Chapter 23~ Goodbyes
As soon as the navy office in nearby Norfolk got word that a submarine had been found they knew exactly who it was and who to call. After all, what other subs had mysteriously gone missing within the last year?
Within the hour a convoy of armored vehicles arrived at Emily's house. With a look out the window the human sighed and said "Well, so much for Christmas."
Thresher whimpered as she flopped up beside her. Emily knelt and picked her up. "Now listen here, Thresher is it?" Thresher nodded and she continued. "Now you listen here Thresher. Those men there, they're your people. You belong with them." Thresher could hear how Emily struggled to keep her voice level. "You're not a housepet, you're a submarine. You have a duty to this nation, and to me. Protect us. Go on now." She set Thresher down outside the door. "Go home."
Thresher whimpered and snuggled up against her legs. She felt Emily's fingers stroke her, along with something wet and salty. "Go home, Thresher." She ordered again.
Thresher nuzzled her one last time before flopping down the steps and to the waiting convoy. Emily followed and shared a few words with the commander as Thresher climbed into the backseat of a waiting car. She squealed happily when she saw Ivan was back there as well.
"Hey there, whoa!" He laughed as Thresher embraced him. His arms wrapped around the submarine, holding her tight to his body. Tears fell on Thresher's hull.
"My baby girl. Oh my baby girl." He whispered. He pulled back, holding her at arms length. "I'm so glad you're safe." Thresher licked him again before looking at the window. Emily stood there, hand pressed to the glass, behind her soldiers stood with guns armed, ready to shoot should she do anything but Thresher knew she wouldn't. The submarine met her hand with her fin, and the two's breath fogged up the glass.
"Goodbye, Sub..."
Then Emily was gone, disappearing along with the row of houses as the convoy left the neighborhood. Thresher whimpered, then settled down on Ivan's lap. The right thing had been done, she knew it. But why did it have to be so hard..