Sand Is Much Better.
Author Chick's Notes: Hey lookie! A part two to the snow fic! Kinda sorta. God how I miss da beach! And I have bastard mates in the islands reminding me of what I am missing right now too…the backstabbing sods. Blah Denotes spoken Russian.
Sand Is Much Better.
Deep Six glanced up from his reading as a heavy winter coat flew past to land next to him. Looking in the direction of where the coat had come from, the diver could almost swear the other passenger on the cargo plane was purring. They were nearing their final destination, somewhere off of the archipelago of Palau. Word had it that COBRA was attempting to build an underwater base in the area. Who better to send to investigate then two of the toughest, meanest divers in the US armed forces? At least in theory.
An hour after landing, Deep Six and Torpedo parted ways with Wild Bill, who was already complaining of the humidity and set off in the SHARC to a remote atoll. They had changed into clothing more appropriate for the warm tropical climate. Much to the relief of Torpedo, who was still mad about the snow incident that morning. Upon landing and setting up camp for the duration, Torpedo flopped down in the warm sand and closed his eyes, purring as he absorbed the heat flooding his body.
"K, I ready for da pretty hula halau* now." Torpedo muttered.
"They have all male halaus don't they?" Deep Six asked.
Torpedo cracked an eye open to see Deep Six standing over him smirking. "Yeah, dey get all male halaus, an' dey all better looking den you too."
Deep Six placed a hand on his chest. "You wound me!" He teased.
"In da head, hoale." Torpedo retorted, tossing a handful of sand in Deep Six's general direction.
The two remained silent for a few moments before Deep Six spoke up. "God that's beautiful."
"Hmm?" Torpedo murmured. He sat up and watched the sunset that Deep Six was complementing. "Dat is pretty." They stayed like that for a few more minutes before getting around to making dinner.
Torpedo spied a coconut tree, laden with heavy ripe fruit. The temptation was to great and he was soon shimmying up the tree with his diving knife clenched between his teeth. Deep Six watched as the SEAL lopped a few of them off the tree and slithered back down to earth, all in a matter of minutes.
Deep Six shrugged as Torpedo went to work chopping away the thick husks of the coconuts. He was rummaging around in a storage chest for an MIR, when a sound near the shore caught his attention. There was a reef surrounding the atoll, providing a sheltered lagoon of sorts, so there shouldn't have been the splashing noise Deep Six was hearing. Glancing towards the water, his eyes lit up. Dinner was going to be gourmet tonight.
Dropping the packet he had picked up back into the chest, he took his shirt off and went to the water's edge. Sure enough a school of prawns had come right near the shore for the evening. Deep Six made a make shift net from his shirt and scooped it into the water. He pulled the end closed and lifted it up, surprised by the sudden weight he almost lost his catch as his 'net' slipped from his fingers. After getting a better grip this time he hoisted the shirt over his shoulder and went back to camp.
Torpedo looked up as Deep Six came back smirking. "What you wen get?"
"Tiger prawns…big ones." Deep Six grinned. Tossing his catch next to the fire, Deep Six dug around for something to cook his dinner with as Torpedo went back to hacking up one of the coconuts.
Later that evening, Deep Six kept watch while his partner slept soundly nearby. He was studying charts of the surrounding waters, trying to determine the best place to build an underwater base. The area was gouged with deep-sea trenches and there were several possibilities. The diver frowned. This was going to be more difficult then he had originally planned.
A gentle breeze stirred the palm fronds as the sun began creeping over the horizon. Deep Six groaned as he woke up, looking to where Torpedo had slept, he didn't see the SEAL. He did however see tracks leading to the shore and saw that the spacing between them got rather far apart at the water's edge. "Morning run, okay." Deep Six mumbled. Unlike his partner, Deep Six took a bit more time to wake up.
Lighting the camp stove, he set water to boil for coffee. While the water was warming up, he went for a quick swim in the lagoon. He was getting out just as Torpedo returned from his morning jog. He didn't however get out of the way fast enough. Deep Six saw the grin and braced himself for the splash he knew was coming. How Torpedo's lean frame managed to send up that much water when he wanted it to, eluded the deep-sea diver, but it did.
"You awake now?" Torpedo grinned after coming to the surface.
"No." Deep Six made his way for shore when he was tackled from behind and dunked under again. Knowing better, Torpedo swam off before Deep Six could return the favour. "Pull that stunt again Flipper, and I'll shoot you." Deep Six growled.
"Jus' making up for da snow yesterday!" Torpedo cackled while he swam around in the lagoon.
Deep Six was already on his second cup of coffee when Torpedo finally emerged from the water. They spent an hour discussing the surrounding underwater geography and eating breakfast. Deep Six glanced up from his coffee cup and scowled. "That's enough calories to kill an elephant!" He stated when he saw what the SEAL had just finished devouring for his morning meal.
"And I gonna be starving when we get back later." Torpedo grinned. Deep Six just rolled his eyes as the two began getting into their diving gear to start exploring.
Meanwhile, roughly a mile off shore from the atoll, a submarine was coming up to periscope depth. Russia's elite fighting force, the October Guard, had also heard about the rumours of an underwater COBRA base and had come to investigate. Diana had been ordered to survey the atoll to make sure it was clear for a landing party. She was about to complain that she'd rather be getting her weapons ready when she stopped and grinned.
The view through the periscope was definitely a nice one as she watched Torpedo get into his wetsuit. Diana? Lt. Gorky called out.
Mmmm hmm?
Well?
Oh there are people there alright. She answered. Joes, I think. She purred. She was suddenly pushed aside by Brekhov who wanted to see for himself. Diana scowled while the colonel cursed their luck.
It is the Joes. Brekhov snapped. In the viewer he could see Deep Six removing a camouflaged tarp from the SHARC. It is most definitely them. He groaned. They have one of those SHARC things with them. He added. Stepping away from the periscope, Brekhov stepped over to Lt. Gorky. Now what do we do? He asked while Diana jumped back up to the viewer and continued to watch the proceedings on the beach.
Lt. Gorky had a hand over his mouth as he tried to recall all of the SHARC's known abilities. They'll know we're here the second that thing hits the water. He muttered under his breath. Which two did you see Colonel? Gorky asked, trying to gauge the abilities of the pilots.
I think it was the SEAL and their deep-sea diver, I'm not sure. Brekhov answered.
Da. It's those two. Deep Six and Torpedo I believe they're called. Diana purred from the periscope. She was thoroughly enjoying the show she got as the two unknowing Joes continued their preparations on shore.
Brekhov and Gorky shared a disconcerted look before continuing. They'd have made brilliant sailors for Mother Russia…if they weren't Americans. Gorky commented. Both men looked up when they heard an appreciative whistle come from the direction of the periscope.
Brekhov shook his head and cursed under his breath. We have no choice then, we have to let them know we're here or they shoot the second they spot us. He commented to Lt. Gorky. Diana!
Hmmm? Brekhov rolled his eyes again before asking her if the SHARC had been powered up yet. Da, one of them is doing it now. She purred.
Horror Show? Brekhov called out. Set up a link so we can talk to them. The colonel ordered.
What for? They're just Americans. Horror Show groused.
Da. Americans who will sink this ship in two seconds flat if you don't do as ordered. Gorky snapped at the large man. Horror Show bitched as he set the communications link up. Gorky was about to make contact when Diana spoke up from the periscope.
Nyet! No oh don't, please…damn! She groaned and leaned against the periscope in disappointment.
They have taken off? Gorky asked, concern raising in his voice.
Nyet. The SEAL zipped up his wetsuit, he's fully dressed now. She answered.
Diana! Brekhov snapped.
What? There are two almost completely naked men on a beach and you don't expect me to appreciate the fact? Diana snapped back. Don't think I have forgotten about the last time we were in Cuba. She added.
Brekhov blushed and found something interesting in the bulkhead to look at while the rest of the Guard laughed at his expense. Gorky got out of his seat and went over to the periscope. Taking a microphone from nearby, he held up a hand to silence his comrades. Peering through the scope, he opened up the link.
On shore, Deep Six was adjusting one of the couplings on his suit when the radio crackled to life. He looked at Torpedo then the two glanced towards the SHARC. Deep Six climbed in and saw that a transmission was coming in on a secure frequency. He turned on the receiver and got the shock of his life when he heard the distinct tenor of the October Guard's naval lieutenant.
"Come in Joes, do you read me?" Gorky's voice sounded over the radio. Torpedo gawked at the SHARC as Deep Six answered the hail.
Yes I read you Gorky. He replied in Russian. What can I do for you?
Back in the sub, Lt. Gorky smiled. You speak Russian, I am impressed.
"Yeah well it comes in handy in our line of work." Deep Six retorted, in English this time. "What do you want?" He asked again.
Gorky smiled. He was pleased to discover that Deep Six was one who got right down to business. It was a trait he admired very much. "I would assume you are here for the same reasons we are. A proposed COBRA base?"
Back on shore Deep Six glanced at Torpedo. The SEAL nodded his head slightly to go ahead and reply. "Yes." Deep Six answered after a moment. "Where are you at?" He added.
"Tell the other one to face directly behind you." Gorky replied. On shore Torpedo did just as the lieutenant had requested, holding binoculars up to scan for any sign of the Russians. "We are roughly one of your miles dead ahead of him."
Torpedo scanned the water and quickly saw the sunlight glinting off the periscope. "Got em." He muttered. "Hey? How long dey been there?" He asked suddenly, taking the binoculars away from his eyes for a moment.
"Long enough for Diana to enjoy watching you both get ready." Gorky replied. Deep Six blushed while Torpedo laughed and looked back out towards the Russian submarine. Back on the submarine it was Diana's turn to blush when they heard Torpedo asking how much she had enjoyed the show. "I would say very much, judging by the whistling and purring. However that's a topic to be discussed later." Gorky replied. "We have more pressing concerns right now."
Deep Six and Torpedo listened while Lt. Gorky proposed that the two groups join forces. Deep Six looked to Torpedo for an okay. Torpedo just shrugged in a 'why not?' manner and they agreed. Fifteen minutes later the SHARC pulled along side the submarine and they had a video link set up.
"Any of you qualified divers?" Deep Six asked as an idea formed in his mind.
"Just Stormavik and myself." Gorky replied. "And I am needed here to pilot our vessel." He added.
Deep Six glanced at Torpedo's reflection in the window before speaking up again. "Okay then. How about you drop him off on one side of the atoll and I drop Torpedo off on the opposite? They can search for anything near the surface while we do the same deeper down."
"Agreed. We'll take this side, you take the west." Gorky replied. Stormavik went to suit up and was soon in the water looking at the reef wall for any signs of damage done by man. Deep Six flew the SHARC to the opposite side of the atoll and dropped Torpedo off to do a similar search on the steep reef walls.
"How deep can that thing go?" Deep Six asked over the net.
"Five hundred metres easily. It's also equipped with a little extra 'security' if you will." Gorky replied. After engaging a silent drive built into the Russian submarine, the two vessels sank into the depths for any sign of a COBRA base.
"Hey Six?" Torpedo called out after a while. "I get some serious break up at about a hundred fifty feet here. No storm could a done this." He relayed his findings. Stormavik called in at about the same time to say he had also found something similar in his section of reef.
"They are possibly using the material for construction?" Stormavik offered.
"Wait!" Brekhov called out from the sonar position he was manning. "Listen to this." Everyone listened to what Brekhov had found on sonar. Deep Six was heading towards the Russian vessel when his own sonar went off.
"Sounds like drilling?" Diana spoke up from her position.
"It is. For moorings, possibly." Deep Six replied. The two vessels worked to zero in on the source of the sound when Deep Six spotted a faint glow ahead and below him. "I think I found them."
"Da comrade you did. There are two torpedoes heading your way." Brekhov replied as he listened to the action unfolding in the distance.
Deep Six thought for a moment then smirked. "Got my position?" He asked, remembering that the Russian sub didn't show on sonar.
"Da."
"Good. I'll keep these clowns occupied while you sneak in for the kill." Deep Six said before dodging the incoming missiles.
Closer to the surface, Torpedo and Stormavik knew there was nothing they could do but wait for their respective teammates to return. They both got ashore and were soon at the Joe's campsite listening in on the action going on far below the turquoise waters of the Pacific.
The SHARC shook from the explosion of a torpedo that had gotten a little to close for comfort. Deep Six cursed before banking hard right to avoid a head on collision with another. Over the communications net, he could hear Gorky saying that he had acquired a firing solution on the base. "Acquiring is fine, shoot the bastards already!" Deep Six barked.
"Pleasant isn't he?" Stormavik joked on shore.
"You should see him when he first wake up." Torpedo retorted, as they continued to listen in on what was going on below.
In the Russian sub Gorky ordered the firing of his own weapons. "Tubes one through four, now!" Diana hit the launch mechanisms and then there were four torpedoes barrelling towards the underwater base. Brekhov removed his headphones as they approached the base. Deep Six meanwhile piloted the SHARC out of range of the blast as all four weapons struck with deadly force on the half constructed base.
On the beach, the two divers scanned the ocean surface for any sign of the explosion. "There!" Stormavik barked. Torpedo didn't need binoculars to see what Stormavik had found. A huge plume of water gushed skywards where the explosion had occurred far below.
"Auwe!* What da hell you wen hit em with? Nukes?" Torpedo asked.
Stormavik shrugged. "I am damned if I know what Gorky has that thing loaded with." He answered honestly.
Down below, Gorky could hear the conversation between the two on shore. "I only keep standard weapons aboard. They must have already had their power source in place." He theorized. "Come in Joe, do you copy?" Gorky asked suddenly when he realised he hadn't heard from Deep Six since the base exploded.
"Uhg. Yeah I'm here. Just got shaken up real good is all." Deep Six replied.
Diana spoke up from her monitoring position with her readings. "Sensors don't pick up any radiation Lieutenant. Or escape pods…I think it's safe to say no one survived."
"Must have hit the weapons cache then." Deep Six replied.
"Well whatever we hit, the base is gone." Brekhov spoke up. "I'd say mission successful?" He added.
A little while later, after Gorky had found a shallow underwater plateau to rest his submarine at, the October Guard joined the two Joes on the beach. Both commanders had called into their respective headquarters and reported mission successful. Now was the time to celebrate.
Diana raised an appreciative eyebrow at Torpedo who had the top half of his wetsuit hanging around his hips. "Oh no sister." He laughed. "You got one free show already, you not getting another."
Brekhov smirked at the blonde woman as she pouted. I take it I won't be hearing about Cuba anymore from you? He teased in Russian.
"Cuba?" Deep Six asked.
"A grand story comrade!" Gorky laughed. Brekhov shot the naval officer a glare, but to no avail. Gorky went on to tell the two Joes about the incident involving a nude beach on the Cuban shore and the Colonel's less then professional reaction to the discovery. Diana smirked at the horrified look on Brekhov's face before heading towards the water for a swim. The two Joes meanwhile were howling in laughter as Stormavik and Horror Show added to the story.
"Oh Cuz, dat's just to…" Torpedo stopped mid sentence. "…holy shit." Deep Six looked from the SEAL's stunned expression to the water where Diana was removing every stitch of clothing for her swim.
"Jesus." Deep Six muttered.
The rest of the Guard glanced towards the water then back to the two Joes. "She's always doing this when we're near anything remotely tropical." Stormavik dismissed.
"Da. Come let's drink to our triumph!" Gorky exclaimed. That got Deep Six's attention as he watched the lieutenant rummage around a box.
"That's what I like about the Russian Navy. They know how to appreciate their booze." He complimented when Gorky held up a bottle of fine French cognac. "Hey Kid?" Deep Six elbowed Torpedo when he noticed that the SEAL was still staring at where Diana was.
"Huh? Wha?" Torpedo took a second before spotting the box with the liquor. "Ho Cuz! Half dat stuff illegal in da States!" He stated when he saw some of the bottles the Guard were going through.
"We ain't in the States at the moment." Deep Six pointed out.
"Dis is true." Torpedo replied as he took a glass offered to him. The two groups put their countries politics aside as they drank well into the night.
THE END
*Hula halau = what a hula troop is called.
*Auwe = 'What the hell?' in Hawai'ian.