I gained the bridge, checked in with the duty officer and was leaving when an acrid smell permeated the bridge followed but a loud grinding noise. Apparently the jerry-rig had not lasted a full day.
I spun on my heel and made my way quickly to Engineering. Along the way I was asked numerous times what had happened. "You'll know when I know," was my curt response.
Engineering was in crisis mode. Hemperer was ranting at all and sundry; his crew were assessing the damage. My presence seemed to embarrass everyone as if I was going to blame them individually for the part failure.
Within a few minutes I was back on the bridge making the announcement everyone dreaded. "The air conditioning unit has given up the ghost so we are back to the casual dress code for what is likely to be the remainder of the voyage. I want to thank the Engineering crew for all their hard work and effort to resolve this problem. I have been assured the smell will dissipate shortly and poses no issue. Carry on."
While my titillation factor increased, my frustration level sky-rocketed, this is not the sort of thing I wanted to have to report to headquarters – again. I repaired to my day cabin to begin the paperwork.
It was late when I retired to the night cabin and I was exhausted. Eager young Andrew was ready with his supply of ice and was disappointed when I begged off any sexual activity. Shortly after his departure, I had to disappoint Lieutenant Withers for the same reason. Sleep did not come readily this night.
The following morning, I awoke groggy and bleary-eyed. Such was my mood that I didn't even want to go for a 'Captain's prowl' to see the bodies of my crew. I sent my yeoman to bring breakfast to the bridge where I read through the reports and communiqués from overnight.
Yeoman Steiner increased my frustration by, once again, getting a simple order for breakfast wrong. I had had enough with him, pulling him aside, I asked "Steiner, you don't want to be Captain's Yeoman, do you?" He had the decency to look embarrassed at being called out. He shook his head. "Fine, I will have you reassigned back to weapons control, asap. Dismissed." He left with a spring in his step. In all fairness, he had not asked to be assigned as yeoman, his heart was always in weapons control. But now I was without a yeoman.
The yeoman's duties were not onerous; filing, prioritizing my tasks, keeping my cabins in good order, being at my beck and call twenty-four/seven. I was not a captain who watched over every thing my yeoman did. I assigned tasks and assumed they were done correctly; unfortunately, Steiner needed more attention than I wanted to have to give.
But now I was without a yeoman.
Other concerns took precedence and it was not until late in the afternoon I had to deal with the yeoman problem. But the solution presented itself to me serendipitously.
I was dropping by my night cabin to freshen up before supper when Petty Officer Rowlands appeared book in hand. "Would now be a convenient time to 'lend you my book', sir?" He managed to imply the quotation marks.
"No, I'm afraid not, Rowlands." He looked downcast. Then a brain wave, "But, let's have a quick chat, okay?"
In my cabin, I motioned for him to sit. "Rowlands, you are a quartermaster, correct?" He nodded. "So, you have fairly good organizational skills, I assume." He nodded. "Have you ever thought of applying those organizational skills elsewhere on ship?" He looked puzzled. "I am in need of a Captain's Yeoman. Not a glamorous job. Basically, involves keeping me on track, keeping the office organized, keeping the cabins in order, being a gofer. You do get a little cabin next door here so you get some more privacy. Would you be interested in a trial run at the job?"
He jumped up, and being so tall, banged his head on the ceiling, "Yes, I would, sir. Thank you for the opportunity, sir." He stood rubbing his head and beaming at me.
"Okay then, meet me in my day cabin at 0630 and we will go from there."
So now I had a yeoman. A sexy yeoman with whom I have had sex and who is apparently eager to do that again. 'What have I done?' I asked myself.
I let Steiner know his transfer would be effective tomorrow; I advised the necessary officers about the change over supper in the wardroom.
At 0620, Rowlands was outside the hatch to the day cabin. He was obviously enthused about the assignment and it was hard keeping him in the chair while we went over the job description and duties list.
I told him to arrange the change of sleeping arrangements with Steiner and the transfer of their belongings. I also told Rowlands to chat with Steiner about tasks currently underway and about the realities of dealing with me and my idiosyncrasies.
On my way to the wardroom I encountered Chief Warrant Officer Jennings, looking a little down in the mouth. I recalled my hasty promise to him regarding helping him deal with his anger issues. "Jennings, come to my night cabin around 1930."
After supper and a patrol of the ship, I returned to my night cabin and found Spike ensconced in the yeoman's cabin next door.
"Anything you need, Captain?"
