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Disclaimer: still the same

RMS Titanic, 9 April 1912

Captain Smith had called his three senior officers to his office. Murdoch had no idea why, but it seemed to be urgent and yet he could think of no problem involving the ship or the crew. He opened the office door and immediately his heart dropped, sitting at the table on the Captain's right was Mr Wilde, who had been Chief Officer onboard the Olympic.

"William" Wilde said whilst nodded.

"Henry" Murdoch nodded back out of politeness.

"Take a seat, Mr Murdoch" the Captain gestured to an empty seat to his left, as Murdoch sat down he noticed Lights sitting next to Wilde and Blair sitting next to himself, he also realised Lights looked extremely confused about something.

"I'm afraid I still don't quite understand yet, sir" Lights confessed as he started fiddling with his pencil.

"You're being very slow Mr Lightoller" the Captain stated plainly. Murdoch could see that Lights wanted to say something back but then thought better of it, so the Captain continued, "The Company has decided that Mr Wilde will replace Mr Murdoch as Chief Officer" Captain Smith turned to face Murdoch, who in turn faced the captain in disbelief, what reason was there that would result in him getting demoted. But the Captain continued to explain the situation "Mr Murdoch will become First Officer and you will become second". The Captain said hoping that it would be the last time he had to explain it.

"But, sir, we've already allocated the duties between us. Should we unravel all that when we're sailing in a few hours?" Lights argued, whilst still fiddling with his pencil. Murdoch knew his friend had just stated a fair point and could see the frustration on the Captain's face.

"May I say something, sir?" Wilde asked in a soft and calm voice, the Captain waved his hand as a sign for Wilde to carry on. "As you know I have served as chief for Captain Smith on Titanic's sister ship, Olympic. There is little difference between them and I believe it to be useful to have a Captain and a chief who really know how the ship works" Wilde explained to Lights, who look as though he couldn't quite believe the situation himself.

The Captain agreed with Wilde's statement "Exactly".

Murdoch could feel a twinge of anger in his veins, he couldn't believe this was the reason he was being demoted to First Officer. "But I've served on Olympic too, sir. I know how Titanic works" Murdoch said annoyed but on the surface looking calm and professional.

"Well, I'm afraid there is nothing more to be said on the subject" the Captain said in frustration, giving his newly appointed First Officer a stern look, to which Murdoch nodded out of acceptance and respect, not pushing the situation further as he knew it was not his place to challenge the Captain.

Murdoch looked down onto the table in disappointment, inside all he wanted to do was scream and walk out the door but the always present professional side of him told him to stay there, which he did in a daze until the sound of Lights voice snapped him out of it.

"So what now, sir?" the Captain slammed his pencil onto the table lightly, Murdoch could see that the Captain didn't like this anymore than the officers. "Has Blair replaced Pitman, Pitman Boxhall and so on?" Lights finished.

"No. Mr Blair will leave the ship, here in Southampton, all remaining officers will remain in their present posts. Look, I'm sorry Blair, but you must understand, I can hardly countermand a Company order" the Captain explained.

"No, of course not, sir" Blair said almost sounding like he was going to cry. Murdoch truly felt sorry for the young lad; he knew how much Blair was looking forward to the voyage.

"Well, I'm sure they'll find you a new berth soon enough" the Captain said trying to cheer the boy up a bit.

"Don't know what my mother will say, sir, she was so excited" Blair said half jokingly.

"Well I hope one day, she'll be able to forgive us" the Captain said before dismissing his officers.

"I'm off to do my rounds, I'll meet you in the cargo bay in half an hour" Murdoch informed Lights, to which Lights nodded and walked off to attend to his own duties. Murdoch needed time to be alone and deal with the blow of being demoted. He knew Lights, in his own and annoying way, would try and cheer him up which Murdoch really didn't want.

Half an hour later on the dot and the two officers met in the cargo bay "Can you believe this nonsense?" Lights asked frustratingly as he got out his torch "I have half a mind to write to the White Star offices about all this, it's insulting"

Murdoch sighed as he got out his own torch "Lights, Mr Ismay will be onboard why don't you just tell him about it?"

"Are you crazy? Forget about being demoted, I'll most probably get the sack" Lights laughed but noticed Murdoch looked a bit distressed "Hey, you'll always be my Chief Officer" Lights said as he put his arm around Murdoch's shoulders.

"Thanks Lights, besides it's just for one voyage, on the return voyage to England we'll be back at our original posts"

"Yeah and it's not like the passengers will know, I mean look, they didn't even replace our uniforms" Lights said as he looked down on his First Officer uniform then did the same to Murdoch's Chief Officer uniform.

Murdoch chuckled as he looked at his own uniform rank insignia "It'll certainly be confusing for them. Come on let's get this done so we can get out of here"

The two men investigated the cargo bay and found nothing amiss, satisfied with their result they journeyed back towards the bridge.

"Poor Blair, he was looking forward to this trip" Lights said out of the blue.

"Yeah, but you win some, you lose some" Murdoch shrugged.

"I guess you're right, He'll live" Lights joked "I just can't believe that of all the officers in the world, they had to choose Wilde"

"I'm sure Henry couldn't believe it either when he saw you sitting there" Murdoch laughed.

"Why don't you shut up, you soppy old git" Lights playfully shoved Murdoch.

So next chapter is sailing day. It's so annoying when films and TV shows of Titanic have Lights in a second officer's uniform and Murdoch in a first officer's uniform because in real life they didn't have time to get new uniforms so they had to wear their original assigned uniforms that meant Lights still wore a first officer's uniform and Murdoch still wore a chief officer's uniform but I suppose it's so people don't get confused anyway rant over, hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Cheerio