The young rating clattered up the steps to the bridge two at a time, his naval greatcoat

flapping behind him so great was his urgency. 'Sir, sir!' he gasped to AB as soon as he got to the bridge. 'Message from signals, sir! They've cracked Von Scrampton's code! He's not here, sir! He's in Norway - we're safe!'

'Thank you Scrimshank', said AB quietly. 'Let me see that signal.' He took the paper from the boy's trembling fingers - his own were strangely still. Scanning it, he let out a bitter laugh. 'Those fools in the Admiralty! They know nothing of Von Scrampton - nothign! I've been locked in this deadly game with him for 17 months now, and I know - KNOW, I tell you - that this is a bluff. Look at the call off sign. Look at the phrasing of this signal. He's trying to lure us into a false sense of security.' Crumpling the blue slip of paper into a ball he tossed it into the corner. Silence fell on the bridge, and then Scrimshanks began to wail.

'I can't take it! I can't take it any more!! The waiting, the uncertainty, this cat and mouse - I just want to go ho...' HIs shrill hysterical voice stopped as AB's open hand smacked across his cheek. The callow youth was lifted off his feet by the power of the old seadog's arm, and then slumped against the steel bulkhead sobbing.

'There'll be none of that talk of my ship, Scrimshanks you West Yorkshire nancy.' The grizzled veteran's voice was calm but harsh. 'None, I tell you. We're here to do a job, and we're going to do it. Von Scrampton's got nothing that I can't foresee and I can't deal with. I'm going to beat him to the punch and that's all there is to it. Now go below, have a tot and get a grip on yourself.'

The confidence flooded back into the boy. 'Yessir' he snapped, and bracing his shoulders he ran out.

Watching him go, AB wished he could inspire the same confidence in himself. For all his morale-boosting talk, he knew that this was going to be a long night.

Posted By: Old Git on June 16th 2009 at 11:21:36

Message Thread

not bothered about tomorrow being fixtufe release day- (NCFC) - selwyn, Jun 16, 10:58:47
- Whilst it is true I couldn't care whether the fixtures were issued tomorrow, Friday... (NCFC) - Arganth, Jun 16, 12:25:51
- you utter, fucking 'tard (n/m) (NCFC) - Bristol Graham, Jun 16, 11:21:30
- I've got a meeting for a few hours, I want some comedy gold from you by the time I get (NCFC) - stringersrevenge, Jun 16, 11:04:45
  - no chance bud-flying visit 4 me.hospital on standy by,baby coming soon not far to go as i (NCFC) - selwyn, Jun 16, 11:08:04
    - is that your 3rd in 3 years? (n/m) (NCFC) - Ralf Scrampton, Jun 16, 11:12:00
      - yes (n/m) (NCFC) - selwyn, Jun 16, 11:45:31
        
        blimey! well good luck with it all (NCFC) - Ralf Scrampton, Jun 16, 11:51:12
        
        Huzzah (n/m) (NCFC) - Old Git, Jun 16, 11:57:10
        
        thank you :-), as it's Ascot this week (NCFC) - Ralf Scrampton, Jun 16, 12:03:40
      - I feel queasy (n/m) (NCFC) - duke of york, Jun 16, 11:15:47
- that's where you're wrong (NCFC) - Ralf Scrampton, Jun 16, 11:03:36
  - The young rating clattered up the steps to the bridge two at a time, his naval greatcoat (NCFC) - Old Git, Jun 16, 11:21:36
- Don't - stop - thinking about tomorrow - don't - stop - it'll soon be here (NCFC) - Old Git, Jun 16, 11:02:40
- not bothered about the spelling- (NCFC) - selwyn, Jun 16, 10:59:21

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