The Diaries of an Enigmatic Manipulator
A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen fanfiction
Disclaimer: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic and the LXG movie I do not own. My own characters, and any aspect of the story that involves or is changed by them I recall my own.
England, June 1899
I must confess—I had brought upon me some of my father's old weapons. Not the excruciatingly unbearable ones, such as the massive wooden bow, but some of the smaller artillery. I had, just in case, brought with me some of the extra chemicals I've used back then; the heavier forms. Just a few bottles, I thought, could be used as part of the arms for defense. Just a few, I thought…
It's been raining all the morning. I believe it to be raining for the arranged meeting at the British Museum, and yet I shall walk.
It was quite better than I had expected. The bottom of my skirts became wet, but this was no problem. I arrived from my home in Soho to the museum in but a few minutes. The building was more massive than I remember…quite gloomy in this weather, might I add. I couldn't even remember the last I've seen of this edifice…a few months, possibly. Or has it been years? I cannot say; I've lost track…
Mystified by the sight of the nightly structure, I crept up the steep steps, only to meet the very Mr. Reed at the door. He spoke:
"Good evening, Siyana,"
"Good evening, Reed. May we stand here and have a little chat in the rain or shall you lead me to the meeting inside?"
He gave a slight smile, I thought. "Of course…follow me, Ms. Blair." I believed him to think me impatient; which, in some cases, I was.
He led me down the main halls to a flight of stairs, in which followed down, quite far down, to a set of double doors. They were black, engraved with a strange type of symbol…almost like a 'V' a toped with a geometrical compass, in which the letter 'M' was on its head. M for the superior I've met earlier, I suppose?
He opened the doors, in which revealed several bookshelves. The room was lighted, and from the corner of my eye I had seen a man standing there. I heard him speak…a Scottish accent, perhaps? He was speaking to another man…in whose voice I recognized as M's.
Silently as I could, I crept into the room unnoticed, to my thanks. I hid behind an adjacent bookshelf by the door, listening before I made my entrance identified. I felt the uncertainty and intensity within the room…so it wasn't me, after all, who had felt strange of the meeting. This man's voice was not ruthless…elderly and rough, possibly, but not ruthless.
I heard another's voice in the conversation as well…it was serious, and with an accent seeming to be from somewhere in the Middle East.
I heard as such:
"Rumor has it that you're a pirate," the elderly man spoke. A pirate, I thought. Why! I shall be meeting a very pirate! I believe he must have been speaking to the man of the Middle East.
"I'd prefer a less provocative title…" he answered. I huffed, but silently. Well of course he would! Who would prefer a title as such…but yet, I should not speak on the subject…
"Oh, I'm sure you would!" the elder man responded. Why, he had taken the words right from my tongue!
M interrupted. "Gentlemen, please…nations are striking at nations. Every attack marked by the use of highly advanced weaponry. These attacks are all the work of one man, who calls himself the Fantom."
This is where I leaned in to listen, hopefully not much to make myself known. The Fantom…hm…sounds costume-like, I thought. A daft disguise of a name! And why all the attacks? I was so curious to enter myself to the conversation!
"Very operatic," the elder said. "What's in it for him?" This man and I must share the same mind, for we greatly think alike! I was beginning to enjoy this alliance. The pirate I was a little worried about. I've heard of such the things they do…
"Profit." answered M. "Those machines are his creations, the very work of scientists he holds imprisoned. His attacks have nations clamoring for the very weapons that assail them."
How monstrous! Holding scientists and…and using them like that! Oh, it was a good thing to accompany myself in this position! I am rightfully ready to fight for the scientists, I must say. I've had my deal of science…for a time being, as a scientist myself, I can only imagine how excruciating it must be to have someone…steal your work! Oh, how I was enraged already! And I, Ms. Siyana Blair…enraged? Oh, such irony! And then, for these nations to be desiring "they very weapons that assail them", that I quote of M, must arise then the topic of—
"Then it's a race for arms," said the elder. And I couldn't have said it better myself.
"And millions will perish." said the pirate. He said it so…so seriously as well! It's as if he enjoys the idea…or, unless, he simply wanted to make a point of the significance of the job.
Then M finished "There's one last chance to avert war—" And I was alerted.
"The leaders of Europe are to meet secretly in Venice."
Are they now? That was…almost strange. For what purpose?
"And you believe that this Fantom…will attack that conference?" finished the elder. Well, obviously.
"If he can find it." Obviously he must know where this conference is…?
"We need a team to get to Venice. This team consists of seven members."
Oh, I must be one of the seven! I must say, I was proud to be a part of this small group of importance! And so is this what the job was for? To prevent a man from attacking a conference in Italy? This, then, must be the breaking point of the upcoming war—and therefore, if we can stop it, no war. Ah yes…now I see.
"You'll have four days." finished M. Four? From England to Italy? Pah, it was nothing! I could arrive at Italy within hours if I had—
"Four days to get to Venice? It's impossible!" the elder slightly chuckled, and I wondered if maybe our minds were all so the same after all…obviously he does not have the…experience as I.
"Let me worry about that." replied the pirate. Oh…I was now beginning to switch sides, I see.
I heard the other man's mumble. It almost sounded like, "Well now, extraordinary gentlemen indeed." Yes…yes that would make sense. I believe it was that.
I then heard M's voice again. You know, I do like the sound of his voice more than the others. Then the pirate's voice came next, leaving the elder last. M's voice was just so…intriguing! And the pirate's was so…strong and grave! His accent was interesting as well, I must say. The elder's voice was just too…gruff.
I was beginning to like listening in like this.
"One of them is late,"
I gasped…silently. It was me…I know it.
"Harker, the chemist."
I released my breath. No…it was not me referenced to.
Then I heard a new voice…it was peppy, with a Cockney accent. Well, Cockney accents tend to be peppy otherwise. He spoke:
"Oh, chemist eh? Do we get to blow something up then?"
Oh, this will be a treat to work with. The next few words, however, were baffling…until I found out the truth in them:
The elder spoke first, after a hesitation in the room. "My eyesight must be worse than I thought!" Oh yes…an elder he was. Then the new voice spoke again,
"No, your eyesight's fine."
I heard a 'slap' sound, then a grunt. Then, after a slight pause, I heard then the sound of a chair against the floor.
"No games, M…" said the elder. Oh, if only I knew the men's names! Oh…which just made me realize…how many women…exactly…are in this group? Then I listened some more…in which I heard another chair move, and M's voice.
"Some time ago, a talented…albeit misguided man of science…discovered the means to become invisible."
Mr. Griffin! He was speaking of Mr. Griffin! What could Mr. Griffin have to do with the discussion…?
"Yes I recall the tale…but didn't he die?" spoke the elder. Oh, how dare he bring up the horrid tragedy! And then, which angered me even further, is what the other man said.
"Well he did, but his process didn't. You see I stole it, and here I stand for all to see!"
Wha—what? He stole Griffin's formula? He stole it? I was destined to go and---oh…wait…if he stole the formula…then…then he must be invisible as well! I thought, then, of the irony in "and here I stand for all to see." Well, Mr. Not-Griffin, more like there you stand for all not to see! Oh, I just cannot believe he stole it! What a fool! What a baffling fool!
"Is this some parlor game?" replied the elder, completely un-amused and misbelieving.
"Believe it!" said the Cockney accent. Just then I heard a clanging of metal. Had he hurt him? I was also kept aware that my good pirate's hadn't spoken in quite a while…was he simply bewildered enough not to speak? The invisible man spoke.
"Easy now, Allan…"
ALLAN! But, Allan who? Well at least I have a first name! It was good enough for me! So far, I have M, pirate, Allan, and Mr. Not-Griffin/Invisible man, and myself within the room.
"I'm feeling a bit of a draft in my nether regions…and I must say…it's quite refreshing." Mr. Not-Griffin continued.
Pardon…? I must say, invisible man, you seem to be quite the handful. It shall be fun to be alongside this character! Ha!
"Allow me to introduce myself!"
Here we go.
"Rodney Skinner, gentlemen thief!"
Certainly so, Mr. Skinner.
"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."
Obviously, Mr. Skinner. 'Go on!', I thought. It was all so intriguing! Whomever is to read this diary, I must say! You must have been there!
"We finally caught him." I heard M's voice say.
"And they'll provide an antidote…well, that's if I'm a good boy." he said. 'So that was the catch', I thought. He joined this group to get an antidote. I must say, it was quite brave of him to be open about it. I wonder what the catch was for all the other members.
"And are you a good boy?" asked Allan.
There was a slight pause. Then, "Well I guess you'll find out…won't you?"
Much confidence, I see.
Just then, I must have fainted from my startling alliance. Walking through the doors on the north wall of the room came to be a woman! Was this the late Harker? And where were the others? There were seven members, did M say not? And with the members here, and I, there were only five! Where were the other two?
"Am I late?" her sweet but dark voice had said. She sounded a bit heaving, really.
"A woman's prerogative, Mrs. Harker…" said M. And, as an initial reaction, my mouth dropped. Excuse me? A woman's prerogative? My, I found that offensive!
Allan grumbled. "Please tell me this is Harker's wife…with a sick note!"
"Sick would be a mild understatement," she said. "My husband's been dead for years."
Well! That's enough to shut me up! But oh no, he continued with his complaints, the gruffly Allan…
"Gentlemen, Mrs. Wilhelmina Harker." introduced M. Wilhelmina Harker…where have I heard that name before…?
"Mina's prior acquaintance with a reluctant league member…may prove useful."
I was about to leave that very moment. They were using her. And they could be using me too. Damn these stereotypical men! They are all the same! And yet, I was continuing to enjoy the thrill of M's voice…there was something in his tone…all so fascinating! And mysterious, the man was! All so curious!
Allan's voice spoke, annoyed (what else?).
"I'm waiting to be impressed!"
Then, M spoke once more to my ears. It was then for me to face him again. He had sighed, impatient.
"And…we are pending for the last member to this gathering; with any luck if she can arrive on time we can make our way to recruit the others…"
"She?" said Allan, as I coyly sauntered my way out of the bookshelf. How rude, the man. And I saw him for the first time, along with the other three members, and M, seated. Their stares were agonizing. And strange creatures they were…
'Allan' must have been the elderly man at the far end of the long conference table in the room. He had short white hair and beard, a slightly colored moustache, and wearing brown a white buttoned up shirt, and everything else brown. Brown pants, brown scarf, brown jacket…seriously, the man needed color! Oh, I laughed in my mind…I am but a woman!
'Rodney Skinner' had obviously been the odd looking one—the floating black leather trench coat, black leather gloves, and mass of white cream to make seen an invisible face. He, certainly was odd…
'Wilhelmina Harker' was the woman, clearly, with long brown hair, a face of well bone structure, a long, black velvet coat and red scarf, and a black velvet hat complete with a lacy black veil at its front, covering her face. She seemed all too dark to me…all too dark.
The 'Pirate' was simply splendid in sight. His beautifully blue suit and designed silver armor was certainly a sight to see—a matching blue turban embellished a silver nautilus shell, in which gave off a white feather. He had a long, thick black curly beard and moustache, hiding his dark skinned face. And a beauty he was! I was very much beginning to like him…very much.
"I—um…" I found it hard to find the words to speak. Did they guess I was spying on them, nonetheless, I was to be a part of the exchange anyhow…
"Glad of you to join us, Siyana."
"I suppose I should have taken a carriage." I found it difficult to smile…my guests were all still staring. Was it my dress…my hair…my frame? The pressure was all too unbearable! I had broken down!
"M…I do believe we have both made a great mistake, I do not believe I am qualified to—"
Just then, M got up from his chair, took his papers, scrambled through them while walking towards my direction, found the paper he needed, and handed it to me. He went back to his seat. I, simply, stared at him, baffled. What were these papers? I looked through them…for there were several different papers…notices, documents, reports, but what was the meaning? What was I to look for? What was I…oh.
I looked up to M, close to tears. He smiled. I ripped the pages. I could see the league eye me. But I didn't care. I knew why I was here. I knew what I was fighting for. How I could fight. Not only was I free, but I had something more now. Something much more.
M spoke, for the last time I would hear of him that night;
"Gentlemen please—the fate of the world is at stake. 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!" Mr. Skinner said, as he turned up his collar and walked out of the room.
No, Mr. Skinner, I thought. No it was not.
A/N: Do you like it so far? Let me know.