NEW YORK FEBRUARY 1916 "ARIZONA"
"We have to get involved!" I growled to my leader America. America was a Civil War veteran and had served many years under Constitution before the old sailing ship retired. America was a no-nonsense type and a by-the-book flagship who had little patience for my off-duty behaviors.
"No." She said. "Ships and men are dying over there right now. And Germany's U-boat threat is larger than ever. Convoys are being sunk just three miles off the coast." I argued.
"I've made my decision and it's final!" America replied. "But!" I began to protest. "No means no, USS Arizona." She snapped. "Fine!" I growled.
America's eyes softened a degree. "I know you want to help Olympic. But we're not at war with Germany." She said.
"Not yet." I muttered grimly. "True, we could be soon. But we aren't now and I expect you to behave like a neutral, not a belligerent, do I make myself clear?" She said.
"Yes, USS America." I replied, saluting. She saluted back. "Dismissed." I dipped my head and headed out.
I had to figure out a way to get the US involved in the war. America had said that I couldn't try and convince the government to step in, to behave like a belligerent.
Although the meaning was clear enough, she didn't say that someone else couldn't behave like one. I could always get someone else to do it for me.
What I needed was someone on land with enough power and popularity to control Wilson's decision and I knew just the man for the job.
Teddy Roosevelt was waiting for me when I arrived in Virginia. "Right on time, Arizona." He said.
"I don't waste a person's time." I replied. "So, you want to get into the war?" He asked. I nodded. "Come aboard and I'll tell you." I said. He did.
"Britain's taking a pounding over there. The Gallipoli Campaign was a disaster. Young men are dying and every day, liners are sinking." I said.
"Anyone in particular?" Teddy asked shrewdly. The man didn't miss a thing. "RMS Olympic." I replied. "Big liner." Teddy whistled. "You know she has another sister?" He asked. I nodded. "Yes, she told me about Britannic." I answered.
"You want to get into this war because of Olympic?" He asked. I nodded. "She's a sister to me." I replied.
"I understand, Arizona." He murmured. "I heard that a liner in Olympic's convoy hit a mine and sank. Olympic could easily have been that ship." I growled.
"Why don't you help then?" He asked. "I can't. I've been ordered to stay in New York." Too late, I realized my mistake.
"If you break orders here, you can break orders there." He said. "It was hard enough just to arrive here." I said.
In a naval fleet, orders aren't just given, they're felt. One ship, the leader, gives the group an order and they follow it, in an almost zombielike way.
We have no choice, we are literally bound to our leader. But I saw sense in Teddy's words. If I disobeyed once, I could do it again. But I had to be careful for disobedience demanded the highest punishment for just that reason.
"I'll do what I can." I muttered. "Good. Now, I'll need a better reason than Olympic to convince members of congress." He said.
"Tell them that men are dying out there. Some no older than 15 or 16. Convoys are being sunk less than 10 miles off our coast. They could even sneak into a harbor and attack. And we'd be caught totally by surprise because we've done nothing to prepare for it!" I growled. Teddy smiled. "I'll see what I can do." He said.
I brought him back to the dock. "Let's get those krauts." I growled. "With pleasure!" He growled back. I dipped my head in farewell and headed out.
I wasn't going back to New York, I was going to disobey orders and go to Southampton. As I left Chesapeake Bay behind, I met up with Nevada.
The older ship was kind and understanding of my dilemma. She agreed with my view on the war and I knew I could trust her with my secret.
"Running away are we?" She asked. "I'm going to Southampton." I muttered. She nodded. "If anyone asks, I'm patrolling the Caribbean." I whispered.
Pennsylvania wouldn't travel that far south if she could help it. She didn't like the tropics as the humidity ruined her paint job.
"Just be careful, Arizona." Nevada murmured. "There are submarines everywhere." I grinned. "Don't worry, I'll stay safe." I promised and headed out into the Atlantic.
Olympic was a marked ship. She was the target of a submarine and once you were a target, the sub wouldn't stop until it sank you. I had to warn her, I just hoped I wasn't too late.
YOU ARE READING
The Olympian Sisters #2 The Great War
Historical FictionWith the war broken out, Olympic together with her younger sister Britannic and Cunard flagship Lusitania must together find a way to survive the coming four years.