![]() ![]() ![]() “They did fine work.” This senior chief wasn’t the type to smile much, but the warmth in his voice said even he was impressed. The sub’s young medic had had to help negotiate the sub’s tight passageways with his patient on a litter while the deck crew had to coordinate closely with the evac helicopter. It was only thanks to tireless training that the operation had gone off without incident. Being on deck during a sunny homecoming had nothing in common with navigating the slick surface in choppy conditions with limited visibility. ![]() “Yes, sir.” Entrance was one way to put the harrowing foggy medical evac that had required coordination from multiple teams including the shore-based doctors, the ship the sub had had to rendezvous with, its helicopter crew, and various levels of mission command. So I drew myself up taller and gave a firm nod. He had a shaved head, Southern drawl, commanding features, and a piercing stare that had a way of seeing every uncertainty. “Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance, Fox.” The senior chief regarded me carefully as we settled for our daily report meeting. But already there was an entire ocean between us. I didn’t need room to think, and I was more than a little afraid what I might find if I dug deep enough into my psyche. Wanted to bind us both to that promise, honestly. He might not want me to make any promises, but I wanted to, wanted to offer him my assurances. ![]()
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