[Laughing Swordfish]

The cox pokes his head through the curtain of my cabin his eyes a curious mixture of bewilderment, curuiosity and excitement.

"Beg to report Sir, Chief Engineer has us levelled off at 12 metres, no scope."

"Very good Cox

He coughed

"Two officers waiting to see you, Herr Kaleun..."

"Thank you, Cox, clear the Control Room of all unnecessary crew, and telll Hans and Viktor," I gestured across the passageway to the sonar and radio cabins,

"To put their headphones on properly and turn the gain up on their radios or scanners, and attend to their duties, not to mine"

"Yes Sir!"

He is off like a shot and I can hear him bellowing even from here, even to superior officers. I like him; as Otto says (and he would say) "He's like the oil in the engine" In other words he gets around the Boat and the crew and get's things done.

Back again.

"Sir?"

"You will go out and tell those two officers to remove their caps of rank from their heads, and escort them to the wardroom where I will join them. Oh, and Cox,

"Yes, Sir"

"Tongues are already wagging aren't they?"

"Well, yes, Sir"

"You are going to nip it in the bud aren't you, Cox?"

"Jawohl Herr Kapitan!"

"And you're also going to eavesdrop and listen outside the wardroom yourself, aren't you?"

"The thought hadn't crossed my mind, Sir"

"Come on Cox, it was a small incident when two officers had a difference of opinion, and there was some messing about on the bridge as we've all done in the past, particularly you!

Cox smiled

"They will be seen to, but I don't want any adverse speculation on our boat. Yours and mine."

At the 'yours' Cox's eyes lit up.

"I don't want any damage to the boat, or to the morale of the crew, so keep them busy, and I'll deal with those....

"Idiots, Sir?"

"Between you and me, yes Cox"

"Now leave me with everything and check every department on the Swordfish, and talk to everyone there, get Kuki to get something going for everyone, whatever, ok?

"Yes, Sir"

"Send them both in"

LS