John Ringo - Islands of Rage and Hope

“So far so good,” Parker said. “You’ve actually got an inventory. That’s a big help. We used to tell the boats to bring it over when they joined so we could have stuff ready. Nobody ever had one so we gave up. We just do it on the fly, now. Pain in the ass.”

“All three of my boats have their inventories prepared,” Sophia said. “Would it help to get them over to your people?”

“A lot,” the unrep boss said, looking over his shoulder at her. He keyed the radio on his shoulder. “Charlie, Blake. This division’s actually got its inventories and stores requests. Want to send somebody around collecting them?”

“On it.”

“We do have some toilet paper,” Blake said. “One of the boats found a container that we could get to. But don’t ask for feminine hygiene products.”

“We’ve got some,” LeEllen said. “And the boats have been sharing around.”

“This boat’s got a problem with its ROWPU,” Sophia said. “We think it’s the filters but we haven’t found any that fit in our clearance. Any chance you’ve got some of those?”

“Depends on the make,” Parker said.

“HRO,” LeEllen said. “Seafari mini. We think it’s the sea strainer rather than the osmo membrane. But we don’t have any parts for either.”

“Charlie,” the unrep boss radioed. “Got somebody can check out this boat’s ROWPU?”

“Not right now. I’ll put it on the list. What’s the make?”

“HRO Mini,” Parker said.

“Stand by.”

The unrep crew had brought over a set of cargo nets on a zip-line and were working with the Friday crew to move the material on the aft deck into it. As soon as one net was loaded, it was sent back aboard the ship on the same line.

“We don’t have any parts for a Mini onboard. I’ve got a couple that are in good shape and would probably fit. I’ll send Mellan over as soon as he gets freed up.”

“Okay,” Parker said. “You heard the man.”

“Thought that might be the case,” LeEllen said.

“You’re not asking for anything ?” the unrep boss said, looking at a copy of the inventory.

“We’ve been salvaging a lot,” Sophia said. “And sharing around. And I told my people not to ask for stuff you’re not going to have. About the only thing this boat needed was fuel.”

“You, young lady, are a delight,” Parker said. “People are asking for fresh vegetables. Right. Like we’ve got those. We’re about done here. That your Zod tied up, Ensign?”

“Yes,” Sophia said.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll catch a ride to the next boat with you. We’re sort of overloaded.”

“Not an issue,” Sophia said.

The untie was done more or less in reverse with one line after another going back aboard the supply ship until the yacht was free. Parker maneuvered it away from the Grace until it was a hundred meters out, then lifted his hands from the controls.

“Your boat, ma’am,” the unrep boss said. “And I thank you for being prepared.”

“Thank you for a professional job,” LeEllen said.

“Call in to TraffCom for parking instructions,” Parker said. “Ensign, after you.”

“Roger,” Sophia said, heading down to her Zodiac.

“Barry, I’m riding with the ensign,” Parker said. “Which is the next boat?”

“The Negocio Arriesgado ,” Sophia said, pointing. “It translates as Risky Business .”

“Risky business this is indeed,” Parker said. “Let’s cast off. Time’s a-wastin’.”

“You’re Seawolf, huh?” Parker asked as Sophia pulled away from the boat.

“Yep,” Sophia said. “Is that an issue?”

“No,” Parker replied. “People talk. ‘She’s only a skipper ’cause of her dad.’ Captain Gilbert said you’re a skipper ’cause you have your shit together. I wasn’t sure. Glad to have a confirmation. You guys really fight your way out of Central Park? Just the four of you?”

“No,” Sophia said.

“Thought so.”

“There was a team of National Guardsmen we hooked up with,” Sophia said. “And my uncle and a security guy. And it was Washington Square.”

“So that’s no shit?” Parker said. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Sophia said. “And it wasn’t fun. Well, Faith had fun. Me, not so much. I’d only brought along a forty-five and I just about ran out of rounds. When the lights went out, every fucking zombie in New York descended on the concert. It… Yeah, it wasn’t fun.”

“Sorry,” Parker said, nodding. “I thought that was bullshit. But…wow.”

“Estrella,” Sophia yelled, cruising down the side of the Risky Business . “Coming aboard with the unrep team. Tell Lillie.”

“I was sweating having to figure this out,” Rainey said, watching the unrep crew handled the lines. “Glad there’s somebody else to do it.”

“Every one of those people could be doing something else,” Sophia said. “Running boats, some of them even running ships…”

“Like me,” Parker said, watching the unrep to make sure nothing was going wrong. “I’d much rather be running a freighter or a supply ship. Or even one of these. Instead of dealing with mostly moronic or bitchy captains. You’re an exception, ma’am, let me make that clear.”

“Oh, I can be a bitch,” Lillie said, laughing. “But I’m so grateful I don’t have to do this I’d discuss having your babies if I didn’t already have a bun in the oven.”

“When are you due?” Parker asked.

“February, March,” Rainey said. “Like most of the squadron.”

“And that’s gonna be a time for any man in his right mind to be at sea…”

“And, we’re away,” Parker said as the unrep of the Bella Senorita was completed. “Jesus, three tons of stores from you guys. Might I officially say thank you for that and for the way your people were prepared.”

“Put it in your report,” Sophia said, smiling. “And thank you for your professional help. Hope you get that boat someday soon.”

“Eh, I’m doing good work,” Parker said, shrugging. “Any time I wonder why I’m bothering, I watch the night sky video.”

“Night sky video?” Sophia asked.

“They run it in the theater on the Boadicea on a regular schedule,” Parker said. “It’s sort of mandatory for freshies but a lot of people attend. You should see it. It’s… Yeah. Anyway, I’ve got to get going. Light a candle and all that. Thank you, again.”

“And thank you,” Sophia said. As the unrep boss boarded his boat she keyed the radio for TraffCon.

“TraffCon, Division Seven. Unrep complete. Marching orders. Over.”

“Move to rear of small boat flotilla, north side. Switch to channel twenty-three for orders.”

“Rear of flotilla, north side, aye. Switch twenty-three, aye,” she radioed. She picked up the mike for division ops and keyed it. “Okay, ladies, follow me. And let’s give them a show…”

“…Understood. Division out.” Sophia switched back to division frequency.

“Business, Friday, Bella, over.”

“ Risky Business .”

“ Finally Friday , over.”

“Here’s the orders. We have until day after tomorrow, oh-eight-hundred, for rear area activities, whatever those are. So we’ve got the rest of the afternoon and all day tomorrow. Rotate your crews as you see fit. Crews and skippers can visit Boadicea or Tan . Tan is for supply issues. Boadicea is for downtime. Either the skipper or two crew members must be onboard. I’m hereby amending that to two crew, period. So figure out your rotation schedule and then send them off to the Bo . Friday , clear, over?”