Hello lovely sparklers! Whether you're new to the Hardys in History group or have been following since Hardys At War, I'm so glad you're here! Reviews are always welcome. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart. Psalms 27:14

IMPORTANT! This is going to be as historically accurate as possible - unfortunately James Cameron's film was pretty unrealistic. Keeping it real. :D

April 10, 1912. Southampton, England.

Joe Hardy's pen paused over the yellow telegraph form. "What was I supposed to put?"

Frank,his older brother, blew out his breath in exasperation. "Had wonderful time in Europe. STOP. Taking case as ship detectives for Dad's friend on Titanic with White Star Line STOP Leaving Southampton today. Love to all. STOP."

"Well, all the stops get confusing. And I feel like we should tell mother and Aunty not to worry."Joe said, scrawling the words and handing them to an operator.

Together they left the telegraph office and began walking down the street.

Frank said, "They'll have read in the papers about our ship. Experts say she's unsinkable. After all,she's the biggest ship on the seas, and with those new watertight compartments-"

Joe rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. Once you start describing it you can't stop. I don't care what it looks like or how big it is- I just hope there's something mysterious on it. With all the rich people traveling on it, there's sure to be lots of jewels that could go missing..."

He waved their first class tickets around and wiggled his fingers expressively. "Or maybe a sordid past will come to light- how someone really made their fortune..."

Frank snatched the tickets away and put them in his pocket safely. "Stop clowning about, Joe. Mr. Jacobson only hired us because he had to put down he had ship's detectives, and he couldn't find anyone else. He told us that he doesn't expect anything to happen. It's only four days."

Joe muttered something.

Hoping to redirect him, Frank said,"I'm sure we'll have fun. First class on the White Star Line is said to be the best in the world. There's a swimming pool, squash court, exercise room, and more. And there's many famous people traveling - the Astors, Isodore Straus (he owns Macy's) and Dorothy Gibson, the moving pictures star."

"Guess you're right," Joe said.

A clock on the corner struck the hour, and Frank realized they'd better hurry. They walked briskly to the dock and got in the first class line.

On board, they strolled the decks, enjoying the view of London and Southampton.

"We're setting sail," Joe yelled, waving his handkerchief at the crowds cheering. "Just think, we're making history. The biggest liner to ever sail!"

"Who are you waving at?"

"Does it matter? Goodbye!"

Someone handed Frank a streamer, rolled up. "Toss it to the crowd, but hold one end."

"What?"

"See," Joe explained."Now that pretty girl has one end, and you have the other. You hang on as long as you can, and let go when we're too far out."

The ship stopped moving.

"Why aren't we going?", Joe craned his neck to see.

"We nearly collided with that other ship! My, but it's a bad omen," a loud middle aged woman next to him announced to all. "My sister in law read a book called Futility. A ship called the Titan sank. Sank to a watery grave! Don't play with fate. I tell you, it's a sin to call a ship unsinkable. God will do what He pleases-"

She was still rambling as the boys left to explore the interior.

"I suppose there's Aunt Gertrudes everywhere," Frank laughed as they set off.

Attendants had placed their luggage in their sumptuous suites.

"Man, this place is like the Ritz," Joe whistled as he took in the gilt bathtub, ornate furnishings, and lush carpets.

"It's modelled after the Ritz- Carlton hotel's suites."

"Well lah de dah, aren't we fancy!"

Then Joe leapt on the bed. "I want this one."

"They're the same size, you know."

"This one's closer to the porthole. Look, Southampton' s getting smaller. Farewell, Europe."

They toured a cafe that looked like a replica of the ones they had visited in Paris, peeked in a huge library, and visited the gymnasium. When they had seen all the first class deck had to offer, they visited the second class desk, slightly planner but just as good as first class on any other.

"Well, two hours and we've seen it all! I could get used to being a ship detective. Bow we feast! That cafe had some puff pastry-"

"No, Joe. We haven't gone down there."

"Steerage? C'mon, Frank. I'm sure it's nicer here than steerage on other ships, but you know what Aunt Gertrude says about foreigners..."

"Joe, since when did you listen to Aunty?"

"Fine!I'll come."

The staircase ended at an abrupt, locked gate. A young officer was managing it.

"Sorry, fellows, " he said apologetically. "We can't let first and second down there unless you've good reason."

Joe turned, but Frank stopped him."Actually, we do. We've been hired as ship's detectives for this voyage, and we'd like to know our way around the whole ship."

"Alright! Name's Will, yell if you need anything." He opened the gate and pointed to a clean, stark hall. "At the end of that's their exercise area -an open deck. Rooms are down that hall, and the cafeteria is in there. I tell you, it's really quite nice. It always made me feel kinda sick to see steerage in other ships, but here it's very tidy."

Frank ventured down the hall and Joe had no choice but to follow.