Date: Tue, 24 May 2016 05:56:41 -0400
From: Jim <zarek@roadrunner.com>
Subject: The Submariner - Chapter 7

Disclaimer: This story is fictional.  All characters were made up and any
similarities are just coincidental.  This is gay romance between older
teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their
true love of each other so if that offends you, please discontinue reading.
Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned.
Continual reading could cause a knock at your door.

I hope you enjoy it and that the story draws you in wanting more.  This
story was "inspired" by watching a YouTube about submarine life. While some
of the ideas are based on the U.S. Navy, the story does not take place in
the Navy so some things may not seem exact.  If you have any suggestions or
concerns, don't hesitate to email me at zarek@roadrunner.com
<mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com> .  Thoughts and suggestion are always
welcomed and may or may not be implemented.  Concerns will be considered
and addressed as much as possible.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help
cover their expenses.  While the site is currently free, only donations
from loyal fans can help keep it that way.  Any amount will help.



The Submariner

Chapter 7: FINALLY! Or Not

James P. Bolt



After four more months of training, the Leonard S Nimoy finally was ready
for her initial launch. I'm not allowed to tell you what the engineers did
to give us torpedoes, but the Navy was happy and we were finally able to
get her in the water. Part of me wishes I were on the Gold Team so I could
be "setting sail" instead of continuing to train. But then, they are only
going out for a month, and then return to start training all over. A month
after that, we will be taking her out and the blue team will be out for
five months before we return. At least that was the plan, but sometimes
plans are forced to be changed. More on that later.

As soon as the Nimoy launched, Ernie started missing Mark. He had it bad
for that boy. Jake and I told him that Mark would only be gone for a month
and then he'll return. I suggested that Ernie talk to the captain about
transferring to the Gold Team, but Ernie wasn't sure about it. "Don't get
me wrong, I would love to be on the same team as Mark, but no one seems to
build my confidence like you do," he claimed.

I sat the boy down, "Ernie, it's time for you to build your own
self-confidence. You are capable of doing anything that you want if you
just believe. That is, anything humanly possible. Do you honestly believe
that Mark would let you fall?"

Ernie looked down, "Mark? No way, he would probably stop doing his job to
help me and get in trouble himself. I'm afraid of failing and disappointing
Mark."

I shook my head, "Don't be, if Mark really loves you, he'll be proud of you
for trying. And if whatever you are doing overwhelms you, there is no shame
in admitting you need help. Remember, Kirk made you an officer for a
reason."

"I know, and I don't want to let him down, either," Ernie remarked. He was
nervous about going out for the first time, and more so if I wouldn't be
with him. I was thinking of a comment to help him when the phone rang.

It was Kirk, "I realize that today is supposed to be a day off, but there's
been an accident with the sub. I need all officers in the Chow Hall
ASAP. I'll give you details at the meeting."

"An accident? I hope Mark is alright," Ernie declared and then added, "And
everyone else, too."

Jake put his arm around Ernie, "I hope he is, too. And everyone else."

We rushed to the meeting and everyone seemed solemn. None of us knew what
had happened or why Kirk called this meeting. Fredericks stepped onto the
platform followed by Kirk. I never seen him so distraught as when he
started to speak, "Today at 1400 hours, the Leonard S Nimoy suffered
complete and total engine failure. The US Navy is currently attempting a
rescue mission. We know of one fatality, Lieutenant Jessica Granger with
the US Navy. In light of this event, the Navy wishes to pull their officers
from this program unless we scrap the Nimoy and use a US based sub or build
our own. The Navy believes that Russia sold us a faulty vessel, but
considering it was retired and we basically rebuilt the entire sub,
replacing everything, I blame myself."

Fredericks stepped down and we were all in shock. Captain Kirk stepped to
the podium, "When the engines started to fail, Lt. Granger sent all
personnel out of the engine room and sealed herself in. We believe that she
was going to attempt repairs but didn't want to endanger any crew members,
just in case. She no sooner sealed the hatch and there was an
explosion. The explosion was contained within the engine room, but it
cracked the hull enough that the entire space was flooded. At this time, we
don't know if she died from the explosion or drowned. The Navy is planning
a full investigation, but in my opinion, she saved all of those men and
died a heroine. The Navy does have an Ohio class sub which they were
planning to retire. It's already been decommissioned and had the missile
silos removed. We can have it ready within two months, which would have
been our departure time, anyway. The Ohio Class does need fewer officers,
so I am asking for volunteers to stay here and assist with training, and if
no one wishes to do that, a few Navy officers will receive transfer
orders. I have gotten to know each and every one of you and do not wish to
see anyone leave."

Kirk sat beside Fredericks and a Navy officer took to the
podium. "Greetings everyone, I am Rear Admiral Decker. What happened today
was a tragic accident, and I don't blame anyone, especially you,
Mr. Fredericks. My superiors might, but I don't. Those were US Navy engines
aboard the Nimoy, perhaps Lt. Granger didn't get them properly installed, I
don't know nor do I want to speculate until after a complete investigation
has been conducted. This accident is a rare occurrence and I hope that it
doesn't cause any of you to have second thoughts. Naval Personnel, if you
wish to stay and assist with training, that is an option. Correct me if I
am wrong Captain, but I believe you have seventeen officers in each team,
counting yourself."

"That is correct, sir," Kirk replied.

"The Ohio Class only uses fifteen officers, so we need two officers to stay
ashore. That can be naval personnel or one of the hired officers. I wish
you all the best and I only stopped by to give you my support for this
endeavor. I need to head back."

And the rear admiral left just like that. Kirk walked back to the
podium. "Don't ask about the rescue, the only thing I can tell you is that
salvage ships are in the process of raising the Nimoy so they can safely
extract all personnel off of her. You now know as much as I do. So any
questions?"

One of the Navy officers raised his hand, "Sir, it seems to me that this
endeavor has been doomed since the beginning. I wish to either transfer out
or stay as a training officer."

"I really wished you had done that more privately," Kirk looked slightly
agitated. "As for this endeavor seeming doomed, yes we have had our share
of setbacks, but every endeavor has a rough patch. I would rather it happen
now and get it out of the way. Those that endure will be better because of
it."

The officer looked a bit embarrassed about having said anything. Kirk was
glad to request a transfer for him. No one else said anything so Kirk
adjourned the meeting. After the meeting Ernie walked up to Kirk, "Sir, I
am thankful for everything you and Zarek have done for me, and I agree, I
think I am better because of everything we've gone through. That being
said, I would like to stay and help train."

Kirk couldn't believe Ernie was volunteering, "Are you serious? All the
training that you've done, and how much you've overcome since the obstacle
course? I would like for you to reconsider because I believe you will be a
great asset on the sub."

Ernie was a little surprised by Kirk telling him this, but he couldn't hide
the smile growing. "Thank you, sir. Part of my reason for wanting to stay
and train is I don't want to be at sea when Ensign Hough is ashore. Unless
he transfers to train, I would like to be on the Gold Team with him, or
training myself."

Kirk chuckled with Ernie, "I sensed that you and he grew close ever since
the party. I don't want to lose you from my team, but I understand. I'll
wait until the Gold Team returns and see who wants to stay here to train
before I make my decision. If Ensign Hough wants to train, I will let him
so that I can retain you on my team."

Ernie had a smile as big as a five-year-old getting a pony for
Christmas. "Thank you, sir. I do desire to stay on the blue team, but I
desire to have more than a month at a time with Mark even more."

"I'll see what I can do to arrange that," Kirk offered.

Ernie had to rush and tell us about his conversation with Kirk. He was
ecstatic about how Kirk boosted his ego and confidence. I took the
opportunity to convince Ernie that he doesn't need me anymore, "You know,
he wouldn't have said any of that if he didn't truly believe it. I'm
telling you, you don't need me to build your confidence any more. You've
got this."

Ernie smiled, "For the first time, I truly believe that I can do whatever I
want. I can't thank you enough, and will always remember you as the first
person to believe in me, but you are right. I can build my own
self-confidence, but don't ever feel like I'll never need you. I just need
you as a friend and not a confidence booster."

"I will always be your friend," I declared to Ernie. It was nice seeing him
hold his head high, proud of himself for the first time.

It was almost a week before the Gold Team were back on shore. Even then,
they were "quarantined" until they were fully examined and questioned as to
what they knew concerning the accident. Once Mark returned home, we lost
him and Ernie to their bedroom for several hours. When they finally
emerged, the five of us sat at the dining room table.

I looked at Mark and decided to razz him, "You take the sub out on its
first cruise and you sink it, not even letting us get to go out in
it. What's up with that?"

"Hey, it wasn't my fault. Tell him, Ernie, would I do something like that
to you?"

Ernie got an evil grin on his face, "I don't know, you've been saying that
you wanted to fuck me whenever I was ready."

"OH WOW!!!" Mark turned red, "Did you have to tell them that?" We all
laughed. Then Mark got a serious look on his face and said, "Guys, I think
I need to apologize to you."

"You did sink the sub?" Jake asked.

"No," Mark responded, "but I did talk to Kirk. While waiting on the sub to
be rescued, I did some thinking. I thought I would never see Ernie again,
and then I thought, what if it was Ernie out here, what would I do?"

I asked, "You didn't resign, did you?"

"Hell no, I worked too hard to get where I am!" Mark exclaimed. But, I know
you were wanting two people on the Gold Team to live here, well I asked
Kirk if I could transfer back to the blue team."

"It would have been more ideal if two people from the Gold Team lived here,
but we can understand you wanting to be with Ernie." I stated and Jake
agreed.

"So you transferred to the blue team?" Ernie was excited.

Mark looked lovingly into Ernie's eyes, "Not exactly. Kirk said that there
were no openings at this time. He asked if I would consider being a trainer
for now and when the first opening is available, he would offer me the
position."

"YES!!!" Ernie was extremely happy, "I asked Kirk about either transferring
to the Gold Team or being a trainer. He asked me to reconsider because he
wants me on his team aboard the sub."

"You worked harder than anybody to get where you are," Mark stated, "You
deserve to be on that boat."

"See," I chuckled, "I'm not the only one who thinks you can do it."

Ernie got that mischievous look on his face, "You're right, I can do
anything I set my mind to do. In fact, tomorrow, I am going to tell Kirk
that I want his job."

"Hold on there, partner," I stated, "You have to earn his position, but
given time, I do believe you can do it."

"I know," Ernie responded, "I meant that I would like to train towards
being a captain someday."

"When you become a captain, if I'm not commanding my own boat, I would
request to serve on your vessel," I told Ernie and his face lit up.

The next day we arrived, expecting to train. Instead, all Engine room
personnel from the Gold Team were asked to follow a Naval MP to the
offices. That included Mark Hough. Captain Kirk asked Ernie to go to his
office. The rest of us began training, but wondered what was up. Instead of
boring you with our training, I'll give you my version of what Ernie told
us happened in Kirk's office.

Ernie was standing at attention in front of Kirk's desk when Kirk closed
the door. "We're not the military, have a seat." Ernie sat down and Kirk
looked worried, "How well do you know Mark Hough?"

"Probably a little better than the rest of our roommates, but not as much
as I would like, Sir," Ernie replied.

"In here, when it's just us, cut the formalities. I appreciate it in front
of the crew, but even in the Navy, when it was just my officers and me, I
liked a friendlier approach." Now, I don't know if Kirk really said this,
but Ernie claims he did and I could see Kirk being that way, especially
with those of us who trained with him at the OCS.

Ernie looked at Kirk, "Why are you asking about Mark?"

"I shouldn't tell you this, but..." Kirk started. He paused and took a
breath, "The Navy isn't done with their investigation yet; however, it
appears that the sub's engine that exploded was sabotaged thus causing the
mishap. I don't think Mark did it, but I think they are trying to pin this
on him."

"I know Mark wouldn't do that," Ernie was in tears. "Mark told me that I
should have never asked to get off the sub, that I worked too hard and
deserve to be on the boat more than anybody."

"Like I said, I don't think Mark did it, but I don't know who would have,"
Kirk explained.

"So, what can I do to help Mark?" Ernie asked.

Kirk said, "You may be brought into the office for questioning. If you are,
give honest answers, but keep then short. Go take Zarek Drage's place and
ask him to come see me, but don't tell him why."

And Ernie left the Captain's office to come get me. I was leading a group
of crew members in PT. We were doing jumping jacks when Ernie approached
me. He joined in until we finished our set and then let me know he was
taking my place and I was to go see Captain Kirk. I told him that we were
ready for the five run but he might want to do more loosening exercises
before he runs.

I knocked on the captain's door and he told me to enter. As I was walking
toward his desk, he told me to have a seat. "Zarek, you and I have been
close for about ten months now, I've taken you under my wing, so to
speak. Let's dispense with the formalities when it's just us."

I asked, "Should I call you William, then?"

Kirk, or Will, told me, "William or Will work for me, but again, only when
it's just the two of us."

I smiled a little, "It may seem weird calling you Will, I think of you like
my dad. But if that is what you want, I can comply."

"Good," Will started, "the reason I called you in here is, as you know,
NCIS is investigating the cause of the explosion in the Nimoy's engine
room. They believe that the engine was sabotaged."

"Do they have any suspects, Will?" I asked.

"They have a prime suspect in custody and they are questioning everyone who
was on the Gold Team who may have entered the engine room. The person they
suspect is Mark Hough." Kirk told me and I couldn't believe it.

I was a bit irate at even suggesting Mark did it. I know I kidded with Mark
but only because I know he wouldn't have done it. "That's crazy, Mark
wouldn't have done that. You've seen how hard he worked to be an
officer. There's no way you can believe he did it."

Will motioned with his hand for me to calm down. "I didn't say that I
thought he did it. I said that NCIS was suspecting him. I'm with you, I
don't think Mark could have done it, especially since he's gotten so close
to Ernie."

I questioned Will, "Do you have any suspects?"

"I have my suspicions," he replied, "but I don't have enough evidence to
point any fingers. As CO, I am allowed to question any suspects. At the
moment, that list only consists of Mark. I want you to join me as I
question him."

"Me?" I asked.

"I should have a witness, preferably an officer who might be biased towards
Mark. Being he boards off of you, you fit the bill. I am supposed to be
unbiased, though I can't say that I am."

We walked to the room where they were holding Mark. Will pulled out his
phone and started recording. "This is Captain William Kirk of the SS
Leonard S Nimoy, in the presence of Ensign Zarek Drage questioning Ensign
Mark Hough. Ensign, what can you tell me about the explosion in the engine
room?"

Mark was obviously holding back tears. He was scared, "I don't know what to
say, sir. As you know, there were two engines and I don't even know which
engine exploded. I couldn't even tell you for sure it was an engine. I'm
just taking their word that it is and I can't think what else it could have
been. When the explosion occurred, the blast doors started to buckle. Being
a nuclear sub, were we exposed to radiation?"

"Thank you for asking that, Ensign Hough," Kirk looked more sure than I
have ever seen him. "Do you know where you were heading when the explosion
occurred?"

"No sir, I wasn't privy to that information," Mark admitted.

"Which engine were you working on?" Kirk questioned.

Mark explained, "With exception of Lieutenant Granger, all of us worked on
the port engine. She wouldn't let anyone but her touch the starboard
engine."

Kirk looked thoughtful, "Did you tell the investigator this?"

"Several times," Mark said, "And they say that everyone has been saying the
same thing."

"Then why the hell are they still holding you and saying that you are a
suspect?" I've never seen Kirk so mad, and I think he scared Mark with his
outburst. "According to their report, it was the starboard engine that
exploded."

"So you believe me?" Mark just started crying, I think out of relief more
than fear, now.

"I never once thought you did it, and you've proven my suspicions
correct. If it was sabotage, Granger was the saboteur. Otherwise, it was
either a faulty engine or not properly installed."

I looked at Mark, "Captain Kirk is telling the truth, he told me that he
thought you were innocent before we came down here. And I knew you wouldn't
have done it."

Mark sobbed, "Thank you, both."