Archive of Our Own ^beta

Day 28 A

Art of Communication

Morro Castle

‘S.O.S. S.O.S. this is S.S. Morro Castle, to any ship in range, I have a fire on board, please respond, my coordinates are…”

The stricken American liner called out desperately into the storm. She could feel the fire within her, spreading largely unimpeded by her crew, even as she was buffeted by the gale around her. They still had her heading into the wind for Siren’s sake!

‘S.O.S. S.O…’

‘R.M.S. Titanic calling to Morro Castle, I’m headed your way, twenty minutes out.’

Morro wanted to sob with relief, she had feared her distress calls would go unheeded in the storm, instead the Siren’s champion was in range.

‘Thank you! My crew have no idea what to do, my Captain passed away last night and my chief officer…he doesn't know what to do.’

The other liner was silent for a moment, ‘then take over.’

‘I…’

‘the lives of your crew and passengers are in the balance,’ the White Star Liner said firmly, but not unkindly, ‘you have to take control.’

Morro hesitated then nodded, ‘Okay, but I'm not sure…’

‘I’ll help.’

‘Thank you.’

Morro forced her rudder over, turning away from the wind, “All available crew,” she called out, “report to fire fighting stations. All passengers, report to the boat deck.”

She forced her fire doors around the fire closed, “Remain calm, R.M.S. Titanic is on her way, and expected to arrive within twenty minutes.”

She felt her crew respond, rushing to their stations even as her passengers mustered by the lifeboats, but still the fire spread. Just as she was losing hope, she heard deep whistles from behind. 

Titanic had arrived, the great Olympic class liner towering over the smaller ship. The older ship threw lines with experienced ease, pulling the younger liner close. Crew with fire fighting equipment lined her top deck.

 “Wait…Now!” The liner roared, and her crew jumped down to the Morro’s decks, unhooking themselves from their safety lines and racing off to join the fight against the fire. Slowly, but surely the fire was contained. Foot by foot, room by room the two crews fought the fire back, even as Morro's passengers were transferred to the larger ship. The larger ship had placed herself to shield Morro Castle from the worst of the wind, looming alongside, a massive wall of steel and light. Slowly other ships responded, their crews helping extinguish the fire and transfer Morro’s Passengers.

Dawn finally broke, and with it the storm. The morning light saw the stricken liner being towed into New York Harbor by the White Star Liner. Tugs raced up to take the two ships under tow.

“You did good, young Lass.” Titanic said, stretching. On a ship as large as her, Morro suspected that the watching humans might have noticed the movement.

“I don't feel like it,” Morro admitted quietly, “I feel like I just burned while you took over.”

“You got your crew, passengers, and yourself home.” The Olympic class said seriously “that is all anyone can ask of you. You took over when it became clear your crew didn't know what to do, and were able to let someone else take over when they needed to. I’ve seen far worse performances during far better situations during my time.”

The great liner shrugged, “some days are hell.” She said bluntly, “you can’t change that. All you can do is wait them out.”

The lead tug whistled, and they began pulling the older liner away.

“Thank you!” Morro called out, “I wouldn't have made it without you.”

Titanic chuckled, “of course little one.”