A.N: Here we go! Chapter Five! Whoa! I'm actually sticking to something, usually I just start something and then forget about it a month later! Right now, I'm not so sure about how this chapter is going to turn out. I've actually been sitting here for about five minutes, eating raisins and trying to figure out how to even BEGIN this chapter! Anyway… it's time for…
Shoutouts:
Silent Bob 546: Yeah! Like you said, forget them! They know not of what they speak! Lol! Anyway… thanks for the nice review! Btw, I noticed that you can put asterisks in your fics, but when I try to put them in mine, they don't show up… how did you get that to work? And if you know how italics and bold work that would be a total miracle for me!
Chapter Five: To Cairo
Nemo led his three fellow League members into the dining room of which he had earlier spoken, the crewmembers shadowing them through the corridors, one of them now carrying a small file.
Upon entering the room, the four were greeted by the sight of Wilhemina Harker, who was just being seated along one long edge of the table. Seeing the gentlemen enter, she immediately made to stand up, but Nemo raised his hand to stop her.
"Miss Harker, we are all friends on board the Nautilus. Formalities between ourselves are unrequired." Nemo smiled at the lady before seating himself opposite her, opening up the file as his seat was tucked in by a helpful crew member.
She smiled in return and turned her head to greet the other three. "Good evening. I trust you are all in good health." She glanced at all of them briefly, but allowed her eyes to linger on Henry Jekyll a moment longer than the others.
Her scrutiny did not go unnoticed. Tom felt a pang of jealousy at Mina's action. He was attracted to her, he couldn't deny himself the fact, but every time she singled out the doctor among the men, his jealousy grew, along with his attraction to her. After all, Tom was, by profession, an agent of the Secret Service, and attaining the unattainable was part of his job. Mina's rejection of his own advances, and her subtle flirting with the doctor only heightened his desire for the chase.
Tom wasn't the only one who noticed and he could've sworn the bashful doctor began to blush slightly under her gaze. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure and nodded his head in confirmation of Mina's earlier question before taking a seat next to Nemo. Tom then sat on Mina's left, while Skinner joined the doctor and captain opposite him.
"As you are no doubt aware, the matter of which I speak concerns the League." Nemo paused and looked at each of the members in turn, waiting to see if they would say anything. When no one did, he continued. "Earlier this morning, a British out-posting in Bombay established contact with the Nautilus. The message was brief, but direct," he held up the small radio transcription from the file and read. "'The League is needed. British Govt. wishes a meeting in which matters of the utmost importance will be discussed. Radio back with reply A.S.A.P.'" He paused momentarily before going on. "I have yet to reply, and we have received several messages since, urging us to respond. I believe that the matter of which they wish to speak is a dire one."
There was silence for a moment before Mina's voice rang out. "What on Earth could they want with us? Officially we were disbanded after Mongolia."
"You are quite right Miss Harker. But apparently the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen's services are again required. And from the sound of things, urgently at that. We must come to a conclusion as to our course of action soon. I propose that we attend the meeting they have suggested and see where things go from there." Nemo looked to the others for their points of view.
"I can't see how it could hurt. After all, it is only a meeting. We don't have to decide if we want to risk our lives again right now, do we?" Tom spoke up, voicing his opinion. He looked to Mina for her input.
"The Government wouldn't contact us unless it was markedly important… you know what they think of us." She scowled. "They'd sooner send their bumbling operatives in before putting the fate of the world into our hands again." Mina spoke the last few sentences with a slight snarl.
"I agree." Henry Jekyll contributed timidly, gazing at Mina with something between admiration and affection. Mina returned his gaze evenly, breaking it only after she felt the eyes of the League on them. As one, everyone turned to look at the remaining member who had yet to voice his opinion. Skinner rubbed at his chin thoughtfully before leaning forward on the table and speaking.
"I dunno, chums."
"What on Earth do you mean, Mr. Skinner?" Mina's voice had an angry, indignant tone to it that often rang out when she spoke to Skinner. In her opinion, the thief was perpetually trying to annoy the League in anyway he could simply by being contrary.
"Now, now love. Don't go biting me head off, if you'll excuse the pun…" Mina flashed him an angry glare, her eyes glowing red momentarily before she regained her composure. "The point I'm trying make here, is that the last time we trusted the British Government we all ended up disappointed. They stole our secrets, and in the end none of us got what we wanted. How do we know this isn't another trap, eh?" He cocked a grease-painted eyebrow in the general direction of his comrades and leant back again, seemingly pleased with his contribution.
"I admit, Skinner's words do hold some truth," Nemo seemed to find that difficult to say. The thief grinned smugly at his victory over the all-knowing captain. "If we go, it would be best that we all go prepared for battle. Doctor, you should bring your elixir, Hyde's strength may be of use; Sawyer, you and I would best go armed – discreetly mind you. Miss Harker, of course, is fortunate to have the most concealable of weapons, and Skinner, I suggest that you only wear your coat, hat and boots, should the need for a sudden disappearance arise."
"Well then, with such intricate planning as to our methods of attack and defense," Skinner's tone was sarcastic, "I suppose I'm inclined to agree. I'll go."
"Very well then." Nemo stood, ignoring the thief's tone, and handed a piece of paper to a nearby steward. "I have already taken the liberty of composing a reply to the message we received. It shall be transmitted back to Bombay immediately. By dinner, I'm sure that we will have had some form of response, and I shall inform you as we dine." He thanked his companions for coming, and left them to their own devices, speaking rapidly in Hindustani to the steward he had given the message to as he strode out of the room.
The others stood and began to follow suit, each retiring to their own quarters to prepare for the evening meal. Tom lagged back, waiting for everyone to leave, and then hurried to catch up with Mina in the hallway along which her room was situated. "Mina!" He called out to her. For a woman she walked fast, and always as if with purpose towards her every destination.
"Tom?" Mina turned and inclined her head as the American caught up with her. "May I be of any help to you?" She smiled charmingly at him, and continued to walk, this time at a more leisurely pace.
"Nothing in particular." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged casually. "Just wanted to chat." There was silence between the two of them for a moment before Tom spoke up again. "What do you think is up with all of this?"
"All of what?" Mina looked pointedly at Tom.
"You know… the sudden wire from Bombay. You think that something might be up?"
"It is entirely possible, why else would they call for us? Unless of course it's some kind of trap as Mr. Skinner suggested, and they simply want to be rid of us." Mina scowled at the thought.
Tom noticed her face and commented. "I take it you don't particularly like the government?" It was a statement more than a question.
Mina looked up at Tom. "I simply find it ironic how one minute they go out of their way to make us feel unwanted in society, and then decide to steal our… uniqueness, and expect us to save their precious empire for them!" Mina scoffed and was silent for some time.
Suddenly she stopped walking, Tom almost bumping into her. "This is my cabin, Agent Sawyer."
"Oh, yeah." He quickly reached over and opened the door for her, moving aside as she stepped in. "You know, if you ever need anything, I'll be right here for you Mina." He smiled winningly at her.
She looked up and smiled at him. He had always been so eager to please, and Mina could guess why: she knew that Tom harbored some secret attraction towards her, and she also sensed that it was purely physical – lust. Not love. Having lived alone for so many years now, she was looking for something deeper, and more meaningful. Mina saw that something in Henry Jekyll. She had had her fill of lust with Dorian – there had been no real feeling between them, and she was in no mood to experience that emptiness and animal need again.
Without another word she lent forward and pulled the door shut, leaving Agent Sawyer standing alone in the corridor, and smiling at the white mahogany where Mina's face had once been. Sighing, he pushed a hand through his unruly blonde hair and headed off in the direction of his own quarters, mumbling discontentedly all the way.
Later that evening, the entire company assembled in the dining room. As always, the doctor and Nemo were both dressed as if they were attending a high-society London tea-party, while Mina wore her customary blouse and cravat. Tom had changed his shirt, and now wore his suspenders around his shoulders where they belonged, and Skinner, as had become the custom at the insistence of the League, had dressed from head to toe. His friends had often suggested that he clothe himself at certain times, and, being able to take a hint, Rodney had grudgingly complied. Even he had to acquiesce, watching someone's food being digested was hardly pleasant.
Once everyone had been served and pleasantries had been exchanged, Nemo spoke up.
"I received another message from Bombay shortly after we ourselves replied." Everyone bar Skinner set down their utensils and listened carefully. "It would seem that they wish us to attend the meeting in Cairo."
"Cairo? As in… Cairo in Egypt?" Tom remarked, disbelieving. At Nemo's nod he continued. "But why Cairo? Of all the places in the world!"
"Apparently, the matter which we must deal with is based in Egypt at the moment, and they wish us to arrive with the utmost speed should we be required soon after our arrival. I have already set a course for Egypt, we should be arriving within two weeks. Perhaps sooner."
The entire League looked at each other, not quite knowing what to make of the situation. Finally, Jekyll spoke.
"Their reply in no way elaborated on what it is they ask of us, I presume?"
"No, unfortunately not, doctor. But I trust that all will be revealed once we arrive. I plan to contact British Intelligence as soon as we are within range of their signal, and perhaps they will give us some answers then."
"Egypt, eh?" Skinner said thoughtfully around a mouthful of roast pork. "We'd better not be having to fight tomb raiders and the like. It'd be a waste of our bloody time, dragging us halfway around the world to guard some corpse's life savings."
"Don't worry Mr. Skinner. I'm sure that no one would trust anyone such as you to protect the riches of the pharos." Mina smirked slightly. "You are more likely to pocket them for yourself."
At this the companions began to laugh, and even the scowling Skinner had to grin slightly at the statement.
After all… she was probably right.
A.N: And so the League traveled forth, and there was much rejoicing. He he he… anyway, please leave a review on the way out! Thanks loads!