Victoria's Two Hearts

Victoria's Two Hearts: Chapter 6

What is your work schedule this week?

I am not free at all this week, sir.

Was it something I did?

Something I said?

No, sir.

My schedule is just very chaotic this week, sir.

What of next weekend?

I have a previously schedule arrangement next Saturday and would like to spend Sunday with my husband, sir. I don't have my schedule for next week. I can let you know as soon as I do, sir.

Yes.

He knew he was reading into her messages too much but he had a strange feeling of worry. He put his phone down and got out of the car to walk into work. He heard the usual voices as he walked in.

"Hello, sir."

"Good morning, sir"

"Have a nice day, sir."

"Beautiful day, Sir."

"Sir."

His arm was getting tired of saluting them back when he finally reached the cover of the ship. He walked across the brow and onto the quarterdeck.

"Attention on deck!"

"At ease." He said loudly.

He continued to his office. He looked at the name plate on the door.

CDR ELIJAH PETERSON

He walked into the office space and looked at his yeoman, secretary.

"Anything new?"

"Yes, sir. The Command Master Chief would like to see you to go over the shut down protocol for the engine rooms. He said that he wanted to take you on a tour so you would have a better idea of what was going on with everything."

"Sounds good. Call him and let him know I will be there in the next half hour. Thank you."

He continued past her to his office. He wasn't in the mood to be at work which, for him, was rare. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Work. He was at work. Nothing else mattered. He opened his eyes, checked and answered a few emails, and then left to go on the tour of the engine rooms.

When he got to the Command Master Cheif's office he walked in and the chief was already ready to go. They chatted about meaningless things as they walked the halls towards the elevator that would take them most of the way there.

"So we have everything ready I just felt like it would benefit both of us to go down there and do a quick walk through with the compartment head."

"I agree. I would always rather be more prepared than under prepared."

"Exactly! I thought you would feel the same way. Especially since we are probably going to be losing one of our best enlisted operators."

"I didn't hear about that. Why?"

"Personal matters. They have been plaguing her for a while and she was put on a hold status for a while but she insisted on returning to assist with the shutdown. Something with her husband. He retired rear admiral Cooper, the previous CO of this ship. Lung cancer I believe. But she's a trouper. Doesn't let it affect her work at all."

"Wait, if he is a retired rear admiral how old is she?"

The CMC laughed.

"They have a rather large age difference. Honestly I don't know why she went enlisted. She has a college degree and I'm sure her husband could have pulled some strings for her but to each their own. She will be here to assist for as long as she can."