The Olympian Sisters #2 The Great War

Chapter 21

HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA DECEMBER 1916 "OLYMPIC"

After a week of provisioning, I was ready to go home. My troops were loaded on from the trains. Many were impressed by my sheer size. I was the largest ship they'd seen after all.

"She's amazing!" One said. "A wonder of the age!" Another claimed. "She's got to be the empire's largest ship!" Technically, I wasn't England's largest ship as Britannic was larger than me, but there praises felt good nonetheless.

Captain Hayes walked onto the bridge, looking grim. "What's wrong, Hayes?" I asked. He didn't answer in words. Instead, he placed his hands on my wheel and showed me.

In his mind I saw the Marconi message from Captain Bartlett explaining Britannic's sinking. "No." I moaned. "I'm so sorry, Olympic." He whispered. "No, she can't be dead, she can't be!" I wailed.

Snapping my mooring lines, I raced out of the harbor. "Britannic!" I cried. "Britannic, please answer me!" I tried everything, from the normal string of connections to the direct sisterly link. I even tried my special power, thinking it might work, it didn't.

I was going so fast, I wasn't watching where I was going and I nearly collided with Arizona emerging from the fog.

"Olympic!" She exclaimed. "Move aside!" I yowled. She moved to let me through before turning around and following me. "Olympic, wait!" She cried, racing to catch up. "Go home, Arizona." I growled.

"Olympic, what's going on?" She called. Since I didn't answer, I saw a flash of gray as Arizona raced past and blocked my path. "Stop, Olympic!" She yowled.

I halted to avoid hitting her. "I have to get to Britannic!" I snarled at her. "Now let me through." I moved forward when she didn't budge and tried to shove her away.

"Olympic, there's nothing you can do." She whispered. "She needs me!" I cried, pushing vainly against the heavier battleship. "There's no point. She's gone, Olympic." She said.

I knew she was right. Britannic wouldn't ignore me, not when I was calling for her like my life depended on it. Something inside me snapped and I gave up fighting.

I collapsed against Arizona. The battleship grunted at the sudden extra weight but she managed to shift and press her bow against my side.

"Easy, easy." She whispered. Her voice was calm but tight. She was struggling to keep her emotions in check. "Why? Why her?" I sobbed. "I don't know." Arizona whispered.

"They killed her. I'm the one they want. Why don't they kill me? I want to die. Oh Neptune, please kill me. I want to die!" I wailed.

"Don't you say that? Don't you even think it for a second?" Arizona growled. "You're a battleship Arizona, you have the weapons. Shoot me!" I snarled. "I could never hurt you, Olympic." She whispered, her eyes widening in shock. I shook my head.

"Come on, you still have men to deliver if you ever want to see this war ended." She said and nudged me towards Southampton.