Alright, next chapter, Disney: I don't anything save the OCs and the specific story, didn't mention that before.
Chapter Two
Audrey Ramirez was having one hectic week, as soon as she boarded the Ulysses while docked in England a week ago it has been nonstop work. Apparently, the previous Engineering Officer decided it was okay to let maintenance schedules fall behind and his replacement was well meaning but lacked the experience to get things up to speed. So, it fell on her to get things in order because any self-respecting mechanic would not let a wonderful machine like the Ulysses fall apart on her watch.
Ensign Yashiro Eikichi, aforementioned engineer, was currently sitting at his small office deep in the engineering section desperately fighting a losing battle against the piles of paperwork involved with his work. He and Audrey worked a system that he mostly did the paperwork for the overhaul and she led the majority of maintenance efforts. The good news was she got them back on schedule with all the work accomplished, but the bad news- according to Eikichi- were all of the reports that were being generated from it.
"Hey, you can switch me jobs if you want." She offered after he had complained one night.
Sighing after realizing he wouldn't be able to match her out there, he just shook his head, "No, no, forget I asked."
For the most part it had worked and they were almost ready for the launch. Audrey had been distraught though when their Deputy Engineering Officer, Midshipman Grant told them that the commander of the submarine was to do a last-minute inspection first thing tomorrow. This meant everyone in engineering was out making sure they were ready.
It was almost two in the morning when they had to call it quits, anything that moved was cleaned and oiled, the equipment and gauges had been calibrated and tested, so it was time to pack it up and get some sleep before their inspection later that morning.
They had dismissed everyone except the night crew and Audrey was on her way out when she heard some clanging of metal between the banks of boilers. Turning to see what caused it she saw one of the engineers working on a steam pipe.
"CPO Han, we have finished, you are good to go." Audrey called out to him.
Looking up he smiled and said, "Of course Ms. Ramirez, must have missed the first call. I was just working on this pipe fitting; it has been giving me trouble all night."
"Need any help?" She offered, starting to move his way.
He waved her off, "No, not at all, just finishing up in fact."
She smiled back and nodded, "Alright, make sure you get some sleep soon, we need as much rest as we can get for the inspection."
"Right you are ma'am, no delay." He started to he turned back to the pipe with renewed effort.
She turned, and left, ready for sleep, it had been a long day and she was tired
The morning came and the engineering section was ready and waiting for the inspection. She stood with Eikichi ready to receive the submarine commander Lieutenant Greers.
Curious about him Audrey asked her fellow mechanic, "What do you know about Greers? Is he a fair man or is he one of those that just have to find something wrong during an inspection?"
Eikichi considered her question for a moment then answered, "He is a fair man, by the book, but always fair when it comes to these things. If we did our job right, then we'll be good to go."
"That's good." She nodded, as she did, she looked around the engine room she mentally went over the work that they did and felt confident that their work would hold up to even the most severe scrutiny.
"Officer on deck!" A sailor called out. At this the whole room came, bar Audrey, to attention. She stood in a relaxed but respectful position next to Eikichi, the benefits off not wearing a uniform.
Lieutenant Greers entered the engineering section accompanied by an Ensign with a clipboard. The Lieutenant was a man tall man in his thirties with brown hair cut short in a high and tight.
"At ease." He called out, and he made his way to the line of engineers before him.
They could tell something was bothering him because there was poorly hidden worry upon his face. Audrey looked over to Eikichi about to whisper a question but he simply and covertly shook his head.
Greers spoke, "I come to you with some sobering news: Commander Hopkins, captain of the Embargo drowned last night. Commander Rourke was with him and saw him slip and fall overboard. Efforts were made to recover him but searches proved fruitless. I understand you were down here working so you would not have heard the alarms."
He paused clearly trying to stay composed. The rest of the crew they here reacting similarly, some with surprise on their face and others blinking back tears refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
"So," he continued, "The expedition will still go forward as planned. At the conclusion of the journey below, the Embargo crew will have a sea side memorial set- the commander would have wanted that- and then we will return to port. We will now have an abbreviated inspection; I am needed at the bridge shortly for some business. Ensign Eikichi, are you ready?"
He stepped forward, "Aye sir!"
Nodding Greers motioned for his aide, "Ensign Gibbons, with Miss. Ramirez please, we will divide and conquer, you work top down, Ensign Eikichi and I will work up to meet you."
"Can do." She stated. Eikichi followed Greers and Audrey went to meet Gibbons.
"First thing I need to see are the gauges up on the catwalks." Gibbons said.
Audrey nodded, "Follow me."
They started towards a set of stairs that led to the middle of the engineering section, from that point they could reach any part of the engine room from the many catwalks and ladders that led from there.
The trip to the gauges was short and uneventful, Gibbons clearly didn't want to talk about anything beyond the inspection and Audrey wasn't going to push since he had lost a colleague. Her father had mentioned on his previous jobs for the company they had lost people and it was part of the job. However, whenever she or her sister asked him about it, he would change the subject or ask them if they forgot something in the auto shop.
They were halfway through the checklist for the port crankshaft when they heard a crash and a lot of yelling coming down below near the boilers.
"No! No! Aaahh!"
"Man down! Man down! Divert the steam to the Auxiliaries!"
Audrey and Gibbons turned and ran towards the commotion to investigate. Upon reaching the last stretch of stairs Audrey skipped the last three steps and ran towards a growing crowd near the boilers.
The sight she saw would stay with her the rest of her life. Lieutenant Greers and Ensign Eikichi were circled by the group and the former was totally still while the latter was quietly moaning in pain. There were visible burns and blisters covering almost every visible inch of skin and under their white shirts what had to be more burns showing through the soaked material as well.
"What happened?" She asked frantically.
"Boiler steam pipe. One of its fitting failed and they got blasted." Said Tim, an engineer with a long bead and overalls. "Happened at the worst time, the engines were getting revved up so the pressure was greatest there."
She shuddered after hearing that and looking at the fallen men again. Steam injuries were bad, as a car mechanic mostly she ran across them occasionally, but nothing this big. She and her family had heard from some friends that were dockworkers about deaths and severe injuries involving steam and none of them were pretty.
"Is the doctor on the way?" Tim asked one of engineers who stood next to the rooms' speaking tube.
"Aye, five minutes out."
"Is that going to help?" Another asked.
Tim shook his head, "Unless I am mistaken, all we can for them now is ease their pain, that's what we'll need him for."
Gibbons who had stood there stunned, came around and started issuing orders, "Except for the men tending the wounded and the man at the tube, clear the area and secure the room from anymore potential injuries. We have a job to do ladies and gentlemen, it seems cold but the time for any mourning must be for later."
With practiced ease everyone made their way to designated work areas and began checking and rechecking equipment. This was done almost silently save for the clanging of tools and occasional reporting of what the gauges were saying.
Gibbons turned to Audrey and said, "The next thirty-six hours will be critical, that is the time between now and when the Ulysses will return to the Embargo while waiting for the ground team. There I imagine an investigation will be launched. I need you and Midshipman Grant to keep them busy and keep their mind off things, can I count on you?"
Head spinning, she replied "I will try, what about the Lieutenant and Eikichi?"
Gibbons turned and started walking away from the crew motioning for her to follow. After a moment he spoke again, "Whether we lose them or not we need this room operational, that means apart from the obvious, everything here is to be the same."
"The same wha- how? Why just had a major accident here!" She responded incredulously.
"You're going to have to, I need you here, and the XO will need me on the bridge, that is all."
With an apologetic look he turned and headed for the exit hatch. She stood there watching and when he left, she turned and looked at the mess that was unfolding on the engineering deck that she was now responsible for.
"Oh, vaya."
Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it.
Just want to give an update for anyone interested; the full length story I'm writing is almost done, the chapters are written, they just need a revision and proof reading then it will be published. I am very excited for it as I hope you all are as well.