[color=82ca9d][i][b]Charles Henshaw[/b][/i]
[i]1 March 2022[/i][/color]

The small cramped space where the necessary equipment to pilot the remotely operated vehicle was located might have bothered someone else, but Zoren was too concentrated on his task to worry about things like posture or stretch breaks. 

His station was housed below deck in what might at one point have been a storage closet for the size of it. He hadn’t bothered with measurements, but if he had to guess, Zoren would imagine it was only about 6’ by 6’, allowing enough room for a wrap-around, U-shaped desk upon which various screens displayed a grainy image of the darkened sea outside the hull, and his favorite rolling chair he’d stipulated as an imperative inclusion as part of his contract with Captain Knight. 

When he was feeling particularly antsy such as during the ROV’s ascent or descent, when there was little to do beyond waiting for it to reach the desired depth, Zoren could just barely roll himself around in a small circle without banging his knees against the metal wall behind him. It was sufficient.

Besides, it was close enough to the kitchens that every so often, one of the cook’s assistants would bring him a snack. A half-eaten sandwich sat forgotten on the far side of the desk as evidence of such a kindness.

There wasn’t even a porthole in the small space, but the images on the screens surrounding the young man provided all the visuals he needed. His face glowed a dull blue as he inched the box-framed machine forward through a large gaping tear in the [i]Acquitaine’s[/i] wooden deck, caused either by decay or some object crashing through it during its slow descent to its final resting place on the sea bed. 

Ultimately, the location of his "office" was necessary for optimal handling of the tethered vehicle he controlled on the computer. His proximity to the hull allowed for significantly less wiring that needed to be routed through the ship, which not only saved the Captain and by proxy the Prince, money but also reduced possible complications. The simpler the better for these kinds of things. 

The robot he controlled was on the small side, the outer frame at a mere 4’ by 2’ by 5’, nothing like the larger military grade vehicles he’d been pestering Knight to purchase for the past week ([color=7ea7d8]“It wouldn’t even need to be tethered, Captain, think of the possibilities!”[/color]), but it was well-suited for the job. It was equipped with four high-definition cameras allowing visuals on all sides, retractable arms to facilitate handling of any equipment salvaged by the divers, and top-notch operational sensors, thrusters, and mechanical components, if he did say so himself. Zoren was quite proud of his almost entirely homegrown vehicle. He’d even improved the engines to allow for higher movement speeds, increasing from the typical 4 knots to 6, which accounted for his being the first to arrive at their destination.

He took the opportunity to scout ahead so that he could provide instruction to the divers when they arrived. It was how they normally handled these operations.
 
Zoren ignored the hurried steps that approached, he was focused on ensuring that no part of the sensitive equipment on his modified rig bumped up against the splintered planks on the deck. 

[b]“Arevalo,”[/b] came a voice from the doorway behind him. [b]“Pull up, we just received orders from the Captain, we’re bringing everyone back.”[/b]

His eyes remained glued to the screens, but he responded with an irritated tone, [color=7ea7d8]“What do you mean? Can’t you see I’ve just made it in?”[/color]

[b]“Doesn’t matter, the orders were clear – we’re to abandon the current salvage.”[/b]

As the ROV cleared the opening, Zoren paused its movements and kept it floating in place as he turned to face the First Officer with a matter-of-fact expression. [color=7ea7d8]“Look, I assume you’ve notified the divers, yes?”[/color]

The man at the door nodded curtly, irritated at being questioned by someone so young.

[color=7ea7d8]“Alright, well my bad boy ‘ere,”[/color] he motioned to the screens even though the vehicle itself was not in view, [color=7ea7d8]“will make it up much quicker than any of them. Buy me a bit of time and let me at least see if I can grab anything before heading back up. It'll make our time here worth something at least instead of a complete waste.”[/color]

It was difficult not to see the logic in the boy’s thinking, but the First Officer wasn’t about to question his superiors. [b]“I was given a direct order, you’re to pull up. Now.”[/b]

Zoren rolled his eyes and lifted his hands in defeat with a sheepish smile. [color=7ea7d8]“Ok, ok, you got it, [i]sir[/i].”[/color]

Satisfied, the First Officer took his leave, likely to notify others of their new plans.

Zoren waited until his footsteps faded before rotating his shoulders and returning to the ROV. [color=7ea7d8]“We’re not leaving just yet, don’t you worry,”[/color] he said, as if talking to the vehicle. [color=7ea7d8]“Knight won’t complain if we bring a few gold bars back with us.”[/color]