Chars: Not mine, theirs.
Chapter 3: To Africa.
1900, Wednesday, 17th January, 1.30pm
West African coast
The Nautilus carved the Atlantic in two as it rounded Cape Verde and the South Atlantic beyond. Its Destination was the coast and the Jungles beyond. The crew worked feverishly to keep the vessel in pristine working order as their captain expected them to. The Captain himself stood on the bridge overseeing the operation of his vessel. Surrounding him were his friends from they're previous exploit with the addition of the sorceress Le Fay who stood to one side studying a book of modern occult practises found in Nemo's Library
" So, Morgan, how is it you still live though the Histories and legends would suggest otherwise?" Inquired Skinner.
"Mr Skinner, I would have thought it would be you or the ever inquisitive Agent sawyer who would be the first to pry into my past, very well I shall let free my secrets as I am in such company. As you know from the tales I am the half sister of the King of legend Arthur. This is true but the modern tales of his actions and life have painted a rather tainted picture of my own character, thus my expected bitterness. Before the clergy branded me witch and Harlot, I was known as both Healer and royal muse. But when the tales turned me from the light I hid myself from the world and learned the darker arts for a good many years, prolonging my life with the magic and spells I discovered in the libraries of great Kings and Sovereigns of Europe. I was then discovered myself by the clergy and branded witch anew. Condemned to death by none other than Torquemada himself as he found me studying a forbidden tome secreted within the hidden library of Venice of which I can reveal no more"
" Who's to say it still stands after what the Phantom did to it" Interrupted Jekyll.
" Please, my good Doctor I have much to tell and with the coast fast approaching less time to tell it in. As I said, Torquemada himself had discovered and luckily for me did not take me to be who I am. A chase ensued and after a long haste filled journey into the East beyond his reach escaped his wrath and found myself in the western of provinces of China. It was here that I learnt the greatest magic I could hope to discover, The magic of a peaceful life, I studied under a great master who taught me his art, that of the blade. I would not call myself a true master like he who taught me, but before the curse of death took him from this earth, he had taught me more than enough. I spent many more years in the East before returning to Europe where I settled for the intervening time till the Empire finally found me and promised me safe passage to my country of birth." She finished.
The coast drew in to there left and the Congo's Giant Delta presented itself and the Nautilus pulled in to shore.
"The Nautilus will take us as far up the river as it can to take us closer to our goal. There will still be a long trek to locate This John Clayton. " Said Nemo.
" Thank you Captain " Mina Replied.
"If I may ask Morgan and this question has been answered by all present. How was it they persuaded you to join us on this adventure?"
"You may remember if Holmes told all as I was told. A strange mist preceded each of the Caribbean attacks. This mist is what drew me in as there is no known machine or chemical which can create as large an area of mist as the accounts portray. My suspicions are that a form of sorcery may be involved which is why skills are required. You see our current charge is required to track for the location of our enemy's lair, but I am here to combat any sorcerous powers we may face." Replied Morgan.
" I see. " Exclaimed Jekyll, " So you are here to protect us from that which cannot possibly exist in this world of science".
" So magic, my near sighted Doctor cannot exist where science can prove it wrong. The same could be said for an Invisible man. (Skinner nods his approval), A man become beast such as yourself or the existence of such creatures of the night as Vampires, No offence intended Mina " answered
" None Taken" Replied Mina.
"I am afraid if magic cannot exist then I shouldn't be able to do this" Continued Morgan, who to the surprise of all on the bridge produces a small patch of dense mist in the palm of her hand.
With a flourish of her hand it dissipates to nothing, leaving every viewer in awe.
" That Doctor was a small cloud of mist, summoned in seconds, with enough power and time how much more do you think that I could conjure. You see Doctor Jekyll even in this time of science there is still some room for mysticism and the supernatural."
" I apologise for my Ignorance Miss Le Fay," said Dr Jekyll Ruefully.
"Accepted", Replied Morgan with a short nod.
Turning from the front window, Captain Nemo caught the attention of the group.
" The Nautilus can go no further without grounding on the river bed. The journey must continue on foot.
" Then lets go " Instructed the previously silent Sawyer, Cocking his shotgun before making his way out of the room.
"Lets." Repeated Skinner raising the collar of his longcoat and tipping his hat forward.
" Mrs Harker, I will remain on board the Nautilus, and make ready for our departure. Good speed." Said Nemo
" Very well captain".
" Will be needing Edwards Services, Mrs Harker?" Asked Jekyll.
" Undoubtedly, without Allan we only have the tracking skills of Sawyer and so we may need Hyde's Sense of smell to find Clayton." She replied.
"Very well, I, or rather Edward will meet you at the shore."
With that they separated to gather what they would need for the hike through the jungle in the search of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. An hour later surrounded by Nemo's men who were busying themselves with they're own tasks, Sawyer looked out into the closely woven jungle at the top of the riverside beach. Joined by Skinner and Hyde, and shortly after Mina and Morgan Sawyer spoke his mind. "Clayton's in there somewhere." He said, stating what they were all thinking.
"Let's find him then." Said Morgan Striding into the foliage and brushing it aside. " He's not that way." Growled Hyde.
Looking up at Hyde, Sawyer spoke "Do you want to tell her?"
" Not really, grunted Hyde back "Fearsome, even before me. Doesn't happen often."
"You Men, Ill tell her. Interrupted Mina, Following Morgan into the undergrowth. A shrug of the shoulders on all remaining members was all it took to spur them to follow suit. The Jungle enveloped them and swallowed them from the view of all the men on shore.
Chapter 3: To Africa.
1900, Wednesday, 17th January, 1.30pm
West African coast
The Nautilus carved the Atlantic in two as it rounded Cape Verde and the South Atlantic beyond. Its Destination was the coast and the Jungles beyond. The crew worked feverishly to keep the vessel in pristine working order as their captain expected them to. The Captain himself stood on the bridge overseeing the operation of his vessel. Surrounding him were his friends from they're previous exploit with the addition of the sorceress Le Fay who stood to one side studying a book of modern occult practises found in Nemo's Library
" So, Morgan, how is it you still live though the Histories and legends would suggest otherwise?" Inquired Skinner.
"Mr Skinner, I would have thought it would be you or the ever inquisitive Agent sawyer who would be the first to pry into my past, very well I shall let free my secrets as I am in such company. As you know from the tales I am the half sister of the King of legend Arthur. This is true but the modern tales of his actions and life have painted a rather tainted picture of my own character, thus my expected bitterness. Before the clergy branded me witch and Harlot, I was known as both Healer and royal muse. But when the tales turned me from the light I hid myself from the world and learned the darker arts for a good many years, prolonging my life with the magic and spells I discovered in the libraries of great Kings and Sovereigns of Europe. I was then discovered myself by the clergy and branded witch anew. Condemned to death by none other than Torquemada himself as he found me studying a forbidden tome secreted within the hidden library of Venice of which I can reveal no more"
" Who's to say it still stands after what the Phantom did to it" Interrupted Jekyll.
" Please, my good Doctor I have much to tell and with the coast fast approaching less time to tell it in. As I said, Torquemada himself had discovered and luckily for me did not take me to be who I am. A chase ensued and after a long haste filled journey into the East beyond his reach escaped his wrath and found myself in the western of provinces of China. It was here that I learnt the greatest magic I could hope to discover, The magic of a peaceful life, I studied under a great master who taught me his art, that of the blade. I would not call myself a true master like he who taught me, but before the curse of death took him from this earth, he had taught me more than enough. I spent many more years in the East before returning to Europe where I settled for the intervening time till the Empire finally found me and promised me safe passage to my country of birth." She finished.
The coast drew in to there left and the Congo's Giant Delta presented itself and the Nautilus pulled in to shore.
"The Nautilus will take us as far up the river as it can to take us closer to our goal. There will still be a long trek to locate This John Clayton. " Said Nemo.
" Thank you Captain " Mina Replied.
"If I may ask Morgan and this question has been answered by all present. How was it they persuaded you to join us on this adventure?"
"You may remember if Holmes told all as I was told. A strange mist preceded each of the Caribbean attacks. This mist is what drew me in as there is no known machine or chemical which can create as large an area of mist as the accounts portray. My suspicions are that a form of sorcery may be involved which is why skills are required. You see our current charge is required to track for the location of our enemy's lair, but I am here to combat any sorcerous powers we may face." Replied Morgan.
" I see. " Exclaimed Jekyll, " So you are here to protect us from that which cannot possibly exist in this world of science".
" So magic, my near sighted Doctor cannot exist where science can prove it wrong. The same could be said for an Invisible man. (Skinner nods his approval), A man become beast such as yourself or the existence of such creatures of the night as Vampires, No offence intended Mina " answered
" None Taken" Replied Mina.
"I am afraid if magic cannot exist then I shouldn't be able to do this" Continued Morgan, who to the surprise of all on the bridge produces a small patch of dense mist in the palm of her hand.
With a flourish of her hand it dissipates to nothing, leaving every viewer in awe.
" That Doctor was a small cloud of mist, summoned in seconds, with enough power and time how much more do you think that I could conjure. You see Doctor Jekyll even in this time of science there is still some room for mysticism and the supernatural."
" I apologise for my Ignorance Miss Le Fay," said Dr Jekyll Ruefully.
"Accepted", Replied Morgan with a short nod.
Turning from the front window, Captain Nemo caught the attention of the group.
" The Nautilus can go no further without grounding on the river bed. The journey must continue on foot.
" Then lets go " Instructed the previously silent Sawyer, Cocking his shotgun before making his way out of the room.
"Lets." Repeated Skinner raising the collar of his longcoat and tipping his hat forward.
" Mrs Harker, I will remain on board the Nautilus, and make ready for our departure. Good speed." Said Nemo
" Very well captain".
" Will be needing Edwards Services, Mrs Harker?" Asked Jekyll.
" Undoubtedly, without Allan we only have the tracking skills of Sawyer and so we may need Hyde's Sense of smell to find Clayton." She replied.
"Very well, I, or rather Edward will meet you at the shore."
With that they separated to gather what they would need for the hike through the jungle in the search of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. An hour later surrounded by Nemo's men who were busying themselves with they're own tasks, Sawyer looked out into the closely woven jungle at the top of the riverside beach. Joined by Skinner and Hyde, and shortly after Mina and Morgan Sawyer spoke his mind. "Clayton's in there somewhere." He said, stating what they were all thinking.
"Let's find him then." Said Morgan Striding into the foliage and brushing it aside. " He's not that way." Growled Hyde.
Looking up at Hyde, Sawyer spoke "Do you want to tell her?"
" Not really, grunted Hyde back "Fearsome, even before me. Doesn't happen often."
"You Men, Ill tell her. Interrupted Mina, Following Morgan into the undergrowth. A shrug of the shoulders on all remaining members was all it took to spur them to follow suit. The Jungle enveloped them and swallowed them from the view of all the men on shore.