"Gosh, I'd like to. It would be nice to have some leave." Oscar shook his head sadly and stared at the chart.
"I know what's eating on you-since you've been made the head of a department you've acquired a sense of responsibility. How does it feel to be one of the mighty?"
Tex had come into the chartroom while they were talking. He chipped in with, "Yeah, come on, Oz-tell your public."
Oscar's fair skin turned pink. "Quit riding me, you guys. It's not my fault."
"Okay, you can get up now. Seriously," Matt went on, "this is quite a break for all of us-acting ship's officers on what was supposed to be a training tour. You know what I think?"
"Do you think?" inquired Tex.
"Shut up. If we keep our noses clean and get any chance to show some stuff, it might mean brevet commissions for all of us."
"Captain Yancey give me a brevet?" said Tex. "A fat chance!"
"Well, Oscar almost certainly. After all, he is chief com officer."
"I tell you that doesn't mean a thing," protested Oscar. ] "Sure, I've got the tag-with nobody to communicate with, j We're out of range, except for the Pathfinder, and she's ; pulling away fast." j