Chapter 2: Welcome Aboard
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu as I exited the Bureau's field office in Cherbourg, France.
"These are your orders, sir. Commander Hipple said you'll be doing most of the legwork on this one." the clerk had said as he handed an envelope to me.
I must admit, I was rather excited at the prospect of having my own assignment. My past two assignments had been rather boring and involved tracking down art thieves who had stolen artwork from government officials. I was surprised when the Secret Service had ordered me to travel to Cherbourg immediately after the completion of my last assignment in Paris.
"I wonder what they have planned." I said to myself.
As I exited the field office, I opened the envelope that contained my orders and found that it contained nothing but a ticket for a steam ship.
"WHITE STAR LINE
ROYAL AND UNITED STATES STEAMERS.
RMS TITANIC
FIRST CLASS
CHERBOURG-TO-NEW TORK
CABIN C-73"
As I stared at the name "Titanic", I felt a horrible sense of impending doom, though I didn't understand why.
"Strange." I muttered.
I knew I needed to hurry. It was almost evening and the ship would be departing soon.
A short while later, as the sun began to set, I found myself at the White Star Line ticket office, waiting in line with the other passengers waiting to board the tender S.S. Nomadic. It was from here that I got my first gimps of the Titanic. The brightly lit ocean liner was anchored out in the harbor, its lights reflecting off the water like hundreds of stars in the night sky.
Once I was aboard the Nomadic, I made my way to the top deck and leaned against the railing, staring at the magnificent ship as we pulled alongside. I kept a low profile as per my training and patiently waited my turn to board. I entered through the D-Deck gangway doors and found myself standing inside the elegant First Class Reception aboard the Titanic. Though I wanted to explore, I decided it would be best if I proceeded directly to my stateroom.
"You have a job to do. you don't have time for sightseeing." I told myself as I climbed the elegant Grand Staircase to C-Deck. I found C-73 and went inside.
The stateroom was fancier than I expected, with rich wood paneling on the walls, blue carpet, a single bed, a sofa, and a table with two chairs, as well as a sink and mirror and a vanity. A steamer trunk sat in the corner of the room by the windows. A knock on the door caught my attention.
"I wonder who that could be." I said to myself.
When I opened the door, a man dressed in a stewards outfit entered.
"Good evening." He greeted me. "I am Smethells, your steward. I hope your accommodations are satisfactory."
"They are, thank you." I replied.
"Very good." Smethells said. "We of the White Star Line hope that your stay aboard Titanic is as relaxing as possible. If there is anything you require, you can summon me by ringing the buzzer by the door."
I nodded and then thought of something.
"Is it possible to have my meals brought to my cabin?" I inquired, knowing I would have to remain in my cabin until I heard from my contact.
Smethells gave me a curious look, but nodded. "That can be arranged, sir."
"Very good." I said.
"Will you be requiring anything else?" asked Smethells.
"No thank you. That will be all." I replied.
"One more thing." Smethells said, offering me several folded pieces of paper. "A map of the ship, courtesy of the White Star Line."
"Thank you." I replied, taking the map.
"Very well. Good night, and enjoy your voyage." Smethells said before exiting the stateroom.
I decided to have a look at my steamer trunk. As I opened it, I saw a phonograph with a cylinder already loaded into it. Pulling open the drawers, I saw spare sets of clothes, a cryptograph, and a yellow envelope labeled "CONFIDENTIAL".
I started the phonograph and Commander Hipple's voice played on the recording.
"His Majesty's Government has assigned an agent of the Crown to rendezvous with you on board the Titanic. Remain in your cabin until your contact gives you further instructions. After the completion of all your assignments on board, book passage to remain on the ship and return to Southampton for your next assignment. For a more in-depth report of the international situation in the spring of 1912, please review the white paper included as part of this briefing. That is all."
"That must be the paper." I thought to myself, glancing down at the yellow envelope.
A blast from the ship's whistle told me that the Titanic was preparing to depart Cherbourg. I finally realized how exhausted I was from the long train ride from Paris so I decided to turn in for the night.
"I'll read the paper in the morning." I muttered as I prepared to get ready for bed.
The next morning, I changed into a French tuxedo which had been packed into my steamer trunk, and busied myself with reading over the mission report. Apparently there were concerns that the German Empire was on the warpath. Obviously that had some relevance to my assignment.
I waited and waited for my contact, but they never came. For the next three days, I remained in my cabin, either reviewing the mission report or studying the map of the ship Smethells had given me.
"Here I am on the grandest, most luxurious ship in the world, and all I can do is remain confined to my cabin." I muttered to myself on the morning of April 14th as I finished my breakfast.
Around noon, I heard someone slip something under my door. Excitedly, I ran over and saw a small piece of paper at the base of the door. Picking it up, I read the note scrawled on the paper.
"Meet me tonight on deck! Tell no one! -Georgia"
I was stunned as I stared at the note. Georgia, my old flame. When I joined the Service, they had required that I cut all contact with everyone I knew for at least a three year period. Though that period had ended, I was dismayed to learn that Georgia had married Lord Charles Lambeth, and so I had not sought to contact her.
"How did she know I was on board? She must have seen my name on the passenger list." I mused. "I'll have to go and see her tonight."
I wanted to see her, but at the very thought, I suddenly felt the horrible sense of dread and doom I had felt earlier. Somehow, I knew something horrible would happen if I left.
I decided to listen to my gut.
"I'll have to wait. My mission must come first." I said to myself.
I couldn't help but wonder what was taking my contact so long.
"Did they miss the boat? Did something go wrong? At this rate we'll be in New York before I start my mission!" I considered sending an encoded telegram to Home Office in London informing them of the situation, but decided against it.
I was growing impatient. I was weary of the mundane assignments I had been given in the past. I wanted adventure, excitement, danger! Little did I know, I was about to get what I wanted and much more.
To be continued…