Swamped

You recognize Second Mate Resk just in time to salute as he faces you. He looks even more grim-faced than usual.

"Afternoon, sir! What brings you here?" you ask.

"Your plan, if I understand Mr. Billie's explanation correctly," he says. "Did you really think you could make such extensive modifications without approval from an officer?"

Figures he'd be upset. He wasn't too thrilled the last time you had an idea like this. You got the distinct impression he would have preferred to let the ship keep taking on water.

"We were making sure the plans were viable first," you say. "Wouldn't do much good to get permission for a plan if it turns out we don't have enough onions for it in the first place, right?"

Resk doesn't look any more pleased. Then again, he doesn't look any less pleased either, so it's hard to tell what he's thinking.

"Well, fortunately the ship's carpenter has a stronger sense of responsibility than you do. Immediately thought to check. So I'm here to see the scene for myself."

"Huh. Surprised they asked you," you say. "I heard you were at Lou's birthday party."

Well, now he looks more upset.

"I was supervising the party, yes," he says, clearly annoyed. "But the other mates and the captain were busy too. My task just happened to be the least important, especially as the party was nearly over. So I thought my attention would be better directed to this matter."

"Well, you're going to need a breather mask, then. There's still gas in there."

In fact, it's quite strange he doesn't have one already. Unpleasant as he is, when he actually does manual work he's well-prepared for it. Not to mention meticulous. You're surprised he didn't already ask what he'd need.

"Neither of you mentioned that," he says, turning to Billie and the carpenter. So maybe he did ask after all.

"Ah, sorry. Um, I'll lend you mine?" Billie asks nervously. He takes it off his neck and hands it to the second mate.

"For the sake of expediency, I suppose I'll accept. Ms. Sally, as this was your plan, I'll have you come in with me to explain it. Once Mr. Billie has instructed me in the proper operation of this device, of course."

Ugh. You're pretty sure any of the other officers would have just accepted after a few simple questions. But of course Resk has to make a big production out of it. Plus you've got to get your own damn breather mask on.

Well, you suppose you might be able to sneak in a question about the party to him, at least. He's likely to be a lot more careful than Colleen was, but he was also right in the middle of the action. If the question seems innoccuous enough, he might actually answer it.

So what should you ask?