Henry Jekyll eyed the crowd nervously. They were probably just civilians, intrigued by the massive size of the Nautilus. But the mysterious attackers they had been asked to track down could easily be amongst them.

Hyde growled in his head. The alter ego was restless, impatient for action. He hadn't been let out for ages, due to his destructive nature. Hyde could all too easily damage the ship, even one as big as the Nautilus.

He heard Nemo bark out a few orders to various sailors. They scurried around, adjusting this, lifting that, tying ropes securely. The Nautilus had arrived at London.

The League headed down to the exit on the ship. Eventually they emerged out into the open. Tom breathed in the air deeply, savouring the smoky scent of the city. This was London all right.

"How do we get there? As far as I know, it's a fair way," said Tom.

Nemo scanned the docks. "The government said they were supplying a carriage. It should be here soon."

"Huh. Sure taking their time,' grumbled Skinner.

"Then you and the government have something in common," said Mina smoothly. Skinner scowled, but remained silent.

"Ah!" exclaimed Jekyll. "Would that be the carriage?" A rather grand looking carriage had just pulled up. As they watched, an important looking man stepped down and gazed about.

The League walked over to the carriage. The man started as he saw the motley band of adventurers. He'd heard tales, stories about his lot, about who they were and what they'd done. He didn't really know what to make of them. Were they heroes, or just a group of misfits who'd gotten lucky?

"Are you the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?" he asked.

"That we are," answered Nemo. "And you are...?"

"Jeremiah Sorlly. I am to take you to meet the representatives of the government." He eyed them as they clambered into the carriage. They were certainly a ragged bunch, a mixture of nationalities and varying levels of sophistication. The bearded man and well-dressed lady seemed to be from fairly high up, but the scruffy boy and his white-faced friend were obviously from lower down. And the trembling doctor seemed to be around middle-class.

The ride to the building where they were going to meet the representatives was fairly uneventful. The League just gazed out the windows, each deep in their own thoughts.

Nemo was revising the security aboard the Nautilus. In their last mission, the great ship had been targeted by their enemy. The Captain had no wish to allow that to happen again. He had stepped up the defences, but there was always the chance an intruder could slip past his men. The Nautilus was his pride and joy, the masterpiece of all his creations. He just hoped he had left no loopholes in his preparations. Mentally, he went over them again.

Jekyll was nervously opening and closing his pocket-watch. Open. Shut. Open. Shut. He knew that Hyde would be needed. He himself could help out medically, but was almost useless in a fight. They would need Hyde's strength. But could he control the beast inside him? It was a secret fear, dredged up time and time again. Hyde had killed innocents before. What if he killed one of the League? Jekyll didn't think he could live with that.

Skinner wasn't too distressed about anything. That was his way. Worry about the future when it comes. Of course, that didn't mean he went unprepared. But as far as he was concerned, it was no use worrying yourself ragged about something you had no power over. But there was one thing definitely annoying him right now. That goddamn watch of Jekyll's! Click, click, click...it was driving him crazy! Skinner gritted his teeth and tried to ignore it.

Mina surveyed Sorlly out of the corner of her eye. She'd caught the look he'd given her when she climbed into the carriage. And she didn't like it one bit. It reminded her too much of the way Dorian Grey had used to look at her. Oh no. Inwardly she groaned. Why had she thought that? Now the memories would come. When she first met him, when she thought she loved him, when he betrayed them all – when she had killed him. The vampire closed her eyes and tried to block out the pictures that flooded her mind.

Tom was staring gloomily out into the streets of London. Why did the place have to be so dark and wet all the time? He missed America. England wasn't all bad, but it wasn't home. He hoped he wasn't homesick. It wouldn't be helpful if was struck with a longing for home just as they were about to engage in another mission. At least the action would keep him occupied. It had been far too long since something exciting had happened, unless you counted Skinner filling his bed with wet fish exciting.

The League were so involved in their musings, they all jumped when Sorlly announced they were there. He jumped out and held the door open politely. The League caught their first glimpse of the building.

Tom tilted his hat back and gave a low whistle as he surveyed it. White stone walls stood proudly, pillars engraved with intricate carvings adorning either side of the dark, wooden doors. It all made for a very impressive sight.

The inside was just as striking. Tom's neck was soon sore from the constant twisting and he tried to take in everything at once. Detailed paintings, expensive draperies and many other ornaments decorated the walls. Skinner eyed them too. Old habits were hard to break. He had no intention of actually stealing anything, but it was still amusing to guess what these would fetch on the black market.

Eventually they came to the room. There were five stressed out representatives all awaiting the League. Two muttered darkly between each other as the League entered, two nodded politely, and one stood up to greet them.

"Ah, you were able to make it." The two muttering reps looked displeased at that fact. "Please, take a seat."

They all sat, each in their own particular fashion - Mina elegantly, Nemo stiffly, Jekyll cautiously, Tom casually and Skinner comfortably. The leading rep also sat, took a deep breath, and then began.

"No doubt you know why you're here," he started, but was interrupted by Tom.

"Actually, we don't," he said, raising an eyebrow. "All we know is that there've been some attacks. We haven't been told anything about who's been attacked or anything."

"We'll begin with that then. The attackers, as you know, are unidentified, so we are unsure of their motives. The attacks seem to be random, anyone and everyone is at risk. Not surprisingly, the whole city is terrified. They attack all over London, not in one designated place. The people who have been assaulted range from those who live in the slums to those who live in the mansions. There is absolutely nothing linking them."

"Except the fact they are all British," said Mina quietly.

The rep nodded grimly. "Except that. The people never see their attackers. It's either done in the dark, or from behind."

"And there's no clues at all?" asked Jekyll. This mission was sounding harder by the second!

"Nothing, except was Miss Harker pointed out before. Whoever it may be is targeting the British. Therefore, it is possible they are from another country."

"Could just be people who want to cause a bit of trouble, or want to get at the government," pointed out Skinner.

"True," the rep said, then sighed. "We know almost nothing, and everything we know is extremely vague."

"Looks like our first task will be scouting around then," said Tom glumly.

"Whatever you do, you must do it fast," said a rep sitting to the left of the leader. "If this doesn't stop soon, we'll lose control. Already the people are restless!" The others nodded fervently.

"There is something I wish to ask," said a sharp-faced rep. He turned to Skinner. "Is it true you were a thief?"

"Well, Mr...?" Skinner said, looking questioningly at the rep.

"Mr Brewster," he replied coldly.

"Well, Mr Brewster, I'm a thief by rights. But a gentleman thief."

"A gentleman thief," sneered Brewster. "And I suppose the vampire is a LADY blood-sucking fiend?"

Mina stiffened, giving Brewster a venomous look.

"Mr Brewster," snapped the leading rep. "We have already agreed on this course of action. Please refrain from assaulting the guests."

"My apologies," said Brewster, an ugly smirk on his face. "I was merely clearing up a few issues, Mr Hamer. No offence intended."

Mr Hamer cast the League an apologetic look. "Now, if we may continue..."

At that exact moment, every light in the building went out.

DiabloCat: Whoa, sorry that took so long folks. And then I was evil enough to end it in a cliff-hanger...heh. Y'know, I should probably get a move on. Three chapters and they've only just arrived and got talked to. Don't worry; next chapter will have some action.