AN/ I'm sorry once again for the delay in this update. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The last few ones in this fic should be along shortly. I want to acknowledge the LXG novelisation and the fact that I've used a bit of it to help me write a part of this chapter. The novel was written by K. J. Anderson. Thank you to my reviewers of chapter 9: Jinxeh and Samyo. Please review again!
I reached out my hand towards Skinner. After a few seconds I felt him grasp it. I led him through the maze of black rocks and snow drifts, following the white tiger only Quatermain and I could see.
At last we spotted the cave through the blizzard, and the figure of Alan Quatermain in a white snowsuit sitting outside the entrance with his gun. I gave Skinner's hand a squeeze and let it go. "Good job," I praised. "But we're not done yet."
"I know," the invisible man said.
We moved quickly and quietly towards the cave. I kept my 'Skinner Vision' off to rest my eyes. Already my headache was receding. Although I could not see him, I could still sense Skinner's presence near by. Even so, I bumped into him when we were only a few meters from the cave's entrance. Skinner had moved out of the wind and was probably wondering why Alan was pointing his rifle at nothing. I kept my eyes on the tiger, tracking it as it stopped before Quatermain. The two hunters stared at each other for a few moments. Then Alan lowered his gun and the tiger turned and disappeared into the blizzard.
"We heard a noise," a female voice said. I looked and saw Mina and Nemo, both in snowsuits, emerging from the cave. When I saw Serro with them a wide smile graced my face. When he saw me he grinned in greeting.
"It was nothing," Quatermain told the vampire.
Mina and Nemo looked out into the wind and snow. There was maybe just a hint of the tiger still visible, merely a shadow of the majestic beast. Nemo understood completely. He and Mina stepped out into the snow.
"Just an old tiger sensing his end," the captain said.
"Perhaps this was not his time to die after all," Quatermain commented. Nemo smiled knowingly.
Without warning, Mina suddenly gasped in surprise, scooting forward clumsily as if she had just been pinched from behind by an invisible hand. That was because that was exactly what had happened. I sighed, closing my eyes and shaking my head. I couldn't be mad at Skinner this time, I just couldn't. My eyes met Serro's and we both shrugged, smiles tugging on our lips.
Skinner stood still out in the open, allowing the falling snow to mark his faint outline. "I've been waiting all week to do that," the invisible man remarked, a grin in his voice.
"Get a grip, man," a furious Quatermain commanded.
"Well, I thought I just did," Skinner said.
Mina slapped him, using the snow sitting on the top of his head to judge approximately where his cheek would be. It wasn't the most powerful slap I've ever seen. Skinner wasn't too impressed by it either. It showed in his voice. "Oh, Mina."
"Report!" Nemo snapped.
"Well, hello to you, too," Skinner responded. Now that I could see that he was still shivering, shifting his body weight and holding his arms tightly around himself. The others could see this too, outlined in the falling snowflakes. "And need I remind you," Skinner continued. "I am naked in the snow. I can't feel any of my extremities, and I mean any of them."
Without any further ado, Skinner pushed past Mina and Nemo and into the cave. I followed him. Serro smiled at me again and squeezed my shoulder as I passed him. I smiled back.
Skinner was extremely grateful to be out of the cold. He was soon wrapped in a spare coat and was wearing his white greasepaint and dark glasses. Nemo began the interrogation.
"So, if you were not among the traitors, how is it you know to follow Gray?"
Skinner chuckled to himself. "A little bird told me. That and because he was the only one creeping around as much as I was!" He turned towards Mina, smiling broadly. "He has quite a way with him, eh?"
I whacked Skinner's arm in a scolding fashion. The vampire's eyes flashed, but she did not answer.
Tom Sawyer, crouched in a corner with his Winchester, expressed indignation on Mina's behalf. "So, why didn't you tell any of us?" he demanded.
"With all the suspicion on the ship I knew you wouldn't believe I wasn't the spy," Skinner explained. "I thought it best to disappear."
"So, what are we dealing with?" Quatermain asked.
Skinner turned serious. What he and I had seen was not pretty. "The fortress is vast," my assignment began. As he spoke flashes of what we had seen moved through my mind. I knew I wasn't alone in this; Serro would be seeing these visions too. "Furnaces produce iron for making M's weapons of destruction. They're pieced together on the factory floor by an army of ruthless men who share his vision. But the worst was to come. In the dry dock, M's best minds pervert Nemo's dream."
"The Nautilus?" Nemo asked, alarmed.
"Nautili," Skinner corrected. "There's eight for now."
Nemo turned his concern elsewhere. "What about the kidnapped scientists?"
"M holds their families hostage," Skinner replied. "The men work, or the women and children die."
"Monstrous!" Nemo exclaimed, summing up the man quite nicely.
"That isn't the half of it," the invisible man said, beginning to pace around the fire. "The scientists are forced to work night and day to make new versions of us. Invisible spies, and army of Hydes, vampiric assassins. M leaves for Europe today with a sample case of the chemicals to sell to the most eager nation."
Doctor Jekyll spoke up. "I'll not let my evil infect the world."
"Do you think any of us feel differently?" Mina asked, staring out into the snow. Serro placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort and reassurance.
"Chimney pipes laced to buildings," Skinner said, beginning to form a plan. "And bombs in the furnaces would make quite a bang." I realised this was reminiscent of what Dorian had done to the Nautilus. "But someone needs to blow that place to hell," my assignment continued. "And I am least likely to be seen."
"Skinner, I didn't know you were such a bare-faced liar," Quatermain remarked. "All that time pretending you weren't a hero?"
"Shut up, or I'll come to my senses," the invisible man said with a smirk. "And besides, any more like me, and I'll lose the franchise."
Skinner's quip caused me to crack a slight smile. I was proud of him. He had come a long way, even though the journey wasn't over yet. Skinner caught my eye and gave me a private wink.
Sawyer jumped up and cocked his rifle, all gun-ho and ready to go, full of American bravado. Alan stopped him, his voice calm and sensible.
"No, this cannot be a hunt to the death, more's the pity. We must take M alive if his secrets are to be uncovered."
"Not Gray,' Mina said, her back still to the League and her voice full of venom. "He's lived long enough."
"Oh, I'll handle him," Tom told her.
"No," she said quickly, putting the eager American back in his place. I smiled grimly. Best let mina deal with her own demons. I knew Serro would be there to help her.
Alan turned to the Indian captain. "Nemo, you and Hyde will free the prisoners." Henry stepped up, ready to help and offer Hyde to their services. "Sawyer and I will deal with M," Quatermain said.
All around me, faces were set with a sense of purpose, ready for the final fight. I felt the same resolve to play my part in helping Skinner to put an end to the trouble. Quatermain and I spoke at the same time. "Then the game is on."
Skinner shot me a look before heaving a deep sigh. Everyone began to move, preparing themselves for the journey and attack. "Skinner, are there guards?" Quatermain asked.
"Yeah," the invisible man replied, taking off his glasses and looking at the hunter with black holes where his eyes should be.
"Mina, will you and Skinner take care of them?" Alan said. The invisible man and the vampire nodded. Doctor Jekyll took out a vial of his elixir.
"Hyde will help with that as well," he said, stepping outside to give himself some privacy and dignity during his transformation.
Skinner removed his make-up and coat. Soon, he and the rest of the League were ready. We stepped out into the snow.
I remember thinking as we walked towards M's fortress that the distance really wasn't as great as it had seemed when Skinner and I were trekking through the blizzard earlier. I don't know why this was. Perhaps it was the adrenaline and anticipation for the coming events that caused the trip to move faster this time. I wouldn't say I was looking forward to going back to the fortress though.
Mina and Serro flew ahead. Hyde had no difficulty lumbering quickly through the snow. Skinner and I were also quite speedy, but probably just because we wanted to get this done and over with. The five of us raced ahead of the others and were therefore the first to reach M's base.
A lone guard stood along a series of sluice tunnels. Skinner and I boldly marched up to him.
"Do you mind?" Skinner said, swiping the bewildered guard's weapon. Before his opponent could react, Skinner struck him in the head with the butt of the gun. It only took three hits to put the guard out of action. "Night-night."
By now, Mina's bats were flocking into the sluice tunnels, taking out the guards inside. Another guard approached Skinner and I. Skinner aimed and cocked the gun in his direction, but ultimately decided to let Mr Hyde take care of this one.
It wasn't long before the rest of the League caught up with us. Hyde opened the massive metal doors barring our path. One of Nemo's henchmen brought Skinner his usual coat, hat, gloves, glasses, and face paint. Another one brought him the bombs he would plant and while Skinner was becoming temporarily visible he explained how to set the timers on them. Skinner indicated to each section of the League which direction they should go in to accomplish their tasks.
We entered a large, cavernous room littered with rubble. Nemo's men fanned out, guns ready to meet any guards Skinner, Mina or Hyde had missed. The League gathered in a circle, pausing for a moment. They all looked at each other as if this was the last time they would ever see each other. I tried not to think about how for many of them, this was going to be the last time they saw Alan Quatermain alive.
Not a word was said as Hyde extended one massive, hairy hand into the middle of the circle. Skinner placed his hand on top, followed by Nemo, Sawyer, Mina, and finally Quatermain. Everyone's faces shone in determination. They were truly a team now. They could do anything.
I sighed quietly and turned to Serro. He reached out him arms and hugged me. I felt like my heart was going to burst. Maybe we did have a future together. "Be careful," he whispered to me.
"I will. You be careful too."
We both knew what each of our assignments in this world were going to go through. This was going to be a tough time for both of us. When we parted I put on a brave smile. "Good luck. I'll see you later."
"Yeah, same to you."
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen parted. Hyde went off with Captain Nemo and his men. Quatermain and sawyer moved in another direction. Mina and Serro followed their senses to find Dorian Gray. Skinner and I were left alone.
The invisible man removed his clothes and face paint. "If we have time, we'll come back for them," I said.
"Yeah," Skinner replied.
I closed my eyes and turned on my 'Skinner Vision'. When we both were ready, Skinner shouldered the strap carrying the bombs.
"Let's go," I suggested. We ran off towards the furnaces, heading towards the final chapters of our story.