The Olympian Sisters #2 The Great War

Chapter 24

NORTH ATLANTIC JANUARY 1917 "OLYMPIC"

I was really beginning to hate these crossings. All I was doing was ferrying men to their deaths.

Almost 2 full months had passed since Britannic's death. As shocked and as saddened as I was by it, I knew that I had to carry on.

She would've wanted me to be happy. How could I though? I was the lone survivor of White Star's Olympic-class liners.

But I still had my fleet, I still had Arizona. The battleship was unique and in many ways, she seemed more merchant than naval.

I didn't deserve her love. After everything I put her through. I'd gotten her in serious trouble at home.

I'd just heard that Pennsylvania had broken all relations with her, because of her closeness to me. And although she said otherwise, I knew it was my fault that she was practically disowned.

Meanwhile, relations between America and Germany were worsening. I knew it would be only a matter of time before America joined the war.

Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare had deeply angered them. Arizona and the other battleships were busy escorting convoys across the Atlantic.

The last straw came in March, when British intelligence intercepted a German telegram to the embassy in Mexico.

The Zimmerman telegram asked Mexico to join the war against Britain in exchange for the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Britain warned America of the threat.

President Wilson called a meeting of congress on April 4. At first, the delegates were hesitant about any response but by April 6, America was officially at war with Germany.

With America's entry into the war, the Triple Entente became known as the Allied Powers, consisting of Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Japan and the United States, the Triple Alliance on the other hand, became known as the Central Powers, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Italy had surrendered to the Allies and was now assisting in our operations. So much for loyalty.

I slowed outside Halifax to take on the harbor pilot. "Morning, Olympic!" He said. "Morning." I said. "Finally, we have a chance. America's in the war. Germany and Austria don't stand a chance!" He exclaimed.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, it's great isn't it?" I muttered. I docked at my assigned berth. As glad as I was for America's aid, I was afraid for Arizona. She was now a belligerent and would be in danger of German patrols.

"This may sound weird, but I don't want America's help." I said to Hayes. He smiled. "I understand, Olympic." He replied.

"Arizona's a sister to me. I've already lost both of mine. Now she's in danger. What if something happens to her?" I asked. "It won't." He assured me. "How can you be so sure?" I asked.

He sighed. "Because, she's not being sent across the pond to help. We have an efficient supply of coal, but not oil. We couldn't support Arizona here, so she's supposed to patrol the New York coast and escort any Allied ship into the harbor." He replied.

I grinned. Arizona was safe. Apart from submarines, nothing could hurt her and I wasn't too worried about those.

She was a battleship and had a serious armor belt. It would take at least 5 or 6 torpedoes to finish her and just one gave away a submarines' presence, exposing her to the full fury of a battleship's waiting guns.

As usual, the coal tender and water boat came up alongside. "How are you today, Olympic?" The coal tender asked. "As good as a HMT can be, I guess." I answered. "Good to hear." The water boat said.

Beside me was another transport named Mont-Blanc. Along with troops, she carried several tons of munitions in her forward cargo holds.

"That's a risky move, that." I called. Mont-Blanc shrugged. "If England's gonna win this war, it's gonna need munitions." She replied.

I nodded. "Still dangerous though." I said. "Moving without a convoy is dangerous." She snorted.

"In fact, everything is dangerous in war." She added before I could argue.

I knew firsthand how true that was.