I love my muse. It's been going hyper lately...not that I'm complaining, mind.

DiabloCat: Glad to know you like the story banner, my friend. I like it too. :)

Alys: Only if you promise not to hurt/maim/kill me. XD

Revolution
Chapter 9

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government."
- Thomas Paine

Skinner stared at the bottom of the tankard he held, thinking.

He'd been adamant about staying out of Tom's plans, but now he wondered if he had done the right thing. After all, a revolution would mean that life for the world in general would be much better. He did stand to gain if the Underground won.

Then again, he thought, taking another drink from the awful tasting beverage, If the Second Reich wins, then life for the world won't get any better, will it? It'll only get worse. And that, he told himself, should justify his actions well enough.

Still his conscience nagged at him. Trying to chase it away, Skinner sought to drown his sorrows in drink when he saw one of Nemo's men enter.

He groaned. "Oh, here we go again!"

Jekyll twitched. Nemo's man had just informed him of the meeting that would be taking place onboard the mighty Nautilus within the hour.

He did not want to be dragged into this.

After all, Henry, Hyde's voice echoed through his mind, for the first time since they had left the Underground cavern, You're a chicken.

Shut up, Jekyll thought back fiercely. Hyde merely cackled.

"Let me get my hat and coat," the gentle doctor nodded. "And I'll join you outside."

Mina walked through the streets of Whitechapel quickly and briskly. One of Nemo's men walked alongside behind her, leading her to the secret dock where the grand Nautilus had pulled in anchor.

She knew what she had to do. A friend was in trouble.

The people on the streets cast her odd glances, and many regarded the Indian sailor with suspicion and hate. He was dressed in such finery — Mina wondered how they would react if Nemo showed up — and they, in rags. No doubt they would be jealous.

A small smile graced Mina's pristine features.

After this fight, they will have the opportunity to dress like Nemo and his men.

Nemo was pleased. The remaining members of the League were gathered in the stateroom, and he was pleasantly surprised that Skinner had come with few objections. Also, he thought wryly, He looks perfectly sober.

Which was good. Very good.

Damon stood next to Nemo, still in awe of the Nautilus. It had been a risk to come here, but it was a risk he was willing to take. Also with him was a young boy of about twelve years.

Inwardly, Nemo smiled. The boy had had an exchange with the 'Baron' earlier on, in whispered tones.

"Mr. Archer," the boy said quietly to Damon, holding his dirty beret and looking up at the lavish surroundings, "Am I dreamin', are you dreamin', or are we both dreamin'?"

Damon had whispered back. "I don't know. Are you dreaming?" The boy had pinched himself, and then shook his head. "Then we're both not dreaming."

"You mean...all this is real?"

Damon had nodded. Nemo was greatly amused. It had been such a long time since he had seen a child so amazed.

"Gentlemen," Nemo addressed the others, "and lady" — he inclined his head slightly at Mina, who nodded her greeting back — "this is Damon Archer, whom we have already met, and Owen" — he gestured at the boy, who grinned, hat still in hand — "They have come to discuss a plan to save Agent Sawyer."

"How'd we know when to get Tom back?" Skinner interjected, before Damon could open his mouth.

"The trial's in two days," the other man replied coolly, nodding as he spread out a map of London on the grand stateroom table. "Knowing Dante and Reed, it will be a public trial. It'll be right here, in Trafalgar Square." He pointed at the location in question on the map. "Now, here's the plan..."

Tom sat on his little camp bed, thinking about the cycle of generations, when he heard the footsteps.

Standing up quickly, he got as close to the bars as possible without risking burns. He tried in vain to see who it was coming along the corridor.

The footsteps stopped some distance away, and he heard snatches of a conversation.

"...awake?"

"Yes sir. Less than an hour..."

So. It was Dante. And probably Reed too, Tom thought. Did they want to gloat?

It didn't take long for the two enemies of the Underground to appear in front of Tom's cell, with Chauvelin tagging along.

"Well, well, well," Dante smirked, "Who do we have here?"

"Thomas Sawyer, formerly of the American Secret Service," Reed said, and even though Tom could not see the expression on his invisible face, he reckoned it was one similar to Dante's — satisfaction. "Also the man who killed the Professor ten years ago." The fire of hate in Dante's eyes seemed to brighten.

"I may have done wrong in my lifetime," Tom spat, "But none of them are as bad as what you've done."

Reed gave a snort. "Still as feisty as ever, Yank. And still as stupid." Tom's jaw clenched. "And still a law breaker." The invisible man then added, "One would really think ten years would have changed that."

"I've done nothing wrong," Tom insisted. He was just trying to liberate the people, give them back their lives, that was all.

"Well, Sawyer," Dante said, while Tom eyed Chauvelin, the silent observer. "Your trial will be in two days. You can prove your innocence then..." Here he smirked. "If you can."

Then, with a turn on his heel, Dante left, Reed and Chauvelin following close behind him. Chauvelin's gaze lingered on Tom for a moment, assessing him, before he caught up with Reed.
Skinner really didn't like the sound of this. There were so many risks, not to mention the fact that the Baker Street Irregulars were involved.

While Damon and Nemo talked over the finer details of the plan, Skinner leaned against the table, watching as Owen wandered about the room, staring at the walls, the table, and even the ground.

He was painfully reminded of the innocence and naïveté of youth. Owen, despite his cursing, thieving and contacts with the underworld, was still a young boy prone to wonders. Why, Skinner thought, If I were twelve, and I saw a ship like this...hell, I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven.

Jekyll was arguing with Hyde again, from the look of concentration on his face, while Mina listened in to Nemo and Damon, occasionally offering feedback and pointing at the map. As Owen explored, he had a look of sheer wonder and awe on his face that reminded Skinner of happier times.

The boy gently brushed his hands over the surface of the wall as he approached Skinner. "Blimey," he breathed. "Blimey."

"Grand, innit, Owen?" Skinner ventured, a small smile tugging at the edges of his mouth.

"Aye," Owen replied. "I've never seen anythin' like it."

"That's 'cause there's nothing like it, lad," Skinner answered kindly. "Trust me, Owen, if you think this is awesome — wait 'til you see her in action. She can go underwater."

Owen's eyes were huge by now. "Underwater? Under the water?"

Skinner nodded with the wisdom of a sage. "Under the water. And you should see her when she's moving then. Fast as lightning, quiet as a baby."

The boy's eyes grew even wider, if such a thing was possible. "Blimey," he breathed again, taking off his hat and running his hand through his hair. Skinner smiled. Ah, kids. Gotta love 'em.

He wondered how many would perish in the fight ahead.
Uh, yeah, short chapter, this one is. It's a filler chapter and my muse left me halfway through so...yeah.