Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:58:06 -0500
From: Jim <zarek@roadrunner.com>
Subject: The Submariner - Prologue

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
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The Submariner

Prologue

James P. Bolt



The last Typhoon Class submarine has been de-commissioned out of the Soviet
Navy. After taking a few years to remove all weaponry, their government
decided to put the still functional sub up for auction. An American
philanthropist purchased the sub and had it brought to his facilities along
the west coast of the United States. The submarine was overhauled and
refitted, replacing the engines with newer version nuclear engines capable
of going decades on one fueling. Worn bulkheads and hull plates were
replaced. Franklin Andrew Frederick IV demanded that the ship be almost
brand new when the overhaul was completed, and he had the money to not
worry about the cost. Modifications were being made for where the weapons
used to be. This sub was going to be a modern underwater research
vessel. The missile section was converted into science labs while the
former torpedo room was replaced with a dock and tubes for four one-person
mini-subs known as sharks. Upon completion, the entire hull would be coated
with an alloy paint, sealing it, making the hull impenetrable and having a
dark blue hue. Unless a hatch was open, nothing was going in or coming out.

Franklin found a seasoned submariner who had commanded an Ohio Class sub in
the U.S. Navy. After twenty years of service, Commander William Tiberius
Kirk resigned his commission. Originally, he planned to retire and enjoy a
peaceful life, but when Franklin approached him, they started
chatting. "Will you be aboard the submarine?" Kirk asked.

"No, while she is at sea, her commanding officer will be totally in charge,
I am hoping that will be you. I'll be on land at my lab reviewing the data
the sub transmits. That, or selling the information. If you accept the
position, she will be yours to command. The person that I hire to run the
research will answer directly to you, but ultimately, you are the one in
charge. Anything that happens, good or bad, you are the one to answer for
it."

"That's the way it was when I was a CO in the Navy and that's the way I
like it. My main concern was, if you would be aboard, I wouldn't feel like
I was the actual one in charge. I don't mind taking the blame if I am in
charge when something goes wrong, but if you were going to be on, well, I
think you get what I am trying to say. What about the crew?" Kirk inquired.

"The submarine is still being refitted, so I hadn't selected any yet. I
thought that you might want to select your own or at least help select a
crew." Franklin gave a grin. "You know more what you need than I do. I
believe that the sub can carry a complement of a hundred and sixty
personnel, the scientists and researchers will consist of twenty men and
women."

"With what you are offering as pay, and complete control, I accept the
position," Kirk reached out his hand and Franklin grabbed and shook it.

"Glad to give you command, Captain. You have six months minimum before the
refit or overhaul is completed. We can use that time to go over
applications, unless you have anyone in mind to fill positions," Franklin
acknowledged.

Captain Kirk looked Franklin in the eye, "For the officers, I would like to
use former Navy officers who I know are experienced submariners. As to the
rest of the crew, I want to follow the Navy's example and take on kids that
may be fresh out of high school or thereabouts, maybe eighteen to
twenty-five years of age or so."

Franklin smiled, "You can take the man out of the Navy, but you can't take
the Navy out of a man."

"One more thing," Kirk started, "Is it possible to get simulators so we can
start training these young boys and maybe some girls in the ratings?"

"Yes, I already have a facility set up for training purposes with
simulators. And it has several of the Shark mini-subs for training. There
is access to the ocean, but until the crew members are somewhat trained, I
wouldn't recommend them going out into it. The dorms are set up for three
crew members per room and every two rooms share a bathroom, so it can be
coed if you wish."

"Excellent, when can we start looking through applications?" Kirk inquired.

"Stop by my office tomorrow, sign your paperwork and your salary will be
effective starting today. After that, I will set you up in an office right
beside our conference room. Make sure you have your officers lined up first
and then start filling whatever ratings you need."

Kirk smiled. He felt like Mr. Frederick had almost everything planned. "I
realize that this is a private company, but I would like to organize the
crew like they were in the military."

"I thought that you would.  I have a chart, including the pay rate for each
rank in your office. The officers' ranks will totally be your call, but the
crew members will all start at the rank of crewman. You can promote and
demote as you see fit, just let the finance office know of the change in
status.  Pay rate changes will not go into effect until the first of the
following month."

"You think of everything?" Kirk chuckled.

"I try, but I am human," Franklin laughed.