Disclaimer: This story is fiction. It deals with interaction between males including oral and anal. Any person under 18, or anyone living in a state or province where reading these stories is illegal should leave this site now. Adult gay content.
Chapter 35
Jake and I headed up to my office. He pulled out the charts for the West African coast line.
"I think the biggest problems will come up when we approach the entrance to the river. Several rebel groups are working in the area. They like to attack and hold for ransom some of the offshore oil platforms. We will probably be okay. If we can't outrun them, a few shots across their bows will probably keep them at bay."
"What about the weather? Hate like hell to run into one of those summer storms off the Atlantic."
"Well that we will have to keep an eye on, but we should be okay."
"Have you thought about sleeping arrangements Ed?"
"Well the four pull out beds in the lounge will have to be used and I guess we can double up one of the staterooms. I really never thought about carrying seven passengers for so long, with this big a crew. I'm sure my six will probably be okay. I think we could use the loungers on the aft deck or bow for that matter if the weather is warm enough."
"I guess things will sort them selves out as we go along." "In more ways than one." Jake laughed.
Jake plotted a course up the Spanish coast, through the Straights of Gibraltar and into Rabat in Morocco. There we would refuel and check that our visas were all good to travel up the Niger River. We would need Visas for Nigeria, Niger and Benin. The outbreak was on the border between Niger and Mali. As I watched Jake working, Gary came in and stood beside me. I absently turned and kissed the top of his head. He snaked a hand around my waist. My mind was elsewhere and yet the love I felt for Gary seemed to fill my whole office. Jake looked up and smiled as I pulled Gary close to me.
"Why don't you go relax Ed, I can finish up here."
"Is it that obvious?" I laughed.
"Yup."
"Come on scalawag, Lets leave my good Captain to his charts."
I pulled Gary out of my office onto the bridge. Once alone, I turned and pulled him into my arms and kissed him. He just melted into me.
That night I tried to give each of my boys a little something. I wasn't sure how long it would be until we could all be together in one bed again. To say I was a little worn out the next morning was an understatement. Jer brought me a wake up coffee and told me a lorry was on the dock waiting for us. After a quick shower I went up to meet our new guests.
The four pallets of supplies and baggage were loaded on the aft deck. Randy and Simon spent a lot of time tying them down and covering them with tarps. So much for sleeping on the aft deck. Our seven guests came on board. The four nurses, two from the US, one from France and one from Germany were in their late twenties or early thirties. The three Doctors were all much older. After introducing all that were present, we prepared to leave.
My crew had followed orders, all were in Sandpiper shorts and T-shirts. All knew their duties as we cast off and Jake eased us out of the marina. Once clear, Jake slowly increased speed until we were clear and quickly we were up and foils and moving away from Nice. Jake slowly took Sandpiper to maximum cruise, about 90 knots. Our seven passengers were astounded when they saw how fast we were moving. Our leisurely trip to Nice was past as we didn't stop to rest after sailing for the full eight hours. Andy and Singh kept everyone fed and watered. I spent most of my time on the bridge, just daydreaming as the water sped under the hull. Jake had decided we would run full out until Rabat. There we would refill our tanks.
We just made it into Rabat, before a depression in the Central Atlantic dumped a massive storm onto the West African coast. I had figured 3-4 days in Rabat to make sure all our papers were in order. That turned out to be almost a week. Rabat was very crowded with all the yachts and ships that had sought shelter from the Storm. Although we were tied up along side a wharf, we had another large Yacht tied up to us. That made for some interesting times in port. I found out that at least two of the four nurses were gay. I think it was almost musical beds while we were in port.
One of the days without rain, I was standing on the flying bridge looking at all the ships in port. On the other side of the port inside the huge breakwater was what I thought was a Spruance Destroyer. Another was nestled into the wharf ahead of it and two Oliver Perry Class Frigates were moored astern. Cool, even the US Navy had to seek shelter. Jake came up.
"Couple of Spruance's in port." I said.
"Ones not a Destroyer, it's a cruiser. CG 60, I think she is the Normandy out of Norfolk in Virginia.."
"Really, they don't look any different."
"Both use the same hull." Jake said.
"I wonder if I can have a look at her?" I said.
"Soon find that out." Jake said.
He walked to a phone on the bridge I had never used and picked it up. He talked for several minutes and even laughed a few times. He hung up.
"Your welcome aboard anytime you like Ed. Just need to give them a warning you are coming."
"Can you unload the Jeep, I don't really feel like walking several miles just to tour a ship."
"Sure thing." He hit the intercom and ordered Jason to unload my Jeep.
I called Jer and Gary and told them to put long pants on. We were going to tour a ship and I didn't want them to cause a scene.
"Coming along Jake?"
"Damn right Commodore. Never been aboard an Aegis Cruiser."
"What's with the Commodore shit?"
"Well I am the Captain, but you Command the Yacht. I told them my Commodore wanted to look the Normandy over."
Just Ed Jake."
"Ed, you might as well get used to it. The US Navy and for that matter the US Government holds you in the highest esteem. I can't change how you feel or how they feel about you. I know you are going to say that it was me that actually did everything to save Cyclone, but you ordered me too. That makes you the one they accept as the hero. The Sandpiper received a Battle Star for God's sake, something that hasn't been awarded since World War two. That makes me very proud that I am apart of this yacht and should make you proud that they still and probably always will honor you no matter what you do."
"I just wish it had never happened."
Jake I think could read me like a book. He knew I still mourned the loss of my crewman. HE stepped close and pulled me into his arms.
"Your not alone Ed. We all miss him."
I finally stepped back.
"Well Captain, I suggest you put on something that is more appropriate for a Captain of the Famous Sandpiper. I will too." I kissed Jake on the cheek.
We met on the dock. My two boys now had long pants and windbreakers on. Both had their cameras, although I figured they would not be allowed to take pictures. Jake and I had light blue jackets on and slacks, with deck shoes.
"Ready boys?"
"Where are we going?" Jer asked.
"Were going to tour a cruiser."
Cool." The drive was pretty much uneventful. We were in the dock the whole time and only had to watch out for ships unloading containers along with the huge forklifts and very many trucks. The four US navy Ships had their own separate dock. We were stopped by Moroccan police when we turned to head for the ships. Even though Jake explained to them that we were expected, it still took several phone calls and much time before they reluctantly moved the barricade aside.
Driving down the wharf next to the Cruiser, she towered over her lesser consorts. At more than 10,000 tons, she was more closer to a WW 2 Pocket Battleship, than anything else. Even then she was a huge ship. She was armed Jake explained more heavily than almost a fleet of battleships from the same war. Funny from where we were it did not look like it.
We were obviously expected. There was the usual flurry of activity at the gang plank. As I stepped on the gang plank.
"ATTENTION ON DECK SANDPIPER ARRIVING!"
I looked at Jake and he was trying to stifle a laugh. I just shook my head in exasperation. Jake would never change. He was always setting me up.
"Ed, look, your never going to change the attitude of the US Navy. They have adopted you and Sandpiper as one of their own. Just accept it. Hell it means we can get support or fuel anywhere the US Navy goes. You could probably, considering they call you a Commodore ask this ship to help us off Nigeria and they probably would if Naval Command okayed it."
As we reached the ships side, bosons' pipes twittered and an immaculate office in whites stepped forward.
"Welcome aboard the Normandy Commodore."
"Thank you Commander. A very fine looking ship."
"Sgt at Arms, escort the Commodore to the bridge."
"Aye, aye Sir."
Jake nudged me in the side and told me to look at the flag hoists.
"As soon as you stepped on board that red one with single star was hoisted."
"For Christ's sake I'm not really a Commodore."
"Go with the flow Ed, just let it ride."
After climbing numerous ladders and going down several corridors we arrived on the very large bridge. The Captain saluted and then stepped forward.
"Welcome aboard the Normandy Sir."
"Thank you Captain. A very good looking ship."
I introduced Jake and the boys. He saluted Jake and then shook hands with him and the two boys.
"You boys can take all the pictures you like outside, but no pictures in here or anywhere else inside."
"Yes Sir." They both echoed.
They both wandered around the bridge. I watched as they asked questions. All were answered by the bridge crew. Jake and I chatted with the Captain.
"Where to next Captain." I asked.
"Well we are on a flag showing trip down the West Coast. Eventually we will replace four ships working the Aden Gulf against piracy."
Jake explained where we were headed.
"You can actually get Sandpiper that far up river?"
"Well she only draws about 3 feet on the hull, less than two on foils. I think we will probably, at least on the way up stay on the hull. We will chart the major sand bars on the way up. Maybe we can run back down on foils."
"I think we might have something that will help. Mr. Jamison. Show the Captain here the automated navigation system."
"Yes Sir." He took Jake aside to the navigation station.
After only a few minutes he came back and the Captain said he would show us over his ship. For the next 2 hours we climbed and descended uncounted stairs. He showed us virtually every thing from bow to stern. The boys took a shit load of pictures on deck. He finally escorted us to the gangplank. The Navigation Officer handed Jake a package. We were saluted off the ship and headed back to Sandpiper. Both boys and even myself were completely impressed and very tired.
"A very impressive ship Jake."
"Well I think they are under gunned. I think they should have put the automatic eight inch guns as they originally planned. Those 6 inch are fine but an eight is a hell of a lot better."
"Cost I suppose." I said.
Back on board we found out the weather would moderate overnight. Tomorrow we could sail south. With full tanks we eased out of harbor the next morning. The US Navy was already gone and most of the bigger yachts were gone to. Soon Rabat would be almost empty again. As soon as we cleared the harbor, Jake had Sandpiper back on foils. There were still some pretty big rollers, but except for occasional smack on the top of a wave, Sandpiper just took it all in stride.
Aaron was watching the instruments when we spotted the US Ships ahead. I called Jake to the bridge. We dipped our ensign to our bigger brothers. As we passed the flagship, she signaled us.
Jake read the message.
"Safe journey little sister."
"Send thank you big brother."
It did not take long until they were over the horizon astern. Sandpiper was going about 90 knots.
About 1600 miles to the south the Niger awaited us.
As dawn approached our second day, we were contacted by the Nigerian Coast guard. They had up to date river charts for us and some notifications. We eased along side the gun boat at the river delta entrance. They gave us the charts and informed us we could travel non stop all the up river. After stamping every ones passports pulled away.
We all had breakfast before we started up river. I was very surprised at number of my crew that were on the flying bridge. All appeared to be working to. Jake finally told me they were charting all the sandbar locations as we came upon them.
"For the trip back I presume."
"Yeah, did you notice we had permission to travel up river, but they never said anything about back down. I definitely don't trust some of these African Republics. We can chart all these sandbars and then let the autopilot run us down on foils. About four days to get there. We only travel in daylight up stream."
"You're the boss." I said.
"No Ed, you are my Boss. You and Sandpiper are my home. I like to make sure my home is secure."
"Thanks Jake, but you know what I meant."
Travelling up river, I am sure Sandpiper was a fine site moving at thirty knots, her bow wave creaming off to port and starboard. I was also sure a very many people wished they were on board or even commanded such a fine looking yacht. We were not even hailed as we crossed international boundaries. Very late on the fourth day we pulled into the dock at our destination.
It took us almost two hours to unload. All the supplies had to be broken down to fit into pickup trucks. We said our farewells and backed into the river. Now very late, Jake anchored for the night.
After a real good dinner, we were sitting in the lounge.
"Okay Ed, I'll tell you what I have done. When we were on board the Navigation Officer of Normandy told me all about my new autopilot that the US Navy installed in the Pacific. Hell I had no idea of its real capabilities. We plotted the exact center of the river as we came up stream at thirty knots. Tomorrow morning I will load that data into the Autopilot and let Sandpiper take us down stream at 100 knots. Took us four days to get here, we will be back in the Atlantic before supper tomorrow."
"You trust all he said?" I asked.
"Ed. I could go to sleep, in fact we could all go sleep and Sandpiper would slow down and stop in the Atlantic."
"I take it your not going to sleep?" I laughed.
"Hell no. If they want Sandpiper, they are going to have to board her. They might set some kind of block at the border. We will be running with all guns manned and in the open."
"Sounds good to me Captain. Hell Jake I trust you more than I trust anyone else."
"And I take that trust to heart Ed."
We hit the hay after that. Zero hour for Sandpiper was dawn. I planned to be on my Bridge the whole day.
With all my boys in bed, I figured I would snooze a lot tomorrow, but all they really wanted was to be close. God I loved them all. Sometimes I cried when I had them trying to just touch me as we slept.
It was before sunup when I climbed to the flying bridge, a cup of coffee in my hand. Jake was already there. The bow gun was just visible in the early morning light.
"All guns manned and Stinger hatches open Sir." Jake said.
"When ever you are ready Captain."
Jake hit the intercom.
"Bring main engines on line, rig foils, all hands prepare for high speed. Hoist the battle ensign." I listened.
Randy said five minutes for main engines. Jer said battle ensign hoisted. Ship ready for high speed run Captain, I heard from Andy. I then heard the bow and stern anchors lock into place. `Ship secure Captain."
I felt the rumble in the deck of the big Mercedes diesel engine.
The five minute wait seemed like an eternity.
I never even heard the foils dropping.
Jake had obviously already loaded his data.
"Engine room, Green board." The intercom squawked.
I watched as Jake reached over and hit the engage button on the autopilot. The result was instantaneous. Sandpiper leaped forward. I'm not sure she even made one full length before she was up on foils. I was pushed into my command chair.
It seemed like an omen, as Sandpiper went to high speed the sun rose over the landscape. What a view she must have made. The huge US Flag standing straight out, hardly a bow wave at all as she skimmed the smooth river waters. Jake sat back, Sandpiper and the autopilot now had all of us in her hands.
I marveled at it all. Sandpiper heeled and moved from side to side as she kept and exact course in the middle of the deepest channel.
"How long to the border?" I asked.
"Five minutes. They won't be ready." Jake said.
We waved at the border guards as we sped by. "Next one they will be ready, if they plan on anything." Jake said.
We had come two hundred miles and crossed one border. Now we had another three hundred miles to the next. At close to a hundred miles an hour that meant about three hours. Three hours of watching the land slide by very fast. As we came close to the border with Nigeria, Radar picked up a solid line across the river.
"Boats?" I asked.
"Maybe. Strap in Ed."
He hit the intercom.
"All hands brace for collision, stand by all guns."
I looked over the cooming as we approached. A solid line of native boats blocked the whole river. If we hit that with the foils we would be dead in the water. Before I could tell Jake of my concerns he hit the intercom again.
"Ready Simon. Stand by on my Command."
"Jake!" I yelled. He ignored me.
"Now!" He yelled into the intercom.
The foils retracted and Sandpiper came down into the river at 90 knots. The bow wave was higher than the bridge. The auto pilot didn't care it just drove the boat forward at maximum speed. We sliced through the native boats like they were not even there. Once past Jake hit the Foil switch and very quickly we were back on foils. I vaguely heard the staccato burst of an M60. I undid my seat belt and looked astern. Utter confusion reigned.
"We are in Nigerian waters now and I don't think they will bother us."
I relaxed and ordered someone to bring me a drink.
Sal brought up two beers, he handed one to Jake and then came to me.
"It'll cost you kiss." He said.
"Gee, just a kiss?" I groped him.
"Well that later, a kiss is good Ed."
Jake was laughing, along with both Simon and Randy on his side of the bridge.
"Ed, you can relax. It's a free run all the way to the Atlantic."
I headed off the bridge and stopped and sat in the lounge. I could see several of my crew nude on the back deck sunning them selves. Sal sat down beside me. Jami, Singh's lover came out of the galley.
He walked right up to us.
"Sir it is a bit early for lunch, but we have a few selections you might enjoy. I can give you Garden salad with a choice of dressing. Our entre, for lunch is an open faced chicken sandwich or a curried sole."
When Sal went to open his mouth, I poked him in the ribs.
"I'll have the chicken. Forget the salad. How about you Sal?"
"Same as Ed. Please."
When Jami went back in the galley, Sal spoke up.
"He makes a damn good waiter. I wonder what's going on?"
Singh came out of the galley and sat down.
"Ed, with the four of us in the galley it really was crowded. So Jami said he would be a waiter instead. He's really pretty good at it. He told me his dream was to someday own a nice restaurant, so he figured he would get some practice while we are on board."
"Sounds good to me Singh. When your both ready, let me know and I'll see if I can help you out with your restaurant."
"Thanks Ed." He kissed me and headed back to the galley.
Jami came out and set down our sandwiches and then grabbed a couple beer and set them down to. Just as he was about leave Jake came in, saw the sandwiches and asked if he could get one too.
"Sure thing Jake. Want a refill?"
Jami cracked another beer and set it by Jake before heading for the galley.
"Damn service is getting better and better on this tub." Jake chuckled.
"Careful Jake, don't let Sandpiper hear you call her a tub."
"Yeah your right." He laughed.
After lunch I changed into Speedos and headed out onto the bow to relax and soak up some rays. No sooner was I comfortable and my boys started appearing, almost I thought out of thin air. No matter where I went on Sandpiper, they seemed to know exactly where I was. Very soon I had all six around me. All were nude and a sight to behold.
They made it real tough to just relax.
About 3, Jake came down and sat down.
"Where to next Ed? North to the Med or South to Cape Town?"
"What do you think?"
"Well we have already passed the worst stretch on the west coast for any problems. If we avoid Uganda, we should have no problems heading South. Up the east coast might or might not be a problem, but we can figure that out when I get to it."
"Okay, plot us course South."
"Aye, aye Commodore." He laughed.
"Fuck you Jake." I laughed.
"Well you have promised that for a while, but for some reason we always miss each other." He chuckled.
"You boys want to hold him down while I fuck him?"
"I don't think we need to hold him down and isn't that against the rules?" Gary said.
"Your right on both love. I was only speaking theoretically."
"Damn. I thought I was going to have it right here." Jake laughed.
"Later Jake. I promise to get to you eventually."
"Big town coming up. About 6 minutes." Randy yelled from the bridge.
"You boys better get some shorts on. Don't want to offend our Nigerian friends."
I stood up and walked inside. I slipped on a pair of white shorts and climbed to the flying bridge. After sitting down, Gary brought me another cold beer. Randy slowed Sandpiper to about 40 knots as we passed the major town. There must have been a thousand people on the docks waving as we went by. We were soon back up to maximum.
Sandpiper probably was a wonder to them. Even I was in awe of her. A 65 foot yacht, seeming to fly above the water. Hardly a ripple from the foils.
I silently thanked my Uncle for leaving her to me. I had done more things and saw more of the world in under two years than I had seen all my life before her. And there was still more to see and do. I was living a life very few could only dream of.
"You okay Ed?" Gary asked.
"Yes love, very okay." I pulled him into my lap and kissed him.
"I love you Ed."
"I love you to Gary. Want to marry me?"
"Just me, what about Jer?"
"Well, I will marry you both."
"Oh Wow! Is that legal? I mean a guy can't have two wives. Can a guy have two boys."
"Love the marriage would be symbolic more than anything else. It would be in your mind and heart and my heart. I love you both so much it hurts. My other four boys have my last name and although I love them very much and of course sleep with them, they act more like my sons. I want you two part of me too, a bigger part."
"So if Jer and I married you, they would become our sons too." He said.
I was about to answer when Simon said he had some weird shit on the marine radio. Jake turned it up. To me it was just gibberish, couldn't understand a word.
"Say again in English." Jake spoke into the mike.
More gibberish.
"What's on the radar Randy?"
"One large target and several smaller ones. They appear to be stopped. Range 6 miles."
"BATTLE STATIONS!" Jake yelled into the intercom.
We had retracted the bow gun, but Jake hit the switch and it slowly raised into locked and loaded position.
"Sixties manned and ready." Came over the intercom, followed by `Stingers ready'.
I trusted Jake's instincts.
"Go to you're your station Gary."
He left the bridge, I knew he was a ammo handler for one of the sixties.
I watched as our 76mm traversed to port.
"All targets will be to port." Jake said into the intercom. "Range three miles. Should be in view around that next bend." Randy said.
"Stand by for emergency stop." Jake said.
It seemed like everything happened at once. We came charging around the bend in the river. No sooner was the Nigerian gun boat in view, that our bow gun fired. Bang, bang, bang. Three quick shots. Two tall water spouts bracketed one of the smaller boats. All at once Sandpiper was stopped. The staccato sound of the sixties could be heard. Then silence. The third round from our 76 had literally obliterated one of the smaller boats. The rest took off.
Jake grabbed the ship to ship phone and asked if they needed assistance. They informed us they had several wounded men.
"Swing out a Zodiac. Juan get your gear, there's wounded on the Nigerian boat."
Randy kept Sandpiper just idling. Holding position against the current of the river.
Juan called on the ship to ship. Three of the wounded needed more than he could give. Jake ordered Randy to put us along side the Nigerian boat.
Sandpiper towered over the small gunboat, but we managed to get the three men on board. The Captain assured us they would be okay. Two other boats were due shortly and Randy said they were on radar. The Captain of the gunboat also said he had radioed and we would be met in the naval dock in Lagos.
We cast off.
"Best speed Jake." I ordered and then left the bridge.
The three Nigerian sailors were on the pull out beds. Juan was working on one. I sat down by another. He looked to be no more than a kid. His eyes were glazed and I saw at least three wounds on his young body. Juan came up and grabbed one of my hands.
"Pressure here." He put my hand on a seeping wound.
There was really nothing I knew I could do. All I could do is what Juan said. Very soon my hand and arm was soaked in blood. I just knew the kid was not going to make it. There was nothing I could do to stop him from dying. I was screaming inside for Jake to go faster, even as I watched his life slowly drain from him. With a rattle he finally died. All I could do was hang my head and cry. Another kid into the dark abyss of boy soldiers. Why couldn't people just get along?
Juan came over and pulled me away from the boy. He sat me down and handed me a stiff drink.
"Ed, I was hoping, but I knew there wasn't much chance for him. At least you were there for him. You really are a Saint Ed."
I just sat and cried. Damn it all to hell.
For me and Sandpiper. That was it. That was the last time. From now on This yacht would avoid everything. No more rescues, no more helping anyone. I had lost too much in the last two years. That young boy brought it all home for me. Never again would I place anyone I loved in jeopardy. Sandpiper would only do as I dictated from now and fuck the rest of the world.
Jake brought Sandpiper into Lagos. The two wounded and the one body were removed. I refused to talk to anyone. I left it all to Jake. Let him be the Hero. I stayed in my office.
After a quiet night in port, Jake had the Sandpiper refueled and topped up our fresh water tanks. Our American friends were just pulling into Lagos as we set sail. Jake had plotted a course south.
"Keep us outside the fifteen mile limit Jake."
"Won't see much from fifteen miles Ed."
"I don't care Jake, just keep us away from land and away from any locals."
"Yes Sir."
I went into my office and closed the door. I really was not a happy camper right now. I ate quickly and then always disappeared, although I could not avoid my boys, even they sensed my mood.
I was sitting on the bow one hot afternoon, nursing a big scotch, when all six surrounded me.
"What's wrong Father." Sal said.
TBC