The Submariner

by Zarek Dragon

Zarek told you about part of our first day. I want to jump to the end of our training, but there is so much that happened And Zarek thinks you might be interested. Several of us decided to tour San Diego, so we took the bus. The girls wanted to see the famous San Diego Zoo, so we went there first. I could have sworn that I had seen Ryan in one of the cages, but it was just a baboon.

After spending an hour, though we didn't see much of the zoo, Captain Kirk suggested we visit the USS Midway Museum. Even the girls found this place fascinating. We learned some things about the Navy that we may relearn in our course tomorrow. The museum was the actual USS Midway which served the Navy during the entire Cold War. There were planes still aboard her that we were able to look at. When we checked out the brig, some of the guys suggested that we put the girls in and leave. When Captain Kirk said to be nice, Mark Hough suggested that we put him in. The Captain just said that he would remember that.

We didn't realize how long we had been on the Midway. It was just starting to get dark when we came back outside. As the Captain was driving, Mark saw a bar called the San Diego Eagle. He suggested that we check it out. Kirk got an evil grin and pulled into the parking lot. Mark was the first one off the bus and as soon as he was, the Captain turned to the ladies, "You may want to wait on the bus. This is a real leather gay bar. Mark will be eaten alive."

Some of the guys had wimped out and stayed on the bus with the girls. Zarek and I wanted to go in but Captain Kirk told us that we were too young. We decided to chitchat with the ladies. It seemed like forever since Mark went inside, but I looked at my watch and it was maybe thirty minutes. Mark came running out of the bar, his shirt missing and he had a leather collar around his neck. He was shaking when he got on the bus. Zarek inquired as to what happened.

Mark began relating his story to us, "I walked in and the first thing that I noticed, there were no females in there. Every guy in there looked like he belonged in a motorcycle gang. They were all wearing leather. I didn't think anything of it, just figured this was a motorcycle gang hangout, or a wannabe since I didn't see any bikes. I walked up to the bar to order a drink and the bartender refused my order. He said that I had to be wearing leather to order a drink and a leather belt doesn't count."

One of the girls asked, "So what did you do?"

"I started to turn around and three big guys approached me. The middle one told me to take off my shirt and handed me this collar. The bartender told me that a leather collar works to be allowed to order drinks, so I complied. When I ordered the drink, the guy grabbed it and drank it, I started to protest and the dude slapped my face hard. He said that his boys don't get to drink unless he allows them and they don't talk back. When I opened my mouth to speak, he raised his hand to slap me again so I didn't say anything. He told me that if I wanted a drink, I had to earn it. I could either suck him or let him fuck me. Then he pulled out his cock right there. This guy's dick was so big that I think it has its own area code, so I took off and ran out here."

About the time that Mark finished his story, Kirk started walking toward the bus with a big guy walking beside him. The big guy was wearing leather pants, a leather vest and no shirt. Mark started to sweat. When they got on the bus, the guy looked directly at Mark and spoke, "Will told me that you are straight and didn't know this was a gay bar. You accepted my collar so I thought you wanted to play. I apologize, had I known, I wouldn't have done anything."

"Th… th… that's alright," Mark managed to say.

The guy handed Mark his shirt, "Anyway, here's your shirt.  You can keep my collar and if you ever decide to give it a try, I'm here every night.  Just wear my collar and no one will mess with you without my permission."

Kirk shook the guys hand and then the dude walked back to the bar. Kirk looked at Mark, "If you still want to leave me in that brig, I can always call Mike back."

"Ya… ya… you know him?" Mark asked.

Kirk chuckled, "A little, didn't his calling me Will give that away? Anyway, he and I served aboard the same boat when I was new to subs. He's brought me to this bar before. Mike is one of the nicest guys I have ever known. He was best man at my wedding."

Amie must have been getting hungry, but then I think we all were. We hadn't eaten since mid-chow and it was 1942 hours, so she asked Kirk if we were stopping anywhere to eat. Mark spotted a McDonald's and wanted to stop there. He claims it was because he likes the Big Mac, but we think it was because he knew it wasn't a gay bar. We didn't stop there, instead, Kirk drove to a fancy restaurant and used a company credit card to pay for all of our meals.

Once we finally got back to the school, it was late so we climbed into our racks. Zarek did give me a good night kiss and we slept in my rack, but we were too tired to fool around. In the morning, Kirk was the first one awake and made sure that no one overslept. For as old as he is, he sure seems to have more energy than any of us. Don't tell him that I said that.

The Physical Training or PT was twice as hard as what we had at the main facility. While both PTs lasted for an hour, we did double everything. Kirk was right with us the whole time. We showered after PT before going to morning chow. I was honorary Captain during our mess and Zarek sat to my left. In fact, everyone was rotated one seat left of the previous day.

After morning chow, we had our class covering Navy history. I was expecting the instructor to just give a brief lecture but no, we were told to take notes and remember the facts because we would be tested on them before we were done. The class ran from 0700 to 1300 hours and we barely scratched the surface of the topic. I learned more about how the Navy played a part during the American Revolution than I ever did in school. I even learned more details about John Paul Jones than what school taught us. I'm sure everyone has heard about his "I have not yet begun to fight!" speech, but take time to google it and read about the entire encounter. I think you'll find it interesting.

After midday chow, we were taken out to a yard. Have you ever seen a military obstacle course on TV or in the movies? That was exactly what we had before our eyes. Gunnery Sergeant Travis stood before us, "Candidates, before this class is over, you will all conquer the obstacle course. You will practice every day between midday chow and evening chow. I will split you up between two teams and each team will have two females and three guys. Captain, it's up to you if you think you're getting too old for this, you can help coach the teams, or you can join one of the teams."

"Too old? I'll be on a team, I want Zarek, Jake, Mark, Amie and Lisa. You can decide the last member," Kirk declared.

"Interesting choice, have you looked at my pad?" Gunny asked. "I have team one being Amie, Lisa, Jake, Mark and Zarek. That is all five on the team. The rest of you are on team two.  The object is to get your entire team to the end. If one of you does not make it, none of you make it. This serves two purposes. The obvious purpose is what, Candidate Drage?"

"Sounds to me like it's mainly to instill teamwork, Gunny," Zarek replied.

"That wasn't the answer I was expecting, but you are right, that is one of two purposes."

Zarek felt a need to explain his thoughts, "As soon as you stated that we were a team, I started thinking teamwork, Gunny. And then when you said that we all had to make it, the thought was reinforced. Only other purpose I can see would be to make sure we are physically fit, but with us doing calisthenics every morning, I don't see that as the main purpose."

Travis smiled at Zarek, "Well thought out, and again, you are not wrong.  That was what I was expecting your answer to be. Yes, this course does ensure that you are physically fit but as Candidate Drage pointed out, that is not its main purpose. The main purpose is to instill teamwork. Some of you look like you can complete this course today if this were a solo event. I expect you to find out who on your team needs help the most and then help them. To make this interesting, after twelve weeks, or midway through this course, we will run a contest to see which team can do the obstacle course in the fastest time.  The winner will get breakfast served in their quarters by a member of the opposing team."

Captain Kirk raised his hand and Gunny called on him, "If I may, did anyone catch the terminology that Gunny Travis used?"

Zarek was first to comment, "Only thing that stood out to me was he said opposing team as opposed to losing team."

"Exactly," Kirk smiled, "and do you know why?"

Zarek shook his head, Lenny King raised his hand and Kirk called on him, "It's nicer than and doesn't have the negativity of calling them losers?"

Gunny spoke up, "That's just it, just because you didn't win, that doesn't make you a loser. As long as you complete the course, you didn't lose. We don't want any negative impacts in your thought pattern.  OK, both teams get to your starting points."

"Wait!" a voice called out. It was Commander Montgomery. "Gunny, does it seem fair that one team has six and the other only has five?"

Gunny saluted the Commander and explained, "No, Sir. I offered Captain Kirk a chance to coach, but he insisted on running the course with the Candidates."

Montgomery smiled, "Then we need to find someone else who can be on the other team."

"Sir," Gunny responded, "There are only two people here that would make this fair. If you or someone else would like to keep time, I would be happy to assist. The other alternative would be for you to run the course, Sir."

"Thank you for volunteering Gunny," the Commander started, "For that, you may keep time." Commander started removing his uniform to reveal his athletic kit underneath. He totally planned to assist the other team. Captain Kirk walked over to shake the Commander's hand.

"You are a man after my own heart," Kirk grinned.

Montgomery gave Kirk a brief handshake, "If the Captain of the boat can run the course with his Officer Candidates, then I think you're setting the bar high for any officer working for this company. I hope to make sure those future officers can meet that bar."

Kirk gave a quick nod, "I believe that you will, too. And just so you know, when my team wins, I don't expect you to actually serve me breakfast in my rack."

Not to be outdone, Commander Montgomery responded, "Just so you know, my wife may not like it if you came to my house and served me breakfast in bed when my team wins."

Both teams moved to their starting position. Captain Kirk looked at each one of us, "This course will not be a cake walk, but I believe that each and every one of you is capable of completing it. Zarek and Jake will start the team, followed by Amie and Lisa. Mark and I will bring up the rear. Zarek, when you and Jake get to the top of the climbing wall, stay up there and help Amie and Lisa. Then Mark and I will join you two and the six of us can run the final leg as a group."

Gunny stood before us, "Let's walk the course so I can explain what to do. Captain, Commander, you may notice that this is not a Navy OCS Obstacle course. I actually designed this one, with the assistance and approval of Mr. Fredericks. This first leg of the course, you see cross beams at two and four feet intermittently. You will go over the four foot and under the two foot. For every beam that you do the opposite, a one minute penalty will be added to your teams time.  Captain, if you will time me, I will demonstrate both ways so you can see what a difference that penalty can make."

Gunny did the correct way first and it took him 1.6 minutes to complete that part of the course. When he did it the wrong way, he only took 1.1 minutes to complete it, but with the penalty, it would count as 11.1 minutes. That could definitely hurt your team's time.

Gunny continued explaining the course, "After you go under the last beam, you will climb this rigging up to the crow's nest. You will see six flags are in each crow's nest. Grab the flag and take a zip line down. If you do not have a flag when you reach the ground, you will go back to the start and repeat until you have your flag."

Where the zip line stopped was a holder for six flags. "Place your flag in the holder. There are six members on each team so the holders should be full when done. Then you crawl under this razor wire. It's only a foot and a half off the ground and it will cut you if you aren't careful. Do NOT stand up until you know that you've cleared it. After the razor wire is this ten foot wall. Use the rope hanging from it and fellow teammates go over it. If anyone goes around instead of over, your team will be disqualified."

The rest of the course consisted of a rope to swing across a mud pit, monkey bars, tires and finally hurdles.  For every hurdle knocked over, our team would be penalized ten seconds. That's not as bad as the beams but could possibly make a difference between winning and losing if it's a close enough race.  The course was wide enough that team members could run in pairs. Zarek and I would lead with Captain Kirk and Mark bringing up the rear. We discovered that our weakest link was the girls, but they weren't bad. Commander Montgomery had the flag in his mouth as he came down the zip line.  Captain Kirk yelled out a question to him and he went to answer, dropping his flag.  He asked him if he thought he was Errol Flynn, whoever that is. We all laughed as the commander had to start back at the beginning and we continued on.

Too bad this wasn't the final race, we skunked them and set a record for the course of twenty-eight minutes. Of course, we were the first team to complete this course, so it's not like we broke any records, but still. Gunny commended us on an excellent display of teamwork, and made a comment about Kirk tricking the commander into dropping his flag. We ran the course two more times, improving our time with each run.  Montgomery didn't use his mouth to hold his flag anymore, and we still beat them, but not by much. By evening chow, we were all dirty and tired.

You would think, as hard as we worked on the obstacle course, they would give us the rest of the evening off. Instead, we had more classes. I'm sure you don't want to hear about how boring, but necessary these classes were, and Zarek wants to tell you about the obstacle course race. So I'm going to stop here and let Zarek pick it up.  Next time I'm talking to you, I'm hoping we will have graduated, but I'll leave that up to Zarek to decide.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible, please contact me at Zarek A Dragon.  Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.