The Great War League

by Flipfrog

New terrors are unleashed on the Western Front. M assembles an emergency League to deal with it: a pilot, a jungle lord, an airship captain, a cat burglar, an inventor and what! an insect man. Battles will erupt in the sky and rip the Earth asunder at the front-lines before the evil is traced to an island where science itself has gone mad. The Twilight Heroes lurk in the shadows.

50. Chapter 50

Chapter 50

The rendezvous point with the Luftpirat was near, yet the League stopped for a rest. They had left the volcano without meeting any of the remaining staff and traversed a measure of the island without running into any resident horrors. Some eohippi did run across their path and miniature homunculi could be seen on their backs.

"I don't think we're finished here yet." Said Tom.

"Totenkopf is dead." Replied Mors. "The foul war production has ceased."

Biggles added. "Thus our mission is a complete success."

"But the complex is intact." Said Tom. "The industrial capability of this place could continue and produce God knows what."

"Without Totenkopf." Uttered Irma. "This place will wind down. Anyone who remains will steal themselves away."

Tarzan added. "Done all we need to do."

Gregor articulated his limbs in what everyone felt was jubilation.

"Our friend Gregor will talk one day." Announced Biggles. "When we get back, I will have M place him under the personal tuition of England's top elocutionist, Professor Henry Higgins."

Insect limbs waved in extra happy anticipation.

The Luftpirat had lowered down to a clearing and deployed its gangplank. All members of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen traveled the last few steps to the clearing, and one by one walked up the ramp.

Tom let himself be last. He pondered the possibility of this complex achieving its end purpose. He had observed it from within and watched it achieve a great degree of automation. It could continue doing a lot of things.

"The rocket." Tom thought to himself. "Could they actually perfect and complete the ark rocket without Totenkopf? Could they launch it for an interplanetary exodus, with two of every animal, to the World of Tomorrow?"

Biggles yelled. "Come on Tom. We're all waiting for you."

He began his ascent up the ramp slowly, still lost in thought. Some ominous words from Jorge Vargas came to his memory.

"This whole complex is Totenkopf, every wire, every gear."

Tom looked back at the volcano before completing his ascent. The machines were still running, the electronics still buzzing, he could hear them.

"We're raising the gangplank now Tom." Said Mors.

The boy snapped out of his bleak concerns and quickly finished his trip up the gangplank into the Luftpirat.

As soon as the airship cleared the island, Lindo popped open several bottles of champagne and handed flute glasses among the League and a bowl for Gregor. The sparkling liquid filled the vessels and Biggles raised his glass for a toast to the League's success.

A framed photograph of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, including Tom, was presented to the jubilant group. Tom put aside his concerns about Totenkopf's legacy. After a few sips of the bubbly drink he lost himself in the revelry.

"Now there is only one more thing to do." Announced Biggles. "Get on the radio and tell M the good news."

THE END