Chapter 43 - Contact
The Nautilus, Continued

Nemo went after Skinner before he could get too far away from the conning tower. For one thing, he didn't want him bumping into Lupin along the way. Skinner did stop when Nemo called his name, but it was with great reluctance that he followed him back to the bridge.

"Mr Quatermain informed me that you mistrust Monsieur Lupin?" Nemo said. "You think he is planning something?"
"He will be if he gets the chance. You can't trust him, he's almost killed us at least twice."
"I understand your concerns over Lupin's presence on board, and I do not say that they are unjustifiable, but I assure you, he won't cause trouble. But what I ask is for you not to treat him so coldly. He is here because I wished it, and I doubt he wants to be here anymore than you want him to be… Is there a reason why you are being so hard on him?"

Through Skinner's paint, Nemo saw his face falter. "I just don't trust him. Having an enemy free on the ship isn't what I was expecting, especially with all the clues that someone left when you were taken. I told Quatermain the same, that he must have done it and he'll be up to no good" Skinner grumbled. Nemo did not feel like that was the full truth.

Nemo heard the quiet beeping of the Morse code system. He didn't listen to the message as he could read the paper afterwards. First, he wanted to know what had Skinner in such a state.

"Nemo, what's that saying?"
Nemo frowned at him veering from the conversation. "It can wait until you tell me what I've asked to know. Has Lupin said or done something that I do not know about?"

Skinner opened his mouth to speak, but one of the crewmen rushed into the bridge.
"Captain. The Albatross has been sighted to the south. She's travelling fast." They both tensed.
"Prepare the ship to dive!" Nemo ordered. Skinner stepped back as Nemo rushed to hide his ship from Robur.

But the message kept going. Skinner listened hard despite himself. He didn't understand it, it wasn't English. But he picked it up and studied it. He saw enough to recognise it.

"A.L? Nemo, it's Lupin!"
Nemo left another man at the helm and snatched up the message.

Skinner frowned and picked up the paper to study it. It wasn't like a normal message he'd hear.

"A.L. I'm alive-" Nemo read.
Skinner growled, "He's talking to Robur!"
Nemo stood up quickly. "Stop him! I will follow."

Skinner rushed down the stairs of the bridge and toward the room that held one of the other machines. He hoped that was where Lupin was hiding out. It was closest to the conning tower. He tried the door, only to find after an inch of movement it stopped.
"Lupin, open up!" he barked. He heard someone rise from their seat but they didn't grant him access. The message continued, a little faster. Skinner pushed hard, ignoring the way his stitches complained.

The racket drew Quatermain into the hallway. "What's going on?"

Another push and Skinner moved the small bookcase out of the way. He squeezed inside and rushed at Lupin, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him against the wall. Lupin raised his hands in defeat, hissing at the pain Skinner brought to his chest. Skinner also winced as pain scampered across his torso and arms.

Quatermain slipped inside the room after him. "Skinner-"
"He was contacting Robur. He's had him following us!"

"No, I haven't," Lupin croaked. "I was as surprised as you to see the ship but since I was in range I had to talk to him."
Skinner looked back to the machine. "Quatermain, switch it off for me, will you? I don't think he can track us then without the signal."
"No!" Lupin exclaimed, pushing against Skinner. "I need to know-" Skinner pushed back harder and Lupin hissed in pain. Skinner was in just as much pain, but he clenched his jaw and tried to use it to fuel his anger.

Quatermain found the right switch and flipped it. Lupin tossed his head back against the wall. He said nothing. They waited in silence as they felt the ship dive at a rapid speed. Quatermain pushed the bookcase back into place, allowing a furious Nemo clear access.

"A.L. I'm alive. Unharmed. Don't follow. Is everyone safe? On way to-," he read aloud. "What else were you planning on telling him?!"
"I have to know if everyone is alright. Besides, since I've been viewed with suspicion ever since I got here I thought I may as well justify your opinions of me."
After sending a glare in Skinner's direction, Lupin looked through him and onto Nemo's still anger, his clenched fist and the way the other clung to his sword. Lupin wasn't entirely sure if he'd use it or not.

Nemo broke focus, and looked at the machine. "You switched it off?" he asked.
"We did," Skinner said.
Nemo nodded and switched it back on.

A.L. Repeat. Almost caught, he wrote in French.

"Nemo," Lupin began, but Skinner pushed him against the wall yet again, a firm way of quieting him.

A message started to come in, at which Nemo turned his attention back to Lupin but he did not rush to speak.
"You'd have done the same, Nemo, if you had the chance-" Lupin began.
"Indeed, Only I was not given the chance. Mr Skinner, please confine him to his room. I will deal with this." Nemo gave Skinner the key from his pocket and turned away.

"Nemo, tell me if they're alive. You know there was a traitor amongst us, I have to know if they're alright. That's all I want to know. If you were to let me speak with him I can find learn for certain if it was Nyctalope who was that traitor-"

"Will you shut up and empty your pockets?" Skinner interrupted. "This room was locked to keep you out, how'd you get in?" Lupin sighed and calmly produced a lock pick.
"That's mine!" Skinner snatched it off him. "Going in my room, you little- Go on, get out!" He marched him down the hallway, twisting his good arm behind his back despite his protests.

Nemo shook his head and turned his attention back to the machine. He hoped he knew what he was doing.

(*Meanwhile*)
The Albatross

Robur never expected to hear a message from Lupin as he rushed towards France. The League and Lupin were so close, but he heeded Zenith's warning from Nemo. He didn't doubt Nemo would kill Lupin if he thought he was going to threaten the Nautilus. For that reason, he had to keep his distance. Any sort of rescue attempt would be a disaster.

Zenith rushed to Robur's side to inform him that the Nautilus was below them and had just dived. "I know. Lupin sent a message. I fear he was caught sending it."
"What did he say?"
"That he's alive, unharmed. He wants to know how we fare and he tried to tell me where they were headed. His message was cut short and I do not wish to reply."

A.L. Repeat. Almost caught.
Robur and Zenith exchanged looks. He replied quickly. No deaths in LHM. But wounded. Headed to- Robur paused for a moment, if Nemo ended up reading this… Doctor after Dahomey. You know where.
Who is wounded?
Armand's leg. Degains' head from rubble.

"Don't add me mind you," Zenith said. "He doesn't need to know."

Robur's face fell as the next message came in. I will tell him. Lose my frequency.

"They caught him," Robur said slowly. Zenith winced, listening as Nemo continued,

Do not follow or Lupin will pay. I do not jest.
Understood. I did not Intend to find you. Do not mistreat my man. He was good to you.

Nemo did not reply. Robur slammed his fist onto the table. "Damnation!"

"Nemo knows where we are going? Or are we to change plans?" Zenith asked.
"Not quite. He doesn't know that it was Robert Champeau's father who tended to Lupin's wounds when I first retrieved him."
"He did?"

Robur nodded, "As I said, there's no denying he's one of the best. We're safe as long as Lupin does not tell him the location. But I also don't doubt Nemo will force his hand. We go to Champeau, and hope Lupin is able to keep the League away."

"Then… Nemo's signal. Will you keep it?" Zenith continued.

Robur looked at the dial that held Nemo's frequency, the key to following Nemo but at the risk of it costing Lupin his life... He turned the dial sloppily until it was lost to him.
"Admittedly, I have it written down, but I won't search for it unless I need it. I will be true to my word, even if he is not."

The Nautilus, Continued

Nemo and Quatermain stood in silence for a moment. Nemo had translated the messages as they arrived.

"You think he knew it was us?" Quatermain asked.
Nemo shook his head. "He would not have told us about Armand. Ishmael and I suspect the boy is Robur's relative, perhaps even a son. Now we have dived and are concealed, I can monitor the Albatross movements until I am sure she is not following us. Once I am certain, I will confront Lupin about Robur's intended destination. For now, I must avoid him."

"Robur or Lupin?" Quatermain asked dryly.
Nemo sent him a look that clearly read 'both'. This had been too close of a call for Nemo's liking.
"You really think he'll lose our frequency, that he won't keep track of us?"

Nemo drew a deep breath as he wondered the thought. "I very much doubt it, but as long as he does not approach, then I will not take action. He fears me more than is necessary. I will not hurt Lupin, but as long as Robur does not know that, then we are safe."
"Do as you think is necessary," Quatermain answered.
Nemo nodded, "I will need to ask Jekyll to go to Lupin later and check his injuries. He'd fallen off the ladder to the conning tower."

Quatermain nodded as Nemo excused himself to make preparations and find Jekyll. Even on what should have been a simple journey, things were becoming complicated.

The Nautilus: October 6th

It had only taken a day for Lupin to get used to being confined in his room. He did not regret his decision. At least Robur knew he was alive which put his mind somewhat at ease. Robur would probably be worried, even with all their arguing, and unsure of what action to take. Lupin hoped he'd been able to help remedy that. He may not have learned of the others' well being but it was a start. He wondered what Nemo had told him or if Nemo had any intention of telling him such information. All he could do was wait.

Then there was a brisk knock on the door before it was unlocked and opened. Two of Nemo's crew were there, Lupin recognised them as two French-speakers who had been guarding and feeding him, and Quatermain.

"Nemo wants to speak to you," Quatermain said. "Follow behind."

Lupin pulled himself up onto his feet and cradled his sore wrist. Jekyll had treated it after his fall but using it was still out of the question.

A confident nod and they were off, Quatermain leading the way with a guard at either side of Lupin. He behaved himself as he was escorted up to what could only be described as a conference room. The League sat around the table and he was filled with dread.

"Captain," he greeted slowly, seeing Nemo at the far end. "Madame, Monsieurs."

Nemo rose from the table and approached Lupin. His gaze went down to his wrist. Lupin pulled it closer to him. He didn't trust Nemo not to hurt it further. All things considered, he could say he deserved it.

Instead, Nemo indicated to a large silver panel on the wall with two arms. "One is us, the other, your Albatross. I want to know where she is headed ahead of time."
"I mean no disrespect, but for the sake of my own companions' welfare, I cannot tell you that," Lupin answered.
Nemo produced a strip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lupin. Morse. Lupin read it, it told him of the condition of the Mysterious Men. Armand came as a great surprise to him. "Sacre bleu," he mumbled.

"What does he mean by 'after Dahomey'?" Nemo asked.
Lupin pursed his lips. "If Robur did not tell you then I cannot. I will not risk their safety like you wouldn't risk your League's… why do you want to know exactly?"
"He's headed in the same direction as my ship. I do not wish to meet him again."

Lupin shook his head. "Drop me at Marseilles as you intended. I swear to you, you won't be anywhere near him. There is nothing to be concerned over. Since you're tracking him, you'll soon see where he is headed. I thank you for this information, but there is little else I can do for you."
Nemo dismissed him without any emotion on his face. The two guards took him back. Lupin could only frown in confusion and return to his room.

"I did warn you he wouldn't speak," Skinner pointed out.
"He said enough. I believe he told the truth, that we will not encounter Robur at Marseilles," Nemo said. "I could not expect him to reveal more, just as if we were in his place that we would not speak."

"So what do we do about Robur?" Sawyer asked.
"We wait. You all may leave now if you wish, although I would appreciate a word with Mr Quatermain. Dinner will be in less than an hour."

Nemo turned back to the silver map which tracked the Albatross. He couldn't deny a sense of dread that crept up his spine, seeing Robur so close to him. Before he had called for Lupin, he had taken the time to inform the League of his history with Robur, and why he was such a threat. They had known vague details, but at least now there could be no speculation.

"Nemo?" Quatermain enquired.
"Mr Quatermain, there was something I had been meaning to ask you."
"Go on."
"Do you imagine you will be reclaiming your place as the leader of the League?"
Quatermain pulled a face of doubt and shrugged. "Perhaps, but that's up to the others to decide. Why?"
Nemo looked up to the map again. "I wish to go after Robur."

"And kill him?" Quatermain guessed, gaining Nemo's eye contact.
"Yes. My ship won't be safe until he has perished."
Quatermain nodded slowly. "These are your ghosts, Nemo. Even if I was the leader, I can't stop you from making your own decisions." He sighed with a small smile. "I'm with you, Captain. We all are."
Nemo nodded with appreciation shining in his eyes. "Thank you."

Quatermain left him in peace. Nemo rubbed at the ache in his neck. He had spoken about his past far more than he would have liked to over the last few weeks. He hoped never to have to speak of it again. The League deserved to know, they mattered to him, but it made it no easier. He could not help but feel like they all looked at him differently now, pitied him. He was determined to be stronger. He had to look forward, keep his head held high and deal with Robur rationally. Perhaps their pity and guilt would ease then.

And so the wait began.