The Auctioneer

Chapter III: Calm before the Storm

RMS Titanic

400 nautical miles from Newfoundland, Canada

April 14, 1912 11:15 p.m. 

   Maya felt the imbalance movement of the wood floor under her feet like a swing. She grabbed the near steel handlebar of the door after the three of them respawned. Kroeger immediately checked on their third mate, who is as wiggly as Maya. He alternately looked at them, and his teeth showed in a low lighted room, insulting.

   "You'll get used to it, Fish," as he tapped Akira's back, who is now kneeling, with his right hand in his mouth. He then turned to Maya. "Ooh... damn, Lindsay knows what's best for you!"

   "Cut it out!' Maya fired back in a low whisper before her comrade continues the mocking. Everyone knows that she is seasick. She exhaled deep and white snow breathe came out. Despite the overcoat they wear, the below-freezing weather is penetrating.

   The small room they respawned is deserted. It was full of oil cans, rusty mechanical tools, and frozen paintbrushes. On the side of the door where Maya is still anchored are white and brown papers, rolled and piled. Light from outside gets through the small glass window, and it illuminated their shadows.

   Maya slowly peeked into the opening and surveyed the deck. She looked to her left. She heard a glassy sound of violins playing afar.

  But no one is patrolling. Maya turned her eyes to the right as much as she could. She saw a glowing light coming out in a room.

  She turned back to her company. Kroeger is already installing to his hand their issued taser. Akira on the other hand looks at them, still puzzled.

   "The right leads to the wheel room. This is Titanic's Bridge," she said. Kroeger gave him a nod and looked at his waterproof watch simulated to the Titanic's timeline.

   "OK. This is it. We have only 15 minutes to get that portable compass," relayed Kroeger. He spun his face to Akira, "You keep an eye at our back, Fish. You walk as fluffy as a cloud; you got me?"

   Akira was startled to answer. "Yes. I will. I will." He rushed to collect himself and replicated the two mentors who are checking their equipment one more time.

   Three shadows discreetly walked and passed the quiet cabins of the Bridge. Sounds of metal chains overlay the music in the distance, followed by loud cheers from the passengers.

   The southern breeze made the auctioneers hold to their tasers even more. The eerie, quiet night with stars dappled sky cannot put any qualm to the passengers of this ill-fated 'unsinkable' cruise line. Down the deck, a banquet hosted by the ship captain is held. There were no signs of what's coming, as the playing string band orchestrates the jubilation.

   Kroeger ganders at the slightly opened oak door. He saw the ship's wheel, unattended in the middle of four bronze telemotors. One of the three telephones hanging on the aft wall is left hanging and swinging as the ship moves. The warmer, yellow shade of the single open lightbulb hasn't shown the room's glamour. Titanic's wheelhouse is ahead of her time, and many captains kill to touch her majesty.

   Kroeger tip-toed into the room. He stepped on a seeming truffle skirt lying on the floor. He took a closer look and found more garments of a woman lying like a trail.

   He waved his left hand, and Maya and Akira followed through. They all kneeled in unison when they heard a moan coming from the right corner of the room. When their eyes adjusted in the dark, two silhouettes appeared, clinging to each other.