Captain Nemo: The Fantastic History of a Dark Genius by Kevin J. Anderson

bitter but delicious Mexican cocoa.   Knowing that Nemo had no spare money, she withdrew a few sous and paid the waiter.
      “I cannot bear the thought of you in a pauper’s prison, André.”   Caroline smeared a croissant with marmalade from a porcelain jar, then nudged the plate closer to him.   He chose one of the flaky croissants for himself and bit into it; he hadn’t eaten a decent meal in a day.   Frustrated and uneasy, Nemo sipped the rich, dark drink.  
    “And so,” Caroline continued, “I have found a way for you to sign onto a ship.”
    Surprised, Nemo sat up.   “But I’ve already talked with the men down on the docks.   The crews are filled --”
    “My father says you wouldn’t want to ship out with those captains anyway.   But he has found an alternative -- provided you can leave tomorrow.”  
    He looked into her uncertain gaze.   He was excited by the prospect, though the consequences made it bittersweet.   “Leave?   Where?   On which ship?”
    “My father has offered to sign you aboard a three-masted brig, the Coralie .   It is an English research and trading vessel -- and you would be paid.”   She drew in a long breath.   “It is your chance to see the world, to do the things we talked and dreamed about.   You will find adventure, sail the seas, go to exotic ports. . . .   I am only saddened that, in order to help you, I must send you away from me.   It is the last thing I want.”   She touched his hand, then quickly withdrew.   “If you are interested in going, that is?”
    Nemo looked at her, stricken; he knew he had no other choice.   “I -- of course I’ll go.”   Then he repeated what he had said to her on their secret night outing.   “A world of adventure is waiting.”
    Caroline continued in a rush of words.   “You will be the personal cabin boy to Captain Grant.   My father says he is a kind and intelligent man.   The captain was pleased to hear about your curiosity and your studies.   He says he is willing to continue teaching you while you are on board.”  
    Nemo sat up, determined now and trying to absorb everything she was telling him.   “Where is the Coralie bound?   With what cargo?   Does she sail for ‘Aronnax, Merchant’?   With an English captain?”   His excitement drove back the looming dejection and helplessness he had felt during the past several days.
    “Captain Grant wishes to explore the world.   He owns the ship himself, with only a few investors for the cargo.   In fact, he reminds me of you, André, with the same passion, the same curiosity, the same refusal to believe in the impossible.   He doesn’t care whether you are French or English -- only that you are eager to learn.”  
    In her father’s office Caroline had studied the maps and learned the route by heart.   “You will sail down the African coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, and up to India, where the Coralie will take on a load of spices.   Then south again through the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and New Zealand.”
    “New Zealand?   I heard the Maori people tattoo themselves black and file their teeth to sharp points.”   He couldn’t wait to tell Jules Verne about it.
    “Then the Coralie will cross the Pacific to San Francisco before going south again.   Captain Grant wants to see the Galapagos Islands, which are supposedly full of strange fauna.   Then down around Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, and finally back to France.”
    “It sounds like I’ll be gone forever.”   As he said it, though, Nemo realized there was nothing to keep him here in Nantes.   Nothing but Caroline.
    “Two or three years, maybe more.”   She looked away.   “I will miss you very much.”
    Nemo felt bright hope once more.   “I’ll only be gone long enough to make something of myself.”   He finished his chocolat chaud and brashly ate another croissant.   “When I come back, Caroline, I’ll have my fortune -- and you will be old