01 Introduction

Writers of the day are often subject to mandates imposed by publishers. As times change, that which publishers consider acceptable also changes. We are free to write what we want but not free to publish what we want. Even one as learned as myself only has a certain amount of influence.

Through a series of events partially beyond my control, I knew I had to re-examine a journey with a most incredible man. Coming upon certain journals and testimonies coupled with additional eyewitness accounts, I sought to revisit my original manuscript. I did not tell the entire story.

I originally dared to make it my own story. I was wrong. I realized that I displayed the utmost of arrogance and betrayal. Yes, I betrayed those who sailed the Nautilus by succumbing to the whims of my publisher. I committed a disservice to certain persons with my omissions that my publisher insisted upon in favor of selling books.

Should I simply rewrite it anew? No, I decided. Let that folly continue. One cannot truly appreciate the knowledge I offered if it felt burdened with real things afflicting genuine persons. Critics said the original was a travelogue with a hint of an escape plan. It was more than that. I daresay, if not for the urgings of my dear friends, I would have stayed on that incredible boat. I forgot the human heart.

I documented in detail the many events favoring science in my descriptions. I struggled with my publisher, Monsieur J. Hetzel, who did not want to offend certain reading audiences; I was appalled with the Mercier Lewis translation, which applied butchery to one-fourth of my published manuscript and corrupted the meaning of scientific inventions.

So absorbed in gathering knowledge, I forgot the people. I – the arrogance creeps in again. There is more to life beside one man living for his own selfish purposes. My mistake has caused the world to hear just one point of view. Let me correct that for you. Today's publishers are willing to explore this revisited tale.

At the time, Nemo was an enigma to me. He never revealed his past to me. He was a contradiction, a freedom fighter that imprisoned all who boarded his vessel. This greatly upset my companions who constantly entertained escape schemes. Working to save lives, he took lives – although with the greatest of sorrow, fueling his descent into madness. Despising imperialism, yet daring to claim the South Pole in his own name – another contradiction – he knew that someday another person would claim it for his country.

I published my work Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World. Yet man's inhumanities against man continue. Slavery, starvation, aggression, and war – we think we are civilized. I do not believe any man is truly free. We are only as free as those who assume power allow us to be. It is an interesting challenge.

I am Professor Pierre Aronnax, curator with the Paris Museum of Natural History. I shall never forget science but I will learn to remember humanity desires more than recitation of scientific orders.

"The argonaut is free to leave its shell," I told Conseil, "but it never does."

"Not unlike Captain Nemo," Conseil replied sagely. "Which is why he should have christened his ship the Argonaut."