-1Chapter 3:

The Future

†Author's Notes†

To those who reviewed, thanks muchly. It encourages me that people actually read my stuff, and not everyone thinks it crud. I'm getting to the actual excitement … soon, I hope. I'm kind of just winging it at this point. The ideas haven't been coming as much I would wish them too as of late. Might have something to do with people I know being idiots, but I'm not mentioning any names. Heck. I'm not gonna bore you all with the crap in my life, I'm a writer, so I do my job, and write for you guys to critique and laugh at.

†

Pushing the rush of mild excitement away, Maya followed the man. Being in the same room with people that in some cases you can stand, and in other cases you cant, well… lets just say that it was nice to get out into the air again. Breathing the freshness happily, she almost skipped along the white halls. Bit of a scare to have darkness enclose around you, so she was doubly happy for the light that flooded the white hallways. Refusing to bounce openly, she opted to just walk lightly on the balls of her feet. No smile was highlighted in her gray-green-blue eyes, more like a grim determination to get her job done. Whatever "the job" was. Purpose in her footsteps, she scarcely remembered her companions who walked at their own paces behind her. Surrounded by the blue robed men with silver guns, the companions kept themselves close together in a bunch as to avert the idea of getting shot. Safety in numbers was the philosophy in play here.

The halls seamed like an endless maze. Art was ready to believe that the men were deliberately taking them threw the labyrinth, to confuse them. Finally those in front of her stopped abruptly, and she didn't notice. Bumping into Kali, she almost fell. Regaining her footing, she looked over her friend's shoulders. A giant white door in front of them was opening and Art caught a glimpse of a table and the League itself. The guards ushered them in quietly, all bowing to the Captain, and closed the door behind them. The friends spread out in front of the table as to be seen more easily, possibly for protection as well.

The League watched them, and the teens watched back. It was an all out staring contest for a few moments. Until Mina stood and cleared her throat. Blue eyes scouring their faces as if looking for lies, she spoke quietly.

" We have come to a decision. Since we have found no proof you are lying, we shall be tolerating your presence."

"Until you cause trouble, wish to disembark, or go back to your own time, if you can." said Nemo quickly, clearly outlining the rules. Mrs. Harker cleared her throat again, looking at her companion quickly. Nemo quieted down as Mina turned back to the visitors.

"As no one on this ship gets free boarding, you will all be working. Captain Nemo will assign you to a job, or a mentor if they choose to take you on to be taught whilst you are here. There will be no idle hands on this ship. Should your stories prove false at any time, you will be shot down, or otherwise disposed of. Clear?" The others nodded, seeing no way to convince them of their truthfulness. Nemo called a name, and one of the guards on duty at the side of the door stepped up with a bow.

"Escort these young visitors to their rooms please. Jobs will be known by the morning, if a League member decides to take you under their wing, you will know. Dismissed." the guard saluted and walked out the door. The former prisoners followed in a clump. Just glad to be out in the air.

Mina looked at Nemo and Jekyll.

"Did I say the right things? Is this what we want?"

"Indeed Madam, I agree with you. Let them have time to prove their fable true or false. It if is proven false, then I shall take great delight in running my blade threw their hearts. I have no mercy to those who lie to me." The doctor and the lady both nodded their heads, sharing his dislike bordering on hatred, of liars.

"Just a thought Mina," said the cockney accented Skinner, "but you didn't think that they would actually be able to get back to their own time now, do you?" he asked. The coat of leather accentuated the invisible man's movements and poses, so you could clearly see that he was leaning back on a chair with his arms folded. He still hadn't applied the white greasepaint that made his face visible to the others, and the lack of it to those who weren't used to the sight, made it look like there was a coat floating in midair. Mina sighed silently. Her lady image was one that she wasn't going to give up in a moment.

"Mr. Skinner, I'm sure that they will find some way back to their own time sooner or later. I'm just not sure when. What do you think Mr. Sawyer?" she asked, looking to the column that Tom had been seen leaning against at last sight. He was no where to be found. Skinner shrugged.

"Guess he's gone to make sure that they don't get into his things." said the man grinning slightly, although his team members couldn't see it. Up until running off with Dorian Gray and "M", that had been his job. He was a thief, and since he was invisible, it was his job to snoop. He had to admit, he hadn't actually gone threw Sawyer's stuff. Just picked at whatever was lying around. He liked the kid. Spunky, obnoxious, determined, straightforward, albeit a little dense, but hey. Weren't they all?

†

The boys were led down one corridor, the girls had to follow, as their was only one guard. He opened a door for each of them, then pointed at one of the boys. Kriss, Ryder and Kie went without a fight. Kie went a little reluctantly, but was too afraid to do anything to say goodbye to his girlfriend at the moment. The girls were led down another corridor, Maya couldn't tell weather they were deliberately being split up to weaken them, or just to observe proper behaviour of the era. Probably that. She thought as Art was directed into a room beside them. She herself was given the room next to Art. Going inside, she assumed that Kali would get the room next to her. She neglected to see the wall on that side. As the guard led her off to another wings of rooms that was separate to her friends, she worked on her nerve to ask the man about it.

"Excuse me sir, but why is there no room for me by my companions?" she asked quietly and carefully. The man turned and bowed, startling her.

"Milady, your room will be just down this way." he said pointing down a corridor that was no less then a hallway away from the others. She looked down it. It was well lit, that was fine. The man led her down to the first room on the right and opened the door for her. She moved into it with a small "thank you" to the man. He left abruptly, and Kali shut the door. She looked around the room that she had been given and was awed. It was white, yes. But the same decorative motive on the arches in the halls was on a few arches in this room. They separated the actual bed area from a desk, a small table, a dresser and a dressing screen. Of Indian design, the motif on the fabric was beautifully dyed and vividly sewn. The bed was large and had a canopy. The bedding was white and had red on it as well. Lights scattered the place, a few lanterns spread here and there provided portable light to where it was needed. The desk was blessed with a few thick stacks of paper, graphite, what looked to be an eraser of the time, quills, ink and a carving knife. She looked at it in awe. It was a writer's paradise, or at least, of the time it was a writer's paradise. She looked over the behind the screen and the bed. A few portholes looked out into the water. The ocean was dark gray blue. Amazing. She thought as she watched a fish or two swim by. I've never been on the ocean before, or under it for that matter. She walked over to peek out the submarine's equivalent of windows. Watching as both green things and animals swam by. Looking up was seaming to be the biggest issue. She couldn't see the surface, or even the glowing orb that took the sky in either day or night. Everything was gray, green and blue.

"Wow." she muttered, utterly amazed. She had always heard stories about how amazing the ocean was, she had never figured it would be this amazing. But of course, most people's first sight of the oceans was above it… on land. She was in a position of neither. A knock at the door made here fall back off the ledge she was using as a step stool to the outside world. Taller then herself as a teenager, she couldn't manage the lookout porthole on her toes yet. It was taller then her regular form, so she was happy with it. She fell back a bit, disappearing from the sight of the door. A chuckle sounded from the young man leaning up against the door frame. She stood back up, as if nothing had happened. Examining the man, she found that she knew his appearance quite well. The blonde mop of hair fell to the bottom of his chin, and his greenish hazel eyes laughed good naturedly. Black vest on a white blouse, black pants and boots. 2 colt pistols sat in twin holsters at his sides.

"You've never seen the ocean before?" he asked her.

"No sir." she said carefully. His eyes laughed, and his face still registered a small smile, but she wasn't sure of him. The League had proven themselves trustworthy before, least in the movie, so she did trust them a little, but she didn't know weather to offer him a chair, ask his name, or introduce herself. He solved the problem for her as he walked in as to examine her room.

"Small room." he commented, looking around her new accommodations. She gave him a look of surprise, then hid it behind a more demure one. Looking around at it herself, she knew that it was defiantly bigger then her room at home. But when your supporting 4 kids on the housing market as it was, well it was an amazing accomplishment.

"Its bigger then my room at home." she said with a shrug. Thinking of something, she looked at him with a neutral expression. "Isn't your room the same size as this?"

"No. Yes. Maybe, wait, huh?" he asked, obviously landing back on earth with a solid thump. She raised an eyebrow. He cracked a smile, but attempted to hide it behind his hand. It didn't work. Clearing his throat, and discarding his smile, he looked at her. "What do you know of weaponry?" he asked, suddenly businesslike. She thought for a moment.

"I know the sword to a degree, not fantastically, but I know a little. I have aim when I want it, but I've never held a gun before." he seamed puzzled.

"Does the future not have guns?" he asked.

"Yes, it does… unfortunately, but it also keeps a hold on the traditions of different cultures and their histories. The brand of swordsmanship that I know combines that of Japan, Europe, and wild swinging. English bows and arrows are where I learnt to develop aim. Had I been there for the classes more then I was, then I might have gotten very good." growling at herself, mentally over the fact that she had been sick for most of that module in gym. He considered.

"I suppose… I wanted to take you as a protégé due to Skinner's tail of the dart throwing girl. Takes spunk to protect your friends against something unseen."

"Mr. Sawyer, I-"

"Tom. Please, or Sawyer. No Mr, no Thomas, just Tom or Sawyer." he said, wincing slightly at the title. "I'm not married yet, and I don't intend to be for a long while. So until then, its Tom. So who are you?" he asked. She didn't move, she blinked.

"Kalypso, Kal, mostly known as Kali." she said with a shrug. Brown eyes studied the spy. Typical man. Tactless, and hopeless, but sweet. In some ways, Sawyer reminded her of Ryder. But Ryder was… well, Ryder. There was really no other way to describe him. Anyway… " I don't like guns that much, but I admire your skill with them. Besides, Skinner is exaggerating." He looked at her.

"S' Much as Skinner exaggerates, he seamed very frank about the knife throwing girl who almost scalped him."

"His words?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"Mine." he said. She blinked. "So is that an acceptance, or not?" he asked. She nodded. Better to know your weapons here, then be defenceless in a world that wouldn't mind killing you. "Good." he said as a knock sounded at her door. A navy blue dressed shipman looked at them.

"Mr Sawyer, Mrs… uh… Ma'am, dinner is served."

"Good, food has been long overdue." said Sawyer, rubbing his palms together like a child waiting for dessert. She grinned slightly at his back as he moved towards the door. Pulling out the throwing knives from her belt, she left the stiletto. Admittedly, she didn't need it. She really doubted the League would be attacked on the Nautilus underwater, as it was. She severally doubted that the League would be attacking them, any time soon. In truth, it made her feel cool. Powerful, refined, dangerous. Foolish? Perhaps. But in the midst of a scare, having confidence brought along by something, anything; can give you the confidence to succeed. Besides, it probably would be all that comfortable as she had shifted the placement of the knives. Sawyer poked his head back in her door.

"You comin'?" he asked as she straightened up.

"I'm here." she said, walking after him. He waited for her to catch up. Attempting to memorise the hallways as he led her to the dining room, they walked into the white room, almost hand in hand. Shoulder to shoulder more like, and looked at the assembled group. The tweens were off to themselves, the League were the same. Standing alone on different sides of the table, they looked at the two as they came in. Almost startled to see them together.

The table was spread with different foods, mostly fish, but the rest of the decorations around the fish as a centerpiece accounted for a defiantly balanced meal. Kali paled as she realised that two of her friends hated normal fish. Wouldn't touch it unless it had been breaded. Luckily for all of them, she saw a few plates of scattered breaded fish around the table. Nemo looked at them.

"If we could be seated as not to let the meal get any colder?" he asked, gesturing to the table. The rest took the hint, and sat down. Again Jekyll pulled a chair out for Mina. Kie followed suit for Art. The rest just sat themselves as they wished. Nemo gave a quick blessing, and food migrated around the table. It was all amazingly cooked, and the teens didn't inquire as to what exactly the dishes were, or contained. Probably best. Conversation was at a standstill, until Jekyll asked quietly.

"What's the future like?" The teens shot glances at each other as the League looked at them.

"Well…" began Kali.

"The future…" started Art.

"Ummm…" said Maya. The boys remained silent as they attempted to come up with an answer.

"The future that comes in the years to come is many things." said Kali.

"Huge medical and technological discoveries have been made." said Maya.

"Where everyone is equal and free."

"Dreams that you have now will become reality. Transportation will expand."

"Art too."

"Media will make things easier to know, easier to find out."

"Talking to people across the world doesn't't take a minuet"

"But, like every bright future, there are things that darken it. Many wars will be fought, world wars like M's dreams illustrated. People will invent better ways to kill others, stemming from a common cold, to giant guns."

"Millions of people will be slaughtered for someone's cruel dreams."

"Kites of metal will fly threw the sky carrying people, and things to other places."

"Man will have walked on the moon."

"Impossible." said Mina. "The moon has not enough oxygen on it to sustain human life."

"We made suits to hold oxygen while we walked on the moon." said Kriss, in answer.

"Communications, industry, technology, research will make diseases that kill millions ,obsolete."

"Cultures will be recognised all over the world, and people will become richer."

"The future is bright, but like all times in every world, things will move to make it corrupt, some people will make sure of it, and others will not support the rest. The future is what you make of it, but it promises hope, and better lives for many." finished Maya. The League stared at them.

"So when does it all start?" asked Sawyer. Enthusiasm poured off his frame.

"Whenever you walk forward." said Kali quietly.

†

†Author's Notes†

Another chapter gone, another on the way. Sorry the chapters are so long, I just have a lot of characters to develop and most of them don't interact in reality. Cause a few hate each other, or sorry, intensely dislike. Others have only seen each other a few times and have had little contact other then that. So its harder to put them into situations where they can interact. So with all luck, this will give then chances to do something with everyone.