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Jack was retreating down the companion from the bridge when he saw Dr Russ one level down, holding a bandage to the back of his head. “Doctor Russ,” he said, “are you okay? What happened?”
But Doctor Russ was oblivious, walking into the wardroom and out of sight, and after a few moments of considering, Jack continued into his suite.
Several days passed uneventfully. Jack had the armorer clean each of the Douglas M-79s and the Colt energy revolvers, including their caps. Many of the Douglas magazines had weak follower springs, but there was no solution for this until replacements could be obtained. Asked about printing new springs, the armorer shook his head. “They would still need to be tempered, sir, and we don’t have an oven. It’s a common part, though. We should be able to pick it up when we make port.”
Jack sighed. He was not sure that he wanted to ask the next question, nor was he sure that he wanted to know the answer. "When were these guns last reviewed, Moretti?”
The armorer shifted uncomfortably. He was an unassuming man of middle height, middle weight, middle age, medium brown skin, medium brown hair and medium brown eyes, remarkably only in his hands, which were scarred, calloused, and strangely small. “I’d have to check my records to be sure, sir.”
“Approximately?” asked Jack, determined to see it through to the bitter end.
Moretti cleared his throat. “Probably a year sir, or more. Probably more.”
“A year,” cried Jack. “You are playing with your duty, sir. This is very bad. Is there anything else that you’ve been neglecting? Look at me when I talk to you.”
“Yes, sir,” said the armorer, who was now looking pale. “No, sir. Nothing else.”
“You’re certain?”
Moretti said nothing, then, “the guns on the new shuttle need to be calibrated, sir.”
“Well then until these guns are as clean as the queen’s arse, those guns are calibrated, and you’ve attended to anything else you might have overlooked, you are not to engage in what is commonly known as leisure. Do you understand me, sir?” “Yes, sir.”
“Then get to work. And God help you, and God help us, if we run into the French before you’re through.”
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