"Y'all don't understand," I said loudly. They looked at me, grinning, and waiting for the punch line. I'd been taking officer classes for two months; Captain set that up for me. I still had a lot to learn, and if they were going to ask me to be Chief, then so be it.

It took them a minute to realize that I wasn't joking. Eventually, even Patricia settled down, and said, "What?"

"Y'all don't understand what you're saying." I looked at each of them. Captain had done that when he was being serious, and it always made me feel like he was paying attention to whatever I said. "If we're going to be an Engineering section, and if the Navy pukes are getting uppity, then we also have to take care of the other Merchant Marine Engineers. That means you have to straighten up and be NCOs, because you're going to be taking care of people too."

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That sobered them up fast. I looked at my chrono. "We need to get back downstairs. You think about it, and talk about it if you like. When we meet tomorrow, if you still want me to be Chief, then I'll agree. But that means work for you, too. Clear?"

"Clear!" Raul said, and then blushed. "My sister taught me that last time she came home on leave."

Conrad perked up, and then looked at me. "Have you ever served on a ship?"

I wasn't going to lie, they were trusting me. "Yes, two and a half."

Patricia laughed. "How can you serve on half a ship? Did it blow up as soon as you got there?"

"Yep," I replied. "Think about that before you ask me to be Chief."

They were still standing and gaping as I walked downstairs.