{17}

The words, Fraternization, Captain’s Mast, Restriction, all flowed through my brain. I was trying to keep my exterior appearance as calm as possible. My heart, on the other hand, was beating so hard and rapidly, that that’s all I could hear in my ears. My breathing was normal though. So at least I could keep my façade going. Tyler, I mean, Chief, glanced at me quickly, that I wasn’t sure if he really did look at me. I numbly listened to the rest of the muster that Lieutenant Mays had to brief the work center on. Not that I had much input. Until I heard him introduce me to the rest of the crew.

I smiled and stepped forward. “Hey, I am MM1 Lee. This is my first time on shore duty, so go easy on me. I am used to being on a ship, not on land. Don’t hurt me too badly.” I joked. The work center laughed. At least my slow wittiness can make people laugh. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Someone raised their hand, like they were in