Chapter 7 - Voicing Concerns
Baltimore Port, America: September 5th
(Continued)

Mina's worries continued to grow for the captain with every tense moment that passed. She and Dr Jekyll waited on the conning tower of the Nautilus for the automobile and its occupants to arrive.

The mid-September sea air helped Mina to clear her troubled mind. As she watched the people carrying heavy cargo, some of the smells wandered up to the vessel, the strongest being coffee, spices, and oil. It was interesting to watch the people hustling about, living their normal lives. Mina missed the times when she was considered normal and lived like that.

Though she did not make it evident to those around her, she missed her son, Quincey. He now lived in America with a friend of hers. Due to the events involving Dracula and its aftermath, she had felt it best to distance herself from him for his own safety. However her new life, despite its dangers and disadvantages, was hardly bad or regrettable. Its main disadvantage was of course not being able to keep in touch with her son.

Skinner and Ishmael had left early to get Sawyer since they were so eager to get moving. They were due back soon so the Nautilus had surfaced ready for them. The Nautilus was hidden behind the cargo ships, though It was like trying to hide an apple behind a pip due to the ship's size. It was the best they could do for now.

There was nothing drastic to fear should they be seen thanks to Sawyer's involvement and America's so-called 'interests' with the group. Mina had the feeling it would not matter if they were on friendly terms with America or not, the Nautilus would still be waiting for its youngest passenger. Everyone wanted Sawyer and Nemo back; the ship was not the same without them.

So far nothing had changed aboard the Nautilus since after the attack. The boat was still engulfed in a bitter shroud of anguish and everyone was still at a loss. It seemed the Nautilus would not be freed from this torment until her captain was home safe.

Undoubtedly, it was the League's lack of knowledge that concerned Mina so much. The last time she saw Nemo, he was unconscious on an enemy vessel. Those ghastly beasts had hurt him badly from what she had been able to tell. She hoped with all her might he was being cared for. She should have done more to help. She was the immortal one, she should have fought, or flew out that window carrying Nemo to safety before he could even be taken, but then, hindsight was a cruel and wonderful thing. The iron harpoon she'd been struck with had pained her for days afterwards. The blood of dolphins and seals only gradually healed her, it wasn't as effective.

The idea that the attack had been planned to perfection was also a major concern; every last detail and potential problem the strangers could have faced had been thought of. Whoever had taken Nemo knew far more about the League than Mina would have liked: the League's membership, their weaknesses, the layout of the Nautilus and exactly how to overthrow them.

It was only recently Nemo had allowed the world to know about his existence and even then he stayed deep within the shadows. How could the attackers have learned their way around so well? It was impossible for someone to know so much about the Nautilus without seeing the ship for themselves... wasn't it?

The more Mina thought about the attack, the less she felt she knew, but she did know she could depend on Ishmael and his crew to find any abnormalities. If anything was out of place; if there was in fact an intruder or something of the like, then they would know. It was a reassuring thought.

An incident had happened several months beforehand. Mina had identified a powder Ishmael and Nemo found as magnesium phosphorus, a chemical used to make a camera flash, on the ship's bridge. She confirmed that someone onboard was untrue. That someone had been Dorian Gray.

Dorian Gray had shot Ishmael in Venice, as he and Moriarty made their escape from the Nautilus to find James Moriarty in Mongolia. It was a miracle, or rather Dr Jekyll, that he actually survived the three bullets that hit him, even if two had been minor flesh wounds. Ishmael told Captain Nemo of Gray's betrayal before falling unconscious for some time. It took a great deal of time and care to get him back to full health; Nemo rarely left his bedside during that time. Ishmael was still not fully healed, and she often feared he was overworking himself. He was overdoing it even more now Nemo was missing.

Mina found herself holding onto the railing tighter. All Ishmael had ever been was loyal to the captain and he continued to be even now. Nothing, not even death, could move him but what had happened was unfair to him. Nemo was lucky to have such a man for his First Mate. Loyalty like that is hard to come by these days, she thought to herself. But now Ishmael was forced to suffer again. Ishmael needed his captain back. His worry was starting to overwhelm him. If only she knew if Nemo was-

"Mrs Harker, are you alright?" Dr Jekyll asked. She forgot that he was stood beside her.
"Yes, thank you. I just wish to be doing something more than waiting."
Jekyll put his hands behind his back and turned to face her with a soft smile of reassurance. Jekyll was the only one who was acting more or less the same, although Mina suspected he was trying to put on a brave face. That's what a gentleman supposedly had to do after all. She'd heard him shouting in hallways when he thought he was alone. Hyde was still furious at what had happened and it provided an almost constant mental strain that Jekyll had to endure.

"As do I," Jekyll said. "To even know how he's faring would be appreciated. Although, I suppose we must try to stay optimistic about this whole affair. Nemo is no fool, I am sure he will be able to look after himself until we get to him. Hopefully, when Sawyer returns we can begin to be a little more practical with this whole situation."
Mina smiled at Jekyll's optimism; it was unusual for him to be so hopeful and unrealistic, but all the same, it was welcome.

Jekyll and Hyde had come to like the captain since they joined the League. Mina almost pitied anyone that Hyde happened to find who was involved with Nemo's disappearance. "I expected them to have returned by now," she wondered out loud, looking out to the port again.
"I am sure they are on their way. Sawyer will have been some miles away from this port with his work," Jekyll replied.
"I suppose... Still, I feel rather uneasy about all of this."

Jekyll smiled once more, trying to gather up an air of confidence as he spoke, "I'm sure everything will be fine. The League may be a few shy before the deck but that doesn't mean we cannot find Nemo. With Sawyer's help and contacts, we should be able to move along with this mystery. I suppose we'll have to try to have some patience-"

As the doctor spoke, the Automobile finally appeared. Mina exchanged an anxious glance with the doctor, before hurrying down from the conning tower to see their young spy. The wait to take action was over.

Mina knew Dr Jekyll did not fully understand what she had meant. She felt uneasy about everything, not only finding Nemo. No one should have known Nemo existed, let alone the entire League. Whoever these men were, they had done their research and had access to such information. She wondered if something bigger was at play, something far more dangerous. She didn't like it, she didn't like it at all...

(*Meanwhile*)

Sawyer climbed out of the Automobile and stretched his legs. His headache had dispersed but now he was aching from sitting for so long. This, however, he could live with. Skinner also climbed out, giving Sawyer a brief nod.
"It is good to see you again, Sawyer," Jekyll greeted as he came over, offering his hand out for a welcoming handshake, "although I wish the circumstances were less dire."
Sawyer accepted the handshake and smiled. "It's good to see you all again too."

Mina walked forwards, making her presence known to the spy. Her assertive aura alone gave her a sense of dominance in the group. Sawyer smiled and bowed his head to her, Mina did the same.

"I assume you received my letter?" she said after a moment.
"Yes, just before Skinner almost got himself shot," he replied, turning his head to look at the thief. He was leaning against the automobile whilst Sawyer talked. "The floor is a strange place to keep your guns, Sawyer," Skinner chuckled to himself.

Sawyer shot him a glance and returned to his conversation. "Perhaps we should go inside and discuss these matters in a more private place," Jekyll suggested, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting an ambush or prying eyes.

Though Sawyer didn't know the details of the fight, he could see Jekyll looked like he had taken a beating. Some of the bruises were still pale on his face. The others nodded in agreement with Jekyll's suggestion and began their very short walk back to the ship. Sawyer held back for a moment and signalled for the others to continue.

"Ishmael, are you coming?" he asked.
Ishmael hesitantly nodded. "Aye, sir, Do you mind if I park the Automobile first?"
"Course not, Ishmael. Meet us in the library when you're ready," Sawyer smiled sympathetically.

He guessed that Ishmael was trying to stall so Sawyer decided not to apply too much pressure to him. Ishmael would speak, he had to convince himself it was the right thing to do first. Sawyer could not help but worry for the first mate. Nemo had been missing for less than a week and Ishmael already looked ill. It couldn't continue.

"Ishmael… How are you, honestly?" he asked after a small silence.
"I'm... fine, thank you, sir. I just haven't quite been feeling myself recently. What with the worry and all," he explained. Of course, Sawyer understood that much. Ishmael and Nemo were great friends, almost brothers.

It was clear to Sawyer that Nemo would do anything for his crew, be them new or old but Ishmael seemed to be closest to the captain. Sawyer couldn't help but wonder how they'd met. It seemed Sawyer would be needed more than expected onboard. He assigned himself the task of keeping an eye on Ishmael until the captain was back. Sawyer knew how it felt to lose your closest friend; there was no way he would let Ishmael or Nemo end up like that.

"We will find him, Ishmael. I can promise you that," Sawyer said confidently. "I won't stop until we do."
He nodded. "I know, Mr Sawyer, thank you." However, he did not look filled with confidence. Sawyer smiled, trying to appear convinced himself.

Sawyer turned back to the Nautilus. Jekyll, Mina and Skinner were all waiting for him a fair distance away. Sawyer sighed, gently slapping the first mate's arm in a friendly dismissal, and headed over to the three. Ishmael climbed back into the automobile and drove off to the side of the Nautilus.

"Are you ready, Sawyer?" Skinner asked.
"Yes, I was just... checking on Ishmael."
"So you also have your eye on him?" Jekyll observed.
"It's impossible to not notice," he frowned. Ishmael was in a worse state than they thought if everyone was able to notice his uncharacteristic change in behaviour. Usually, he was able to hide his emotions, he didn't let things affect him, but this was too much.

Sawyer knew Ishmael was trying his best, but there was nothing that could be said to comfort him. Ishmael would only settle if he was able to speak with the captain and know firsthand that he was alright.

"Come, let us go," Mina said before a sorrowful silence could fall upon them. Sawyer nodded, this was going to be grim. Everyone was looking to Sawyer to find a lead on this case. Sawyer hoped he could find one. He couldn't let them down again, not whilst so much hung in the balance.