The young officer glanced quickly at an instrument he had previously ignored. Then he said relievedly:
"Not this time, sir. The communicator's turned on, all right."
Hardwick said:
"Do you think they might be calling you without shifting from ship-frequency? They were talking to the ship, you know."
"I'll try, sir."
The young man leaned forward and switched to ship-band adjustment of the communicator. Different wave bands, naturally, were used between a ship and shore, and a ship and its own boats. A booming carrier wave came in instantly. The young officer hastily turned down the volume and words became distinguishable.
"... What the devil's the matter with you? Acknowledge!"
The young officer gulped. Hardwick said mildly:
"Since he ranks you, just say 'Sorry, sir.'"
"S-sorry, sir," said Barnes into the microphone.