[STORIES] Missing Name Dabbles in Literature

[VONHARRIS]

Wow , the end was totally unexpected and very very good.

Congatulations on the idea and the writing.

[Jimbuna]

Nice plot and ending

[Missing Name]

Danke for the support, Kameraden! (Wait, you're telling me that no one else has already written a story about cork?)

I've decided that this will be my generalized story thread. In fact, I've got another super short one on the way, so don't go change the channels! We know we'd all rather listen to that instead of BdU yelling at us. Something about "Brazil," "grossly overdue" and "court martial."

[Luno]

Indeed, your writing style is great! Keep going! Mind if I save these?

[Missing Name]

Here There Be Whales

14 January, 1940. Fifteen kilometres northeast of Helgoland.
A VIIC.

Lt. Herget couldn't stop smiling. After all, the first real patrol in a new boat tends to have that effect on rookie commanders. The navigator was happy that the trip through the canal went without mishap, the cook was happy that there was an extra can of coffee and the Funker had managed to pick up some records. In fact, only one person aboard wasn't smiling, and that had nothing to do with the boat.

<<Tough luck on the girl, son. Ah, there's more out there in the world, cheer up!>> The captain clapped the hapless Lord on the shoulder. <<Besides, the sea should be your one true love!>>

<<But Freida was warm. The sea is cold.>> Seaman Eindracht stared glumly into the fog.

The eins-wo chipped in. <<You say she was warm? She ditched you on the pier! How can you get much colder than that?>> He wiped fog off his binoculars. <<You were too good for her. Damn! It really is cold today.>>

<<Perhaps we should turn the heater on?>> Bernhard pointed at a fixture.

<<Idiot! That's the radio antenna, and it's already on.>> It was enough of a distraction for the moment - all thoughts of love lost were ignored as all on the tower laughed.

<<Say, what kind of marine life do we have around here? I thought I saw something big in the water.>>

<<Do we have whales around here?>> The watch officer looked to the captain for answers, but none came.

<<I grew up on a farm. I don't know much about marine life, let alone whether there are whales around here.>>

<<There's another one! It must have been a whale, it was big.>>

<<It was a mermaid, I tell you. Don't lean over too far, or she'll grab you and pull you under!>>

<<Perhaps you'd like that, actually. A nice girl for you, right there.>>

<<Ha ha ha! Indeed!>>

<<I thought we were done talking about women!>> moaned Eindracht.

<<Hey, I saw one too.>> Bernhard was pointing aft. <<One funny looking whale, that.>>

Suddenly, Herget felt a chill beyond the crisp air. Something didn't seem right. Wasn't this water too shallow for large marine life? He knelt down and shouted down the hatch.

<<Ringholz, give me a depth sounding.>>

<<Yes sir.>> A pause. <<Only eight meters under the keel.>>

<<I don't like this.>> The mood on the tower had changed rather rapidly, although no one was quite sure why.

And then the boat was rocked by a massive explosion. The captain was thrown clear and landed in the water, slipping into blackness. He remembered seeing the boat listing heavily before passing out.

* * *

The phone rang yet again. It was a hospital director from the island.

<<Well, sir, the captain is alive, but in bad shape. Broken spine. I doubt he'll be able to sail again. We've also fished twelve crew out of the sea, various conditions. Five bodies recovered.>>

<<Thank you. Tell me if you find any more.>> BdU Doenitz put the phone receiver down and called his secretary in. <<Damn. It was only a matter of time. Prepare a message, to send to all boats: U-127 sunk sixteen kilometres northeast of Helgoland. Suspected mine strike. Avoid area if possible, use extreme caution if impossible.>>

END

* * *

Again, another bad career. I had forgotten that mines were laid around that area...

Also, could I get a thread name change please? From "[STORY] Blind Luck and Misfortune" to "[STORIES] Missing Name's Story Bin" ? Danke!

Indeed, your writing style is great! Keep going! Mind if I save these?

Thanks! And no problem!

[Luno]

Ah! A short one! I had no idea the area was heavily mined. I must have sailed through the area countless times

I just started a brand new career in SH4. S-18 class boat, out of Manilla. Literally less than an hour after setting sail, 10 nm from port, Betties screamed over the hills. I had no time to react. Bombs fell all around, and the boat bottomed out - Shortest career I've ever played.

Here's to some better luck next time!

[Hitman]

Thread title updated as per user's request. Keep the good stuff coming Missing Name

[Bosje]

i like this one

[Brag]

Keep writing

[Missing Name]

Currently writing a story about this little image here...



CALM BEFORE THE STORM

August 13, 1939. The Pentland Firth.

A Type VIIB.

<<They appear to be signalling us. Can you make it out?>>

<<Hm?>> Lt. Stolte watched the destroyer's blinking lamp through his binoculars. <<They're signalling in English. Do they realize we're German?>> The message was repeated a few times, allowing the captain's rather shaky grasp of the language to figure out the meaning.

STORM PREDICTED IN AREA STOP ADVISE YOU SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY STOP DO YOU WISH AN ESCORT Q STOP

<<They want us to enter Scapa, apparently.>>

<<Isn't that kind of a big deal? That is their Home Fleet, after all.>>

<<Nonsense. I know the area, I spent a year here back as a young man. Hopefully the Old Corn Inn is still open, they had good fried potatoes...>>

Now the eins-wo was whispering nervously, so the Lords wouldn't hear. <<What about our orders to head to port as soon as possible?
The message said something was happening...>>

<<Oh, it's probably nothing important, yet again. They're inviting us in. How can we refuse their hospitality? Remember, the main induction valve is faulty. I doubt heavy seas would do it much good. Staying in the harbor will protect it, no? We won't make good headway with the diesels constantly choking every time a wave hits us. Signal them back. The lamp is ready? Send... send W-O-U-L-D... B-E... M-U-C-H... A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-E-D... STOP. Do you think they'd board us? I would if I were over there with them.>>

NOW BEHAVE YOURSELVES FRITZ STOP OR IS GUINNESS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU Q STOP

<<Bastards. They just can't accept that German beer is better. Perhaps we'll have to show them.>> Everyone on the tower laughed. Shortly afterwards, all were cleaning themselves as well as possible in the fore head. A harbor tug guided them to a pier, noticeably separated from the British fleet. But what did anyone care? Beer and girls awaited on shore, the perfect experience to add on top of a (mostly) successful shakedown cruise. Not even the brief inspection by the harbor master dissuaded anyone. The torpedo tubes were empty except for a single dummy, the magazine was full of Beck's and there was a comically large Kriegsmarine flag ("liberated" from a destroyer by bored crew) installed where the twenty-mil would have normally been. It wasn't like there was a war going on or something like that.

[VONHARRIS]

I am looking forward to reading the next chapter of that story.

"Dock at Scapa Flow" ......

[Missing Name]

The officers were all seated at one table, enjoying plates of potatoes and sausage. Stolte returned from the restroom, passing by a Scot trying to outdrink a Bavarian. From across the room, there was a bout of laughter, and captain turned to see the source. A bunch of British sailors crowded around one German who was proudly displaying a metal.

"It's a vound badge, see? 'Bernard Glückspilz - High Honor of Besondergrossedeutschkriegsmarinedingegerate.' I got it avarded to me venn I schut my foot in tze bilge - tzat notch tzere. Und tzat vun - hand stuck im propellor. Und tzat vun tzere..."

One of the Brits turned to another. "Chap is plain plastered, eh, Freddie? I'm surprised he hasn't nicked his hand on that soup can lid he calls a medal."

"Nah, I think he's just an idiot. That glass is full of milk."

A third chipped in. "Where the hell did he learn English? I'll have to kill the bastard who did - my ears hurt!"

The captain smiled and continued to the officers' table. The eins-wo was still visibly nervous.

<<We're not supposed to be here. We're supposed to report home. What if command hears of us? We're under orders not to speak about the boat - what if one of the men gets drunk and starts spouting off specifications on our torpedoes? What if ->>

<<What if you try your potatoes? They're delicious.>> The chief engineer was working on his third plate already. <<I wonder what this flavoring agent is? I can't quite name it.>>

<<It's cinnamon, cumin and ginger. The cook was stationed in India for a stretch.>> Everyone turned around to see the source of mystery voice. A British officer was approaching with a mug of some black liquid. <<He brought the spices back with him and we all love it. Mind if I sit and have a drink with you boys?>>

"By all means, Leftenant." Two can play at perfect bilingual, thought the sub driver. "Your German is excellent for a Brit."

<<I studied at Oxford. And your English is superb as well. No 'vee-ing' or 'tzee-ing.'>> He took another sip from his mug. <<You had a good teacher. Hamburg?>>

"Indeed." Stolte took another sip from his own mug, not mentioning that his speaking abilities were already reaching their limit. "What's that you have there? It doesn't look like beer."

<<This, gentlemen, is why the Americans call us 'Limeys.' Grog. A mix of dark rum, cinnamon, lime juice. Policy is to add water, but I prefer to drink it straight. Keeps the boys in good spirits with good spirits. Try some.>> He offered the drink. It looked interesting, to say the least.

"Ah, the drink I've heard so much... praise for. Chhhakc! I see... it's... delicious?" He did his best to keep a straight face but failed - evidenced by the Englishman's spreading grin. "Of course, this is weak (kicking the eins-wo's shin under the table) but if it's all you have to look forward to on the high seas, all the more power to it." Another swig for emphasis. "Perhaps you can try some of the kirsch the Funker has hidden away in his medical locker." With that, he drained the mug - the taste was already growing on him.

<<Perhaps, Leutnant. If you can walk to the boat, that is. You just chugged my night's one drink. It's ninety-six proof. And you look a lot younger than myself, no offense.>>

* * *

The morning sun was bright. Since when did they turn up the power? The captain's eyes were burning as he looked over the crew standing at attention on the pier. Few were able to keep straight faces.

<<Well, men, it's been a fun night (snickers from the sailors) and we've enjoyed ourselves while behaving, to the delight of the Brits (even more chuckles). But sadly, we have important business to attend to. We have been called home, as you were well aware. Our little pleasure cruise is coming to an end. Now. Make ready to cast off. I am timing you, of course.>> Stolte clicked the stopwatch as everyone scrambled for final preparations, then turned to the two officers on the bridge. <<I take it you're not ever going to tell me what happened last night?>>

<<You didn't blab any state secrets, if that's what you're worried about.>>

<<Or insult anyone, or mention anything about battleships or Admiral von Reuter.>>

<<Well, that's consolation! Please tell me I didn't do something like leave my wallet in the storm or some silly thing like that.>> The captain rubbed his temples.

<<Actually...>>

<<We don't remember if it stormed or not to begin with. It's a bit damp everywhere, but I can't recall any high winds or thunder.>> The engineer shifted uncomfortably. He adjusted his cap, but Stolte didn't miss him massaging his head as well. <<In any case, your wallet is fine.>>

<<In fact, you beat a couple English gentlemen at craps. It's full of pound notes.>>

<<****, I don't even gamble! Remind me to never drink rum again.>> A horn blared nearby and the captain fumbled his watch. It bounced off the wood decking and slipped into the otherwise calm water. All on the tower stared blankly at the ripples for a minute. Finally the captain spoke again.

<<King, Markgraf, Seydlitz, Moltke... and now Zeiss joins the others.>>

END

[Borgneface]

S! Thank you, really great story...I am enjoying this very much!