Swamped

"Stacy."

All eyes turn to Stacy. Except Mary's, which seem to be fixated on the ceiling.

"Huh?" Stacy blinks a few times, before continuing on to "Oh. Right. Yeah, okay." and nodding repeatedly.

Sergeant Greenwoods sighs and rolls her eyes.

"Right. Since I doubt Stacy has actually been paying attention, I'll repeat myself. Marshall and Stacy, you're coming with me to the training pond. The rest of you are dismissed, for now. Of course, you'll all be working with Marshall at some point this week, so don't forget that."

Everyone except Stacy filters out, some more quietly than others. You follow the sergeant into the swimming room once again, pulling Stacy along.

Is she really the best swimmer on that squad?

"Right, then. Both of you, masks on and into the pond. Marshall, try to stay in for five minutes this time. Stacy, help out Marshall if need be. Got it?"

You put your mask on. Stacy, much to your surprise, does the same. In fact, she's in the water before you are. You follow her in and try to hold your position.

You manage nearly three minutes before Stacy has to catch you and guides you back into place. You only need help another two times before the sergeant calls the time.

"Excellent progress, Marshall. It takes a good deal of practice to manage five minutes unaided, but you're getting there. Now, get yourself cleaned up. Stacy, I believe you've got a patrol after this anyhow, so you're fine as you are. Don't forget your pole this time."

You both climb out, and Stacy runs off. Sergeant Greenwoods laughs a little.

"Honestly, that girl seems more at home in the water than on land. Now, get yourself cleaned up. That should give us time to prepare the next training class. Now let me double-check what we had you scheduled for, and who your partner's going to be..."