Chapter 18 - Darkest Dejâ Vu
Location Unknown: September 13th

Nemo could not tell how much time had passed since he had fallen unconscious, again. He wasn't sure as to when he had even woken up. Whatever had happened, the captain found himself faced with a new problem that required his full attention.

The first thing he acknowledged was a loud ffrrrrr sound, with the rrr unending. He found himself in an unfamiliar, dimly lit room, lying on a bed. His hands were no longer tied with a rope, but handcuffs - two pairs as if to be sure.

Nemo sat himself up to get a better view of the room. There was a dull ache in Nemo's neck, which made it tempting to stay on the bed and sleep. No. Now was his chance to try to learn where he was. He had gone for far too long without answers.

The air was quite warm, enough so that he could sleep with or without the use of a blanket. Though the option of having a blanket was still presented to him, folded up at the bottom of the bed. It was a good thick piece of material, dyed white. He doubted he would need that any time soon. The room was furnished with only a bed and a desk with a chair. There was a small window, but it was too small to escape out of and too high for Nemo to see out without climbing.

Nemo could feel no movement around him and so he suspected he was in a building. Still, he felt odd - like his ears were going to pop. He often felt a similar feeling when he went diving in the sea. The pressure around him was changed. It had to be. Unless, of course, it was due to whatever Lupin had gotten him to drink. Lupin. He'd managed to fool him again! And what of Jekyll and Sawyer?

Nemo took a measured breath, exhaling his frustration. He rubbed his neck as best he could with his hands being bound. He decided to get up, he still had a small limp. Out of curiosity, he tried the door: Locked.

The walls, floor and ceiling looked to be made of a pale kind of wood. Nemo moved along and ran his hand down the wall to check. On further inspection, he found that it felt more like rough cotton. This material… I have seen it before, he thought. He tapped his knuckle against it, finding it to be quite solid. "Hardened paper..."

Before he could investigate further, the door unlocked and swung open. Two men were there; Nemo knew neither of them. The captain quickly placed himself in the middle of the room ready for conflict if necessary. Bound hands did not by any means make him defenceless. For an eerie moment, there was silence. No one spoke. No one so much as moved.

The two men were of medium build. One had blond hair with sparkling black eyes and a bony oval face. Compared to the other, the blond man looked quite thin and was taller than Nemo. He had a serious air to him, yet he didn't seem comfortable maintaining such a bitter reserve.

The second man had reddish hair with bright green eyes speckled with gold. He had pale skin with a few russet blotches. He looked to be very agile and active, but calm and steady all the same. Though he did not appear to have a physical advantage, Nemo had a feeling that his mind made up for it.

"Captain, I think you ought to come with us," the red-haired man instructed rather than suggested.
"And where is it I will be going?" Nemo asked cautiously.
He was brief in his reply. "To get your answers."

For a moment there was silence as he eyed the two with care. Deciding it safe enough, Nemo walked towards the two of them. Honest answers had been difficult to come by over the last few weeks and he was left with little choice. They wanted him to go with them and this was their polite way of asking. He knew it was pointless trying to resist but he approached them with care.

The red-haired man took him by the arm whilst the other produced a strip of material. "We have orders to blindfold you," he justified. Nemo allowed them to steal his sight from him with reluctance. The captain felt humiliated in wearing something so inappropriate.

As the two led him away, they were careful to make sure he didn't stumble or trip. Nemo hated being handled as though he was an animal, like cattle as they plodded along, oblivious to the slaughter that awaited them. He could not help but feel apprehensive. If they were taking him to get answers, was he ready to know?

Nemo walked a short way before having to climb a few stairs. There were plenty of twists and turns but Nemo felt that he was primarily moving upwards. The air was a little stuffy, but it seemed to be getting fresher until finally, he was outside. Nemo could tell due to a chilling wind that bit at his skin.

They continued to walk onwards. There was a slight creak of a door and Nemo was led inside, leaving the cool air behind. His skin seemed to burn due to him coming out of the cold and into the warmth. Nemo listened hard, hoping for more clues as to where he was. He heard nothing, but it was at that moment when someone removed the blindfold.

Nemo eyes adjusted within a few seconds. He found himself in an all too familiar room, a saloon. His stomach lurched as his eyes darted. No. No, not here, anywhere but this cursed place. The wall farthest from him was all books. On the left, there was a bench with a cabinet full of different alcohols. Nestled in the middle of the room were two armchairs and a larger couch facing the books and therefore had their backs to Nemo. Two small occasional tables were in between the three chairs. There was no fireplace, but in its place was a heater. Nemo looked out the window to see that it was daytime. He must have slept throughout the night.

Looking outside made him feel nauseous. His stomach turned to curdled lead and his eyes grew wide. His legs threatened to wobble, but he wouldn't allow it. He would not show fear; he didn't want to even admit to himself that terror gripped his heart. He knew where he was. He saw the dozens of masts bearing propellers, the cabins sitting in their places on the hundred-foot long deck. Nemo was under the poop deck, and the helm in its glass cage would be above him. Nemo remembered every last detail about this ship, right down to her paper walls. He knew it all well as her captain did. Everything was starting to click into place: the reluctance in answering his questions, the change in pressure, the ship.

This was the Albatross, but who was her captain?

He heard the rustle of clothing. His eyes moved to focus on a head full of salt and pepper grey hair that was popping out from the top of the brown leather armchair. Nemo could feel the hairs starting to stick up on the back of his neck and goosebumps emerged on his arms, whilst his body felt warmer than before. He drew a deep breath and straightened his spine.

It was time for Nemo to know if his worst fears were to be confirmed or not. After over two weeks, it was finally time for answers. Still, at least Moriarty was out of the question. Nemo swallowed hard but raised his head and widened his shoulders. He hoped to look as strong and durable as he could, but it was difficult. His ribs were still sore, as was his side and his leg.

"Good morning, Captain," the man said without turning around. Nemo clenched his fists. Something in his mind was warning him to prepare to either fight or flee- his body hadn't made up its mind yet. That voice was too familiar. Everything was too familiar. This was a nightmare he did not want to relive. Nemo struggled to keep taking slow and deep breaths. The confidence this man had was a bad omen in itself; he felt protected enough with only the two men at by Nemo's side and his hands bound. Out of the millions of souls in the world, he longed for this man to be someone else. Anyone but him. He had to be dead.

"Show yourself," Nemo demanded, forcing his voice to be strong. The feeling of ice forming in his chest filled him with dread. Setting his teacup down on the occasional table beside him, the man stood up from the armchair. He turned and stepped out from behind the chair. "It's been a while, Nemo."

Nemo felt the blood drain out of his face. For a moment the air froze in his lungs. He had tried to brace himself for the worst, but nothing could have prepared him to see it with his own eyes. He had been so sure he was dead. How had he survived?

Stood in front of him was Jean Robur, known to most as Robur the Conqueror.

"You!" Nemo seethed. He stepped forwards but the two young men who escorted him there blocked his path. Nemo could feel his anger flaring. Keeping himself in control was not easy for him, especially when a smile smuggled its way onto Robur's lips. "You seem surprised. Surely you did not think I could be killed so easily?" he said.
"Much to my satisfaction, yes. Although next time I'll deprive you of your head and ensure I'm successful," he growled in reply. Nemo repositioned himself so he was stood at a diagonal, this way he could see if anyone was behind him or at the door. Now of all times, he needed to be careful.

Robur began to pace back and forth, studying Nemo with an occasional glance. "I'm afraid you will not be granted that opportunity… I must confess, I'm surprised to see you've hardly changed," he said, almost innocently. He acted as if he had never destroyed Nemo and Ishmael's lives, taking everyone they loved from them.
"And I confess that I am losing my patience. I have no time for your false mannerisms. What is it you want?" Nemo spat.
"Sharp-tongued as ever too, I see," he observed.

Nemo gritted his teeth, glaring at him. "What is it you want with me?" he repeated, harsher this time.

Robur said, "The same as last time. It is clear that war is coming and, due to Professor Moriarty's actions, I am running out of time to finish designing a new airship before any conflict begins. This is where you come in." He seemed to glow with strength and authority. It tortured Nemo that he stood only a few feet from him and he could not sever his fat head from his shoulders.

"Where you think I come in."
Robur gestured for Nemo to be quiet but no amount of signals would silence him. "It is men like you who make war imminent," Nemo continued coldly.
"Maybe so, but the French must be prepared. You will work alongside me to finish the designs before the turn of the century," Robur explained. "Your expertise will speed up the process."

Nemo tensed his jaw. There was his answer. He wanted his abilities. Robur wanted to use him as a tool to finish his machines again. A slight curiosity fell upon him. "For what reason would you help the French? You care not for others."
"Perhaps as I am French. Any other motivations are none of your concern. Once the work is done, I'll have you released. That is all you need to know."

"I confess a curiosity as to what makes you think I will build anything for you again in the first place. I would much sooner die a thousand deaths!" Nemo kept a tight rein on his fury but his voice was as hard and rigid as steel. Boiling and burning, his eyes revealed the hidden bloodthirsty fury struggling to break free. He had to try to keep calm. He couldn't let Robur get under his skin, though Robur's very presence was as painful as a burn to him. He was a monster!

Outside Nemo could hear someone shouting and it seemed to be getting closer. At first, Nemo hoped it was the League, but he knew it was not. Fate was not kind to him... it never had been.

Robur seemed amused. "I was right in predicting your reluctance. But I have something which will help change your mind. We captured your first mate in Belgium... Ishmael, isn't it?"
"You snake!" Nemo snarled as he tried to slip past the two men holding him, this time with as much strength as he could muster. The two men together were too strong.

The Captain of the Albatross did not even stir, not even stepping back as Nemo tried to attack. That provoked Nemo more than anything, Robur would soon learn of his wrath. He would learn to fear Captain Nemo and none would dare to come between him and his crew again!

It was then that the door opened to reveal Fantômas and Lupin, along with an outraged Ishmael. They guided him to the middle of the room, so he stood alongside Nemo. Just as the captain had been, Ishmael was blindfolded and his hands were bound in rope. He seemed to have tired himself out through previous struggles.

Nemo forced himself to calm down, stepping back. He couldn't allow Ishmael to see him in such a state, he had to fight himself and gain control. Over twenty years of fury and grief was chomping at the bit to be released. Nemo had been more than willing to risk it all to fight Robur, but not in front of Ishmael- not if it risked his safety.

Lupin removed the blindfold with care and held back onto his arm. Ishmael froze when saw Nemo and Robur. His body stiffened and he clenched his jaw. A deep scowl with burning eyes began to surface as his hands welded themselves into fists. "You murderous bastard! You-" the first mate bellowed at Robur, almost getting past Lupin with his struggles.

"I would tell your man to be careful with his words," Robur warned. Though Nemo didn't want to appear like he was taking orders, he also did not want Ishmael to put himself at risk, not when he knew what Robur was capable of.
"Steady, Ishmael," Nemo said over the noise. With great reluctance, Ishmael did so. It relieved Nemo to see Ishmael trusted him enough to do as he was asked, even in the presence of the scum of the earth. Even after all that abnormality of a man had done.

"You always were the kind to roll over at your master's feet like a dog," Robur taunted, glancing sideways to the first mate.
Ishmael seemed to struggle to not bite back, so he barked instead. "This dog will have your throat the moment he gets a chance," the first mate growled.
"Which is why you won't be given the chance. Nemo, you will be the one to help me finish the airship," Robur explained, changing the direction of the heated conversation.

"You haven't agreed to this, have you, Captain?" Ishmael exclaimed. His captain stood and looked at Ishmael; he said nothing. What could he say?
"No... though now you're here I'm sure that changes things," Robur answered for Nemo.
"Captain, don't give this madman anything! Think of the greater good. He's a murderer!" Ishmael exclaimed.

"I have killed no one."
"Liar!"
"Though your captain's hands are far from clean of blood. All those ships you destroyed, all the men, women, and children who died and many more who grieved for their lost ones… What does that make you?" Robur challenged. Nemo seemed to freeze at the mention of his terrible mistakes.

Ishmael was stunned to find he did not say a word. Nemo lowered his head. He didn't struggle or fight, he remained trapped within his thoughts, unable to defy Robur. Nemo's resolve was weakening, his past was haunting him, his guilt was consuming him, the choice he had to make was agonizing for him.

"You know how this works, Nemo. You work, or Ishmael will suffer the consequences," Robur asserted. Using Ishmael as a weapon was a grave mistake on Robur's part. Ishmael saw red, he could take no more. He was not going to bow down a second time.

Fortune was on his side. The one called Fantômas had eased his grip. His bindings were badly done, and with a powerful pull, he was able to free a hand. Ishmael slipped past the men who held him. "You will do no such thing!" Ishmael swung for Robur and hit his mark with satisfying force. Robur stumbled back. No one was prepared for this.

Whilst Robur was distracted by the blow, Ishmael managed to push Robur back to the wall. He dug his fingers into the tender flesh of his neck before anyone could even react. Books tumbled from their places at the force Ishmael managed to muster.

"You killed them! Admit it!" Ishmael bellowed.

Robur was winded and unprepared for the blow, his face reddened with the lack of blood making it to his head. He began to pry Ishmael's hands from his throat, remaining calm. Ishmael tried to hold on, pressing harder but he could not compete with Robur's strength for long.

Lupin hurried to seize Ishmael from behind, wrapping his arms around his torso. He put his head against his back so that Ishmael could not try to elbow him. When Robur saw Lupin helping, he managed to elbow Ishmael in the head. Ishmael buckled slightly. Seeing the opportunity, Lupin lifted Ishmael into the air and twisted him around to the side before letting go. Ishmael fell to the floor. Robur coughed as he caught his breath but didn't approach him. He stared hard at Nemo.

Nemo didn't notice. "Ishmael!" he beseeched, trying to yank himself free from the two men. He tried everything he could think of to fend off the two young men, but it was impossible. He couldn't do much with his hands bound. They were too close for him to kick them with enough force. He could only stare in horror. He had to get free, they would kill him!

Before the first mate could get to his feet, Lupin pushed him onto his side. He put one leg over him whilst crouching down to keep him there. Ishmael tried to swing for him using the arm closest to Lupin, but he grabbed his wrist and wrapped it around the first mate's throat, holding it there. The entire process took perhaps less than five seconds.

"Let go of him!" Nemo shouted. Ishmael was pinned at Lupin's mercy. Ishmael tried to use his other arm to hit him but he couldn't reach; kicking also made no difference. Lupin could have continued to attack him with his spare hand but he did not even raise a finger. He kept him there and waited.
"Fantômas, the rope if you will."

Fantômas retrieved the knotted rope from the floor and unpicked it with a skilled hand. Lupin didn't move until it was time to bind his hands behind his back with Fantômas's help.

"That's enough now. We've had enough violence for this week," Lupin muttered to Ishmael.

"Robur, if you harm him, I swear-" Nemo began.
"Do as you have been asked and I shall have no excuse to. Coqui, Degains, get him back below," he interrupted, having righted himself after the attack. He was not particularly fazed by Ishmael's violent retaliation. He just dusted himself off and continued as if nothing had happened.

Nemo tried to battle his way to freedom and protested as he was led back down to his room. He prayed that his friend had not sealed his fate by attacking Robur. What were Robur's intentions of keeping him up there? Terror gripped his chest. He couldn't lose Ishmael- he couldn't!

Though the captain struggled, he soon found himself back in his room with the door locked behind him. The handcuffs had been left on for the time being. Nemo sat on his bed and became immersed in his own worries and thoughts. He almost didn't hear the others speaking. He looked up to his door, which had a small hatch at eye level so they could see what Nemo was doing from outside. The hatch was open for the time being.

"Rene, perhaps you should go and see if Lupin needs any help with him," the red-haired man said. The blond-haired man, Rene, nodded and left. The other did not speak to Nemo but remained outside his room, waiting for orders no doubt. He came into Nemo's line of vision. The captain glared at him, unmoving. The other looked at him from the corner of his eye, but no words were exchanged. He eventually closed the hatch.

"Robert," he called from outside. Nemo tensed, initially mistaking what he said to be 'Robur'. He was only speaking to Robert Champeau, the nurse who was tending to Nyctalope's injury.
"Jean, I didn't see you there. What's wrong?"
"Has Leo pulled through? I heard he was in a bad way..."
"He'll be fine. When he comes around I'll try to find you and Rene."

At this point, Nemo blocked out the conversation. He hoped he could say the same for his friends. He didn't know the welfare of Jekyll, Sawyer or Ishmael. He didn't even know if anyone had been hurt when he was taken from the Nautilus. He lay down upon his bed and rested his eyes, not wanting to sleep but collect himself, ready for the next confrontation. His rib throbbed so settling himself helped with the pain.

Nemo's nightmares had become reality. He felt sick at the thought of Robur being alive. He needed to be at his best. He couldn't lower his guard too much. Ishmael's life and his own could depend on it. Though he did not like it, he found that the fire inside him turned to ash… for now. Although his stomach curdled at the very thought, he knew he was going to have to work for Robur.

(*Later That Day*)

Lupin decided to head above deck now that things had settled down somewhat for the night. Despite being curious as to why the captain and his first mate been so infuriated at the very sight of Robur, he decided he could wait until morning.

He wrestled back a yawn. It had been a very long day and he was looking forward to going to bed and putting it behind him. The thief assumed that they were currently flying over Italy. The ship was at a considerable height but had not yet moved above the clouds. That would come later when the terrain beneath them became more populated and daylight broke.

Even after all this time, the Albatross still amazed Lupin. She flew at a steady speed of forty miles an hour, though she could go eighty miles faster if she wished. There was no rush and Lupin didn't complain. He loved being out on the deck looking at the tremendous landscape. The view at night was as incredible as the day. The lights far beneath them were as peaceful as fireflies.

Upon making it up the stairs that led to the open air, Lupin found Robur at the side of the ship, leaning against the railing. He was admiring the view of the ocean below encased with moonlight. The captain was smoking a cigar and casting the smoke out into the sky.

Wordlessly, Lupin went and stood beside him. Robur turned his head in acknowledgement before turning back.
"Something wrong, Lupin?"
"It can wait until later… Have you been to see Saint-Clair?"
"Nyctalope? Yes, I went down to see him earlier. He's as white as a sheet for the time being but healthy enough. He has been lucky," he replied.

"And how is your neck after today's altercations?"
Robur looked at him from the corner of his eye, "Not a mark, thanks to you. They're both angry devils, that much is certain."

A calm silence fell upon the two as they looked out into the night. The weather was on their side now and the wind had died down. It was nice to relax for a moment. Lupin however, had become curious about one thing.
"We never actually went to get Nyctalope. He was a recommendation- so why did the Government suggest for him to join Les Hommes Mystérieux?"

Robur drew from his cigar and smoke slipped past his lips as he said "Revenge."
"Ah, now that's an answer I did not expect. Come, tell me more," Lupin said, taking to cleaning his sapphire ring on a handkerchief.
Robur flicked some ash from his cigar. "In short Nyctalope's father was a scientist. His research was stolen by a spy and his father was attacked. You may know the spy's name: Sadi Khan. He proved himself on his last adventure. Nyctalope is doing us a favour and in return, I have to help him track Khan down."
"I've heard of Sadi Khan, he's a nasty one. Nyctalope has his work cut out for him."

"He shouldn't be part of Les Hommes Mystérieux," Robur grumbled as he flicked the ash from his cigar with more strength than necessary. "And I have better things to be doing than going after Khan."
Lupin's brows knitted into a frown, "What makes you say that? I thought you liked the boy."
"He's a good lad. His heart is in the right place, but more often than not his head isn't. He's too young to be part of this- he's already almost gotten himself killed," Robur answered.

"Through no fault of his own. Besides, even injured as he was he did very well. He will learn, just as the rest of us have," Lupin shrugged. "Besides, the hardest part of the mission is over-"
"Not with the League looking high and low it's not. We can't let our guard down," Robur pointed out.
Lupin struggled to find his words. "I'd hardly say he's a liability. The League doesn't know you're involved or where we're taking Nemo. Besides, even if they were to know, we can outrun the Nautilus and I have many a hiding place."

Robur shook his head, dissatisfied "There's too much at stake. He's not dedicated; he only wants Khan."
Lupin furrowed a brow. "You speak as if something has turned you sour towards him... Have I missed something?"
"No. Only we cannot afford for this plan to fail."
Lupin wasn't convinced, he took in the view for a while. "As long as we stay alert we should have no trouble. Although I'll be sure to talk him out of any idea of pursuing the brute."

Robur squashed the stub of his cigar between his thumb and index finger to put it out and flicked it away. "He has no chance of finding him with or without our help."
"Perhaps… I need to speak with you at one point about Nemo, but for now, I am going to bed. It has been a long two days," Lupin said with the faintest of smiles.
"Goodnight, Lupin, and thank you again for this morning."
Lupin laughed. "I couldn't let someone throttle my paycheck, could I?"

Robur had a lighthearted slap at his arm as the thief passed. "Actually, I have a favour to ask of you."
Lupin rolled his eyes and sighed, but he still had a smile on his face. "Make it quick."
"Take Nemo to see Ishmael when you wake up. I need them to both get along with you. It will be easier for me to pass my messages through you and this way we can avoid rebellions every few hours."

"You're getting clever, my friend. I'll see what I can do, but Nemo isn't very happy with me for shooting at his friends and drugging him half a dozen times."
"You've a way with people. You'll manage. Do what you need to get on their side as best you can, there's no need to run it by me first. I trust your judgement will be sound."
"Then leave it to me, just stay away from them for now."
Robur nodded and with that Lupin left.

Robur stayed outside for a while longer. He asked the crew on night shift how the ship was faring. When he received the reply that all was good, he too headed off to rest.