Chapter 40 - Picking Up the Pieces
The Albatross, Island X: October 2nd

Robur barely rested as he worked on repairing the Albatross. Skinner had managed to cripple her engine, but the rest of the ship had mostly stayed intact. Robur was confident that he could have everything fixed within a day or two at the very most. Fixing the Albatross had commenced at daybreak the day before, though Robur used the time before that to assess the damage on both the ship and the Island itself. The Albatross had to be ready to fly as soon as possible and for the time being that was where Robur's attention was focused. He was confident he'd finish with the repairs by the end of the day.

Everyone, except Lupin, had been accounted for, though some more fortunate than others. That meant that all that was needed was a clean up on the Island. Robur knew he had to get Armand to the mainland to ensure his survival. This was one of his main worries. The other being the welfare of Lupin.

Despite all of the heated arguments between them recently, Robur hoped he was alright. There was no sign of him being on the island and dozens of men who had been defending the fortress clarified that he was in one of the cars. Robur knew Nemo wanted revenge and the captain could only hope that Nemo did not intend to take it out on his second in command. Robur couldn't shake the feeling that Nemo was the cause of his son's injury. If Nemo was willing to shoot Armand, what else was he willing to do?

Using his brute strength to lift a replacement part above his head, he held it in place until his two engineers could secure it. It took a little while and Robur was beginning to tire from holding it but he did not budge. He would not stop until the Albatross was repaired. Whenever he did take a break it was to see that Armand was recovering. His son's weak condition served as his motivation and kept him working longer.

Fantômas came to see Robur as he was working. The noise meant they had to raise their voices.
"What is it, Fantômas?" Robur finally asked, letting go of the part and rubbing his shoulder.
"Firstly I came to see if there was anything I could do to help."
"Well, there are a few things I'd appreciate you looking into for me. Was there anything else?"

"I'd like to know how you are fairing?" Fantômas inquired.
"I'm fine but I must get my ship working. Every moment counts. Armand isn't getting any better and Lupin is who knows where, having who knows what happening to him."
"Lupin is a clever man, he can take care of himself."

Robur sighed and shook his head to himself. None of this had gone to plan. None of it!

"Now, what is it you need of me?" Fantômas asked, struggling to compete with the noise of the workmen.
"I need you to check the rooms Nemo and Ishmael occupied- check there is no way to escape," Robur explained loudly.
They struggled to hear each other over the work, so Robur gestured for Fantômas to follow him to the Nemo's old cell on the Albatross.

"Why do you need them checked? Who is going to be occupying it?" Fantômas asked as he began to check the walls and the furniture of Nemo's cell. Neither of the two men knew if Nemo had been trying to prepare an escape, though so far it looked like they were in luck.
"I'm taking Nyctalope and the other three to France," Robur said.

"What on Earth for?"
"I don't want him on my island or my ship. I'll see if the police will have him. But first I'm using them to make sure Champeau and his father don't try to trick us."
"I'm assuming Champeau's father will be seeing to Armand's leg?"
"Yes. He is one of the best, he saved Lupin years ago where most would have failed. There's no denying his skill, but I don't want them telling the League where we are or anything along those lines. It's a small risk, but I'm not willing to take it."

"I see. Is Nyctalope going to be alone in this cell?"
"I'll probably put Coqui in with him. I don't want him with the engineer in case they find a means of escape and I don't want him making plans with Champeau either. That way he can care for Degains anyway. There'd be an uproar if I didn't and I want no trouble."
"Very good. I'll need to check the lock over but there is no way that I can see for them to escape. Still, I'd be careful - especially Jean. Being an engineer, I can't help but wonder if he can pick locks. A good bolt on the outside of the door and out of reach should suffice," Fantômas replied.

Robur nodded. He'd have some of the lads bring the four down later, once the ship was mended. Robur was sure of one thing however: this was no longer about France. This was personal.

The Nautilus, Indian Ocean: October 4th

Nemo sat by his Ishmael's bed, intending to stay there for as long as Jekyll would let him. Ishmael had been lucky and his injuries were minor, but he still needed bed rest. Nemo appreciated his company; he understood what he had been through. The doctor had left the infirmary for the time being so he enjoyed the quiet. There was only Lupin and Skinner still in the infirmary with them. Lupin was fast asleep after having managed to eat a small meal. Skinner was also resting those bad wounds for once. Usually, he kept sneaking out when he could, which was whenever Jekyll left.

It had not escaped Nemo's notice that none of the League was happy to have Lupin on board. Hopefully, once he told them why Lupin was here then their opinions would change. Lupin could look after himself, so as long as there was no violence between him and the others then explanations could wait. Nemo needed time to process everything that had happened and he didn't want to talk about what had happened just yet. He didn't want pity. He just wanted to get back to normality.

As the captain's thoughts began to wander he watched Ishmael's chest rising and falling in his sleep. He'd protected some of what mattered this time around. Last time the death toll had been so much higher.

Nemo sighed to himself as he waited patiently for Ishmael to heal. He began to speak to the first mate quietly "I'm sorry you have to go through his again, my friend... Every time I make a mistake, it's you that pays the price." Nemo sighed and looked down. "And now Robur will seek revenge once again. I dare not imagine what that will lead to..."

For a moment Ishmael did not move, though his lips parted slightly as he exhaled. Nemo swallowed back his emotions and stood to leave Ishmael to rest. As if in answer to his captain's call, Ishmael opened his eyes and groaned. Had he actually been awake all this time, just listening to what he had to say?

Nemo sat down, leaned forward and smiled confidently, relieved to see Ishmael waking up at least. Neither spoke for a few moments as Ishmael fully opened his eyes.
"Captain, you cannot blame yourself… None of this your fault," Ishmael managed weakly, stretching as best he could manage. Nemo smiled and looked away for a moment. He was right; Ishmael had managed to hear.

"Always you say that, and always, I wonder how you can arrive at such a conclusion," Nemo acknowledged.
"And always you place the blame on yourself even when you've done everything you can," Ishmael pointed out as he struggled to sit up. Nemo helped him as best he could, moving the cushions to make him more comfortable. His hip looked to be the cause of his troubles.

Ishmael took a deep breath, retaining what strength he had in his voice. "How long will it be until we are at the burial grounds for Pavan?"
"A week, perhaps a few days longer than that."
The first mate could only nod in understanding, but anger seeped into his frame.

"Why didn't I kill that bastard Robur when I had the chance?" Ishmael spat.
"Next time he will not be so lucky. He has affected our lives too many times and for far too long. I have already sworn to you I will kill him and I fully intend to keep true to my word. I'm returning Lupin to France. I'm counting on him to get contact with Robur. We will be ready for him," Nemo said quietly, glancing backwards to check Lupin and Skinner were still asleep.

Ishmael nodded in solid approval. "You're using him as bait," he clarified. "When did you think of this, captain?"
"At first I took Lupin to protect him. He saved my life and so I returned the favour. It was only once we returned to the Nautilus I became aware of the opportunity that had presented itself."

"Good." Ishmael winced in pain. He was tired and his side was throbbing. He rested his hand on it to help contain the sting of the healing wound.

Nemo saw his face light up suddenly. "Mr Sawyer," Ishmael said.
Nemo turned to see Sawyer standing a small distance away. Never had Nemo seen anyone look so out of place.
"I'm not disturbing anything, am I?" Sawyer asked, rubbing his arm "Just I, uh…"
Nemo exchanged a glance with Ishmael. He felt he knew what this was about.

"Not at all. Speak, what's troubling you?" Nemo said.
Sawyer rubbed the back of his neck, "When you went missing… I was hoping to find a clue to figure out where you were. When Ishmael was taken too, we got hints that you were at Island X- Point is, I went into your belongings and looked inside your book in the chest. I really want to apologise-"

Nemo raised his hand and smiled softly. "There is nothing to forgive, Tom. Your actions likely saved my life and for that, I can only thank you. Without you, I might still have been locked away on that Island, or worse."
Sawyer nodded sheepishly "Still…"
"I know and if it eases your uncertainty, I accept your apology. I should ask, I hope you were not badly injured in Belgium? I saw the automobile go off the road."
Sawyer smiled and shrugged it off, "Just a bump on the head. Some English Detective, Sherlock Holmes, and a police officer, Poirot, helped us figure out where you were too- can't say it was all me."

The quiet footsteps of Jekyll quickly caught Nemo's attention.
"Captain. I didn't think you were still here," Jekyll said.
"I was about to take my leave. I am due at the helm."
"Please be sure to rest your leg," Jekyll said. "At least the worst of this seems behind us."
"Indeed, this entire predicament will soon be settled once we arrive in France. I'm quite sure of it. Please excuse me," Nemo answered quietly as he left, still using a cane.
Sawyer frowned at his words but said nothing.

Skinner lay on his bed, feigning sleep. Little had the captain realised that Skinner had been wide awake through all of the conversations. He listened to what Nemo said to Ishmael at first when he thought he was unconscious. He hated to think Nemo blamed himself and knowing how much he feared Robur's return made his blood boil.

He knew Nemo would force himself to get through his all alone. He would struggle on, and Lupin was without the slightest doubt responsible for reopening, if not deepening, the wounds Nemo's past carried. It was because of Lupin and the Mysterious Men Nemo was like this, softer in ways, more withdrawn than usual. It was because of them that they had been forced to risk their lives for Nemo, with Pavan paying the ultimate price.

He'd had too much time to think about things. He thought about how they'd even managed to catch the Mysterious Men in the first place. The more he thought, the more he realised that Lupin had probably left the clues which the League had found, the calculating little snake! The idea of Lupin making this out to be some sick game made him want to get out of bed and knock him into next week!

Skinner was a light-spirited man, but there was no way he could focus on the bright side. Too much had happened, too much for even him to brush aside. This journey was not going to be easy for him, or anyone else.