Dragon Clan

Chapter 5

Five

Monday, April 18

USS Bougainville

Caribbean Sea

After drying Jose off, Sarah found him some clean clothes—a white T-shirt and sweatpants—then escorted them all to the wardroom’s kitchen so Jose could get something to eat. He’d missed both lunch and dinner.

A chef was preparing for another meal, and greeted Sarah with a salute as they entered. “Evening, Captain Wolf. You know the officers’ mess galley is off-limits for snacks.”

“It’s not for me.” Sarah gestured to Jose. “This young man missed dinner. Do you have any leftovers?”

The chef shook his head in disapproval. He was an older man, possibly Filipino, with a muscular body. “Captain, you need to remind your civilians that the XO sets strict mealtimes.”

“Yes, Chief Navarro. Understood. And you know they can hear you. But Jose here was unable to make it to dinner because he was down in the hold caring for the dolphins.”

Chief Navarro turned and eyed Jose. The young man avoided eye contact, staring down at the floor, but managed to speak.

“Jose. Feed. Dolphins.”

Chief Navarro nodded. “Well then.” He wiped his hands on his apron. “I’ll fix you up a nice steak sandwich with dinner’s leftovers.”

Eva put on her best smile and said, “Sir, thank you for your kindness. But Jose is on a strict diet of sorts. Would you happen to have a blender?”

While Jose enjoyed a mango-and-yogurt smoothie, Eva and Axel discussed what to do with him.

“He can bunk with me,” Axel said. “I just need a dry, safe place for the equipment. Do you have space in your room?”

Eva shook her head. “Not for that much stuff, no. Sarah and I are squeezed in as it is.”

But Sarah had a solution. “Why don’t we put your equipment in the pilot’s ready room? I can help you bring it down to the hold anytime. I’ll even help you set up and break down.” She flashed Axel a smile.

Eva saw the glazed-over look in Axel’s eyes. She wanted to tell him to stop being such a doughnut. He was obviously falling for this fighter pilot, and as nice as Sarah seemed, Eva worried Axel had a hard landing in his future.

Jose set his empty glass down on the table. “No,” he said. “Jose. Sleep. Chico.”

Eva put her hand on his arm. She was about to tell him no, that it was too cold and wet down there for sleeping, but then she recalled Caleb’s story about Thomas and Taffy, and how Thomas’s sleeping in the hold might have saved Taffy’s life. So instead, she relented. Hesitantly.

“Jose, I know Chico would love that. But only if we can make you comfortable down there. Chico wouldn’t want you to suffer on his account.” She turned to Sarah. “Could we set up a cot, maybe? With a whole pile of warm wool blankets?”

Sarah grinned. “Anything you need, roomie. I’m at your service.”