Chapter 21 - Origins of theNautilus
(Continued)
Looking up from his work, Nemo's eyes settled on the clock. It was a quarter past midnight. He had no idea that he had been working for so long. The hours felt as though they had crumbled away. He sighed and began putting everything in its rightful place. With that done, he carried his candle into the lounge. His wife was still awake, sitting on the floor by the fire, reading. Her face was fair in the soft light surrounding her. She seemed to be enjoying her book as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Maliha, have you been waiting for me?" Nemo asked, setting the candle down. Maliha looked up from her book.
When she saw her husband she replaced the bookmark and put it down. "Of course. I don't mind." Nemo sat on the floor beside her and gently pulled her into him. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers.
"Why didn't you tell me it was getting so late?"
"Because when I came to the doorway you seemed to be quite content. I decided to leave you whilst you were getting on."
Nemo smiled and kissed her forehead. "I don't deserve someone as kind as you."
"You doubt yourself, my love. You are a good man." Her hand rested on his chest as if fascinated by its rising and falling. Nemo held Maliha tighter, finding himself completely at ease. He closed his eyes and relaxed for a blissful moment. Holding her took away all his worries, she always kept him looking forward and not to his cruel past. She reminded him of his purpose as a husband and father.
Just then, the sound of crying came from upstairs. Nemo was about to stand but Maliha stopped him. "It's alright, I'll go. Why don't you check the doors and put out the lights? I'll meet you upstairs," she suggested. With a smile, Nemo nodded and watched as she went upstairs to see to their baby daughter, only a few months old.
As Nemo readied himself for bed, he couldn't help but think how far he had come in a few years. He had followed his dreams of becoming a Nautical Engineer. Even though he was still in his twenties, Nemo was becoming one of the best. He made enough money to look after this family and that to him was the most important thing. He was proud of what he had achieved. He only hoped his parents would approve of what he had become.
It was only an hour later that Nemo heard a soft thump and Janni began to cry again. It was a little louder than her usual cry of discomfort. This time, Nemo went to see to his daughter. He picked her up out of her cot and soothed her, holding her close. He sang a gentle lullaby to her, one his mother had sung to him. It began to settle her crying. Nemo looked around the room as he sang and saw that one of the pictures had fallen from the wall near the window. He realised it must have scared her.
Nemo checked the window to make sure it was locked tight. It was open slightly. Perhaps the wind had caught it. He frowned and locked the window with one hand. There was no need to look further into the matter, knowing that he or Maliha must have forgotten to shut it earlier.
"Shh, Janni. It's alright... I've got you. I've got you," he whispered. He walked around the room in a slight rocking motion, which helped to settle his daughter. She reached up to grab his beard as he continued to sing. Nemo smiled and moved his head out the way of her hand, offering her his hand to hold instead. She felt so fragile in his arms and yet so strong as she held onto his index finger. He danced with her a little while, offering her distraction. The rocking motion made her show a toothless grin and laugh. By the gods that beautiful little laugh was everything to him. Nemo smiled to himself and kissed her forehead.
When Janni finally began to fall asleep again, Nemo put her back into the cot, but he waited a while and continued his lullaby. He ran his hand down her cheek as she wiggled to get comfortable. Eventually, she drifted off. Nemo stayed with her, looking at her little angelic face as she slept. She was his future. His everything. Content that she was asleep, Nemo began to walk back to his own room.
But it all happened so fast.
As he closed the door to his daughter's room, he felt a sharp blow on the back of his head. He hit the ground hard with a shout of alarm but was still awake. The young father found himself dazed on the ground, unable to get up for a moment as he gathered his bearings.
Maliha screamed. He looked up to see his wife struggling as a rugged-looking man grabbed her by the arm and held her back. Janni had begun to cry again at the noise. That was enough to get him to try and stand up but another blow sent him swiftly into the world of oblivion. He prayed with all his might that when he awoke his wife and daughter would be unharmed. That was the last thing he could remember thinking.
Nemo sighed as he resumed telling the grim truth. "I awoke on the Albatross. My wife and my daughter were there waiting for me. They were both safe. That was when I first met Robur. He was not exactly cruel, but he was very overconfident and self-contented. I couldn't tolerate him, especially after the way he had taken us. Dislike soon turned to hatred. He refused to tell me why I was there until we arrived at Island X."
Lupin noticed Nemo seemed to be dreading continuing this conversation. The thief decided to drink some of his drink whilst Nemo also took to fixing his dry throat. At least now Lupin understood why he had told the story from the very beginning.
"When we made it to the Island, I found that I was not the only one to be imprisoned. There were tens upon tens of other engineers and scientists, all their families. It was then we were finally told what was to happen to us. Robur wanted my idea for a new ship, for the Nautilus, to be built for his own selfish needs. None of us agreed with the idea, but we had little choice when our families were threatened.
"In his desperation to be the best, sickness began to thrive in Robur's mind. For six long, tedious years, I had no choice but to build the Nautilus. That's how I met Ishmael, who was also forced to work alongside me. Somehow, Robur had heard of my growing talent and ideas.
"Janni was only seven years old by the end. I didn't have much time to be with her, but I tried my best. Though even then, she hardly knew me. She was unable to see her own father because I was working." Nemo tensed his jaw. "Janni felt that I did not care about her. Maliha was equally unimpressed at what I had to do, but she understood. They were all I had left and I couldn't risk their safety. Maliha did her best to try to make Janni see, but she was too young to understand. I swore to her when the ship was done we would be free… I promised myself and her that I could prove to her how much I cared. I was to show her the world, give her freedom..."
The captain took quite a large drink from his glass. Somehow Lupin knew this was when he was going to get his answers. He couldn't help but brace himself for whatever was to come next. A grim suspicion grew in the corners of his mind.
"The days passed slowly, but the day finally came when she was built. I hoped to be able to save India by using the Nautilus. Some of the men who had worked with me also agreed to help. You must understand. I could not let Robur take the Nautilus from me."
Lupin furrowed his brow "Why? Was he planning to use it?"
"He had forced us to make her and he did not deserve her. Robur wanted to take over the world. By using both the Albatross and the Nautilus, he would have had the power to take over one single county in a single day. It would give him approximately one-fifth of the map as a result."
"He was going to attack London... wasn't he? He was going to capture England? The colonies would fall into his possession- or at least in his mind they would," Lupin assumed.
Nemo nodded. "From there he would be able to capture so many other Empires. At first, I agreed with him and wanted to help since I had come to despise the English. I saw it as a chance to free India. But it was Maliha who made me see sense when she explained how innocent people would die, just like my mother and father. She made me see that this was not the way to free my home and I'm glad she did. So with the men on my side, we revolted against Robur."
The two men stood side by side, looking at the Nautilus. Ishmael was a little way off, busy working. The weather was not celebrating the Nautilus' creation along with Robur's men. It was cold and windy, but dry at least.
"You have done well, Dakkar," Robur observed.
"Thank you, Captain," Nemo replied, making sure he at least sounded genuine. It was time to put their plan into motion. It was up to Nemo to set it all off once he received the signal. In the pocket of his raincoat, Nemo's hand gripped a wrench. That was all he had been able to sneak out before he had to go and see Robur.
Nemo had to look up to see Robur's face due to his height as he said: "I have an offer for you should you care to listen?"
"Very well."
"Join me, be my right-hand man. You are an intelligent individual and I am curious as to what we could achieve together. We have already built your dream. Imagine what else we could create- we could reshape the very foundations of the world."
"A tempting offer, but I'm afraid I have to decline, Captain. We carry very different dreams. I would rather focus on my family now," was Nemo's careful reply.
Robur turned his head to look for the location of yelling some distance away. That was Nemo's chance. He took the wrench from his pocket and swung it as hard as he could at his head. Robur collapsed onto the floor. Nemo made sure he was unconscious before he and Ishmael dragged him behind a few crates. From there they were able to bind his hands and legs, gagging him also.
"I don't know exactly how long we have. I'll get the others. I need you to get to the bridge and ready the ship. Some of our friends are already on board to help you," Nemo instructed, handing him the wrench. Ishmael nodded and raced to get into the Nautilus. It took Nemo a while to make it from one side of the fortress to the other, freeing all Robur's prisoners as he did. He couldn't suppress the nervous excitement. This was going to work- After seven long years, they were going to be free!
Lupin waited as Nemo grew silent again. "I'm sorry, I… I don't think I can continue," Nemo admitted, standing up and pacing. He folded his arms as he walked, as though restraining himself from making agitated movements. Lupin was surprised at his attitude.
"Nemo, you can trust me. You've gotten this far," Lupin said.
"Trust is not what has silenced me. The memory... it is... sore, even after all this time." Few words of comfort came to mind, so Lupin poured a little more lemonade out for the pair of them. "Then take your time," he said.
A few deep breaths settled Nemo down enough so that he could sit back down again. Nemo looked down at the drink, vaguely seeing his own reflection. He had to tell him; there was no backing out now, but it was harder than he thought to get the words out. "When I made it to Maliha and Janni's room the door was open. I went inside to check if they were still there..."
Taking another measured breath, Nemo covered his nose and mouth with his hand. He rubbed his eyes and moved his hands away from his face. Swallowing hard, he looked Lupin in the eye. Lupin braced; this was what it all came down to.
Nemo shuddered. "I was met with blood… Pools of it. Maliha had been attacked." Nemo looked away, becoming lost in the memory that had seared itself into his mind. He clenched his fists as he resumed "I tried to help, but there was nothing I could do. I was too late and her wounds too overwhelming. She kept asking where Janni was. I wanted her to feel at peace, so I said she was with Ishmael... She… She died in my arms. I must have stayed there for a while because Ishmael came to see where I was.
"I had to carry Maliha's body in a blanket whilst we searched for Janni; I couldn't leave her. I just couldn't." He paused, steadying himself once more. Anger twisted its way into his voice. "Janni was… my beautiful little girl was gone too, almost exactly like her mother. I could not even get to her body... By now the alarms had been raised and the guards were here, firing at us. Ishmael had to drag me away. He had tried to get his wife, Rachael, before he found me. She was already dead when he found her, only her death was even more violent than Maliha's- Robur had killed them all!"
"Robur!? No, Robur couldn't- he wouldn't, surely?" Lupin exclaimed. He sat up straight, unable to comprehend what information he was being given.
Nemo's eyes were damp as he looked him in the eye again. "He did…"
Nemo leaned back in his chair and emptied his glass. His hands carried the slightest tremble. He battled it away using his anger. "We knew we had to get back towards the Nautilus. Neither of us was in any right state of mind, but we fought, and we made it to the port. That was when I saw Robur. I shot him with a gun I'd retrieved and I would have put more bullets in him had they been available... I was so confident that I killed him, so sure justice had been served. But I was wrong. He should have died for what he did."
Again, Nemo had to stop. His breathing was shuddery as he struggled to keep himself composed. The memories overwhelmed him, the pain tortured him. "I promised Janni for so long that I would free her, that I would take her to see the world. To be so close and have it all stolen away from her. They must have been terrified, defenceless- in so much pain... It was all just…"
"I understand," Lupin said gently.
Nemo nodded, he felt sick. "We used the Nautilus' rockets to blow up the Albatross and the Island itself. A lot of the fortress was underground, however, but I hoped the damage reached the very roots of that place. We then fled the Island, buried Maliha in the ocean, and then went to India for a few days to gather a crew and supplies. After that, I took the other engineers home along with their families. Only Ishmael and a few others stayed with me, so I made Ishmael my first mate. The next time my feet touched dry land was in France a few years later and that was when I met you. Everyone knows the rest."
"The rumours? The ships?" Lupin asked carefully.
"Yes, those are true from what I have heard. In my grief, anger thrived. I attacked mostly warships, knowing that they were off to destroy thousands of other people's lives. I declared war on war itself, trying to think of the greater good but… clearly I'm even worse than Robur... I know I have done terrible things in my life, Lupin. I know I'm an evil, rancid pirate, but what Robur did to Maliha and Janni, to Rachael? If you have children, you will understand. I hope you realise what kind of man has you under his employ… He has left me with only a ship and a crew. It's all I have." He shook his head.
Nemo made a 'tsk' noise, not quite a laugh, but close. "To most who know me, I play the part of a resilient captain; fearless with a single passion of science. I act as though nothing else matters. I myself thought I had purpose by destroying the ships, but… as time goes by I seem to feel more..."
"Go on," Lupin pressed gently.
"Lost and. And..."
Lupin finished it for him. "Lonely."
Nemo looked Lupin in the eye, surprised. Lupin understood him more than he thought. Did he know the pain Nemo carried: the pain of losing those you love? How it feels to be alone with nothing left?
The captain nodded solemnly. "Now the cycle will start again and Robur will kill the only family I have left. He will kill Ishmael if he gets the chance, I'm sure of it. I may deserve this punishment for what I have done, but Ishmael does not. Lupin, I am begging you to protect Ishmael for me, please. I care not for myself."
Lupin was intrigued to see the pain on the captain's face. "Ishmael will come to no harm. However, there's only one thing that I do not understand. How did you know it was Robur who was responsible? You said he was unconscious and bound."
"He was covered in blood before I shot him. Besides, only he and a few others would have been strong enough to... do what he did."
Lupin nodded. "I am sorry that I had to ask you to go through that again."
"You were right. You needed to know," Nemo replied bluntly, though he didn't look at the thief.
There was a knock at the door "Monsieur Lupin?" a voice inquired from outside.
The thief sighed "That'll be Zenith. I'm afraid I have to go. I'll bring Ishmael down to see you in a little while. You can have the rest of the day off work if you want," he offered. Nemo shook his head as Lupin collected the glasses and the half-empty bottle.
"I need to finish reading the work," Nemo murmured.
Lupin opted not to argue. As he was about to open the door, he stopped. "Nemo, I really do think Robur has changed since then. Twenty five years is a long time. You have changed for the better… perhaps he can too…" He then left.
Just like that, Nemo was left alone with wounds freshly opened and filled with salt. He remembered his family's last night of freedom in France. How he comforted his daughter when she cried, how he tried to protect her from her fears and was able to be a father. He thought of how he held his wife in such peace- that beautiful oblivion where they felt so safe. There was nothing he could do. No words could describe his pain and none would ease it.
They were gone. Lost forever, leaving him only cold ghosts of memories that were once so precious to him. Nemo approached the window, hoping to cool off a little. He climbed up on the vacant seat that Lupin had been sat on and peered outside. The glass was tinted black to make less sunlight get in, which was easier for Nemo's eyes as they were so high up and no clouds could block out the sun. He could see nothing but sky.
People like Robur don't change. He only cares about himself. The League is the only thing that is different now... This time I will not take any chances. I'll do whatever I must, but Robur, you will pay for what you have done.
So yeah, kinda did my own twist on Nemo's backstory, but I've been accurate where I can. Hope you like it.