[02] Sinking Ship!

[Victoria]

The ballroom led towards another hall, or rather, quite a few halls. The ship appeared to be much larger than she had originally thought. She quickly walked through the beautiful corridor, and stopped as she passed a large map set on the wall. She stood and studied the information; it appeared to have been made to direct passengers around the ship with the most ease possible. She dragged a finger along the lines, and found the route she needed.

She began to jog again, following the hall as it opened into a sort of dining area. A few passengers sat conversing. She heard them whisper, unsure of what may be happening. Just before she had arrived a jolt had overtaken the ship, causing a stir in the men and women aboard. No news had been given, just that they should remain calm and stay put. Victoria wanted the whole story; she didn’t want to sit by as the ship sank to the bottom of the ocean.

She made her way to a stairwell, and stopped abruptly. A young man looked up at her, and she prepared to take him out if she had to. “I’d like very much to get by,” she said, staring sternly at the blonde.

They exchanged words, and he surprised her. “Actually you don’t. But if you’re trying to blend in, you probably should.” He held out his hand and she eyed him suspiciously. “Kaden. I’m in Gamer’s…. game, also.”

Ah, makes sense. She shook his hand quickly, and after a few more words, he let her pass. I won’t be the only one here, the last event had at least four of us, which will probably be the same case here. She hurried down the stairs, ready to get some answers.
There was shouting, so much shouting; she had to cover her ears from all the noise. She stood in the small doorway that opened up to form the massive engine room. Burly men ran back and forth with shovels, tossing black matter into the roaring mouths of the furnaces. The men worked hard, never stopping, taking orders from another man who directed everyone around the large area.

Victoria hitched up her dress and moved past the men, and a few turned to look at her dubiously. The man looked down at her, and frowned. “What’re you doing here? You shouldn’t have left the upper decks.” He said, stepping down a metal staircase.

“I need to know what’s going on, how long do we have, and how do we stop this?” she said with determination.

“I don’t think you have the authority to be asking such things, Missy.” He said, scrunching up his face in his own determination. “We’re working hard down here and you’re distracting the men.” He waved a hand at the grimy men, glancing at her curiously. “A lady doesn’t belong down here.” He motioned for another man to come forward and escort her out.

“Wait, I want to help. I know we’re in danger, and I need to survive this. This is a matter of life or death!” she exclaimed, moving away from the guard.

“You don’t think I know that? That’s why were bustin’ our asses off down here keeping this ship afloat.” He shouted back. “Don’t make us use force to get you out of here, girl.” He looked from the guard and back to her.

“So you won’t let me help, and you won’t tell me exactly what’s going on?” she folded her arms over her chest, stubbornly keeping her ground.

“What’s with this girl?” the guard asked, looking at his superior. “Most of ‘em would rather sit nice and right in their rooms, than mess with us.” He gave her a stern look. “Thinkin’ she might be useful, Sir, what with those arms on ‘er.” He nodded at her crossed arms.

The man looked Victoria over for the first time. He had only seen a woman in a dress, but the guard was right, she had muscles on her that no high-class brat ought to. “You work?” he shot her the question quickly, looking at her with a curious eye.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” She said, raising her nose and puffing up proudly.

“Good, you want to help, grab a shovel.” He pointed towards the furnaces.

“First, tell me what I need to know. If you don’t tell me, I’m afraid I can’t help as well as you think.” She tilted her head and uncrossed her arms. She begged with her eyes, and he could see that.

“Come with me,” he waved a hand and started up the stairs. They walked up the metal steps, and stopped above the racket. The men kept at their work, while he looked around nervously. “The ship isn’t going to make it,” he started, his voice hushed. “God knows why I’m telling you, girl, but you’ve got that look about you.” He gripped his hands together nervously. “I have to keep my men working, keep the furnaces going and supply the power required to keep the lights on and communications open. We need rescuing, there’s no simpler way to put it.” He sighed and held a dirty hand to his forehead.

“There’s no way to fix the damage?” she asked. If the ship was sinking, the most logical thing to do would be to patch it. She had to fix the ship in order to survive.

“Fix the damage? You out of your mind, girl?” he asked, shocked by her words. “There’s no way the damage can be fixed. The forward compartments are being flooded, and word is that the damage has caused the fifth compartment to flood as well. It’s only just begun, and if you want to help, this is the only way.” He pointed towards the men shoveling coals into the hot fire.

Doomed,the word filled her head. Is this his plan? To put us here on this ship, to struggle against odds that are stacked against us? This massive ship is about to sink, and there’s no way for me to stop it? She felt panic rise in her stomach.

“G-give me a shovel.” She said, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’ll do my best, if one more set of hands will help.” She looked up; ready to do what it would take to help.

“You’re a brave girl, and so young,” he looked away with sadness. “What’s your name?” He held out his hand and locked eyes with her.

“Victoria,” she grasped his hand and smiled, despite the situation.

“I’m the Chief Engineer,” he gripped her hand tightly. “The name is Joseph Bell.” He let her hand go and stepped aside so she could get down the stairs. “Use your muscles; it’s not as easy as it looks. Don’t think about what’s going on, it will only make the panic worse.” He looked away again and leaned on the rail of the stairway. She lingered a moment, and then moved further down the stairs.

“Oi, over here,” a man yelled at her, waving a hand frantically. Victoria wandered towards him, looking about at the frantic room. “You’re not really one of ‘em are ya? Rich?” he asked, shoving a shovel into her hands.

“You could say that,” she said, pushing her hair out of her face. She began shoveling the coal into the hot fire, it flared up with it heap.

“Nice,” he watched her at work, seemingly admiring her as she moved in her form-fitting dress. Victoria ignored the young man, keeping to her work.

This is a game; I have to figure it out. So far I’m still at square one. I could be drinking tea; instead I’m doing manual labor. She thought to herself. The steaming room was hot, it made her dress uncomfortable. She didn’t let up, though, she worked hard with the men to keep the boat’s power flowing. I don’t even know how long I have, I should have asked. She grunted and leaned on her shovel for a moment. The working conditions were not good. The men were slaving away, but she could tell that they were worried. The man beside her didn’t talk anymore, he moved as if his life depending on it and in a way it did. This may be a game, but I’m not the only one fighting to survive. She glanced around the room, and noticed Joseph shouting at his men once more. [i]We have to work together, and fight to survive to the very end. She shoveled again, keeping her mind on that thought. She would fuel the ship for as long as she could manage, and then go from there. The game would move forward, and she would have to adapt appropriately to succeed.