The Atlantic Express
by: justjames17
(Copyright 2004 -2007 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
 

Chapter 19

The Ajax moved slowly to the wharf and the mooring lines were thrown ashore as the ship sidled close to the wooden pier, she was soon moored snugly and the gang plank was attached, a couple of brass hats appeared from a black Humber staff car and headed towards the grubby, damaged, war weary cruiser. The navy band began to play Rule Britannia as the high ranking officers climbed up the walkway and saluted the quarter deck, The Officer of the Day saluted them as the senior officer, a Commodore from the naval headquarters in London turned and returned his salute. They walked into the open hatchway and entered the super structure, making their way to the Commanding officer's cabin.

There they met Captain Woodhouse and shook his hand exclaiming how great the battle had turned out, praising all concerned for the eventual destruction of the Graf Spee. Woodhouse introduced Charles to the staff officers and they shook hands saying they were glad he and most his crew had survived their escapades and imprisonment on the German ship. They told Charles he and his crew had been given a fortnight's survivor's leave and then they would look at giving him a new ship to command, they also told him he had been awarded the DSC, Distinguished Service Cross and he had been promoted to Captain's rank and could sew the extra stripe on his uniform.

Charles was dumbfounded at this turn of events and felt overawed at all the kudos, he told the officers that if it wasn't for his gallant crew they wouldn't be still here today. The officers nodded and told him he could submit three names for awards if he felt they deserved them. The conversation now turned to the battle and the visitors wanted a blow by blow detailed account of the battle. The four officers talked for an hour hearing of the event and the imprisonment on board the raider, what the moral of the German sailors was like and how they were treated as prisoners. The discussion was accompanied by a few glasses of good Scotch whisky and it turned quite convivial by the finish.

The meeting broke up with the two visitors leaving and shaking hands telling Charles to report to the commander of the dockyard to arrange leave and rail movement passes for him and his crew. Woodhouse shook Charles hand and congratulated him on his promotion and medal saying it had been a pleasure to transport him home and wished him well in the future then he left the cabin and headed to the bridge to see to the ship as Charles went to use the ship's address system to order his crew to fall in on the foredeck.

The crew formed up in ranks as Charles marched onto the deck, the Chief Petty Officer called the men to attention and Charles filled them in on the latest events. The cheers of joy at the two weeks leave echoed around the warehouses on the wharf and then three rousing cheers at the news their Commanding Officer was now a Captain. Charles looked at Tom to see his reaction and the lad was beaming, a grin splitting his handsome face from ear to ear. Charles dismissed the men and told them to gather their gear and form up on the wharf in an hour, the men fell out and broke ranks talking animatedly as they hurried away, Tom walked across to Charles and saluted his Captain saying, "Congratulations Captain you deserve every thing you have been awarded."

Charles grinned at him and reached out to shake his hand, they clasped hands and shook heartily as Charles asked the lad if he wished to accompany him home for the duration of their leave, Tom smiled thankfully and nodded saying, "Yes thank you sir I'd like that very much."

The crew formed up at the appointed time and they marched off through the frigid air to the base headquarters building, they marched inside and the Petty Officer in the front office directed them to the drill hall where they awaited further events. After some time a Lieutenant and a P. O. appeared with a brief case and they moved to a table where they set up and sat on a couple of chairs. The process of issuing the passes began the men were asked where they wished to go and the P. O. wrote the details on the travel warrants, the Lieutenant handed the papers out shaking each man's hand and wishing them well. The details of their addresses were noted so they could be contacted regarding their postings when their leave finished.

The men departed heading for the railway station and set off on their travels, Charles and Tom walked to the station where they separated as Tom's pass was for 3rd class travel while Charles travelled 1st class being an officer. The trip from the coast took for ever due to the heavy snow and bomb damage along the line; finally they arrived at the station as the sun lowered and the cold grey sky threatened more snow. They clambered from the warm fugue of the train their breaths steaming in the frigid air as they hurried through the darkening countryside. Finally thy reached Charles home and he unlocked the door and the hurried in stamping the snow from them in the vestibule, the house was cold and clammy as it had been empty for so long and Tom hurried to find the wood to build a fire and start warming the house.

Charles walked into the kitchen to light the wood stove so they could have a hot drink and he rummaged in the cabinet searching for some tinned food to heat up for the evening meal. The house slowly warmed as the fires burnt merrily and the two sailors sat at the kitchen table drinking large mugs of hot sweet tea, the electric lights lit the rooms brightly giving the semblance of warmth as the heat slowly increased. Charles heard a knocking at the kitchen door and he got up to open it, there on the doorstep was young Allan the now 17 year old neighbour's son.

He hurried in as Charles invited him and closed the door behind him, he turned around and said, "Do you remember Tom one of my crew Allen?"

Allen nodded and said, "Oh yes sir, I'd not forget him in a hurry after our last meeting."

Tom grinned at the lad his face blushing charmingly as he looked Allen over, he smiled at the lad and said, "My goodness Allen, you've grown a lot since I saw you last, you must be playing lots of sport I think you've filled out considerably."

Allen now blushed prettily as he looked at his feet then Charles put his arm around the boy's slim but muscular waist hugging him and saying, "Yes Allen you really have grown very much, I can feel how muscular you are."

Charles then asked the embarrassed boy if he'd like a cup of tea and he thanked him and sat at the table next to Tom, Allen asked Charles why he hadn't let him know he was coming because he could have got the fires lit and the house warmed before they arrived and Charles told him that they didn't have time then went on to fill the boy in on their adventures since their last leave. The boy sat there transfixed at the news of the sinking of the Spring Thorpe and their capture and consequent imprisonment and being under fire from their own navy. The lad nodded and told them the sinking of the Graf Spee had been in the papers and on the radio news he was excited to know that Charles and Tom were involved and wanted to hear everything about him.

The evening was filled with their voices telling of their adventures, nothing left out even the sexual encounters were recounted in detail, they had shifted into the parlour where they could be more comfortable, Allen was sitting there wriggling about as his young penis grew firm and stretched, his hands fidgeted on his crotch. Tom sitting next to him watched the aroused lad and eventually his urges overpowered him and he placed his hand on the boy's thigh. Allen looked at him and removed his hands allowing Tom to grope him, the sailor slid his hand up until he cupped the hard package and the boy moaned and opened his legs invitingly.

Charles sat in his chair watching the two hot young men begin to fondle one another, their ardour rising as they stroked each other excitedly, buttons were soon being undone and trousers opened exposing bulging briefs. Charles sat there fingering his crotch as Tom stripped Allen baring the gorgeous incredibly cut young body, he remembered how Allen was last time sexy but still showing youthful musculature and slight puppy fat covering his torso. His physique had matured incredibly with the lad's sports playing and he had developed wonderfully, Tom's fingers and hands were caressing the boy all over feeling and massaging him sexily.

Allen's pouting lips were pressed to the young sailor's as they kissed, both youthful bodies now naked to Charles' view as they writhed about on the couch, Allen begged Tom to fuck him and the randy seaman took heed of the boy's request and lubed both his cock and the boy's anus with a large amount of saliva. He pressed against the boy's tight pucker and after some grunting and pushing he broke the tight seal and entered that beauteous haven deep inside the youth's hot writhing body. Allen arched throwing his head back onto Tom's shoulder as the large pole penetrated him, his torso muscles tensed and ridged fully, the prominent six pack standing out proudly.

Charles ripped off his clothes and bounded across to kneel on the carpet and he began licking up the boys trembling thighs, the smooth flesh quivered under his tongue's assault as Allen moaned loudly while Tom panted frantically pounding his sweet behind. Charles tongue lavished attention upwards till he was slurping on the tight wrinkled velvet purse containing the boy's nuggets; he enveloped them in his warm wet mouth sucking the precious orbs driving the boy insane with the double stimulation as he was fucked. Allen's delicious penis was now spitting pre cum like crazy as Charles stimulated his `nads while Tom's pole stretched and plundered his tight chute. Charles was stroking himself hard, as he spat out the swollen boy balls and licked up the swollen urethra tube under the boy's rigid rod, he paid particular attention to the sensitive flange of the swollen purple knob and the tiny v where the boy's foreskin attached to the excited cock head. This caused frantic bestial moaning sounds as Allen became frantic with uncontrolled lust his hot tight hole reamed by the plunging pole while his own cock was being teased and licked, it was driving him insane his balls screamed for relief as his cock throbbed incredibly.

Tom's climax roared through his slim body concentrating in his aching full balls as he slammed hard up into the tight humid haven of Allen's quivering bowels, he began to whimper as his body tensed and he felt the burning boiling eruption from his roiling nuts. The thick rich juice spurted up the wide tube pulsing and throbbing deep in the pliant depths of Allen's body; he felt it explode out filling the palpitating crimson tunnel as Allen moaned and groaned. Tom's trigger sent the boy over the edge and his sweet teen juice flooded Charles mouth with spurt after spurt of teen nectar and the man sucked him hard to drag every last drop of the superb elixir.

Charles quickly rose and pushed his wet oozing cock head against the lad's gasping lips as he started to cum, Allen felt the spray enter his mouth and even in his own lust he sucked the spurting cock into his mouth to drink from that magical Fawcett of life. The three sexually satiated males collapsed panting in their after glow, their semi hard tools oozing the last precious remnants from their slowly deflating dicks. They lay there side by side until they recovered their equilibriums and then the search for clothes occupied their attention as the sought to cover their nakedness.

They dressed and Allen thanked them for having him as their guest and for just having him period, he could feel his sore arse as he clenched his puffed ring to hold Tom's creamy suds inside his rectum. He kissed both Tom and Charles then he waddled out the door heading for home, tom looked at Charles and said, "That is one fine piece of young manhood he is superb and getting better as he gets older."

Charles nodded saying, "Yes a classical English sportsman, there is nothing better in this world."

Tom laughed and said, "Except for those damn Australian cricket players."

Charles laughed and nodded saying, "Well they are from British stock after all Tom and they produce good service men too. Look at those Australian pilots we had serving in the Battle of Britain, top chaps all."

Their leave was pleasant with many visits from Allen and their tired war weary bodies recuperated quickly, towards the end of the leave they both began to wonder what lay ahead of them. What sort of ship would they be posted to? Would it be another old vessel or one of the new ships being produced to fight the Hun?

Finally a telegram arrived from Admiralty House telling Charles to report to the dockyard at Birkenhead where his new ship was being constructed, a brand new Tribal class destroyer, a veritable light cruiser compared to the poor old Spring Thorpe. Charles was elated and then Tom received one too telling him to report to the same ship both men hugged and kissed excitedly as they talked about what it would be like sailing in a new powerful ship.

They said farewell to a tearful Allen as they set off to the station and caught the train to Birkenhead, they changed trains twice and eventually arrived at the dirty busy ship building town on the murky river. The racket of riveting guns rattled through the steam and smoke filled air as the two men wandered to the guarded dockyard gates, the sentries saluted Charles and examined their papers then passed them through telling them where the offices were. They found the ramshackle red brick building and entered looking for the construction manager, he came down to greet them, a short stocky man dressed in tweeds smoking a large cigar as he came hurriedly up to where they waited puffing smoke like the steam train they'd arrived in.

He grasped Charles hand and shook it briskly and said, "You for the Tribal class unit 4563?"

Charles looked at his orders and nodded asking, "Where is she? How long before she is ready for sea?"

The man laughed and said, "Eager to get at them are you? Well it will be a few weeks yet she is still a way from being seaworthy."

Charles eager to see his new command asked the man to take him to the berth so he could check her out. The man laughed and briskly turned telling them to follow him as he started striding off out of the building, they walked through the incredibly busy yards stepping over gear and railway lines until eventually they arrived at the wharf where the destroyer lay. Her cluttered decks a mass of hoses disappearing into the innards where riveting guns were rattling away, workers were painting the three turrets of the twin mounted 4.5 inch guns; her bridge was a hubbub of workers fitting equipment like voice pipes and engine controls.

Even in her dishevelled state Charles could see her sleek lines and felt his chest swell with pride that she was his to command, Tom stood looking at the shambles and asked, "Do you think she will ever be ready for sea sir?"

Charles nodded and looked at the manager and asked, "Well sir how long do you think she will be?"

The man looked at the ship puffed on his cigar twice then looked at Charles saying, "She should be ready for sea trials in a month all going well Captain, meanwhile you will be accommodated at the barracks across the yards, until at least the cabins are liveable."

Charles watched the ordered chaos and smiled to himself as he again appreciated the ship's powerful sleek lines, she looked like a panther waiting to pounce and she exuded such a sense of utter power and speed. He was well pleased with the Admiralty's choice of ship and after the gallant old Spring Thorpe she was a veritable power house. His mind went back to the Atlantic Ocean and the untimely end of his last ship as she settled beneath those cold seas, the air hissing from her ruptured hull as she wallowed dying then slowly slid under the tossing surface. The days were filled with noise, checking the progress and doing paper work regarding the fitting out, at night the pub's called and Charles and Tom spent time separated in the lounge bar and the public bar. Their sexual trysts were impossible under the circumstances and both men were reduced to self gratification Mrs Palmer and her five daughters kept their balls from exploding. Charles was summoned to Buckingham Palace for the presentation of his D.S. C. by the King George and he set off by train on the night before to stay overnight in a hotel in London, Tom accompanied him and Charles paid for a room for him as well. They enjoyed a great night of unbridled sex and by morning both men were exhausted but Charles had to get up shower and get dressed in his full dress uniform including sword to go to attend the Palace.

He caught a cab and climbed out in front of the Palace where he was checked out by the guards then passed through and he walked into the huge grey building, the hustle inside was busy and he was led into a hall filled with civilians and members of the armed forces who were all in full uniform, gold braid and brass buttons gleamed under the light of the chandeliers suspended from the high ceiling of the large ball room. He was led to a seat in the body of the hall and sat there watching the throng of people, finally God Save the King was played by the small orchestra and everyone stood to attention as King George and Queen Elizabeth entered, he was resplendent in the full uniform of Admiral of the Fleet while his wife was dressed in a flowing pale blue gown. Both looked incredibly handsome as they swept to the raised dais in the front of the room, the assembly sat dawn as the anthem finished and the investiture commenced. Person after person marched to the dais and were presented with their award soon Charles' name was called out he stood and marched to the front feeling very self conscious as all eyes were drawn to him.

He saluted the Royal Couple and the King pinned the D.S.C. on his chest and shook his hand murmuring a few words of congratulations and he mentioned Charles' success with sinking submarines and the Graf Spee to show he knew about his service record, Charles was amazed at the man's memory and felt so proud that the King knew of him. He saluted again after the King gave him the small box where his medal had rested and now held the ribbons to be sewn on his uniforms; he turned smartly and marched back to his seat in a slight daze. The reception after the ceremony was pleasant although the food rationing made the fare a little mediocre, still it was enjoyable and the grog was plentiful while the company was great. War exploits were bandied about amongst the members and livened up the reception, the day came to an end and Charles walked back to the hotel to walk off the excess he had consumed.

He was almost back to the hotel when the air raid sirens began to wail he cursed the Luftwaffe under his breath and began to hurry towards the hotel; the searchlights wandered the black night sky searching for the bombers, ack ack guns fired into the blackness. Charles heard the droning drumming of the multiple engines as the planes flew overhead, people fled down into the Underground Station as he hurried on, he heard the shrill whistles of the falling bombs and suddenly the area lit up like daylight and he was tossed through the air by the blast from the exploding bombs. He was slammed into the wall of the building behind him and everything went black.

Some time later he regained consciousness, his hearing was gone only a loud ringing in his ears his legs were unable to move and his vision was badly blurred and blood trickled down his face from a large gash across his forehead running up into scalp as he groaned lying on the rubble strewn footpath, half a wall was pinning his legs to the ground. The bombers continued their pounding of the city and Charles slipped back into blackness and heard no more.

The raid finished and the all clear sounded, people began to appear from the underground and fire trucks raced through the smoke filled streets to fight the raging fires. Policemen began to patrol along with the ARP men who dug people from the destroyed buildings, a police officer walking along the roadway skirting the rubble happened to see the glint of a brass button and turned back to find Charles lying there in a pool of blood he checked the pulse and found it to be weak but steady he blew his whistle loudly and began tossing bricks off Charles' prostrate body.

His whistle brought some dungaree clad ARP workers to his assistance and after some time the wall was removed and an ambulance arrived to take the wounded man to the nearest hospital. Charles regained consciousness in bed his head aching, his hearing still not functioning and his eyesight still blurry. A nurse was checking his blood pressure and he croaked, "Where am I?"

She answered him but he was unable to hear her answer and he shook his head then grunted with pain as his head ache increased with the movement. Days passed and his hearing finally improved along with his vision and he was soon almost back to normal, except for his aching head, the Doctor told him he had a hairline skull fracture and would be kept in for a few more days at least until the sutures were removed from his head wound. Charles was champing at the bit to return to the dockyard to oversee the fitting out of his ship, he also worried about where Tom was and hoped he was alright. He thought something might have happened to the young seaman as he hadn't come to see him in hospital.

He fretted and fumed but the doctors were adamant he wasn't leaving till they were happy that his recovery was completed, after a week he was allowed to get out of bed, two nurses were there to help him sit up. He sat up and his head began to spin and he felt nauseous, his stomach turned over and the nurses had to hold him upright as he groaned. Minutes passed and his throbbing head settled down to a steady aching as he slid his feet to the linoleum covered floor, the chill of the smooth surface sent a shiver through his body and caused his headache to throb a little stronger. He paused there supported on each side until he felt capable of trying to stand up; he finally rose off the bed and stood swaying between the two girls who asked if he felt alright. He spoke hesitantly telling them he was alright but his head ached abominably and he squinted his eyes with the pain.

The concerned girls helped him to a wheel chair and settled him in the seat then one of them pushed him out of the ward and down the corridor to the exit where she pushed him out into the sunshine lit garden area. She wheeled him to a garden seat where she produced a newspaper and began to read it to him. He heard about the bombing and that the hotel he and Tom were staying in was hit causing twenty casualties amongst the staff and guests, Charles asked her if the names of those injured were mentioned but she shook her head and told him this was part of the report on the week's destruction maybe the casualties were listed the day after it happened. Charles now had that empty sinking feeling deep inside and he knew why Tom hadn't come searching for him, Charles guessed that his young friend was amongst the dead and he wouldn't see him again. His heart fell and he slumped in the chair losing interest in the news.

Days passed and Charles' mood didn't improve, the medical staff was worried about his recovery as he seemed to have lost interest in everything even his new ship, they couldn't get him to talk about his problem and he became more and more morose and empty inside. That was until one afternoon a visitor appeared a young handsome lad who asked if Charles was able to see visitors, the Ward Sister was glad someone wanted to see the unhappy man and took him to the Ward. The young man looked into the room and saw Charles sitting in a wheelchair staring into space, he nodded to the Sister and walked into the room he stopped in front of Charles who was staring at the floor, he smiled hesitantly and said, "Captain Charles its me Allen, I've come all the way to London to see you after I heard you were injured, are you Ok?"

Charles slowly raised his head and looked at the lad his face began to change as his eyes filled with tears and his lips quivered, He sobbed loudly and Allen moved closer to him and took both his hands in his own holding them gently as the man wept heavily. The watching Sister smiled at the touching sight and walked quietly away to the ward desk where she told the nurses the good news that the Captain was crying for the first time and showing emotion.

Allen waited till Charles calmed down then asked if he'd like to be wheeled out into the garden, Charles nodded and Allen pushed him out into the fresh air where they could talk without being overheard. Charles told Allen that he was sure Tom was killed in the air raid and the boy looked shocked then he began weeping as well, Charles held his hands squeezing them to let him know he was there for him. The boy stopped weeping and sat on the seat next to the wheel chair as the two discussed the tragedy. It cleared the air and both felt relieved and at peace with their feelings when they finished.

Allen spent the day with Charles and the man was almost back to normal by the time the lad had to leave, he bent to Charles and gave him a quick kiss after making sure on one was about and then wheeled the chair back inside to the ward, they said their goodbyes and Allen left to catch the train back home. The Sister came in and said that Charles was looking much better and if he kept that way he would soon be off back to the Navy.

Charles kept improving and after a few more days he was discharged and sent back to Birkenhead where his ship was much closer to being completed, the gruff manager greeted him and gave him a guided tour of the vessel saying that she would be ready in two more weeks for her sea trials all going well. Charles was glad that things had progressed well while he was in hospital but he missed the presence of Tom by his side.

To be continued...
 

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Posted: 08/03/07