sephardi Jews, upon the domination of Spanish Inquisition they have moved to Africa, modern Turkey, Italy, Holland and England." Kroenen started to report. "They are distinct from Ashkenazi Jews that at first lived in France and Germany but were expelled during Crusades and settled in Eastern Europe, mostly Poland where they have had built prosperous diaspora until the world war II decimated its members and forced into hiding and running. Both groups are very distinct."
"You would know something about that, wouldn't you?3)" Robo narrowed his optics at the ex-Nazi officer.
"I am an OCCULTIST; of course I know something about it." Kroenen replied with all the dignity he could muster. "Now, back to the subject at hand. To make it as simple as possible, and perhaps not entirely adequate, but serving its purpose none than less: Sephardi were the bankers. Ashkenazi were the Cabbalists."
"So, if they're after occult they're looking for the wrong people?" Door asked.
"Not people." Spike's eyes grew round. "Doctor Kroenen said that they have left."
"Relics?" Robo guessed. "They count on finding something that was left behind?"
"And they won't find anything of the kind they're hoping for." Kroenen nodded.
"Slenderman says that it doesn't matter if they're at the wrong track." Spike repeated what the faceless entity thought to him. "They're best caught before they can find what they're after, whatever it may be."
"I have feeling that you might have an idea what they're looking for." Mina glared at Slenderman suspiciously.
"He says that he can think of more things than you could comprehend." Spike was kind enough to pass the message again. "And that he will not be taking any guesses."
"I still say it is all horsefeathers." Robo stood up. "But I rather not find out if they plan to blow something up should they failed with their wild goose chase."
"So it is settled, we follow them and take them down without waiting for their next move." Door stood up as well. "Am I to understand that we are free to take any actions necessary to do so?"
"Within reason." Mina cooled down Door's temper. "We have an understanding within the European Union that we have the full authority on this case and we can demand full cooperation from any country. But you are not allowed to demolish anything. Or cause mayhem. At least not too much of it."
"Not too much mayhem." Robo stared dully at the soon to be 'M'. "Got it."
"You have rooms in the nearby hotel that usually houses our agents while they're on prolonged stay in London. Mr Tanner will meet you tomorrow morning, be ready to leave immediately."
"And after we leave, we're on our own?" Door asked.
"Yes. In case of any emergency or if you will need something you will contact Mr Tanner who is in charge of providing you with resources you might need." Mina stood up followed by the three still sitting 'Gentlemen'. "That would be everything. Now, if you don't have any further questions, I will walk you out and you are free for the night."
oOo
The hotel was a short walk from the MI6 HQ and they decided to just walk there. Driving would probably take them longer as they would have to wait for a car to get them there. They were nearly at the place, when Spike turned to Kroenen.
"What was Atomic Robo talking about knowing something of the decimation of that 'diaspora'?" The Wraith asked.
"A long story. It involves an entity that I was a member of, though my reasons for being involved with it was not the same as most of its members.3)" Kroenen shrugged. "Ask Slenderman and he'll tell you, probably better than I could."
Spike turned to Slenderman but he wasn't there. They looked around and spotted the pale entity not far away, in some blind alley, near the trash cans. He was reaching behind a large trash can and pulling something out.
"Oh, look, Slenderman found a young kitten." Robo exclaimed. The kitten still looked fluffy while already old enough to look for adventures.
"What is he doing? Why is he holding that kitten like that?" Spike asked and his eyes grew large as saucers. "I didn't know he had a mouth…"
"I didn't know he had so many teeth!" Robo finished the Wraith thought. "I…"
"Oh no, this is not going to be…" Door looked away. She knew what Slenderman was and she suspected what he would do next.
CHOMP.
"ACK!" Robo moved his optics shutters in what was his equivalent of a wince. "That's…"
CRUNCH.
"Oh, there went the skull… "Robo blinked not knowing if he watched because of sick fascination or because he wouldn't be able to un-see this and he had nothing to lose anymore.
SLURP. NOM. NOM. NOM. MLASK.
"It's…" Door peeked from behind her fingers.
"Nature in work." Kroenen shrugged. "He feeds on flesh of prepubescent creatures of all species."
"Why only on prepubescent?" Robo asked looking at the Slenderman who was slowly walking back to them.
"I believe it has something to do with hormone levels." Kroenen replied watching at the creature licking his fingers off of the blood with inhumanely long, red and flexible tongue.
"Every living creature has to feed." Spike nodded even though the sight wasn't any more pleasant to him than it was to Door.
Finally the Slenderman joined them again, licking the last finger clean, his tongue slid back into his maw that vanished without a trace, as if his skin melted back together.
"I was hungry but I think I have lost my appetite." Door growled. "Let's just go. I want to go to my bed and forget that I ever seen this."
No one opposed but Spike asked Slenderman about the world war, what was it about, how it ended and what happened in Berlin.
TBC
First of all: no baby kittens were hurt while writing this chapter. Slenderman didn't eat any creature. The sound effects were obtained artificially by Slenderman consuming a toffee filled chocolate Santa Claus. After this chapter was finished other characters received identical chocolate Santa Clauses as well so it would all be fair. Except for Atomic Robo obviously (he got a large TF: Prime Arcee poster as compensation, he claimed that it was a good deal).
The scene of Slenderman licking the "blood" off does not contain any actual blood – it is only thick, red syrup (sugar, water and organic food dye made from fruits).
OK. Since while LoEG fic, the LoEG is in itself a crossover, so do not worry if you won't be familiar with any of the characters, if the need will arise it will be explain and if you will have any additional questions or something won't be clear, you can also contact me and ask and I will answer you to the best of my abilities.
1) It's a song from a Bond movie and I thought it would fit perfectly for this chapter – the way they now enter the service and all.
2) The same as before.
3) Robo is, of course, referring to the fact that SS, and later Waffen-SS was responsible for handling Nazi Koncentrazionlagers (it's German for Concentration Camps), and Kroenen was an SS officer (at least in the movie). Though I believe he would take an offence for putting him in the same row with people he would probably consider goons.
