Performance Issues

"Nav, make a note. Next time we're at base, the starboard bow thruster tube will need cleaning. Charge reported some unnatural drag."

"Yes, Sir," Nav said, a small smile pulling at her mouth. Choosing to ignore it, the CO cast a glance at his XO – and he could see her struggling to repress a snort of laughter.

The girls' eyes met for a moment, and the battle to withhold their mirth raged furiously. Catching on, Buffer smirked, the expression soon reflected by everyone else in the bridge.

Mike sighed. "Can we please be a little mature?"

"Aye-aye, boss," Nav said, still grinning. She was about to make a note of the problem, when the door to the bridge opened and Charge came up the stairs.

"Sir," he greeted the captain. "And did you make a note of that –"

"Yes, Charge, we did," Mike said, swiftly cutting him off.

Nav looked over. "Charge? That, uh... that thruster problem you had– reported. I need to make a note of whether the entrance to the... the thruster tunnel... is above or below the... waterline."

Mike watched Kate took a deep, steadying breath, forcing herself to stare straight ahead. Charge, completely unaware of the reason behind Nav's tortured expression, replied that it was below.

"The thruster needs to push the water through. Wouldn't be very effective on a boat this size if it was above."

At this, the crew were all quivering with suppressed mirth. Mike sighed, about to snap at them to get back to their jobs, when Charge continued, and all hope of regaining order vanished.

"Of course, in high seas the tunnel sometimes comes above the waterline, and this emergence causes performance issues for the thruster."