The 96th hour

1

I turn my eyes to my son. He is also looking a me but smiles. This eases me up inside and I relax my muscles. Just now I realize how stiff I have been. 
"Hello, can you hear me?" A women's voice asks. I look around and find amspeaker in the "corner" on the left behind Stockton's monitors. 
"Loud and clearly, M'lady" He answers. 
"So, everything goes by plan and all is fine. The connection is as good as always and we will hold contact the entire time. And Stockton?"
"Yes, dear?" 
"Firstly, how often do I have to tell you this, stop calling me those names, and secondly, I will hear everything you tell these gentlemen so be polite and correct, alright?"
"Yes ma'am" Stockton grins at us widely. I can't help but also smile slightly. Maybe I can trust this man. 
"Urgh, I cant stand you." Is her final sentence because we hear a beep and the speaker is silence. 
"For your information and to deepen you feeling of safety, we use Elon Musk's starlink sattelite technology so if anything fails, which again it won't, you can blame him instead." Stockton tells us. 
That sounds promising. I have met Elon once and yeah, he is a bit creepy but an intelligent and trustworthy person and I believe in his technology. 
"Now Gentleman, I would like to know more about each of you, also because I know you don't know each other personally. And this journey will make us the best of friends, I can promise that." He looks at each of us equally, then stops at Paul. "Paul, I have already told the other some facts about you, but would you continue to tell us a bit more?" 
"Yeah sure. As you can see, I am older than all of you. I am 77 years old and have already seen the Titanic with my own eyes. I must tell you, fellows, its really beautiful. Your breath will be taken, I promise. The titanic is covered in corals which gives it a mysterious kinda glow. But you will see. As Stockton has told you, I have brought items up from the Titanic to the surface but sadly we won't do this today. And that was back in 1987, so a long time ago. I miss those times." His eyes get a little glazed over as if remembering some old memory, overwhelmed with nostalgia.
"Thank you Paul. Will you continue Hamish?"
" 'course. I am 58 and I was a student at Cambridge and have studied natural science and chemical engineering. I have been to Antarctica and been to Space. Now I want to see the depths of the ocean. The Titanic was only a movie for me before this trip but I have done my research and I am very excited for this." Hamish explains. Paul has woken up from his daydreaming and asks: "You have been to space and the north pole? That's absolutely impressive. Do you mind telling me more sometimes over a nice meal?" 
"I would love to. My wife would be more than happy to cook for us. My son's Rory and Giles would like to speak to a French Navy commander too, they already know a lot about you." 
"I am honored, Hamish. How do I deserve this?" 
"Please, Paul, basically we are already close friends, seeing how close we are sitting together." They then both start laughing and I am amazed at how well this introduction went. Their laughing is also calming me. I could see us in here playing cards and drinking til we get to the Titanic. 
"Now it's your turn, Shah. Why do you want to see the Titanic with you own eyes?" Stockton asks me.
"Well, I am interested in the history of immigration to the US where the Titanic is deeply involved with. Also of it's construction. You see, in Pakistans I am working on turning chemicals into energy and there I also have a lot to do with different constructions. Not so much with the ones for ships but it still interests me a lot. Maybe you or Paul can tell me more about this."
"Absolutely I can" Paul answers. " Those 35 years of studying won't go to waste my fellow. But we will get to that once we arrive at the bottom".
"Thank you, I am really looking forward to it" 
"No need to thank me. I like educating others."
"Now Suleman, what about you? As a teenager are you really that interested in a boring ship? Did your dad here convince you to go?" Stockton laughs. 
"Nono, not at all. I wanted to go more than he. I am fascinated by the deep sea and especially the Titanic. I have a hyper fixation on the movie, as a side note and because we have the possibility I will see it for myself. Also... Well I haven't told this anybody yet, but I want to set a world record..." He gets silent and everybody leans forward to hear what he is about to say.
"Well, what is it, boy?" Paul asks.
"I have brought my Rubik's cube." 
We all look at him in surprise. I know he is really good at solving these cubes but huh? 
"And how do you plan on making a world record?" Paul asks.
"Well, I will be the first to solve a Rubik's cube so deep in the ocean." He rummages around in his pocket and pulls out the fidget toy. "And you all will be my witnesses. I can solve these things in record time, can't I dad?"
I nod, still taken aback by his statement. I also feel a bit pride for my son, that he has thought about something like this. He is as creative as his mom.
Stockton claps. "Wow, that is a great idea, Suleman. Shah, I think you should be proud of your son." 
I smile:" Stockton, I really am. He is the greatest thing on earth to me. 
Suleman blushes and starts fidgeting with his cube. I know I don't tell him that I love him enough because I often don't see him due to work and his studies.
"Aww yes, really cute, Father and son bonding moment. See, this journey really only is for our best. Now to me, even though you all already know me. I am 61 years old, so not the oldest here, even though I may look like it judging on Paul's good looks. I am the founder of the great company OceanGate. I have a degree in aerospace and am polite of planes and aircrafts. Don't worry, of course also of submarines." Stockton says. 
I really enjoy the atmosphare in the sub right now. Its like we all have been friends for a lifetime and I feel safe with these people. All my worries from before have vanished. Looking out of the small window I can only see the light from one bright lamp outside but sometimes I see fish out there. I can't identify them because we are already to deep down to catch them when fishing and I can only see them swimming by for a short second. I can't believe it that I really am here. I the Titan. The thought only slowly settles in, making a feeling of amazement spread inside of me.
"Is everything all right, ladies?" The woman's voice sounds again "Just for your information, you have already been down there for an hour. The sinking speed is now only 2.5 knots." 
"Thank you, yes, everything is fine" Stockton answers. Without an answer the beep sounds again and the speakers are silent.