Very good
Coming along nicely and really looking forward to more
:up:

Top marks

I stood up slowly and dropped the cigarette, its heat burning my fingers then snuffed it with my shoe. "We've known each other for 20 years Petre and you still call me sir when we're alone. I've never gotten used to that" I chuckled. He smiled bashfully, knowing full well I was giving him a good ribbing.

"Its good to hear you laugh again, old friend. These last few months have been tough on the crew without you around. Hawk and a few of the fellas are meeting us later and Klaus sends his best".

"How's Klaus doing, what with twins and all?", I asked as we walked slowly around the corner, the dock alive with activity and urgency.

"Well his mother's staying for a few weeks, but Sharla told me she can hardly wait to send him back to sea. He's doting over those boys something fierce. Oh before I forget, this is from the crew".

He handed me a small thin black box, with a Kriegsmarine logo on the front and a matching black ribbon wrapped around two opposite corners. I took it gingerly, felt its weight and looked at my friend. We spotted a bench next to a merchant stand selling fresh fruit and sat down. I stared at the box.

"It's not going to bite you know".

"Yeah, yeah". I popped the ribbon off a corner and slowly opened the lid. Inside on a piece of velvet was a beautiful sterling silver cigarette case with a central script B. When I flipped the case over I was speechless. An etched u-boat rising from the depths with waves and seabirds flying greeted my eyes. In the upper left corner was


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...982/Barker.jpg

I was speechless. Birthday?..today's my birthday. I totally forgot with everything happening these last few months. I fondled the metal carefully, rubbing my fingers across its lettering.

"The crew wanted you to have something to remember them by, and as a token of my friendship we came up with this". I put the box in my pocket, cigarettes in the new case. As I stood and slid the case away Petre clapped me on the shoulder, "Come on we've got an appointment to keep".

Good job, it takes guts to post an article of your own for strangers to read.

I like it. Not much else to say, but I like it. :up:

Good reading http://www.psionguild.org/forums/ima...s/thumbsup.gif

I looked around, caught my bearings as we arrived at the ship's birth. I stood staring and blinking as welders poured over part of a ship, laying terribly damaged. She looked like my ship, albeit the tower was missing and the deck was in shambles. I watched as a crane slowly lowered a large chunk of shining metal down to the hull and workers quickly positioned it into place, then the welders flooded over to that spot and began working feverishly.

Petre stood beside me, his eyes reflecting the sparks of welding and a solemn look overcame him. We watched for a bit and then I spied part of the tower on a truck as it arrived. It was gently moved into place, and the crew began their dance again.

"Our car's waiting old friend". Petre smiled. "Our..car?, But I thought this was our boat".

"Shes damaged yes, but she'll be back to work soon". Petre said as he grabbed my arm and led me away. As the door shut behind me my last glance was at the numbers faintly visible on the conning tower - U23. That is my boat, I thought.

"Where are we going?" He only smiled, tipped his cap lower and said "you better get some rest, we've got a bit of a ride ahead of us".

Isn't it just? Amen to that :)

very nice work, keep it up :up:

As the hours passed, I caught glimpses of life out the windows that brought back memories from my youth. An older couple sat on their front porch, him smoking a pipe and drinking from a tin cup while his wife knitted a pair of socks. In the next field over a farmer was working diligently on an old plow blade while in their front yard a mother hung the days laundry on a clothesline. Small children were playing tag in front of a barn, whilst their dog chased merrily along - their laughter infectious and carefree.

We stopped for a break to stretch the legs and get some lunch and while waiting for our driver I spied a group of boys playing soldier. They played dugouts and maneuvers, took turns with toy rifles and rocks. They marched in small squads, the older boys playing corporal or sergeant leading them along. As we prepared to leave one boy in the group spotted me and quickly broke rank, running as fast as he could towards our vehicle.

When the others saw what was up I was quickly surrounded by dirty, yet bright faces full of wonder and questions. They all were quiet, looking at my war badges, touching me lightly on the arms, admiring the quality of my uniform and giving me the once over. One boy with a sling stood straight and asked, "are you a pilot Sir?". A couple of them giggled, and an older one slapped him across the back of the head. "No, he's infantry".

"Infantry?, he's not. Look at that emblem on his jacket, he's Navy" the first boy, now pulled me down to his level, his fingers touching my sub emblem, then quickly retreating to pull out a kerchief and wipe his fingerprints away.

"What's your name son?", I asked quietly.

"Hans Reichel Sir", came the reply.

"Your pretty smart for an eleven year old Hans".

He beamed, then continued "I'll be ten next week". He looked up at my face then, his fingers tracing the scar that started by my left eye and worked down to my ear. He looked up at my hat, recognition dawning on his face. Startled he dropped his hand quickly away and gasped out "Your a Captain". I nodded slowly.

"That's right boy's he is" the sound of Petre's voice caused them all to jump. "and a fine one at that". They moved apart, allowing him to move closer to me. Questions formed on their faces, but Hans stepped boldly forward and asked "What ship Sir?".

I stayed kneeling looking him in the eye - remembering how my father would do the same when he needed to tell me something important. "I'm a U-boat Captain, until recently U-23 or so it seems" I glanced up and continued "and this fine soldier here is my 2nd, Lieutenant Petre Eichler".

They formed a circle around us begging for more information but Petre told them "we'd love to stay and talk but we have to go", he nodded to the driver, I stood and the children formed a hasty line. They promptly saluted, I returned it with passion and got back in the car. As we pulled away the boys had scattered, leaving young Hans standing there. I nodded to him and winked.

He smiled and yelled "Good Hunting Captain!".

"So how much longer are you going to keep me in the dark Petre?", I paused to take a drink of water before continuing "It's obvious U-23 has a new Captain, and by the signpost we passed an hour ago, we're heading west". Ereck, our driver had quickly pulled his eyes back to the road when I caught him looking.

Petre grabbed an envelope from his attache and handed it to me. "Your timing is impeccable Sir, I was ordered to hand this to you on the outskirts of our objective". He nodded out the window and I followed his gaze to see a sign with Wilhelmshaven 2KM written on it. I broke the wax seals and sliced the package open. A small sealed envelope fell out along with a carefully folded letter.

I hold my future in my hands I thought, no time like the present to see where it will lead;

_____

Kapitän Z.S. Barker
Keil Gastfreundschaft

Captain,

Your ordered to Wilhelmshaven.
Once at HQ, you are to report to Großadmiral Raeder.

So ordered and noted,
Vizeadmiral Elrich Dreden

10 December, 1940

P.S. Good luck!
_____


I dropped the letter to my lap, gave a resigned sigh and looked at Petre. "well #2, it looks like we're in for it now".

Inwardly "Ah crap" is what I thought...

"Your right on time Captain". Speltz, the sniveling secretary greeted us with a smart snap of the heels and a quick salute. "Lieutenant", he nodded to Petre and told us where to put our jackets. "Großadmiral Raeder is expecting you, please go in".

As Speltz departed, Petre whispered, "I can't believe he's still here, miracles never cease".

"Not now #2".

The doors closed quietly behind us, and the Großadmiral's office was just as impressive as the rumors said. We stood inside, taking in the surroundings when "Ah Captain Barker, good to finally meet you", rang strongly through the silence. He was beside a large table, we snapped to attention, "Sir, Captain Barker and Lieutenant Eichler reporting as ordered".

"Yes, yes, come over here". We made our way across the huge room, avoiding the many fine antiques and decorations that adorned the leader of the Kriegsmarine's office. When we got near him, he absentmindedly motioned us to sit. The table was covered with a large map of the Atlantic, with model ships and planes scattered around. He jotted something down on a notepad and took a sip of what looked like coffee. He continued to make notes, moving models here and there.

"My compliments Sir on Operation Weserübung, a grand success" I replied.

"Ah yes, thank you Captain".

I glanced at the map, keeping one eye on him as I did. We sat for perhaps 10 minutes studying the layout when he said "Ah, I'm sorry Captain", he began, "this damn war is escalating and that bastard Göring is still on my ass about his Luftwaffe being more important". He dropped his pen on the table and stood up, moving over to his desk hidden behind a clutter of books and charts. We rose quickly, but when he saw us he motioned again for us to sit.

"I've been over your file and all the reports from your crew. This is a damn queer thing, the attack and all, but I need to set the record straight as to why I've called you here". He came back over to the table, told us to get a drink and then sat down. He opened a folder, glanced at the papers, then said, "First off, let me put you at ease, your not in trouble. On the contrary my first concern was for your safety".

Petre came back to the table with drinks, handed me a glass and sat down.

"See, this story made huge news all the way back in Berlin Captain and well, it occurred to me that getting you out of Kiel might be the best thing considering the amount of 'interest' you've garnered. It wouldn't do to have an officer followed wherever he went, especially when there are so many possibilities for espionage. You've all the makings of a fine leader, but I'm sorry to say that U-23 can't be your boat anymore, and not just because she took serious damage from her last patrol".

It made sense, leaving Kiel was something I expected though not for the reason's the Admiral mentioned. But my boat, that was a different matter entirely.

He continued, "Captain, I'll be frank. We've lost a number of experienced hands and boats the last three months here at Wilhelmshaven. It hasn't been easy with France and England at war with us, every boat and man needs to muster all the guts they have to keep fighting and surviving. We need to continue to press the attack, to slow down supplies and give those convoys something to think about".

I leaned forward, placed my drink on the coaster and waited for my commanding officer to continue.

"We've few ships here that aren't in need of desperate repairs, but we've recently finished work on a different class of u-boat. Look, with your crew speaking so highly of you, and glowing reports from Vizeadmiral Dreden, well I couldn't help but think that someone whose been through hell and back wouldn't mind making a few more trips there".

"So, what say you".

I tried hard not to smile, disguising my pleasure with a quick grab of my drink and turned to look at my second. Petre was quiet for a moment, then he stood and said "Sir, it's been an honor to serve with my Captain these last 13 months, and I believe I can speak for our crew when I say; when do we leave?".

I stood as well, stepping forward to shake the Admiral's hand, "I'd be a fool not to accept such an opportunity". He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer, "There are some details to be worked out, crew, final fitting, orders and such - but there is a more important matter to discuss".

"Sir?"

"It's common knowledge that most Captain's have a special insignia - either to recognize what Flotilla their part of or for some personal reason, what were you thinking?". I mulled it over for half a second then said "Triple Infinity Sir". He blinked, then pointed to the paper laying on his desk - show me". I drew an 8 on it's side, flanked with 8's on either side.

8OO8

"Oh, and what does that mean?".

"Infinity, Power, and Simplicity Sir, my mother taught me that. It's quite complicated really.."

"Go on Captain, you've piqued my interest".

"Well, according to ancient script, the divine spark is filled with essential virtues and that the intellect understands as a unique substance. So, if you follow that, then this spark is made up of three persona which are signified by three forms". I paused to take a drink and gauge the Admiral's reaction. He waited.

"The first of those meanings is itself triple: Infinity, life and eternity. The second is also triple: Power, wisdom and love, and the third meaning is also triple: simplicity, glory and perfection. Thus it means that three persona are in this divine spark".

"Continue". He lit a cigarette and refilled his coffee cup.

"Lastly, as memory means one thing, understanding means another thing, and will, still another one. Understand than that infinity, power, simplicity means Paternity. Life, wisdom, glory mean Filiation; eternity, love, perfection means Procession."

"That is why when the intellect understands what infinity, life and eternity signify - a higher realm of consciousness exists within oneself. Thus my reason for the Triple Infinity emblem, it's complex yet quite simplistic at its basic level".

Admiral Raeder leaned his head back, closed his eyes for a moment pondering, then after a time sat up sharply. "Filiation - the act or fact of forming a new branch. As in society or group. My God, your speaking on many levels based on micro and macro scale". He stood up and came right up to me, "do you realize this is exactly what the Fuhrer envisions, only on a national, even world scale - an eradication of the old and a change to the new".

"If I may Sir, there is also the Mantra that accompanies the Triple Infinity", I paused and as I said the phrase, traced my fingers around each 8 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'. My mother had a friend from India whom visited a few years back, he taught me it". I finished tracing the numbers then said "it means 'That which abides in all things and in which all things abide' ".

"Captain, someday I hope to meet your mother. She's done a wonderful job of raising you. Anyways, I think this emblem would be perfect for you, so I have work to do and you have some crewmen to gather. We'll meet back here in a week to finalize your orders. Oh and Captain...".

"Sir?"

"Make sure you find a qualified Sonar man this time".

Real good stuff this http://www.psionguild.org/forums/ima...s/thumbsup.gif

Jimbuna,

Thank you for the kind words. 8))

Wilhelmshaven Port
23 December 1940
Captain's Personal Log

0300:
We've been running silent for the last 12 hours and staying at depths near 80-100 meters, stopping every 45 minutes for sound contact checks. The crew is anxious for action but I have my orders. Maintain silence, change depth and speed every 30 minutes, altering course by 20 degrees minimum.

25 December 1940
0915:
Christmas Day. Hans, the new sonar man has been impressive, he's successfully tracked a tanker heading due north for the last 6 hours. Has filed reports as per my orders for the last 18 hours - straining yes, but I need to be sure. He's resting now as we head towards the outer marker of our patrol route.

26 December 1940
2303:
Chief reports a few problems with fittings and bulkheads, but this new Type VII boat is proving to be a vast upgrade from our previous ride. Bull has reported loose storage straps in his torpedo room, both front and aft. We spent 3 hours on the surface while this issue was resolved. Chief has a seven page list of improvements for the engineers. The crews elated when I give the order...begin the hunt.

28 December 1940
2134:
Action. Hans tracked a distant contact, with accurate speed and course bearings, well enough that we bagged a heavy merchant and a tanker around 14,000 tons. We have a good ship and a better Sonar man.

29 December 1940
0800:
Returned to Wilhelmshaven. Admiral Raeder personally met us at the docks, a rare occasion but not without merit. Chief is satisfied with the ship, though he did say she needed his personal attention for the next few weeks. We're back in the mix, and ready to give them hell.

Excellent news,new boat and back in the hunt:rock::up::arrgh!:

I sat in a dark corner of the club, shoulder against the wall, soaking my sorrows and lack of companionship with a good bottle of booze while cigarette smoke and old music drifted through my consciousness. It was times like these that I dreamt of the sea, of being alone on a small boat drifting on the tides and letting good fortune set my course. A few patrons snoozed at a table, while a Fraulein danced somewhat seductively for a few of the men paying attention.

This was a dive, a place for rats to stay under the mantel and out of harm's way, or so I've heard. I liked the place personally, never bothered, the barkeep knew me, knew who I was but never said a word and kept me supplied in liquor. I was just starting to nod off when the smell of oil and grease assaulted my senses. A burly hand was laid on my arm, and I looked up into the hazy face of Chief.

"Thought I might find you here Kap", he said as he sat down next to me, "looks like you've a head start, mind if I try to catch up?"

"Be my guest Chief, I'll not be responsible for any headaches that might occur though".

Laughter filled my ears, "Ah Kap, tis good to mix it with you". He quickly swallowed a shot, then ordered two more. When the keep came to replenish our glasses, Chief grabbed the bottle and sent the man on his way.

"So, you mind if I mix business?", he glanced at me while refilling.

"Chief speak your mind, you always do".

"Oh well, it's just that I was wondering what your thoughts were on this new boat. I think she'll serve us well, now that I got those engineers straightened out and all". He lit a stoagie, poured more whiskey and turned to face me.

"Well, I like her Chief, she's got fine lines, handles well and if you give her hell, she'll give it right back".

He laughed again, loud and clasped me on the shoulder "who the hell are you talking about, some dame?".

"What?, oh.." I laughed at the joke, and continued between sips of my drink "yeah, did sound a bit like a woman huh?. She's a good boat Chief, I love the way she sounds deep in the dark, silent, her motors purring and keeping us safe from them".

He bit into his stoagie hard, grimaced as he finished another gulp then looked me in the eye "Your a hell of a Kaptain, and we've got a good crew - with a boat like her, we're sure to give em' hell. 18000 tons on the boards from the last patrol. You listen to me Kap, do your job and I'll keep her purring for you".

He got up and staggered off to the head leaving me to ponder where I could find a woman as good as my boat.