The Company of the Dead by David Kowalski Page A

Supreme Court was still sorting out the formation of the Confederacy. There was a lot of resentment between the North and the South at the time, and barely a generation had passed since the Civil War.
    “When the South turned to Japan for trade, it left the North isolated both politically and economically. And when the Mexicans invaded the South during the First Ranger War, Astor had to convince all of Congress in order to send military aid to the Confederates. By the time the Japanese seized Pearl Harbor, though, he was left with no options.”
    Lightholler remained silent, allowing the admiral to continue.
    “It was a testimony to Astor’s ability as a statesman that he was able to achieve the peace terms he did with Japan.”
    “The Japanese ended up annexing the majority of the Union’s West Coast and Alaska, as well as occupying New York,” Lightholler said. “That had to be a bitter pill to swallow.”
    “It certainly was a better deal than the Chinese got.”
    True enough. Even today, more than half a century after the Pacific War, stories of the atrocities still circulated.
    “And what do you think would have happened if the Americans had entered the Great War, John?” the admiral asked.
    “Well, sir, the Russians were out of the picture, and the French were on the verge of mutiny. But the Germans were exhausted too—they had been fighting a two-front war for three years. With fresh troops, such as the Americans would have supplied, the Allies might have won.”
    “Do you really think the Americans might have swung the balance?”
    “Looking at them now, sir, I don’t know.” Lightholler paused, collecting his thoughts. “But at the very least, entering the Great War would have prevented the Secession.”
    “Perhaps, John, but who could have known what was to come? If you ask me, the Great War had no victors. In fact, to my way of thinking, the damn thing isn’t even over yet. There’s just been a slight rearrangement in the sides since 1917. Since then, we’ve all been taking a bit of a breather,” he added. “Mustering our strength in readiness for the final round.”
    Lightholler mulled over the admiral’s words, his original question almost forgotten. “The Germans aren’t exactly famous for their sentimentality, Admiral; there must have been some other reason I was selected as captain for the Titanic .”
    “I’d be surprised if there wasn’t. Particularly in light of your new assignment.” Lloyd fell silent.
    “So that’s all you can tell me, sir?”
    “I’m afraid so, John. Good luck to you. And remember what I said to you the day you left Southampton.” Lloyd’s voice had resumed its grandfatherly tone.
    “You told me to stay away from icebergs, sir.”
    Lightholler said his goodbyes and hung up, little wiser by the end of the call. If anything he had more questions.
    What in the world did the wreck of a hundred-year-old ocean liner have to do with Confederate security? Or the Germans, for that matter?
    On being informed of his appointment to the new Titanic , he’d assumed that genealogy had played a role in the decision. His mother’s grandfather had been the original ship’s second officer. No surviving crewman from the disaster ever rose to the rank of captain in the White Star Line—or any other shipping line for that matter. Association with the wreck had tainted them all. Yet one hundred years later, he had brought the Titanic into New York Harbor. And now, out of the blue, she was being taken away from him.
    There was one thing he knew for certain. He would attempt to do whatever was asked of him—it appeared as though he had little choice in that regard. But when it was over, he would return to England. He would return to his ship.
    Lightholler emerged from the hotel lobby at twelve-thirty. He needed fresh air and time to collect his thoughts. Despite the early spring sunshine, chill gusts of wind raced down Park Avenue. He flipped up his collar and wrapped his