Mr. Roberts orders a reduction gear installed for the Reluctant which will give it the speed it needs to allow it to join a convoy headed to combat. The new part causes some damage which at first is misinterpreted as being hit by the enemy. The gun crew directed by Ensign Pulver shoots down their radio tower while firing at a zero. This limits the Reluctant to receiving messages. Morton is ready to court martial Roberts until he hears a radio message that the Reluctant is presumed lost after taking a hit from a Japanese sub. The convoy was able to sink the sub and Morton and the Reluctant are considered heroes for leading it away from the convoy.