Chapter 25

Flashback – Major M – USS Connecticut SSN-22

I couldn't fucking believe it! The XO said, "You missed a spot."

I glared at him and complained, "Where?"

He pointed and warned, "The Captain said if you don't do a good job you get to do it again."

I moved the mop over got the mythical spot that I missed and swore under my breath. If I ever got the chance I was going to make sure this Captain paid for making me swab the deck.

This all started when we woke up from being zapped again and Sgt. Reynolds and Sgt. Blaine were magically there helping us but didn't look any the worse for wear. Here I thought the whole time they were dead! I was still pretty out of it when they helped all of us into the zodiac and we sped to the waiting submarine. I did notice Sgt. Blaine smile and wave at Mira as she bailed off her motorcycle and shook a fist at us. Thank God they didn't catch us!

I was awake by the time we got on the sub. We were escorted to a room and I started giving the two Sgts. a ration. In the recesses of my memory I knew this sub's name sounded familiar. Just as I was letting the Sgts. have it, the Captain walked in. He listened for about five seconds then he ordered, "Major stop bothering the Sgts., since they have important jobs to do. And I hope you realize a Marine Major on a submarine is about as worthless as tits on a boar."

So Sgt. Blaine headed up to work the sonar (I had no idea when or how he learned that skill) and I sure as hell didn't know where Sgt. Reynolds went. Then I was told to swab the fucking deck. Yeah, I remembered too late where I heard about this damn sub - it was the one that the then L.Cpl. Blaine used to return the rescued Seal team. Yeah, he was a real fucking hero to all the crew on this sub and I had fucked up when I gave them a measure of crap!

That's okay, because sooner or later we would be off this damn sub and then the Sgts. would pay...

Flashback – Ben – USS Connecticut SSN-22

The Captain had me take over the sonar and I was even running it by myself. I guess when my Frankentruck hit the ocean, the cold water made the rocket motors explode. Riggs had shut off the over volume safeties on the sonar and the explosion had screwed up his ears.

But I couldn't help but laugh about Major M. The Captain was pissed that the Major was giving us shit so he had him swabbing the deck. The only problem was I was sure the Major would find some way to make Jack and me pay.

I needed to talk to Jack and we needed to come up with a plan...

Flashback – Jack – USS Connecticut SSN-22

The CPO and I were in a hell of a cribbage game. I didn't know about this on our first trip or I would have challenged him then. He was damn good, the best cribbage player on the sub, and we were neck and neck.

We'd play a hand then laugh our asses off about the Captain making the Major swab the deck. I made sure to sneak in when his back was turned and got a couple pictures - they would be priceless.

However he was not just an officer, he was our commanding officer and I feared some serious retribution when we hit port. I was distracted thinking about it when the CPO laughed, "Damn that was a boneheaded play, your mind must be somewhere else."

I answered, "Yeah the Major is going to be majorly pissed and he's going to make us pay when we get to a port."

The CPO grinned, "Shit! Don't worry about him. I will have a talk with the Captain and he will cover both your asses."

That made me feel better so I concentrated on the game and finally won.

I was basking in the glory of my victory and asked, "So what's the Captain going to do?"

The CPO replied, "Let's go and tell him about the problem and let him figure it out."

I laughed, "Yeah that's one of the few things brass are good for."

The CPO laughed, "You got that right."

We took off to find the Captain...

Flashback – Major M – USS Connecticut SSN-22

I was finally finished and was resting when the XO came in and announced, "We're going to rendezvous with a helicopter that will transfer all the Marines to the closest base."

This was music to my ears because I had some asses to chew! I jumped out of the bunk and followed the XO to the bridge. Everyone else was there. The Captain was congratulating all of them, but when he saw me he grinned and said, "Major you're welcome on my submarine anytime - just make sure you bring Sgt. Blaine and Sgt. Reynolds with you."

I noticed the two Sgts. carried some paperwork. Although I was curious I didn't dare ask about it here. We surfaced and Sgt. Blaine and Sgt. Reynolds got a hell of a sendoff while I and the rest of my men were basically ignored. Just wait, their time was coming.