Chapter 23 - A Bad Year
The Albatross, Indian Ocean: September 23rd

A week had passed on the Albatross since the conflict in Belgium. Her prisoners had settled down and there had been no further incidents since then. Zenith was glad to hear the Albatross was due to arrive on Island X tomorrow. He was growing tired of the restriction the ship brought with her. Despite him expecting the hardest part of this mission was over now, he had his doubts. The League was trying to find Nemo and they wouldn't stop until they did.

With an empty wine glass, Zenith wandered towards the saloon. He hummed as he walked, gaining Nyctalope's attention from inside. Nyctalope stood at the bar, so Zenith sat beside him. Perhaps he could draw some decent conversation out of him.

"All day with not a thing to do. Is it too much to ask for a little excitement in one's life?" he mused, placing his glass on the bench.
"You speak as though you want something to go wrong," Nyctalope remarked.
"Oh, hardly that. Only I don't have much tolerance for monotony."
"I'm making the most of it. I've a feeling it won't last," he said, reaching for the small bottle of brandy and filling it less than halfway.
"I have to say I agree," Zenith said. He eyed the bottle curiously.

"I doubt Champeau will want you drinking that," he added.
Nyctalope shook his head. "I'm not having any. It's Robur's, I'm just getting him a glass."
"What? He's got you plodding after him already?" Zenith exclaimed.
"No, no. I offered. He was busy."
"You should rest more, my boy," he said warmly. "Though I must say, that looks like a good year… do you know, I fancy swiping a sip?- just to check it's not poison." Zenith smirked to himself.

Nyctalope shrugged his shoulders and slid the bottle over. Zenith reached over the bar and took a fresh glass. He poured out a taste, hardly even a couple of mouthfuls, before giving the bottle back. Then he took a little sip and his face contorted in sour disgust.
"It's a bit too bitter for my liking. I think I'll stick to a bit of wine and champagne." He sat the cup on the table. "Well, it serves me right, I suppose."

Then things started to feel wrong. As Nyctalope walked towards the door. Zenith began to clear his throat and hold his neck, massaging it. It felt as though it were burning. "What in God's name was in that drink?"
"Only brandy, why?" Nyctalope furrowed his brow,

Slowly, his stomach began to feel like it was twisting and contorting. The pain in his abdomen increased and he had to lean forward in an attempt to ease it. It felt like everything was slowing down; drowsiness and confusion began to take hold. "What sort of Brandy is that? It's… it's burning... Almost-" He was cut off with a groan. He was going to be sick. He could feel the curdling sensation rising with every breath. "It's getting hard to breathe..." he managed, almost as if panting.

"What are you talking about?" Nyctalope asked.
Zenith tried to hurry away but his limbs felt heavy. After a few steps, he collapsed. His senses began to wither at a startling rate.

"Zenith?!" Nyctalope exclaimed, rushing to him. With as much care as he could manage, Nyctalope lay him on his side, making sure his head was facing downwards. Zenith hardly felt it. His muscles burned as his body began to convulse. He struggled to breathe and his eyes slipped towards the back of his head. "Zenith, can you hear me?" The words sounded so distant. What little grip he had on his senses was slipping away.

As Zenith's eyes began to close against his will, he could make out Nyctalope's shadow above him. Then he disappeared, calling for Champeau. Zenith's world went black as his body fell limp.

(*Meanwhile*)

"Have you gotten any further forward with Nemo?" Robur asked, taking a long look out of the darkened window of his cabin.
"He's going as fast as he can, Jean. I imagine it's difficult to jump into a half-finished project with no prior knowledge of it. You'll have to be patient as you've already been told," Lupin answered. He entertained himself inspecting his monocle, sighing on it and wiping it with a handkerchief, settled in a chair at the other side of the desk.
"France doesn't have the time to be patient," Robur grumbled. "I told the Government the design would be finished by December at the very latest. This is why I had to get Nemo in the first place."
Lupin continued cleaning his monocle. He crossed his legs over and made himself comfortable in his seat, bobbing his foot up and down. "I know, but as I say he's doing his best. Next time don't set such unrealistic goals."

The thief stopped what he was doing with a gentle sigh. He looked up. "The deadline with France isn't the only reason you took him though, is it?"
"What do you mean?" Robur asked, a little harsher than intended. The captain sat himself down behind his desk.
Lupin shrugged "Well, it strikes me as rather peculiar that you've spent a month trying to get Nemo on this ship. It's an awful lot of effort you've put into this."
"You know I want the new ship to be able to sail on and under the water, as well as through the air. Nautical engineering is his speciality. It's not as though I stopped working on the design myself whilst we were trying to find him." Robur hesitated. "What is it you're trying to get at exactly? You know why we need him."

"Do I know why we captured him?" Lupin pressed. "If I'm not mistaken you've been hiding something, Jean, and I don't believe I am mistaken... I'm talking about when you first captured him. Nemo told me what happened. I've heard his version of events. It's only fair for you to explain your side."

Just like that, the atmosphere fell away. The temperature seemed to plummet. Robur could feel it, that immediate yet invisible darkening of the room. He didn't know what Lupin was leading to, but he carefully picked his way forwards.

"I fail to see its relevance." Robur raised an eyebrow as Lupin stood up from his seat. He leaned over the desk, using his arms to steady himself.

Lupin kept his voice down. "Nemo told me his family was killed- his wife and young daughter. Ishmael's wife also - all murdered. Nemo is accusing you of their deaths after he turned on you. That is what makes this relevant."
Robur frowned and knitted his eyebrows together. He eyed Lupin, trying to read his body language. Lupin was calm, there was not so much as a flinch, not a nervous movement. The eye contact was unwavering and the expression concerned.
"I know Nemo is good at twisting facts, but that is preposterous! What kind of man do you take me for?" Robur grumbled.

"I take you as I know you. But please, enlighten me. What do you say happened?" Lupin stood up straight again. Robur didn't stand up. He instead began to unbutton his shirt. Robur revealed a great scar on his chest, which was close to his heart. It was a large scar that had not healed very well. He then buttoned it back up and corrected himself.
"By George, that's a pretty mark," Lupin muttered. He resisted the urge to look startled and waited for Robur to speak. After all, Nemo had told him he had shot Robur.

"I won't deny that I captured him in France and had him build the Nautilus. His family were brought with him to ensure the work was done, as was the case with everyone else. On the day that the Nautilus was ready, Nemo attacked me. Once I regained consciousness and got out of the ropes, I tried to help one of my injured men. In doing so I ran into Nemo and he shot me." Robur sat forwards "So tell me, after being struck in the head with a wrench and tied up like a damned hog, how was I meant to have had them killed? Until now I had only suspected they were dead. They left the island alive, of that, I had always been sure!"

"How could you think that? Ishmael's wife and Nemo's daughter were left behind."
"So you're accusing me of killing the three of them?" Robur summarised, with a voice like sandstone. He folded his arms and stared hard.
"No, I am not. I'm trying to understand. Though, judging by that tone of yours, one can't help but doubt," Lupin pointed out. Lupin was quiet for a moment as Robur scowled. "Whatever happened that day, Nemo blames you and he wants revenge. The way he and Ishmael acted seems to prove that, don't you think?"

It was then that Robur stood up from his seat, and was somewhat taller and larger in frame than his company. Lupin took a deep, but calm, breath and raised an eyebrow, trying to remain peaceful but Robur saw the expression on his face hardened.

"I did not so much as raise a finger towards their families and I gave no such order. I was overambitious and selfish- but by no means a murderer! He's deceiving you, Lupin, and you've swallowed the bait whole!" Robur stressed every syllable, every word. "How did a prisoner's accusation come to mean more to you than everything I've done for you since Dahomey-"

"That's not true!" Lupin declared, eyes wide and a scowl prominent. He calmed himself with a single powerful breath. "Dahomey has nothing to do with this. I am here because I choose to be and for no other reason." His voice softened, "I never accused you of killing them. I only wanted you to tell me your side of events. I am not turning against you, my friend. I trust you wholeheartedly, but I had to ask, you understand? Someone killed those people and if Nemo is accusing you, then you must be careful. Now sit back down and stop making a fool of yourself."

The outburst took him by surprise, but Robur held his silence. His face did not falter. The expression remained unchanged, carved as though in stone, but it soon cracked. Robur sat down, calm and steady. "I am sorry to hear of the deaths, I truly am, but I did not-"

Suddenly, the door flew open. Nyctalope was there. Slight beads of sweat had emerged on his forehead and his breathing was somewhat rushed.

"Nyctalope! What-" Robur began.
"Zenith has collapsed! I think it's poison. Champeau is looking after him," he exclaimed.
"Take me to him." Lupin was about to follow after him, but stopped at the door.

"We'll talk about this later," he promised, his tone gentle. Then he left, leaving Robur with only the company of the horrific news.

"What do you suspect did this?" Lupin asked as they hurried across the deck. He folded his arms to try and reserve the warmth in his jacket. The winds were strong with the Albatross' speed.
Nyctalope kept a little way ahead, trying not to look back at him. He kept walking as he said "He poured himself a glass of brandy. He said it was bitter, but I thought he just wasn't used to the drink. A few minutes later he collapsed."

Lupin frowned and reached out, taking him by the elbow to stop him. "Are you alright?"
Nyctalope lowered his head and rubbed his forehead. "I was just startled. It. It's nothing. Come on, they might need our help."

Lupin removed his hand with a doubtful frown. Without another word, Nyctalope led him to the room Zenith was in. Lupin was about to enter but stopped. "Do you have the bottle secured?"
"No, I just fetched the glass from the table. God, I didn't think!"
"It's alright. Be quick and fetch it for me. We need the bottle moved out of everyone's way."

Nyctalope nodded quickly. Lupin couldn't help but watch as he went away with a hurried pace and his shoulders hunched. With more immediate matters on his hands, he tucked the concern away, heading inside to see if he could help. They couldn't lose Zenith.

(*A Little While Later*)

Lupin didn't see Nyctalope again for some time. He appeared as Lupin was returning to Zenith's room. Nyctalope called out to him, but Lupin did not stop. Instead, he gestured for him to follow. He did so.

Upon entering Zenith's room, Nyctalope heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he murmured. Zenith, although sickly, was asleep. He turned his head a little with what strength he had left. It looked like a good sign. Was he close to waking?

Champeau had gone out however they were not alone. Fantômas was sat at the far side of the room on a wooden chair. He was there to keep an eye on Zenith to make sure he didn't take ill again. Nyctalope acknowledged him with a nod, which he returned.

"Is he alright?" Nyctalope asked.
"He'll survive, given that he rests like he's been told," Fantômas reported.
"Had it not been for Fantômas' help we may have lost him," Lupin added. He sat himself down in a seat beside the occupied bed.
Nyctalope stayed leaning against the wall. "Why? Did something else happen?"

"I've seen my fair share of poisons, I had my suspicions on what type of poison it was- nicotine, one of the fastest acting and potent poisons that there is. Nasty stuff. Knowing the signs may have saved him. What I don't understand is how he ended up with it in his system in the first place," Fantômas explained.

"He drank some brandy. I went to get the bottle but it's gone."
"Gone?! You're quite sure?" Lupin exclaimed.
Nyctalope nodded gravely. "I've looked everywhere. Asked everyone. It's gone."

"Then you won't find that again. It will have been thrown over the side and resting at the bottom of the ocean by now," Fantômas grumbled. Lupin winced with the news.

With a mewling groan, Zenith began to wake up and even tried to get up on his elbows.
"Don't even think about it," Lupin warned with a soft smile, pressing on his shoulder to keep him down.

"Ugh…Why, may I ask, do I have an audience surrounding my bed?" Zenith mumbled as he blinked hard, trying to help his eyes adjust to the light.
"Well, two hours and ten minutes ago you decided to drink poisoned brandy," Lupin answered for him, glancing at his watch.
"Ah… it wasn't the best year to be honest," Zenith remarked groggily.

Looking to his left, Lupin saw Nyctalope staring at Zenith in surprise. Lupin couldn't help but smile. That was how he could tell if Zenith was alright - his attitude. Nothing could shake Monsieur Zenith, not even the fear of death. If he was ever in a state, then Lupin would know that something was dreadfully wrong. He hoped that that day did not come any time soon.

"Is there any water? I feel like I've swallowed a hedgehog… hold the poison this time if you'd please," Zenith asked.
"I'll go and fetch you some," Lupin offered as he headed towards the door.
"Tell Robur I want a pay rise for saving his life," Zenith said, as he settled down in the bed.
Lupin snapped around, stopping in his tracks. "What was that you said, Monsieur?"

Nyctalope also realised. "The drink I poured was for Robur- the bottle is Robur's. Only Zenith poured himself a taste." He seemed uneasy, and took to itching the inside of his hand. It escaped no one's notice.
"And you said the bottle was gone... Just when I thought the dust was starting to settle," Lupin sighed.

Silence filled the room, but Nyctalope had three pairs of eyes staring at him, almost burning his skin with their gazes. Lupin broke his gaze first.
"I'll go and get you a drink, Zenith. Nyctalope, I'd like to talk to you. Come with me please," he instructed after a moment.

He followed Lupin out, clearing his throat. They headed across the deck until they came to the kitchen. The cook was out fishing with a net whilst they were over the water and so they had complete privacy. For a few tense seconds, neither spoke.

"The finger is pointing to you, you realise?" Lupin said as he poured out a glass of water.
"And… what do you think?" Nyctalope asked, swallowing hard. He stood with his arms folded.
Lupin tried hard to read him. He shrugged, "Well, I fail to see a motive. I also know that you're a good man. Still, I may as well ask, did you do it?"
"No, of course not," Nyctalope exclaimed. "I know as much about this as you do."

"Then I believe you. I will find out who did this. Everyone on this ship had the chance to poison that bottle. You needn't worry, I'll speak to Robur and iron out any kinks."

Nyctalope nodded with a smile of gratitude. He seemed to take comfort in knowing he was not alone in this confusion. Still, this problem was not so easily remedied. If Nyctalope didn't do it, then who had?