Chapter 2
They were soon in London, riding in a coach to where they would meet the man who was behind it all. It was raining and dreary, and not pleasant at all.
They pulled up to a building where Reed was waiting for them. He opened the door as Allan stepped out.
"You made good time getting here." he stated.
Layla climbed out after her father, pulling her coat closer to her as the ran poured down onto her hat.
"Not as good as Phileas Fogg. Around the world in 80 days? Huh." said Allan. Layla rolled her eyes and followed the two men inside.
She took of her hat as they entered through the door, and shook off the excess ran. She pulled out her hair which fell to the middle of her back in brown curls, and had pulled half back, so as to not get into her face. She took of her coat and looked around, brown eyes looking at every detail throughout the building. She had on a pair of leggings with boots that went up to her knees, and a tunic shirt with a belt that held her gun and odds and ends she might need.
Reed led them through a series of doors and small passageways, down into a basement. It seemed like a trek and she shared a look with her father.
"Where are we going, Australia?" asked Allan.
Reed did not answer as he stopped in front of a pair of doors.
"And here we are, sir, and lady." he added.
He opened the doors and took Allan's and Layla's coats and hats. The lights were out and soon a tapping was heard.
"I don't like theatrics." said Allan.
"After Africa's velds, London's weather isn't helping your mood, I see." said the voice.
"Got that right." mumbled Layla to herself.
Allan heard her and shot her a look.
"Identify yourself." he stated.
The lights turned on at the far end of the study as the voice continued.
"I'm known by many names, Mr. Quatermain. My underlings call me "Sir." My superiors call me "M." said the voice.
"M." said Allan.
"Just M." he said, as he switched on the next bit of lights. "I must say the delight is mine, meeting so notable a recruit to this newest generation of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
"League of what?" asked Allan.
"Gentleman, dad." said Layla.
Allan shot her a look and turned back to "M" as he began to speak again.
"There have been other times when a danger upon the world required the services of singular individuals." said M.
"How very curious." said Allan.
Footsteps were heard as Layla and her father both turned towards the sound at the same time. In walked a man looking as if he were a king. He wore a turban, blue tunic, white pants, and had a sword at his hip, along with a long beard.
"This museum is full of the curious. Allan and Layla Quatermain, Captain Nemo." said M.
"I know of Mr. Quatermain, and his daughter." said Captain Nemo.
"And we know of you, Captain." said Allan.
"Rumor has it that you're a pirate." said Layla.
"I'd prefer a less provocative title." said Nemo.
"Oh, I'm sure you would." finished Allan.
"Gentleman, and lady, please." said M. "Nations are striking at nations. Every attack marked by the use of highly advanced weaponry. They've discovered these attacks are all the work of one man who calls himself the Fantom."
Allan sat down at the table and put on his glasses, inspecting the papers on front of him. Layla sat a few chairs down, propping her feet up on top and leaning the chair backwards.
"Very operatic." she said.
"And what's in it for him?" asked Allan.
"Profit. Those machines are his creations. The work of scientists he holds imprisoned. His attacks have every nation clamoring for the very weapons that assailed them." said M.
"Then it's a race for arms." said Allan, still looking at the file.
"And millions will perish." said Nemo.
"There's one last chance to avert war. The leaders of Europe are to meet secretly in Venice." said M, sitting down.
"And you believe that this Fantom will attack that conference?" asked Allan.
"If he can find it. We need a team to get to Venice and stop him. This team will consist of six members. But seeing as you have your daughter with you, I'll make an exception." said M.
"How kind of you." said Layla sarcastically.
"You have four days." said M.
"Four days to get to Venice? It's impossible." said Allan.
"Let me worry about that." said Nemo, stepping up.
"Well, now, extraordinary gentleman indeed." said Allan.
"One of them is late." stated M.
"Who?" asked Layla.
"Harker, the chemist." said M.
"Oh, chemist, eh? Do we get to blow something up then?" said a voice.
Everyone looked around, searching for the man behind the voice, but saw nothing. Layla turned her head to far and began to lose her balance. The chair began to fall backwards but was stopped by something.
"Watch it there beautiful, wouldn't want you to get hurt." said the voice. The chair was propped back up and Layla sat dumbfounded.
"My eyesight must be worse than I thought." said Allan.
"No. Your eyesight's fine." said the voice.
Layla looked and her brown eyes grew huge and the sight of folders floating in the air. The folders were slammed onto the table, right in front of her father. Allan gasped and stood up.
"No games, M." he stated, pointing towards M.
"Some time ago, a talented albeit misguided man of science discovered the means to become invisible." stated M.
"Yes I recall the tale." said Allan.
"But didn't he die?" asked Layla, still a bit confused.
"Well he did, but his process didn't." said the voice. "You see I stole it, and here I stand for all to see."
"Is this some parlor game?" asked Allan.
"Believe it." said the voice. He pushed Allan in the shoulder which led to him being pushed into the lamps. "Easy now Allan. I'm feeling a bit of a draft in my nether regions. And I must say, it's quiet refreshing."
"Gross." mumbled Layla. A black coat was ripped from the back of her chair causing her to jump.
"Sorry love. Allow me to introduce myself. Rodney Skinner, gentleman thief." he said as he put on his coat. He pulled out a can of white cream and began to apply it. "Now, I thought invisibility would be a boon to my work. Well, you can imagine, it was my undoing. Once you're invisible, it's bloody hard to turn back."
"We finally caught him." said M.
"And they'll provide an antidote, well, that's if I'm a good boy." said Skinner.
"And are you a good boy?" asked Allan.
"I guess you'll find out, won't you?" said Skinner.
After that, the doors opened to present a young woman about the age of 30.
"Am I late?" she asked.
"A woman's perogative, Mrs. Harker." said M.
"Please tell me this is Harker's wife with a sick note." said Allan.
"Sick would be a mild understatement. My husband's been dead for years." she said as she walked towards Allan.
"Gentleman, and lady, Mrs. Wilhemina Harker." introduced M. "Mina's prior acquaintance with a reluctant league member may prove useful."
"I'm waiting to be impressed." said Allan.
Layla rolled her eyes at her father. He was always one to get a bit testy at the fact of working with a woman. They prove to be distractions, he always said.
"The fate of the world is at stake." said M. "There are still two more members to recruit. The clock hands turn, gentlemen."
"Kicking us out already? A moment ago, it was sherry and giggles." said Skinner.
He turned and began walking out, grabbing Layla around the waist and dragging her along with him.
"Let's go darling." he said.
Layla rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat and hat before they exited the study. They exited the building, ran pouring down harder than before.
"What in God's name is that?" asked Allan.
Before them sat a rather large hunk of metal in the shape of something.
"I call it an automobile." said Nemo.
"Yeah, but what is it?" asked Skinner.
"The future, gentlemen." said Nemo. "The future. This is my first mate."
"Call me Ishmael. Please." he said as he opened the door.
They all climbed in a rather small compacted space. On one side was just Layla, while her father, Skinner, and Mina sat on the other side.
They were soon on the road to who knows where. As they turned a corner, Layla caught a glimpse of a lone figure watching them as they drove away, and became drawn to know who he was.