Read Online Seawolf Mask of Command by Cliff Happy - Free Book Online
Authors: Cliff Happy
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let his words sink in. “When someone on this boat does anything that makes you uncomfortable and that falls outside of your professional duties. I don’t care what it is. If they brush up against you, or call you ‘sweetie’ or some other nonsense, you’re to report it at once to your Department Head, and if you don’t feel comfortable talking to him, then you kick down my door if necessary and tell me.”
“Aye-aye, sir,” she responded automatically to the order. But he wasn’t satisfied. He still gripped her hand until she looked back into his eyes.
“I’m serious, Lieutenant. No exceptions. No foolishness or accidents are to be tolerated. Is that clear?”
Kristen nodded, understanding completely now. Not only would he hold the crew accountable for their actions if they acted unprofessionally toward her, he would hold her accountable for her actions as well. The Navy, upon deciding to let her on board, had drafted a series of regulations specifically addressing fraternization between female and male submariners, and the penalties were severe. She would have to be careful never to place herself in a position that might be perceived as encouraging impropriety.
“I understand, Captain,” she answered, holding his stare for a few seconds.
Brodie released her hand and turned his attention back to his paperwork. “All right then, the XO and COB will see to you getting checked in to your department.”
Kristen took this as her dismissal and stood.
“Do you have any questions?” he asked without looking up as he opened a folder on the table.
COB and the XO were already stepping toward the door, apparently assuming she would ask nothing. But Kristen had a question, and instead of bolting for the door after the trauma of her initial interview with Brodie, she held her ground. “There is one question, sir. If you don’t mind?”
Brodie looked up from the report. “Not at all, my door is always open to my officers.”
“Sir….” Kristen wasn’t certain how best to phrase her question but then simply asked, “Why did you choose that particular question to ask me?” She’d never told any living soul why being on a submarine was so important to her. Yet, unerringly he homed in on her secret.
Brodie set the report aside, and a crooked smile appeared on his face as once more his eyes narrowed curiously. Again she felt him studying her, as if she were something he wasn’t certain he wanted to buy just yet. Graves and COB paused. They were watching her as well.
“Close the hatch, Spike,” Brodie ordered as he considered her. Once the door was closed, he addressed her, “No, Lieutenant, I don’t mind answering your question.” He then proceeded to explain, “I need to know what kind of officers I have working for me. Once we’re at sea, I can’t just kick some malcontent or misfit off the boat when they crack up. I have to be certain everyone on board is up to it, especially my officers.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“You see, it occurred to me when I saw you on television several months ago that you had to be one of two types of people. The first type, the one most of us assumed you were, was some uptight Fem-Nazi who wanted to simply stir up trouble. Maybe get your face plastered on the cover of some supermarket checkout rag like those idiots who go on those reality television shows so they can get their fifteen minutes of fame while the rest of the country laughs at them.”
He was right; he’d assessed the problem perfectly. She’d experienced virtually the same problem from all corners. Admirals had even assumed she was simply doing it all because she wanted a cushy job somewhere. She’d been bounced around from command to command for over three years hoping they’d find some place she might like well enough to simply drop her request for transfer and serve out her time quietly. It was part of the reason they’d sent her to Hawaii.
“And the other person, sir?” Kristen asked,
“Aye-aye, sir,” she responded automatically to the order. But he wasn’t satisfied. He still gripped her hand until she looked back into his eyes.
“I’m serious, Lieutenant. No exceptions. No foolishness or accidents are to be tolerated. Is that clear?”
Kristen nodded, understanding completely now. Not only would he hold the crew accountable for their actions if they acted unprofessionally toward her, he would hold her accountable for her actions as well. The Navy, upon deciding to let her on board, had drafted a series of regulations specifically addressing fraternization between female and male submariners, and the penalties were severe. She would have to be careful never to place herself in a position that might be perceived as encouraging impropriety.
“I understand, Captain,” she answered, holding his stare for a few seconds.
Brodie released her hand and turned his attention back to his paperwork. “All right then, the XO and COB will see to you getting checked in to your department.”
Kristen took this as her dismissal and stood.
“Do you have any questions?” he asked without looking up as he opened a folder on the table.
COB and the XO were already stepping toward the door, apparently assuming she would ask nothing. But Kristen had a question, and instead of bolting for the door after the trauma of her initial interview with Brodie, she held her ground. “There is one question, sir. If you don’t mind?”
Brodie looked up from the report. “Not at all, my door is always open to my officers.”
“Sir….” Kristen wasn’t certain how best to phrase her question but then simply asked, “Why did you choose that particular question to ask me?” She’d never told any living soul why being on a submarine was so important to her. Yet, unerringly he homed in on her secret.
Brodie set the report aside, and a crooked smile appeared on his face as once more his eyes narrowed curiously. Again she felt him studying her, as if she were something he wasn’t certain he wanted to buy just yet. Graves and COB paused. They were watching her as well.
“Close the hatch, Spike,” Brodie ordered as he considered her. Once the door was closed, he addressed her, “No, Lieutenant, I don’t mind answering your question.” He then proceeded to explain, “I need to know what kind of officers I have working for me. Once we’re at sea, I can’t just kick some malcontent or misfit off the boat when they crack up. I have to be certain everyone on board is up to it, especially my officers.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“You see, it occurred to me when I saw you on television several months ago that you had to be one of two types of people. The first type, the one most of us assumed you were, was some uptight Fem-Nazi who wanted to simply stir up trouble. Maybe get your face plastered on the cover of some supermarket checkout rag like those idiots who go on those reality television shows so they can get their fifteen minutes of fame while the rest of the country laughs at them.”
He was right; he’d assessed the problem perfectly. She’d experienced virtually the same problem from all corners. Admirals had even assumed she was simply doing it all because she wanted a cushy job somewhere. She’d been bounced around from command to command for over three years hoping they’d find some place she might like well enough to simply drop her request for transfer and serve out her time quietly. It was part of the reason they’d sent her to Hawaii.
“And the other person, sir?” Kristen asked,
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