A Lost Mystery

(Baltimore Harbor, Maryland, June, 9, 1917, 3rd P.O.V)

As the light dimmed from the process, the four teens took a look at their new and less modern location. Sea air filled their lungs and a few people walked by as if nothing had occurred in their area. “Where are we?” Dark asked the teens looked around at their surroundings and clothes. “Why do we look as if we’re a part of a 1920’s music number?” Minuette asked as she looked at her white dress with low heels to match. Dark was dressed in a white shirt, black pants with silver suspenders, black shoes, and a flat cap to make him seem like a poor worker. Randy was in a black fedora with a black suit jacket, light gray vest, white shirt, black tie, black pants, and black and white shoes. Oasis was wearing a white dress with short sleeves with navy blue trim, low cut heels, and fashionable white hat. “I think we look rather nice.” Oasis said as she looked herself over. “I can agree, who knew I looked good in a flat cap.” Dark concurred as he messed with his hat a little. “I know we all look nice, but why did I get a three piece suit? That’s ridiculous!” Randablitz said with a slight hint of annoyance. “How about all just agree that are all look equally nice.” Minuette pointed out as they just agreed.

Not far from where they were standing the sound of a ship’s horn rang through the air. The four teens covered their ears due to the loudness. “Oi have ya heard? The Germans had set up a new unrestricted submarine warfare into play and just a month back, the Lusitania was hit off near Ireland.” A man said to another in a conversation as they passed by the recovering teens. “No kidding, Hopefully Gladiator’s reliable could avoid Lusitania’s fate.” The other responded as they walked off over towards the pier. The teens just now realized where they were. “Guys, we’re in Baltimore on the day Saurotania left the harbor!” Dark exclaimed in slight excitement, and fear. “I guess we better get going, because from what that video in history, the ship leaves at 1:00 PM.” Oasis remarked as a clock tower overhead showed that was five minutes til 1. “Do we even have tickets?” Randablitz asked as he checked his pockets. Lo and behold a piece of paper was felt in the pocket. “I have one.” Randablitz said as he held up his ticket. “Me too.” Minuette, Oasis, and Obsidian said as they held up their tickets. “Ok so I suppose have another 3 minutes to make for the gangway before Saurotania leaves so.” Dark said as everyone else had the same sense to run for the Saurotania.

Running around a block, the Saurotania was still moored to the dock, but a large crowd was seen cheering as the people aboard bid their farewells to America. The four teens ran for the gangway as it was being lifted and jumped for it. “Excuse me, but did you lot go through security and do you have boarding passes?” An officer asked. “Yes sir.” They all said as they presented their tickets. “Very well, you’ll be sharing a room with that group. I’m sorry for any inconvenience, but it’s all we can spare seeing as how we’re a bit crowded until we get to Scotland.” The officer said with a remorseful tone. “It’s completely fine, thank you by the way.” Minuette said as the teens walked into the ship and headed up to the boat deck to watch the Saurotania’s departure.

In the bridge, Captain Francis .C Bartlett, Brother of Charles Bartlett, who also captains the Britannic, looked out into the Atlantic as he gave the order. “Proceed with departure, All ahead Slow. Hard to starboard.” “Aye sir!” The quartermaster said as he used the order dial on the ship engine order telegraphs to have the crew below decks see their current orders. “All ahead, slow!” The chief stoker shouted over the cacophony of noise from the boilers and furnaces. The stokers shovelled in the coal to help produce the steam pressure the engines require to operate properly. In the engine room, the chief engineer saw the EOT at ahead slow. “Alright lads, All ahead slow.” He said as the steam pressure rose to allow the engines to slowly activate. “Aye!” an engineer shouted as the pistons started to pump in a slow and steady rhythm. As some small tugboats helped pull the ship from the pier, the crowd cheered ever more to see the glistening vessel on another grand voyage as the Saurotania let out another whistle from atop her funnels.

Meanwhile on Deck E Section 3, the four teens and their living companions were just getting into their room and stow away their valuables. “So what brings ya four here?” The scotsman asked as he placed his suitcase on his bed. “Oh well, we’re just going to work on our family’s sheep farm.” Oasis said hoping it would convince him that it was true. “Ah so ya have family in the Highlands?” The scotsman asked with a surprised look on his face. “Yes we do, it’s just that we were raised in America, but we are Scots at heart.” Dark said with a nervous smile. “Well I wish ya luck, name’s Rocky, Rocky Mountain.” Rocky said as he extended his hand invitingly.  “Great to meet you too, I’m Shadow Fang.” Dark introduced himself with a different identity. “Prophetic Sculpture’s my name, sculpting is my game.” Randablitz said as he made up his fake identity. “I’m Clashing Dawn, pleased to make your acquaintance.” Oasis said as she slightly bent her knees in a greeting. “Romantic Chaser, I’m pleased to meet you Rocky.” Minuette said with a cheerful smile.

“Pleasure ta meet you all, Hope ta meet ye again, but for now, I have to catch some sleep.” Rocky said as he took his suitcase and left to another cabin next door. “See ya later, we need to get sorted ourselves.” Randablitz said as they gently closed the door to their cabin. Their room was not too fancy, but adequate with two beds, a bathroom, a little bookshelf, and a small desk, it was like living in style. “So, I guess we share beds for this trip and the bed on the right is where I call dibs.” Dark said as he leapt into the soft and plush mattress. “Looks like I have the one on the left.” Randy said as he gently laid down on his bed. “Guess you ladies have your pick then.” Dark said as the two looked at each bed quizzically. Minuette blushed at the thought of sharing a bed with a boy, it didn’t matter if it was Dark or not, it was just an awkward situation for her. While she was lost in her thoughts, Oasis already made her way to the left bed and Minuette nervously looked to her right. “I guess I’m with Dark then.” She sighed in defeat as she waded towards Dark’s bed. “Great, sleeping arrangements off the list, what’s next?” Dark said as he lowered his hat over his eyes as he was to prepare for a nap. “I was thinking of going to a lounge to explore the ship a bit, and maybe get a bite to eat.” Oasis said as she stood up and opened their cabin door. “Anyone of you is welcome to join me, or stay here either way I’m going out for a bit.” She offered as she slowly closed the door, minding their neighbors. “I can agree, let’s get to know our surroundings, maybe this vessel could have more to offer than we think.” Randablitz said as he rose from the bed. “I’m gonna go with them, I need to get out more anyway.” Minuette said as she joined the duo leaving. “Ok, have fun, I’ll just get some shut eye and find you guys later.” Dark said as he closed his eyes when Oasis turned off the lights. “Sleep tight.” Minuette said with a tender motherly tone.

Back on the Bridge, Francis Bartlett was standing on the starboard wing overlooking the bow of his grand vessel with a few passengers strolling the decks. His first mate by the name of Zachary Hill stood next to him. “Let’s stretch her legs, Mr. Hill, Full Speed.” Francis smiled as Zachary nodded. Walking into the Bridge, he met with the Quartermaster. “Full Speed Ahead.” Zachary said as the Quartermaster set the EOTs dial to Full Speed. Down in the Engine Room, the chief engineer saw the new orders. “Lads, let’s give all she’s got! All Ahead Full!” The chief engineer shouted with a smile on his sweaty face. As the pressure increased to produce more power to the main turbines, The pistons began to accelerate in a faster beat. In the Boiler Rooms, more coal had to be shovelled in to keep the steam pressure high. “Go men, come on, put your backs into it, let’s light these up bright.” The chief stoker shouted to his fellow stokers. “Sir we have a small surplus of steam, we need to vent it!” A stoker shouted over the roar of the furnaces. “So be it, the better we maintain these babies, the better she runs!” The chief stoker replied as he opened the funnel vents. Black smoke escaped through the three large stacks and the Saurotania’s propellers began rotating quickly as the speed increased. Back to Zachary in the Bridge, he approached the Captain with a smile. “23 knots sir.” He informed Francis as he sipped on a cup of tea. “Excellent, now have some of the attendants see how our guests are doing.” Francis said as he placed his tea down on his desk as he played the morning paper’s puzzle.

Meanwhile within the luxury liner, The three teens were heading up to C Deck by taking a lift up from the early elevators to explore what made this vessel what Gladiator says. Immediately they can hear some elegant music that you would typically hear from a formal dance. “Now this is good music, not that crap we’re exposed to.” Randy said as he listened to the sound of a proper string quartet. “Oh come on modern music isn’t that bad.” Minuette said as she defended their era’s music. “It’s not that bad, it’s just annoying and repetitive.” Oasis pointed out as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. “Well would you look at that, An elegant ballroom.” Minuette said as they stepped off the elevator. The strings played some of the classical hits, People danced with grace to the music as people were having their own conversations in a mini bar. The Ballroom flooring was mostly polished Purpleheart hardwood with a marble dancefloor as a grand chandelier hung overhead, glistening the ballroom with sheer beauty and elegance. “Now I can see why Saurotania had a knack in luxury.” Oasis said as they looked in awe at the elegant area. “Uhuh, so let’s have some fun and loosen up a little.” Randy said as he skimmed the ballroom for a good place to sit. One of the young teenage boys came up to Minuette with a shy smile on his face. “Excuse me miss, I’m terribly sorry.” The boy said as he accidentally bumped into her. “It’s fine, just pay more attention to where you’re going next time ok?” Minuette said as she smiled at the boy. “Damn it, I got nothin’ maybe she stole those clothes, like I stole the bartender’s tip jar.” The boy said in disappointment.

Back in the stateroom , as Dark woke up from a really good nap and found that he still had some daylight to kill. “I wonder where they went?” I said to myself as I headed out of the room and headed down the hallway to the lift that was nearby. With little to no knowledge of the vessel’s interior design, they could be on any deck, so he decided to head up three decks to B Deck. “Okay, so where am I now?” Dark asked as he heard the sound of jovial music coming from the end of the hall. Curiosity prevails as he went down the hall to follow what he was hearing and much to his surprise, he found one of the ship’s reservation rooms. Many people were having a good time as if they were in a pub with music and drinks everywhere. The Irish like music was upbeat and makes anyone want to dance a jig. Many of the dancers were in their late teen, early twenties and several of them were slightly tipsy. One dancer stumbled into the awestruck Dark Obsidian and held on to him as a support. “Sorry ‘bout that dear.” A young British woman with scarlet hair said with a slightly drunken smile on her face. “It’s fine, just take it easy with the alcohol or you’ll end up like that poor bastard over there.” Dark pointed over to a passed out Irish man with a half-empty beer in his mug. “Point taken, I needed to sit down anyway, but some asshole took my chair.” The young woman said with a frown on her face. “Where’s this guy at?” Dark asked as he looked around the room. “Over there, where that girl is sitting. My name’s Claire, by the way, and you are…” Claire said as she managed to stabilize herself a bit. “Shadow, Shadow Fang and I’ll be back in a moment.” Dark said as he headed over to the people that took Claire’s spot. “Excuse me lads, but I’m afraid that you have taken a seat that someone else was using and I’d very much be appreciative if you were to return it.” Dark said humbly to the two.

“Listen here lad, how about I get ya another chair for yer woman and we can have this matter settled, and nobody gets hurt?” One of the men asked as he looked at the boy. “Fine, just as long as you don’t have a sack of potatoes to hit me with.” Dark said as he rolled his eyes. “Oi! Is that crack about me bein’ Irish?” The buzzed Irishman asked as the rest of his friends tried to keep him at the table. “Oh no I meant no offense, all I mean is that I hope you don’t hit me for asking.” Dark replied with confidence. “Oh, so you were afraid of me hittin’ ya’ ‘cause I might’ve been intoxicated, well I can understand laddy, so here’s yer chair, and how’s about ya stay for a couple of drinks, a man like you looks like he can hold his liquor.” The Irishman said as he gave Dark the chair that was behind the table. “No thanks, I was just trying to find my friends.” Dark said as he grabbed the chair. “Ok suit yerself, but if yer lookin’ for a good time, I suggest ya get me and my mates to join ya for a good ol’ fashioned drinking game. Name’s Slate Cider.” Slate said as he sat back down at his table. “I’ve never touched alcohol to be honest so I might not know what to expect.” Dark said as he handed Claire her chair. “Well then we need to change that then. Bit of advice though, pace yerself, don’t try ta drink a whole glass at once, or you’ll get sick. Second stay with friends, keep some water close by, and never drink on an empty stomach!” Slate said as he gave Dark a whole mug of beer. Hesitant for a moment, Dark grabbed the mug and took a small sip to taste the beer. Alcohol filled his tastebuds and the smell hit his nose hard, but it was actually pretty good. After taking a few good sips, the mug was empty and his new Irish companions cheered as Dark took a new step into manhood.

Meanwhile back at the stateroom the three teens saw that their friend was missing from his bed. “Where do you think he went?” Oasis asked. “Maybe he asked himself the same thing when he came to try and find us. Too bad cell phones don’t exist yet, otherwise this would’ve been a breeze.” Minuette said as she sat on the edge of her shared bed. “Agreed, for now let’s try and find our friend.” Randy said as they left their room and headed back to the lift. “Whoa mate, The party on B-Deck was really lively, reminds me of that pub in Dublin.” An Irish man said with enthusiasm to his companion. “I know, me legs were killing me after that last jig and I’m quite surprised that a young man would take on Slate in that little wager.” The other man replied as they passed the teens. “Excuse us sirs, but would this young man happen to have black and silver streaked hair and dressed like a working class man?” Minuette asked. “Oh yeah, that boy has a good stomach, to drink six beers, and not pass out, that’s a man in a boy’s body.” The first Irishman said with a smile. “We need to find him, Now!” The three said in unison as it became a mad dash to the lift and B-Deck. After a ride on the lift, the three teens heard the sound of laughter from down the hall. Entering the room, the sounds of an Irish pub was as clear as day as men drank, danced a jig and even the drunken Irish guy had a few more beers than he should. “I see him, over there!” Randy said as he saw their friend with a smug grin on his face. “Is that all you got?” The drunken teen asked. “Laddy, I’m callin’ it quits here, ya beat me at my own game. The new champion of the pub is Shadow Fang!” Slate announced as he admitted defeat at the hands of a teenager. The men and women rejoiced as Dark got up from his chair and smashed the winning mug and gave a loud, long belch of victory. The three teens made their way over to their drunk friend. “I wonder what you’ve been up to?” Minuette asked as she helped Dark sit back down. “Hey guys, how’s it goin’ ya missed all the fun!” Dark said as he laughed at Minuette’s disappointed expression. “Oh boy, he’s gonna have a hell of a morning tomorrow, but thanks for showing him a good time, he really needed it.” Randy said as he shook his head. “It was a pleasure, he does have a stomach and give him some of these, it’ll help with the hangover.” Slate handed them some pills and the pair of friends left the party to head back into their stateroom.

As the teens were on their way back to their stateroom the ship’s intercom came on. “Attention crew and passengers, we’ve received reports of drifting icebergs in this region, so if you hear any loud noises during the night, that would be an iceberg breaking against the hull, so no worries. Have a safe and pleasant evening.” Captain Francis announced over the intercom. “Well that’s assuring.” Minuette said as they entered the room and laid their friend on the bed. Outside the sky was growing dark as the first night of their voyage was beginning. “Well, it’s time for bed, we’ll deal with him in the morning.” Oasis said as she took off her clothes and laid down to go to bed. “You sleep in your underwear?” Randy asked as he saw his girlfriend semi-nude for the first time. “Yeah. You got a problem with that handsome?” Oasis asked with a smug smile. “N-no, I’ve just never seen you like this before.” Randy said as he took off the majority of his suit, but left on the shirt and pants. “Whatever, good night.” Oasis said as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The others followed suit and the end of the first day had come.