“How are Mikhail and Andrei?”
The cetaceans’ master assumed a quizzical expression.
“I am not entirely sure,” he said. “But I think they’re feeling ignored.”
“You mean, they need more attention?”
“Oh, no. I give them plenty of love, and most crewmen visit them. It’s more like they feel excluded or unimportant.”
Volkov found the complexity of the mammalian emotions and a human’s ability to detect them dubious, but if such a relationship could exist, he considered the trainer and his dolphins capable.
“Do you know why they feel… that way?”
“I think they sense their importance dwindling. They can sense the entire crew’s tension, especially mine, and from that they can tell how intense our battles are. For the amount of activity we’re seeing, they’re spending too much time in their tank and too little time chasing submarines.”
“Oh, I see. They feel unappreciated.”
The trainer’s eyes opened wide.
“Yes! That’s the word. That’s the sentiment.”
“I suppose the only remedy is to make sure we find ways to make use of them.”
“I’m afraid that may be difficult. What if they have no future? What if the Israeli tactics are the end for my babies?”
“We were caught by surprise when the Israelis intercepted the return-to-ship message and turned it against us. We have time to develop new tactics.”
“But I don’t know how to overcome fake messages. What if an intercepted message in our next mission sends them beyond our communications range?”
“It’s a risk, but escorting them with a drone helped.”
The lithe man showed tactical understanding.
“You can’t waste resources like that. You wouldn’t send two drones to the same location because it’s wasteful. I’m sure similar logic applies for my babies and a drone.”
“Similar, but not exact. A drone can’t deploy explosive charges, for example.”
“I guess not, but there’s still a difficult challenge ahead.”
“We have great minds on our team to help us. I beg you not to worry. We’ll figure something out.”
“I suppose we will. But you seemed worried.”
“When?”
“When you joined me.”
Volkov wanted to protest, but he knew the trainer would pierce the veil of such a charade. He conceded defeat.
“You know me well.”
“Sometimes I need to study you, but this time it was so obvious that others may have noticed.”
“I’m glad I found you. I can be honest with you.”
“We’re an odd combination, but that’s a good recipe for friendship,” the trainer said.
“Agreed. I don’t know who else I could rely on. I need your help. We’re going to be at our celebration dinner soon.”
Dreading the ordeal, Volkov delayed in sharing the news with his crew.
“Is it already scheduled?”
“Yes. Port Said.”
“Not France?”
“No, we’re ultimately going back through the Suez Canal to Karachi for the Goliath’s new bow section.”
“Egypt should be nice.”
“For everyone else, yes. But not me at the dinner. I was an outcast last time, and that’s been an easy role for me to play. But this time, Jake and Terry will expect me to be more engaging. This is our second mission as a team, and I had a large impact on it.”
The trainer’s face became illuminated.
“Large? You were the hero. You saved Jake.”
Volkov felt squeamish.
“That’s the problem. I’m great in a submarine, but I’m terrible in social situations. Jake and Terry are masters of the waters, but they’re also masters of men in any situation. I lack such charisma.”
“Nonsense. Everyone on this ship trusts you with their life.”
“This is an artificial world where I’m God.”
The man’s narrow shoulders rose towards his ears, and he tilted his head.
“Eh, you have a point.”
“Outside of a command structure, I don’t know who I am.”
The trainer lowered his shoulders and gave a hard look.
“That’s profound. Giving orders on a submarine has defined you, and you struggle for an identity outside the hull.”
Volkov found the insight obvious, but sharing it in conversation with a trusted listener helped.
“I just pushed the limits of what any sane submarine commander should attempt, and I should feel like I’ve mastered my world. But instead, I’m afraid that I’m just a social buffoon the second I set foot off this vessel.”
“It’s poor self-esteem, but even if I concede for the sake of argument that you’re socially awkward, you can’t say that you’re a complete social idiot. For example, I find our conversations stimulating.”
“Yes, but you’re an abnormal man.”
The trainer laughed.
“I can’t deny that. But I’m no idiot, and my opinion is valuable. You have social value. You just need to relax and have confidence.”
“Perhaps. I don’t know.”
“At some point, you’ll feel relaxed enough around Jake and Terry to joke with them.”
Anxiety crept over Volkov.
“No, I am bad with jokes. I tried one with them earlier and almost died of fear.”
“I can teach you. It’s all about timing and knowing your audience. For example, when you called me abnormal a few moments ago, your timing was perfect.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny!”
“But you can learn. For example, an insult can be humorous if given to someone you trust when they’re expecting praise. Do you see why I thought calling me abnormal was funny? I’d just said something nice to you, and common courtesy would have you say something nice to me. But instead you called me abnormal. The contrast creates the humor.”
“I guess so.”
The trainer’s eyes narrowed.
“You know I’ll support you at the dinner in Muscat. I’ll stay by your side, if it helps.”
“Thank you, Vasily. That will help.”
“I don’t fit in with anyone else either. So you’ll be helping me, too.”
“If we’re in agreement, why do you look so mischievous?”
“I have an idea to help you prepare for the dinner.”
“Will you tell me what it is?”
“I prefer that you trust me.”
Volkov retired to his stateroom and read a novel for hours until a sailor knocked on his door.
“Enter.”
“Sir, Mister Renard is calling for all commanders.”
Volkov arrived in the control room to see his boss, Jake, and Walker where he expected Cahill. He also lacked his translator, who showed up a minute later.
Walker explained he was waiting for Cahill, who was exercising on the far side of the huge ship.
“When did he start exercising?” Jake asked.
“The rumor mill says it’s because he’s trying to impress Major Dahan,” Walker said. “I also noticed him eating more vegetables, too. It’s the worst kept secret on the ship that they’re getting romantic.”
“Seriously?” Jake asked. “I didn’t see this coming.”
His French employer seemed unfazed, but the American’s surprise in the burgeoning romance comforted Volkov in his ignorance of their fleet’s love affair.
“Yes,” Walker said. “Terry went mad about her when they met, but he must’ve found his nerve. At some point during this mission, he became a lot more sane around her.”
“Very well,” Renard said. “You can catch up Terry on events later. I have some insight into the effect of our mission, and I’m pleased to say it’s positive. The impeachment process of the prime minister has begun.”
“That’s good,” Jake said. “But does it really have any chance of sticking?”
“I can’t say,” Renard said. “But we’ve forced the issue, and that’s all we could have done.”