Chapter 18 - The Final Inspection
Three days later, I stood on the pier at Naval Station Mayport for what would be my final operational inspection as a Lieutenant Commander before officially pinning on my eagles next month.
The morning sun cast a brilliant, golden sheen across the grey hull of the guided-missile destroyer idling in the basin.
Master Chief Daugherty stood a few paces behind me, holding his clipboard with his usual immaculate precision.
“All sector units report green across the board, ma’am,” Daugherty reported, his voice crisp and authoritative. “Engineers have signed off on the sensor grids, security details are locked in, and the pier is running at peak efficiency.”
“Very well, Master Chief,” I replied, looking out over the water where, just weeks ago, my briefcase had taken a plunge into the deep.
Daugherty hesitated for a fraction of a second, a knowing glint in his weathered eyes. “Hard to believe it’s been a little over a month since all that chaos went down, Captain-select.”
May you like
“It’s proof that a structure is only as strong as its foundation,” I remarked quietly, adjusting my cover. “Whether it’s a naval installation or a family.”
“Aye, ma’am,” Daugherty smiled respectfully. “And you’ve built a damn strong foundation.”
