The Thing Revisited
"How is the Polar Star this morning Chief Robinsen?" Shaffer asked as he began his decent downward.
Turning and smiling coyly up the metal stair steps, Robinsen replied "As smooth as slidin' on top of an ice cube in glass of whiskey Captain Shaffer!"
Seriously but friendly Shaffer replied, "Lets keep the whiskey to clever witticism and theory today, Robinsen."
Despite his friendly jab, Shaffer knew that Robinsen was as, or even more capable at running mechanical workings of the Polar Star than himself. A man in his middle 50s, Robinsen would probably have been captained a ship very similar to the Polar Star if Robinsen hadn't voluntarily agreed to sign on as the Polar Star's Master Chief, whose duties include acting as a liaison between the ship's enlisted crewmembers and the command, as well as navigator, responsible for the safe navigation of the Polar Star, both in and out of the ice.. His knowledge and ability to stick to proper procedures on board the vessel not only meant Shaffer held respect for the man, but fondness of camaraderie that only service on board a naval vessel could bring.
Shaffer also new that Robinsen enjoyed him as a comrade. However, respect still would needed to be earned, Shaffer had only served 7 months as the Polar Star's new Captain, a sliver of time when compared to former Captain Klifler's stewardship of the Polar Star.
"Are you going to call the crew together this morning for a general meeting?" Robinsen asked seriously.
"No, I don't think that will be necessary at this point," Shaffer replied, smiling a bit more grimly. Shaffer had frankly expected an incident much sooner; 3 months at sea since their last port of call without female contact save the one onboard. This always meant that some of his crew would become restless for the tender care of the opposite sex. He couldn't blame them; he felt the same urge for the type of companionship that a woman could provide. However, he was a captain of Navy vessel and duty, responsibility and control were paramount to the safety of the ship.
Bringing aboard a civilian woman had been bad enough. To worsen matters Dr. Ramos is the picture of the Hispanic sex pot, with the brains of marine biologist (which she was) to boot. Although the incident had only been verbal, Operations Officer Pasketti's sexually orientated comments were inappropriate all the same. At this point it was not serious enough to be sanctioned or punished, but it would require a closer eye on all his crew.
"I'll be damned!" you hear exclaimed from above on deck. The sound of young scientific research Davison's voice shouts "Hey guys, anyone and everyone, come take a look at this!"
Shaffer grinned at Robinsen. The young man that had accompanied Dr. Ramos as her scientific assistant still occasionally cooed and over sights near Antarctica, but this is the first time they'd heard the youth's excited shouts with such fervor in some time. On reaching the outskirts of Antarctica over a week ago, Davison had called startled the crew with shouts exclaiming that everyone should join him on deck. Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Wallen, Captain Shaffer and Lieutenant Commander Walker had heard and joined Davison on deck frantically at the time, concerned over a ship board fire or other serious safety concern. The three crew members looked around and seeing no emergency, each turned and looked at Davison that was pointing frantically over the starboard side of the ship.
Looking out and downward, the three men broke into laughter at what had excited Davison to such a degree. Three Emperor Penguins were swimming along side the ship, a common site in these latitudes. To have someone on board that was unused to the phenomenon was both refreshing and gratifying that others took joys in the wildlife of the artic extremes.
"The kid probably just saw a swordfish surfacing the first time Captain" Robinsen said amusedly but earnestly.
Should Shaffer & Robinsen:
Turning and smiling coyly up the metal stair steps, Robinsen replied "As smooth as slidin' on top of an ice cube in glass of whiskey Captain Shaffer!"
Seriously but friendly Shaffer replied, "Lets keep the whiskey to clever witticism and theory today, Robinsen."
Despite his friendly jab, Shaffer knew that Robinsen was as, or even more capable at running mechanical workings of the Polar Star than himself. A man in his middle 50s, Robinsen would probably have been captained a ship very similar to the Polar Star if Robinsen hadn't voluntarily agreed to sign on as the Polar Star's Master Chief, whose duties include acting as a liaison between the ship's enlisted crewmembers and the command, as well as navigator, responsible for the safe navigation of the Polar Star, both in and out of the ice.. His knowledge and ability to stick to proper procedures on board the vessel not only meant Shaffer held respect for the man, but fondness of camaraderie that only service on board a naval vessel could bring.
Shaffer also new that Robinsen enjoyed him as a comrade. However, respect still would needed to be earned, Shaffer had only served 7 months as the Polar Star's new Captain, a sliver of time when compared to former Captain Klifler's stewardship of the Polar Star.
"Are you going to call the crew together this morning for a general meeting?" Robinsen asked seriously.
"No, I don't think that will be necessary at this point," Shaffer replied, smiling a bit more grimly. Shaffer had frankly expected an incident much sooner; 3 months at sea since their last port of call without female contact save the one onboard. This always meant that some of his crew would become restless for the tender care of the opposite sex. He couldn't blame them; he felt the same urge for the type of companionship that a woman could provide. However, he was a captain of Navy vessel and duty, responsibility and control were paramount to the safety of the ship.
Bringing aboard a civilian woman had been bad enough. To worsen matters Dr. Ramos is the picture of the Hispanic sex pot, with the brains of marine biologist (which she was) to boot. Although the incident had only been verbal, Operations Officer Pasketti's sexually orientated comments were inappropriate all the same. At this point it was not serious enough to be sanctioned or punished, but it would require a closer eye on all his crew.
"I'll be damned!" you hear exclaimed from above on deck. The sound of young scientific research Davison's voice shouts "Hey guys, anyone and everyone, come take a look at this!"
Shaffer grinned at Robinsen. The young man that had accompanied Dr. Ramos as her scientific assistant still occasionally cooed and over sights near Antarctica, but this is the first time they'd heard the youth's excited shouts with such fervor in some time. On reaching the outskirts of Antarctica over a week ago, Davison had called startled the crew with shouts exclaiming that everyone should join him on deck. Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Wallen, Captain Shaffer and Lieutenant Commander Walker had heard and joined Davison on deck frantically at the time, concerned over a ship board fire or other serious safety concern. The three crew members looked around and seeing no emergency, each turned and looked at Davison that was pointing frantically over the starboard side of the ship.
Looking out and downward, the three men broke into laughter at what had excited Davison to such a degree. Three Emperor Penguins were swimming along side the ship, a common site in these latitudes. To have someone on board that was unused to the phenomenon was both refreshing and gratifying that others took joys in the wildlife of the artic extremes.
"The kid probably just saw a swordfish surfacing the first time Captain" Robinsen said amusedly but earnestly.
Should Shaffer & Robinsen: