Tom Sawyer stood out on the deck of the Nautilus, his Winchester slung over his shoulder. He stared out over the water, shielding his eyes against the sun. Nemo had reported that they would reach London in roughly three hours.
He couldn't wait to feel firm ground against his feet again. Although life on the Nautilus was not unpleasant, he wasn't to keen on permanent nautical life. Unlike Nemo, who seemed to live for the ocean.
"Sir?" An Indian voice jerked Tom out of his musings. "We are preparing to go under."
Tom nodded to the man, and took one last look at the open ocean. For the next three hours, he'd be inside. Cooped up. Tom longed to be able to get a bit of exercise out in the open.
Everyone was filing inside. Tom decided he had better do the same, having no wish to have to swim after the Nautilus.
As he headed for his room, he spotted Skinner – or rather, Skinner's coat – lounging against a wall. The coat fell into step beside him.
"Underwater again. Y'know, I surprised we haven't turned into fish yet. We should have at least grown gills by now."
"At least we'll be on land soon," said Tom.
Skinner snorted. "Soon? You call three hours soon?"
Tom shrugged. "It's sooner than never."
The thief opened his mouth to retort, but was interrupted by Jekyll. "Sawyer, Skinner," he said. "We are to go to the library again. Nemo has received more information."
As they followed the doctor, Tom distinctly heard Skinner mutter, "Huh, I'm really getting sick of that room." The American grinned.
Nemo and Mina were already there, looking at a piece of grubby paper. They looked up as the trio walked in.
"Hah, you can't get mad at me this time," declared Skinner triumphantly. "If I'm late, then so are these two." He gestured at Tom and Jekyll.
"You flatter yourself," stated Mina coolly. "Thinking that I would be bothered caring EVERY time you are late."
"Oooh, score one for Mina," said Tom with a laugh. She smiled at him briefly, and then turned back to the bit of paper.
"So, what's the news?" asked Skinner, leaning on the back of Nemo's chair.
"It is another message from the English government. Things are worsening. There have been three more attacks since they last sent their message."
Tom raised his eyebrows. "That many? They sure don't waste time, whoever they are."
"Yes. One person is dead; the other two are seriously wounded."
"Do they have any idea who is to blame?" asked Jekyll quietly.
Nemo shook his head solemnly. "The culprits have left no evidence at all. The victims all say they were attacked from behind, or in the dark. They never see their attackers."
"What about a mark?" asked Skinner. The League looked at him, puzzled. "Oh, come on. You can't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about?"
"It is obvious we don't," said Mina crisply. "So will you please explain yourself?"
Skinner sighed exasperatedly. "A mark. Sometimes, when gangs attack, they leave a mark. An object, some sort of sign to say they did it. Usually has something to do with their name. Like, if the gang was the – the Snakes, they might draw a snake on the ground next to the person. They might even carve an S onto the person."
"And you'd know this how?" asked Tom curiously.
"I'm a thief. We know these things. Besides, seen 'em all too often. So – is there a mark?"
"None that are known," said Nemo. "But I will ask the government to keep an eye out."
"Wow Skinner," joked Tom. "You've actually been helpful."
"Hey!" said Skinner indignantly. "I've been helpful before! Are you saying setting the bombs wasn't helpful?"
Mina rolled her eyes. "Will you two stop it? Honestly!"
"If the condition is getting worse, we should try and reach London as soon as possible," said Jekyll.
Nemo nodded. "We will increase to full-throttle." Without further ado, he turned and strode from the room.
"Don't waste much time, does he?" commented Skinner. "Well, I'll be off. Find something to do."
The rest of the League all nodded, and went their separate ways.
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Mina was in her lab, experimenting with a few chemicals, when someone banged on the door.
"Yes?" she called.
"We're here! London's just up ahead." The voice was that of Tom. Without waiting for her to emerge, he jogged off to alert everyone else.
Mina sighed, and slipped of her science coat, hanging it up on its hook before walking out of her room.
She was pleased to be going on land again. Although she enjoyed the Nautilus, she preferred good old-fashioned earth.
But, deep in her mind, she was disturbed too. There was another reason she wanted to go on land. One she didn't like at all.
Here, stuck onboard the ship with friends and allies, she had no blood to drink. She hadn't drunk for at least a week now, and was dying for just a sip. Being surrounded by warm bodies, pulsing with fresh blood, and being unable to touch them, was torture. Only her extremely strong will stopped her diving on the nearest sailor. That will, that determination, allowed her to walk calmly down a crowded corridor without eyeing off people's necks. But it was hard.
Really hard.
Back on land, however, there was bound to be a new supply of criminals and villains to dine on. She had sworn never to harm innocents – but those who did wrong were another matter entirely.
The League were all gathered on the deck, gazing out at the strip of land that was coming rapidly closer.
"I'm glad you finally found it fit to join us, Mina," said a voice mockingly.
She sighed. "Skinner, when are you going to get over my comment about your continued tardiness?"
"My what?"
"Your lateness."
"Oh. Um – never?" The invisible man grinned evilly. Due to the layer of greasepaint on his face, it was very noticeable.
Mina merely turned her back on him and looked at London. Already she could make out the tall gloomy buildings.
"At least it is not raining," remarked Jekyll.
"You mean it actually stops raining sometimes?" said Tom dryly. It had been pouring down when he'd first encountered the League. Not much fun.
"Yeah. There's always at least three minutes between showers," said Skinner.
"Seriously?"
"No! You didn't honestly think I was serious, did you?"
"Well..."
"It's more like four minutes."
By now, they were close enough to see the people wandering around on the docks. Some of them were stopping, and pointing at the Nautilus in disbelief. By the time they reached the docks, there was a small crowd, all staring at the enormous ship in awe.
"So much for a quiet entrance," said Jekyll wryly.
