Taken In Again
A/N: Thanks so much EmmaSteed for reviewing! :] Your story is great! And I started to change the POV to Alisha's. So in random parts of the story for now on it'll just switch.
Disclaimer: It's a fanfiction, what do you expect? I own whatever wasn't invented already.
It was a little past a half hour when Alisha got back. All the league members were in the ship already, almost ready for their big departure to England. The giant metal side doors were left open and Patel was waiting for the witch's return. When she came down in her spiral landing, he jumped back to the thing that jumped off in front of him.
---
Alisha strut down the hallway with her companion by her side. The emptiness of the hallway made only the noise of the heavy and light footsteps they made in unison. Patel followed up behind, running to catch up. He overflowed with boxes and cases, being very careful not to drop anything that might be precious. Alisha, although never been in the Nautilus before, strode through the ship like she'd designed its interior. Within minutes of turning the halls, the witch eventually came to her cabin. She opened the door and looked around. Patel came in a few seconds later, stumbling a bit to lay her things down on the floor.
"Thanks, Patel. I'll take it from here." She took a leather chest from his hands.
Once Patel left the cabin, Alisha took one look around, then to her travel companion. With a sigh she left the room, being followed from behind.
Alisha thought most people would be either in their cabins or the library; so without the rude interruption of interfering with whatever the league may be doing in their private quarters, the library was best place to start. The library's wide open doors showed the serene room. A roaring fireplace burned on the back wall with a beautiful beige painting above it. The fireplace was bordered by two bookshelves. On the side walls three long bookshelves stood parallel to each other. In the center lay three beige cushion chairs. To her luck, Tom lay in the middle chair reading a brown covered book, and Rodney sat on top of the chair next to him; improperly of course. They both looked up to her, than down to the black satin cat Tom had seen the previous night, both at the same time.
"Is that a cat?" Tom questioned.
"No it's an elephant, actually."
Rodney snickered at Alisha's sarcastic comment. Tom rolled his eyes. "Ha, ha. Very funny."
Alisha smiled. Rodney raised his eyebrow while looking at the cat, then opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but stopped.
"What? Witches have black cats." she said.
Tom and Rodney looked at each other, then to Alisha. Tom smiled while shaking his head, and Alisha joined them without hesitation.
---
Not long after the amusement it was time for the Nautilus dinner. The league was all very hungry from searching all night for the good doctor, so all showed in the dining room. Inside the bright white room lay a long white table in the center stocked with various seafood fresh from the Mediterranean sea. Nemo's men set served the league as soon as they sat down, handing them plates and silverware telling them to help themselves.
Now when I say 'league', I find it hard to include myself into the category. I've just been accepted only a few hours ago, but still I find it a bit uncomfortable to see the league begin to settle in with my presence. It was dark outside the portholes the last time I checked, and I can guess that it was nearing to midnight. It's been a long day; it could be seen in each league members' faces. Henry was more self-conscience than tired, though. He did sleep for quite a while back at the cabin. Mina kept quite alert, though that's probably because she's a vampire, and they tend to be more of the dark kind. Tom's young face was the most tired; Nemo, his face showed more tiredness of life than day. And Rodney…well I really couldn't tell at all considering his transparent face.
I was pretty early for dinner, even though it was ironic since we were having dinner so late. Nemo apologized for that once he entered the room. I came in with Tom, Rodney and Midnight, but we weren't the first ones there. Mina was sitting on the left side of the table, the second seat to the end farthest away from our entrance. Tom's face lit up when he saw her, but then dimmed once Henry walked into the room and saw Mina's reaction. I sat on the same side as Mina was sitting; a few chairs away. Rodney plopped a seat right to my right. Tom sat on the opposite end, contrary to us. When Henry came in he sat on Tom's side as well, opposite to Mina. And Nemo, he sat on the very end of the table so he could face us all. I took a few pieces of scallop and put them on an extra plate Patel gave me. I placed it at the bottom of my chair and immediately Midnight started eating. Nemo, Mina, and Henry noticed her, obviously.
"A cat?" Henry commented first, almost in an amused tone.
"Everyone, this is Midnight. She's my traveling companion and best friend." I said, petting her.
The league seemed to ignore the cat. It was natural for a witch to have one, to be honest...
---
I wasn't all that hungry from dinner about an hour ago, and I could tell neither was Henry. Although the food did look good and I wanted to be courteous, I took a piece of blue-clawed crab off the buffet. As I attempted to de-shell the thing, I noticed Rodney take a red lobster off the buffet and immediately started eating it, tearing the morsel to shreds. As I watched the lobster being grinded by nothing, then going down an invisible esophagus through peristalsis then disappearing, my face must have shown my astounded expression, because Rodney noticed it.
"You'll get used to it."
"Hm? Oh. Yeah I suppose I will."
"Heh. It was blimey weird for me to look in the mirror everyday and see myself as nothing, but watching myself eat…well, I can tell ya' I had the same response at first."
"Oh I'm sure you did."
"Heh,"
I finally got the shell open to reveal the meat inside after putting my fingers through enough pain. Ugh. I wasn't used to this. And there wasn't even a lot of crab inside the shell. I wasn't really hungry anyway, so I just lay back against my chair and viewed the league during their meal. I swear all during it Mina, Henry and Tom were all glancing at one another it was about to drive me crazy. Tom to Mina to Henry to Mina to Tom and on and on and on! Gosh! I thought I was going to just smack them all! So after about ten minutes of this I just got up and left. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rodney give me a questionable look.
Rodney wiped his mouth and got up to follow Alisha. He grabbed his trench coat off the back of his chair and go after his new friend.
I could hear someone walking behind me. Rodney, most likely. I didn't look back; I just kept on going and headed to my cabin. He didn't say anything, he just followed me. When I got inside, not long after I closed the door did I hear a knock on the door.
"Hey, Lish, you in there?"
Lish? Wow, he gets comfortable easily.
I opened the door, and there stood the floating hat and trench coat. I opened my mouth to speak but he just walked right in. I closed my mouth taken aback.
"So why'd you storm out? He made himself comfortable by lying down on the bed.
"I didn't storm out…I just got too full so I left."
He didn't say anything, so I guessed that he wasn't buying it. I walked into the small bathroom attached to my cabin, and he just laid there, the hat following my pace. The door opened and Midnight pranced in. She nudged the door shut with her body and walked to a corner and embraced herself into a ball. Rodney didn't seem to notice.
"You stormed out. Why?" his tone was a little harsher.
"It was everyone else…except Nemo; he was fine, and you."
"Mina, Henry, and Tom?"
"I swear is there some kind of love triangle going around or something I don't know about?"
He chuckled. "You could sense that, eh? Yeah I suppose so. I know Tom likes Mina, but I guess I could support the fact that the doc likes 'er too."
"And Mina?"
"I don't know who she likes. She once told us she had a husband who died, and on our last mission there was a chap who she used to be in a relationship with…they still had some chemistry. We could all tell. Especially Tom."
"Why's that?" I sat down on the bed now.
"Jealousy." He exhaled. "The boy tried his chance. I believe her words were: 'Your sweet, and your young. Neither are traits I hold in high regard.' Tom kept on flirting with her. But I guess the fortune doesn't reward the bold after all." He laughed at that last part.
I pondered Mina's words. "Does that mean she likes mean, old guys?"
He laughed hard on that one. "I guess so. Describes Dorian all right."
"Huh. Well that's interesting."
"I guess everyone in the league fell for her a bit. All during the week I had the crave to give 'er the goose…I got to do that in Mongolia." He chuckled.
"Well that's even more interesting…" I got up from the bed, obviously uncomfortable.
He was looking at me for a minute. Or at least I thought he was. His head was tilted up toward my face.
"What?"
"Nothin'."
"No?"
"No…hey how could you tell I was looking at you?"
"You're very easy to read, Rodney. Even if you are invisible. It's a good power to have, if you're easy to read I mean." I smiled. "But still…"
"Huh. I'll remember that the next time."
"Next time?"
"Never mind." I heard the smile in his words.
There was a silence in the room for a few seconds…it was unbearable.
"So…what other stuff do witches do than fly around with their black…pets?"
I laughed. "Oh you have a lot to learn."
"Then educate me." He got up to slouch off the bed, sounding interested. I thought I would tease him, so I folded my arms against my chest.
"Well unless you want to be severely injured, I don't think there is a good way to show you right here, right now. But don't worry; you'll eventually see what I can do."
"Well then why don't you just tell me?"
"Because. Its something you have to see to believe."
"We're the league of extraordinary gentlemen. I think we've all believed the impossible."
I raised my eyebrow. "Oh is that so?"
"Yeah I would say so,"
"I can tell." I looked at him up and down.
He laughed. "Well then if you wish it, I'll wait. Besides, if we stay here any longer someone will think we're having an affair." He got up and walked to the door. I scuffed my voice, heaving a sigh. "Of course, that's exactly what they'd think." I opened the door for him and he proudly walked out. He turned around for me to come out as well, but I just smiled and shut the door in his face. I needed my sleep.
I went to one of my leather chests and opened it. I took out a delicate black lace lingerie dress and went to the bathroom. I turned on the water and took a hot bath for about a half hour. I dressed in my nightclothes and went to my bed. I slowly lay myself down on my side and at a snail's pace my eyes gazed at the descending room. I wasn't sure how long I just lay there with my eyes open, reviewing the day's events. It was crazy. I had a pretty normal life…for a Wiccan, at least, and now I travel with five other unusual gentlemen on a ship the likes of man kind has never seen. I now give my life to this league, and this new mission they speak of. I just hope everything, and maybe even everyone, goes as well as I control. And in a matter of time, I fell asleep.
---
The league woke up bright and early the next morning to the sound of men bustling about the ship and noises of active men. Once everyone was up, they all assembled in front of the Nautilus, standing on British ground.
They were at the London ports, bringing back memories of their first meeting with Dorian which led to their first fight, the first sight of the Nautilus, the knowledge of Mina's kind, and so on. Rodney wore his usual public attire; his painted white face and black coat, hat and tea shades. Tom wore a casual attire of black pants, a white cotton button up shirt and black vest. Tom's belt was black, and carried his guns. Nemo wore his usual blue and silver armored ensemble and turban. Nemo's holster belt was blue and held his sword and obtained an extra blue pocket. Mina dressed in a midnight red, off-the-shoulder Victorian dress of a beautiful lace corset, and her hair down pin-straight the same way it was in Mongolia. Henry's outfit was a plain white button up shirt and a dark grey patterned vest and grey pants. Alisha dressed in a tight silk black corset dress and black lace up leather ankle boots, with her hair pinned up again. She wore a black holster garter belt, hauling bottles and potions.
Nemo called for Patel to retrieve the automobile from the ship. In a matter of minutes he drove out the side doors and the league got in. As they attempted to drive through the activity of Englishmen, they stared and got in the way of the car admiring its beauty and unique technology of the new age. Patel, once out of the way and onto the London streets, drove to the British Museum, which was to be the location given for the meet. In about ten minutes the league arrived to the building's ascending steps and large columns. The automobile parked on the curb of the building and the league got out facing the misty English weather. Mina Harker led the way inside the building first, followed by Nemo, Tom, Alisha, Rodney, and lastly Henry. As the league descended to the secret annexe, the tension increased as well as the suspicion and curiosity. The doors opened to the familiar brightened room to Rodney, Nemo, and Mina. Alisha, Henry, and Tom took in the base of operations. Waiting in the center of the room was a big, well-built man with heavy strong square features. He had black hair and a goatee, and dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath, white gloves as he rested on a black cane.
"Good evening gentlemen, ladies. Please come in."
The league assembled in. all stood but Alisha and Rodney, who slipped themselves into the nearest chairs. Rodney immediately proudly took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Alisha shifted into a interested, listening position with her jaw rested against her palm, and crossed her legs. Henry fiddled with his pocket watch. The rest of the league was blood cold and still, ready for any needed action.
"I am Campion Bond, and this is MI5."
"What's MI5?" Tom's voice sounded uneasy.
Campion sighed and began to pace around the room slowly, ever so often turning to the league. "Let me just start from the beginning. I am a descendant of Sir Basildon Bond, an underling of Sir Jack Wilton, the original M, who in 1558 established Prospero's Men, the original League, for Queen Gloriana I. Prospero, the head of the organization, was the original 007. This organization is called MI5, or Military Intelligence, Section 5. It's a security service, and you are all officially secret agents for the British Empire and her majesty."
"What did you mean when you said 'the original M'? Was the M who betrayed us a part of this organization as well?" Nemo questioned with a harsh tone.
"Professor James Moriarty was a rival of the famous Sherlock Holmes. I had worked for him before your acquaintance, hired from my university to his command. Having survived the encounter with Sherlock Holmes, he went on to become the head of British Intelligence under the code name "M", but still maintained his criminal interests. But after a fall he took at Reichenbach Falls, he was never the same man. He instigated the creation of the all of you as a covert ops unit with plausible deniability and used you to create his world war. But then he used all of you, using Mr. Grey as a spy. Thankfully thwarted by yourselves, you had uncovered the double-cross. Following his death he was succeeded as "M" by Mycroft Holmes, ironically Sherlock's older brother. He is now the head of MI5, and we once again require your services."
The league pondered for a few minutes.
"Doesn't sound too convincing to me…how do we know your not going to do the same thing M did?" Tom asked.
"My boy, I give you all my honor and trust. Professor Moriarty was simply a glitch in this organization. Simply not a promising way to introduce you to MI5."
"Huh." Alisha commented.
"And I see you've gained extra members." Campion glanced to the witch. "Nothing wrong with that. Always better to see new agents." He then turned to Tom. "As for you as well, Mr. Sawyer. It was glorious for you to join this league. If it weren't for you, Professor James may still be living as a havoc to Europe." His voice grew deeper into his speech.
Tom shifted in his position. Alisha spoke out next, not taking her hardened gaze off Campion's face. Revenge glared in her lavender pearls, turning them to amethyst stones.
"And what services do you require from the league exactly?"
Campion Bond straightened his posture. He whipped up his cane and walked to a stack of papers lying on the long table in the middle of the room. He took the stack and slipped a few pages from the top. He walked over to the end of the table and handed them to Alisha. She took them from his hands and removed her gaze to the paper and read it aloud.
"It's a newspaper article."
"What's it say?" Tom asked.
"The headline reads: Martian ships seen in Woking, Surrey."
"Martians? What kind of game is this, Bond?" Skinner commented.
"Read further." Campion's gaze never left the paper.
"It says here that an unidentified spacecraft was crashed in the town of Woking, located in Surrey, England. A resulting crater lasts there with the spacecraft unmoved, and men are investigating the possible alien life forms present in space."
"Whaa?" Tom scratched his head in bewilderment.
Campion's eyes met Tom's. "This was an article that was to be published in the London Post. MI5 took hold of its possession. But in a matter of time people will find out about the ship's plunge in Woking, so we need you all to dispatch to the crater immediately and guard it until further notice from the knowledge of the fall, or these so-called Martians."
"So you want us to babysit the thing?" Rodney asked.
"Guard, really. But, if you'd like to put it that way, then yes."
"Hold on a sec, the date on this paper is from last week. When did the craft land?"
"Sometime ago last week...the London reporters can get their stories fast. And so can the world. Most people either didn't believe the story or thought it was some kind of our own technology. They don't know the half of it, these people. We require your services for this next mission of yours immediately. So if you must decide whether or not to serve this country, make the decision now."
The league all looked at each other. Nemo searched the expressions around the room. Alisha's eyes were cold; Rodney's white face was plain. Tom's face was soft and surrendered; Henry's weak and full of internal angst. Mina's eyes were cold and slightly red, and her face hard and expressionless. Yet she gave Nemo an approval nod, and then Henry followed her action.
"We're in."