Free Vanguard (Ark Royal Book 7) by Christopher Nuttall Page A

working to build up your muscles and generally staying healthy.  Emergency stores in there” - he pointed at another hatch - “but don’t take anything unless you desperately need it, as I am required to account for all the supplies.  The XO may ask pointed questions.”
     
    George frowned.  Of you or of us ?
     
    Fraser stopped outside a larger hatch.  “These are our sleeping quarters,” he said.  His gaze crawled over George, sending shivers down her spine.  “I trust that neither of you are claustrophobic?”
     
    “We wouldn't have made it through the academy if we were,” George said, refusing to allow him to intimidate her any further.  “We’ve been in some very cramped spaces.”
     
    “I am the first middy,” Fraser said.  He leaned forward, his dark eyes meeting hers.  “You will address me as sir .”
     
    George was tempted to refuse - they were of equal rank, technically - but she knew he had far more experience of shipboard duty.  Besides, he was the first middy.  She’d be under his supervision - and command - until one of them was promoted to lieutenant and moved to a private cabin.
     
    “Yes, sir,” she said, reluctantly.
     
    Fraser eyed her for a long moment, then keyed the hatch switch.  It hissed open, revealing a tiny space, barely large enough for ten bunks and ten tiny cabinets.  George felt a sinking feeling as she saw a sleeping midshipman in one of the bunks, even though she knew not all of the midshipmen would be on duty at the same time.  The compartment was so tiny that Fraser alone seemed to take up most of the space; hell, she had a nasty feeling that the only place to change was in the middle of the cabin, where everyone could see them.  There were only a handful of thin curtains covering the bunks!
     
    “There are two showers and two toilets at the far end,” Fraser said.  “As junior midshipmen, it is your duty to clean them every day.  I will check your work and woe betide you if it is not perfect.”
     
    Nathan blinked.  “I thought such duties were shared ...”
     
    “You’re fit for little else at the moment,” Fraser told him, curtly.  He opened one of the doors to reveal a shower, barely large enough for a single person.  “Wash the decks, empty the bins, check the flushers ... we’ll go through the rest of it later.”
     
    He turned.  “You have the bunks here, nearest the hatch,” he added.  “Do not wake anyone else when you get up in the morning; some of us have to work shipboard nights.  If you want to read books, play games or listen to music, make sure you wear headphones and keep your mouths shut.  No one will be even remotely sympathetic if you get punched in the nose by a person you woke up, believe me.
     
    “We have our own table in the wardroom, which you’ll see when I give you the basic tour of the ship.  Do not eat elsewhere and do not invite anyone to eat at our table without my permission.  If you want a snack in the middle of the night or something along the same lines, and you can't be bothered going to the wardroom, there are ration bars in the side compartments.  Remember, you have to replace any you take.  Again, if you eat or drink in here, don’t wake up the sleeping ugly midshipmen.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Nathan said.
     
    “You each have one locker for your personal clothes and other such shit,” Fraser added, pointing to the lockers.  “Those are your private compartments - no one, not even the XO, will look in them without a good reason.  If you need more space, tough shit.  Any fancy dresses you happened to bring” - he shot George a nasty look - “will have to be spaced.”
     
    George nodded, not trusting herself to speak. 
     
    “Midshipwoman Fitzwilliam, unpack your holdall and then wait in here,” Fraser concluded, shortly.  “I’m going to have a little talk with Midshipman Bosworth.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” George said.  Judging from the look on Nathan’s face, he