Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:35:30 -0700
From: Brian Suddards <suddar40@telus.net>
Subject: SANDPIPER 35

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