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The engine room slowed them down—a lot.
Connie’s questions were more detailed than any tour John had ever led through the belly of the sub. And more insightful. She picked out operational necessities built into the design that clearly indicated failure of prior designs. She saw the evolution of the fuel injectors and air flow, the control systems and the maintenance accesses. She didn’t merely have an amazing memory. As they studied the ship she reminded him that she was also a damn fine mechanic.
He led her into the Maneuvering Room, the one guaranteed to strike any mechanic to the core.
“Oh, my, God.” She stood with one foot still in the engine room and the other straddled through the watertight hatchway.
One of the smallest rooms in a vessel built of small spaces. Inches weren’t
