Diving into the sea

Diving into the Sea

Welcome to the SSBN Friendship

Command Deck of the SSBN Friendship

December 21, 1013 at 2045 GMT

Ten years ago Project Diving into the Sea was completed, and now the Equestrian Navy, the strongest navy in the world, owned five of the new submersible battleships, of which was given the nickname U-Boat. The fifth U-Boat created was given the name ‘SSBN Friendship’ by Princess Celestia, named in honor of the Elements of Harmony. I have been serving on this ship for seven years, ever since it was put into service. My name is Commander Camdon, and I am the XO on the SSBN Friendship.

“Lieutenant Pane, what is our current location?” A chestnut unicorn with a red mane that was wearing standard issue NCUs looked towards me from her station. “Commander, we are at latitude 10.32 and longitude 8.56 at a depth of one hundred feet bearing N.N.W. at a speed of fifteen knots.”

I nodded towards her, then looked towards a grey Pegasus with a black mane that was wearing the same uniform that Lieutenant Pane was wearing, aside from the wing holes. “Is there anything on the radar Commander Gandy?”

He shook his head. “No Commander, nothing around us for fifty miles.” I nodded towards him, acknowledging his response. “Increase speed to twenty knots, What is our ETA to the objective Lieutenant?”

Lieutenant Pane looked back up at her executive officer. “We will arrive at the U.S.S. Pegasus’ location in seven hours Commander. Should I contact FLEETCOM of our arrival sir?”

I shook my head, then walked up to the radio. “No, I’ll handle it.” I picked up the radio in my hoof, holding it to my ear. “SSBN Friendship to FLEETCOM, our ETA to the Flagship is in seven hours.”

I put down the radio, knowing that we wouldn't get a response for another five minutes or so. I sat back in my chair, looking over the bridge of the world’s deadliest ship ever created. The SSBN Friendship was equipped with two torpedo tubes and eighteen missile pods, seven of which carrying Triton II SLBMs (Submarine-launched ballistic missiles) armed with nuclear warheads with the rest of the pods carrying Tomahawk SLCMs (Submarine-launched cruise missiles). This ship was a force to be reckoned with, and a serious threat to any nation that threatens the peace and safety of Equestria.

I turned my attention to the digital clock on the control panel. My shift will end in fifteen minutes, which is when I’ll be relieved of duty by Friendship’s CO, Captain Franks. When he takes control, I will have been commanding this ship for eight hours, which is longer than usual but I don’t mind. I’m doing what I love, protecting my country.

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*Temple Of War

Griffonia Capital*

December 31, 1013 at 1015 local time

The sounds of fireworks going off in the distance echoed throughout the temple, making it seem as if the cannon lining the exterior of the temple were firing barrage after barrage into enemy forces.  The occupants of the Temple knew better, however, and were continuing on with their work .

The top floor of the Griffonia military headquarters was empty, aside from four griffons in a locked room. The two wearing military uniforms were Admiral Zu Jicai, Admiral of the Navy, and General Zhang Yushu, General of the Army. The other two, one carrying a sheathed sword and the other wearing a robe, were sitting at a table while the two uniformed griffons were standing.

The one wearing a robe spoke up. “Gentlemen, We need to address a growing issue, the increasing naval force that is being controlled by Equestria. I have a proposition to slow down their growth, if not halt it completely. Capture one of their new U-Boats, and then we can systematically take out their other ships under the cover of the ship going AWOL, as to not start a world war. First of all we need to lure their U-Boat into a trap, and I’ll leave it up to you to capture it.”

The sailor and soldier looked at each other before nodding towards the griffon in the robes. “Yes my lord. We shall begin planning as soon as possible.

The robed griffon stands up and walked through the doors. “Good luck Gentleman.”

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Mess deck of the SSBN Friendship

January 1, 1014 at 1230 GMT

I sat down at the officer’s table in the mess hall with my tray of food. Carrot stew and baked potatoes, with carrot cake for dessert, my least favorite meal of all time. Food is food though, so I might as well dig in. I put a spoonful of the stew in my mouth, quickly swallowing the ‘food’ as to not taste it. To my right, Lieutenant Pane let out a small giggle. “You still have a hatred for that stuff, don’t you Camdon?”

I shook my head and stuck my tongue out. “Can’t they ever fix something good? I mean seriously, it seems the cooks think of exactly what I wouldn't want them to make, then they make it.”

Commander Gandy pushed my shoulder a bit, making me glance at him.  “Just be glad that you aren't on the front lines like those SEALs. Our food is warm, while they eat cold protein bars.”

I chuckled a bit, managing to down another spoonful of the stew before looking up at the clock in the middle of the mess deck. “That’s true Gandy, well I got thirty minutes til I’m needed on deck, so I think I’m gonna go read my book.”

Both Gandy and Pane shouted at the same time. “NO!” I fell back out of my seat, earning laughter from many of the sailors on the mess deck.

“Okay, I see that you don’t want me to leave. Now do you mind telling me why you just made me go into shock?”

Pane was the first one to speak up. “Camdon, ever since you became the XO you have shut us out. I remember back when we finished basic, you were always hanging out with us but now you just read and work. The only time we see you is when you eat, and even then you run off...” She fought back tears while continuing to talk. “We want the old Camdon back.”

I looked at her in disbelief. I abandoned them, and I didn't even notice it. My best friend and my foalhood crush, both feeling alone because of me. “Jessica I didn't know...” I noticed Gandy glare at the other sailors in the mess deck, who all looked down at their food.

She looked down, a few tears dripping off of her cheeks onto her food tray. “I miss you Dane...” She lowered her head, a newly formed stream of tears running down her face.

I did the only thing I could think to do. I hugged her and held her until I felt the sobbing stop. “Jess it’s okay, I’m not going to leave you anymore... I’m not lea-”

I was cut off by the flashing red light in the mess hall, along with the intercom yelling throughout the vessel. ‘ENEMY VESSEL LOCATED. REPORT TO BATTLE STATIONS’.

Both Pane and I ran towards the bridge with Gandy in tow. We made our way through the crowded corridors, dodging incoming sailors that are rushing to their stations. The second I made it through the entrance to the deck, a sailor called out “Commander on Deck!”. Everypony went to attention, and I quickly told them to go back to work.

I ran up to the Officer of the Deck. “Lieutenant, what’s happening?” He turned to me, a frown on his face. “The Pegasus was just hit by a torpedo. It's going down.”

I instantly snapped into a combat mindset. The Pegasus, twice the size of the Friendship and the largest ship in the Equestrian Navy, is sinking into the sea.

"Have they found out what fired the torpedo?" I looked at him, fury blazing in my eyes from the lost of my fellow seamen. The last thing that I want to happen is for my brothers and sisters in arms to die.

He shook his head. "No they do not Commander. They said it came out of nowhere." I groaned, then leaned against a wall. " A fucking torpedo does not come out of nowhere and sink the world's largest ship. Scan the area, use sonar to try to pick up anything above or below water. I want that fucking ship found now."

It was uneventful for the following five minutes until there was a small 'bleep' coming from the sonar station. The pony watching the sonar screen turned towards me. "Sir, there is an object two miles due north coming at us at a speed of fifty knots. It seems to be a torpedo."