Bab 9: Chapter 8
"Reveille! Reveille you rugrats! All hands up now! Move it come on!" "How does she do that?" Traeger groaned as Carter's voice sounded at 05:45 in the morning. The division scrambled to the towline. Since her confrontation with Traeger, Carter had taken to cracking the whip each morning. And while the destroyer and Ford were the only two who knew why, that didn't make it any easier. Carter had surrendered to and accepted Traeger's authority in medicine. The problem was, the painkillers made her irritable and the antibiotics made her sick. Not the greatest combination. Ford had been horrified to learn what her RDC had been hiding and gave Carter her own version of a tirade lecture. It was so salty and to the point that Traeger felt even Carter was impressed, despite how startled she was at it. The submarine dutifully agreed to whatever plan Traeger and Ford set in place. At this point in their training, the division could stand on its own two feet. They had independent steaming now. Allowing them to march on their own. This was a crucial thing to have for it allowed Carter to rest or follow at her own pace and Ford was determined to ensure the division keep it. They were more squared away than ever. They had earned their star flag and the academic flag. Today was their second drill inspection and a chance to earn the coveted drill flag. Ford had spent many a night prepping them so if they were a little quicker than usual in their eagerness to get the day started no one commented on it. Carter didn't waste time with pleasantries. As always, she was direct and to the point. "Alright, big day today. Don't let me down." And with that they were off.
Drill inspections were, by all accounts unusual. The Navy as a general rule never marched except on special occasions. During these inspections the division was accompanied by an FQA inspector who was usually another RDC in-between units. This inspector made the division maneuver as he saw fit. It could be any combination of formation and they needed to arrange themselves accordingly within 60 seconds or suffer a penalty. Due to Carter's harsh regimen and Ford's constant practicing, they did it under 40.
Carter waited with partial impatience on the grinder for her division to return. She didn't doubt Ford's ability. In fact when the carrier wasn't failing about trying to control her nuc tendencies she was actually very savvy. She had a good bridge on her forecastle and had the potential to be a decent flagship one day. But for now she and everyone else under Carter's command were all recruits. The submarine practically whirled around when she saw McCambell. "How'd they do?" She asked the destroyer. "See for yourself." was the cryptic reply.
Just then the sound of cadence reached her ears. "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! Victory, victory that's our battle cry!!" Ford was in front, flanked by Hopper and Port Royal. Behind them came the sticks. Zumwalt and Moonser each carried the star and academic flags respectfully. But proudest of all was New York who wielded a freshly unfolded drill flag. Traeger was outboard of her, a huge grin on her face as she sang. Nailed to her mast, bristles skywards, was a massive broom. "5.0?" Carter asked. "They were perfect! I've never seen a division so well trained." McCambell said. "You've done a good job with them Carter." "Well they aren't through battlestations yet." Carter was very pleased and proud of her division.
She greeted them with a stoic "Not bad, now hit the showers! You've got 50 minutes before chow!" All raced out, knowing better than to risk pissing off their temperamental RDC. But Traeger knew what Carter was really feeling and as she passed her, the sub gave her the tiniest assemblence of a smile and ever so subtly winked. That little display of pride was enough to make Traeger feel like sunshine for the rest of the day. "Stars, I've really come to like her." She thought.
Hadiah
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Power 
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