(Steve Stachowicz)
gerrek@hotmail.com
(Matthew Frey)
mafrey@charter.net  

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/shores/2307	

                      Swords of Destiny Chronicle VIII

 	                         The Titanic

                                   By

                            Eric Thorsen and Stacko

LEGAL STUFF:

** The characters and concepts used here are the property of those people and 
companies holding the copyrights to the respective storylines, series, and 
movies. The only exceptions are those created by the demented minds of authors 
of this story. The use of this material should be seen as the sign of respect 
that it is. Besides, suing either of us would be a waste of time since we don't 
have any money to begin with.


				*	*	*	*	*

	It’s the day after everyone’s victory over the fight against Damian.  That 
night they were at Kevin’s penthouse to celebrate their victory.  They were having a 
dinner and after the dinner they were going to simply just relax and have a good time.  
Kevin being the good host he was had a feast made for them which everyone had enjoyed.  
So when the dinner was over, they entered the living room to let the meal they had just 
eaten settle.  So when they were sitting there, they started having a small talk to let 
the time pass by.  James being tired over the small talk wanted to talk about something 
else.  He decided to ask the three Immortals on how they were handling being around so 
long and how they dealt with others always coming after them.

	Scott and Kevin explained that Makoto was relatively a cub compared to them.  They 
all explained their own feelings on what they felt when they had to face another Immortal.  
Scott and Kevin explained how they felt when they had to deal with living a long life and 
what Makoto had to deal with when it came time for her to deal with it.  When they got done 
talking, Hotaru asked for them to tell them a story of their past.  Scott and Kevin were a little 
reluctant to tell a story, but when they were pressured by Miyuki from telling them a story of 
them two, they reluctantly agreed to tell a story where they both were on the Titanic when it 
went down.

	“You guy’s were on the Titanic?”  Kiersten asked surprised.

	“Yes we were.”  Kevin said smiling.

	“Well, I wouldn’t have, but Kevin talked me into it.”  Scott said.

	“How’d he do that?”  Makoto asked.

	“It started back in Europe in 1912.  I was collecting several of my antiques to 
send to America.  While I was there, I received word that there was trouble back home so 
I was taking care of my stuff as quickly as possible.  It was then that I met up with 
Kevin again after eighty years.”  Scott said.

	“What happened?”  Usagi asked.

				#	#	#	#	#

EUROPE 1912

	Scott was taking a break from packing and decided to head to a bar to get a drink 
or two.  As he was in the bar, he felt the presence of an Immortal approach.  He watched 
the door and saw a person enter that he hasn’t seen in over eighty years.  The person 
looked around and saw Scott.  The person smiled and walked over to him and sat next to 
him.

	“Hey Scott ol’ bean, long time no see, if you are going by that name now?”  Said 
the person.

	“Yeah Ziggy, I’m still going by Scott.”  Scott replied.  “So what are you calling 
yourself lately?”

	“I’m still going by my Drakkar name.”  Siegmund Drakkar said.  “Nice mustache, 
trying a new look?”

	“You could say that.”

	“So what have you been doing lately?”

	Siegmund got a drink and started talking with Scott and catching up on old times.  
After several drinks later, Siegmund asked Scott if he wanted to join him on a cruise on 
the Titanic.  Scott had heard of the ship Titanic and all of what it claims to do.  He then 
started thinking about it and figured that would delay him a week to getting to his 
destination.  When he heard that they were first class tickets, he asked Siegmund how he 
got a hold of them.

	Siegmund didn’t want to tell him how he acquired the tickets, but the glare from 
Scott loosened his tongue.  He told Scott that he was gambling against a person and he 
was winning.  On the final bet, the person offered the tickets to compensate the bet.  
When the cards were shown, Siegmund was the one that won the hand, and came to the 
bar to celebrate.

	“Why are you asking me to come along with you instead of one of the many 
women you’ve been with?”  Scott asked.

	“I’m sort of in-between women right now, and meeting you here was by chance.  
I figure we could use the trip to really know what’s been going on since we last saw each 
other.”  Siegmund said.

	“I’ll go on one condition.”  Scott said after thinking for a moment.

	“What’s that?”  Siegmund asked, dreading the answer.

	“You help me finish packing my stuff and help me send it back to America.”  
Scott said.  Siegmund was revealed it wasn’t that bad, but really didn’t want to do it, but 
he decided it was very little compared to what Scott could have asked for.

	“All right, I’ll help you.”  Siegmund replied.

	Scott told him where to meet him the next day and they paid for their drinks and 
left the bar.

				*	*	*	*	*

        The next day, Siegmund arrived at the place Scott said and Scott let him in.  After 
Scott told him what to pack, they started packing.  As they were packing, Siegmund 
asked Scott what he was going to be doing.

	“Now why are you moving to Wisconsin again?”  Siegmund asked Scott.

	“I opened an Antique shop there and to relax a little.”  Scott replied patiently.  “Life here 
moves too quickly.  Besides, Kaiser Wilhelm is getting a little cocky, and I don’t think it’ll be 
very long before he starts looking for a fight.”

	“True, and with the way everyone is making treaties with everyone else, I wouldn’t be 
too surprised if it blew up in our faces.”  Siegmund sighed and loaded more crates with boxes and 
unusual things.  When he reached the back of the storeroom, he found a case that was made of 
black wood and had silver markings on it and an intricate lock.  Curious, he brought it to the front 
of the shop.  “Hey Scott, what’s in here?”  He was surprised by the dark and sad look Scott threw 
at the box and even more by his friend’s silence.

	“It’s from the time I was known as ‘Gerrek’.”  He finally said flatly.  “Its part of my past 
I try to forget.”

	“What’s in it?”  Siegmund asked curiously, trying to open it, but failing.

	“Some weapons and other things.”  Scott said pointedly ignoring the case.  “My first 
sword is in there.”  Siegmund realized Scott didn’t want to discuss that part of his life so he just 
shrugged and packed the box in a crate.

	Once they were finished packing, they took the cases to the shipping agency and Scott 
wrote a letter to his friend back in Wisconsin on what he wanted done with the stuff and why he 
was going to be delayed.  Once everything was taken care of, they spent time catching up about 
what was going on around town and have fun while they waited for the day the Titanic was going 
to ship out.

	When the day arrived, Scott couldn’t believe that Siegmund was able to talk him into 
going on the maiden voyage for the Titanic.  They went to their first class cabin and settled in 
before they went and watched as the ship pulled away from the pier.  After they were underway, 
the both of them went about to see what entertainment was there to do for the first night of being 
underway.

				*	*	*	*	*

	After a couple of days, both Scott and Siegmund had gone and talked to the Captain 
about having a certain place where they could have a place to practice sword fighting.  The 
Captain was questionly wanting to know why, when Scott told him that in their younger days, 
they had put on sword fighting shows.  So Scott said that they could put on shows for the first 
class people.  The Captain thought about that, and told them that he couldn’t allow them to have 
room to practice just normal ‘sword fighting’, but if it was for a show, he could arrange a little 
area for them to do to it.  Scott and Siegmund thanked the Captain and left after the Captain told 
them he would get back with them about their ‘show’.

	So that night, Scott and Siegmund put on their first ‘show’ of sword fighting.  After 
showing several different forms of sword fighting with different swords, the people that watched 
enjoyed their show very much.  The Captain was there to see the show and he was very impressed 
with what they put on.  He had over heard several of the people asked if they could teach them 
some sword fighting.  They were about to turn them down when the Captain came up to them and 
said that it would be all right to have a couple of days to teach some people some fencing.  Scott 
and Siegmund thanked the Captain and set a time for their teachings to begin.

	So the next day, Scott and Siegmund met up with the people that wanted to learn some 
fencing.  From what they saw, most of them didn’t have any clue on how to use a sword, but they 
started them on the right path.  After the time allowed was up, they put away the gear and told the 
people when the next time was going to happen.  Then the both of them enjoyed the cruise for the 
rest of the day until they met up again at dinner.

	 Scott and Siegmund enjoyed their dinner with the Captain.  They enjoyed the shows that 
were put on during the meal.  Even though they enjoyed the meal and shows, both of them had a 
feeling that something wasn’t right.  When they were done with the meal, Siegmund told Scott 
that he was going to catch a breath of fresh air and meet him in the library in fifteen minutes.  
Scott told him all right and left for the library.

	As Siegmund was leaning against the railing, getting some fresh air, he noticed 
something in the distance.  As he looked closer, he could vaguely make out the tips of icebergs.  
He became concerned about that and went to go find the Captain to see what he was planning.  
Siegmund also noticed that they were going at a very high speed and that increased his concern.  
So he started to head to the Captains office to place his concern.

	As he was heading there, he picked up the presence of another Immortal.  Thinking it was 
Scott, he was about to call out to Scott when he saw who it really was.  The person who it was 
was a person he hadn’t expected to see on the Titanic.  He suddenly got very angry and yelled out 
that person’s name.

	“Damian!”  Siegmund shouted out, causing the person to turn and see who called him.  
When Damian saw who it was, he started to run away and Siegmund was quickly after him.
	
				*	*	*	*	*		

        The Third Class Dining room on F-deck was deserted as Siegmund came down the stairs 
into it. Glancing around warily he proceeded to systematically check each of the rooms leading 
off of the main room with exaggerated care.  When he had assured himself that there was no one 
hiding in any of the port side rooms, he drew a long black sword from under his overcoat, and 
shrugged his shoulder length black ponytail over his shoulder.

	"Damian Rochefort, you insufferable wretch, where are you hiding?" He bellowed, "I 
know you’re down here so there is no point in trying to make me think you're not.  Come out and 
face me you coward!"

	As he said this he continued to the starboard side to check the other rooms. When he had 
almost reached the door to the butcher shop he ducked instinctively as a chair crashed into the 
wall scattering splinters everywhere.  Laughing ruefully he turned, catching sight of his adversary 
coming out of the pantry. The stocky Irishman glared at him as he carefully approached.

	"So Drakkar, after all this time we finally meet again, and here of all places" the red-
haired man in a purser's uniform bit out sarcastically.  "How many times have we come close?  A 
dozen?  Two?  Really, old boy, you must be getting tired of all of this running about.  But then 
you never were much for originality were you?" Rochefort continued to move toward the stairs, 
carefully keeping his rapier between himself and Siegmund.

	"Oh, and you would know all about that wouldn't you?  I still don't see how you keep 
getting others to do your dirty work for you," Siegmund Drakkar said ironically.  "I mean how 
many of your minions have I removed now?  Eight?  Nine?? They must be getting hard to replace 
if those last two were the best you could do with all of that time I gave you."

	As he said this, his eyes lighted on a chair in his path, which he hurled at Rochefort's 
head. As he covered the distance between them, his sword slashed in at his enemy's neck.  
Rochefort ducked the chair, blocked the sword and dodge around him just as a shudder shook the 
entire ship.  Both men were knocked to the deck, but Rochefort recovered quickly and ran up the 
stairway disappearing onto E-deck. Siegmund swore violently and retrieved his Ninja-to. 
Concealing it under his overcoat, he proceeded at a much more sedate pace than his quarry, 
noting the disturbances his opponent's rapid flight had caused.  When he reached the grand 
staircase however he swore hotly.  There was no sign of Rochefort anywhere. Ensuring his sword 
was well concealed he continued on down the crew passage toward the aft end of the great liner.

	Siegmund Drakkar was very angry with himself at this point. He had finally given up 
trying to find Rochefort and was on his way back up from the forward portion of E-deck when he 
felt a tingling sensation in his head and grabbed his sword. He didn't draw it yet, waiting to see 
who was coming near him.  Then a much harried looking man in a tuxedo ran up to him.

	"Damn it man, what do you think you've been doing for the last hour.  You said you were 
only going to get some fresh air and would meet me in the library in fifteen minutes." He said as 
he tried to catch his breath

	"Oh, calm down Scott, it's not as if I had missed a meeting or something you know.  
Besides, while I was on the Promenade I spotted Rochefort, and you know what happened then.  
Anyway, I lost him about ten minutes ago and I've been trying to get back out of the boiler rooms 
for the last five minutes."

	"Rochefort is here?  That is beside the point, Ziggy, we need to get our life jackets on and 
get to the boat deck now.  The stewards are being very cagey about something and I don't trust 
them.  Something is going wrong, very horribly wrong, and I have the feeling we'll need every 
advantage we can get soon." Scott bit out.

	"Really, Scott old boy you should try to stay calm, I'm sure it's only a drill or something. 
The ship is unsinkable right?" Siegmund laughed “I mean it's not as if we have to be somewhere 
else in a great hurry or something."

	"Listen, my friend, if the ship was made of iron, which she is, then she most definitely 
could sink, and if I'm right, it’s doing just that right now." Scott said with exaggerated patience.

	Noticing the angle of the deck for the first time, Siegmund swore and started running aft 
toward the grand staircase in order to get his life jacket.  Shaking his head Scott followed at a 
much more sedate pace.

	"'It's not as if we had anywhere else to be' he says." Scott laughed to himself; "One of 
these days that boy will get a very nasty surprise. I just hope he survives long enough to learn 
from it."

					*	*	*	*	*

	Siegmund and Scott were walking calmly up the grand staircase, when they heard a gun 
shot coming from the chief purser's office. Making their way along the passage they drew their 
swords Siegmund giving his companion a devilish grin as if to say "Won't they be surprised when 
they see us."  Scott merely shook his head in disbelief as they walked onward.  When they finally 
reached the door into the purser's strong room, they listened at the door they heard the sound of 
the strong boxes being broken open and the contents clattering together as they were emptied into 
another container.  At a nod from Scott, Siegmund rushed the door and broke it down, revealing 
the junior pursers emptying jewelry into a large satchel.  From the guilty looks the four men shot 
him as he entered, Siegmund became suspicious that they were acting on their own initiative.

	"Gentlemen, do those things belong to you?" at their startled expressions, he laughed "I 
didn't think so."

	As Siegmund started forward with his sword ready, the four men moved to surround him.

	"Why should you care what we do with this stuff," the older of the four men scoffed,  
"besides unless you tell someone, why should anyone suspect that it didn't all go down with the 
ship."

	"Who says I haven't told someone already," Siegmund said confidently.  {Hurry up Scott, 
you tortoise}

	As the men laughingly aimed their pistols at Siegmund's head, the one with his back to 
the door suddenly crumpled to the floor, revealing a grinning Scott behind him. As the 
spokesman of the group whirled to bring his gun to bear on the new threat, Scott swept his Katana 
down cutting the pistol neatly in half. As the man gaped at his now useless weapon, Scott grinned 
evilly at him.

	"Make another move and you're next," he growled as Siegmund moved around behind the 
other two men and collected their weapons.

	"Damn it man, what took you so long," Siegmund grumbled while keeping his sword to 
one of the pursers' throat.  "They almost shot me, and you know how much it hurts when they do 
that.  Any way, what should we do with these four aspiring thieves, Hmmm?"

	"I suppose we'll just have to let them go, Ziggy" Scott sighed at the bloodthirsty look in 
Siegmund's eye.  "Without any of the jewels of course," he added as the three men started to 
smile in eager anticipation again.  "Can't have them profiting from other's misfortunes now can 
we." He smiled pleasantly at the now downcast would-be thieves.  "Gentlemen, if I were you, I 
would just forget all of this and run for your lives now. This may be your only chance to save 
yourselves."  With that he removed his sword from the leader’s throat, motioning for Siegmund to 
do the same. As soon as the swords were removed from their throats, the three men hurriedly 
gathered their unconscious companion and fled the room.

	"Well, that went better than I thought it would," Scott said wryly.  "You really need to be 
more careful Ziggy, next time I may not be there to back you up and someone might end up with 
a very permanent case of dead."

	"Thanks for the advice Scott," Siegmund laughed, "but don't you think we should be 
following the advice you just gave those four?"

	Noticing the increasing angle of the deck, Scott swore silently.  "You're right; we have to 
get out of here now."  With that he turned and started running back the way they had come.  
About halfway down the passage he noted that Siegmund was not behind him.  Looking back at 
the strong room, he saw Siegmund staring at a blue gem set in a silver medallion...  He yelled 
back at Siegmund, to get him moving.  Shaking himself as if just waking form a dream, 
Siegmund swore loudly and ran to rejoin his companion not noticing that he had placed the 
medallion in his pocket.

	They came up on deck to find that the boat deck was in chaos and the boats were leaving 
half full.  People were fighting, jumping into, or even being knocked into the sea.  As they 
realized that there were no boats left at the forward and of the ship, they made their way aft, 
looking for spaces on boats.  It soon became apparent that there were none to be had, and 
continued to the aft part of the ship.  Siegmund noticed that the deck was taking an even steeper 
angle. He stared in shock as the ship tilted at a fifty-degree angle, and then jumped when he heard 
several sharp cracking sounds and felt the ship shudder. He felt a sudden weightlessness and then 
a shock as the stern fell back into the sea with a horrendous shriek as the ship cracked in half then 
crashed back into the ocean. Then the stern rose again and Scott swore, recommending that they 
climb the rail and to hold on as it was rising.  The stern then became vertical and started bobbing 
around on the surface for a few minutes.  The stern then sank quickly.  Just as the ship was about 
to finish sinking, Scott indicated they should throw their swords away so they could swim better.

	After returning to the surface, they waited there for any rescue party to come and save the 
survivors in the water.  Both of them were treading water and getting small groups together so 
they could keep somewhat warm in the freezing water of the Atlantic.  After several minutes, 
both Scott and Siegmund found that their little group was slowly dying of hypothermia and that 
the rescue party had not arrived yet.  When the last of their small group died, they struck out the 
direction they believed was west and started swimming for shore.

				#	#	#	#	#

	“You guys really swam all the way to the United States?”  Sasami asked in 
disbelief.

	“One of the advantages of being Immortal, we can’t drown.”  Kevin replied.

	“Must be nice.”  Kiersten commented.

	“It has its moments.”  Kevin said.

	“So what did you guys do?”  James asked.

	“We arrived in New Foundland two weeks later and made our way back to the 
United States.”  Scott said.  “I went about playing my ‘son’ do I was able to get my 
Insurance and was able to collect my stuff.  Ziggy here went his own way to hunt down 
Damian.”

	“That must have been scary?”  Minako asked.

	“I had a few moments where I was scared, but I got past it.”  Scott told Minako.

	After that, they all talked about other items and when it got late, they all then 
departed for the evening.



THE END

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