Legends

Chapter 25~ Subthiefs, They're Everywhere!

Wahoo giggled to herself as she skipped, literally skipped across the base. After a dressing down from Admiral Carroway and a quick debriefing, she was free to explore as she chose. She wasn't hungry, having filled her bunkers earlier at lunchtime. Her wondering propellers carried her to the dorms where she knew several girls were bunked who had just returned from patrol. Including one she was very eager to meet. She had heard rumors about Tang shortly after she reappeared in this form. And had wondered, given the girl's skill in combat (sneaking into NHHC had been frighteningly easy and she made a note to tell them to increase their security) if Tang might have been the ship Wahoo's former Exec was sent off to command. She had her answer now and was keen to communicate with the submarine who was, for all intense and purposes, her apprentice/daughter.

Wahoo wasn't even trying to be stealthy but most ships wondering the halls didn't even notice her. The only one who even realized there was a sub roaming the halls was Massachusetts, fresh off a transfer in from Norfolk. The battleship offered a half-hearted wave in her direction, not knowing exactly where the sub was. "Hey Wahoo." She greeted in her voice that was as grizzled as a Cape Cod fisherman's as she went past. Wahoo returned the greeting and continued on.

She had barely knocked on the door when it swung open reveling another sub girl only slightly taller than Wahoo herself but just as lanky. She had the smooth straight hair signature to a Balao-class and wore a T-shirt and jeans over her swimsuit.

"Hi there." Wahoo greeted while Tang simply stood there in shock.

"Ma-madam Wahoo." She said at last.

Wahoo laughed and waved off any further formality. After all they were both submarines and cut from the same cloth, steel whatever. "It's just Wahoo. I've heard a lot about you Tang and it's nice to finally meet you in person."

"It is. I mean you have?" Tang seemed torn between remaining at attention or fawning over Wahoo like a fangirl.

Wahoo was well aware of her fame and didn't mind the adoration but not from someone who was even more decorated than herself. "Walk with me."

Tang quickly closed her door and joined the older submarine as the two made their way back down the hallway. "I read your service record. Exemplary, absolutely exemplary."

"Thank you ma'am." Tang replied.

"What did I just say? It's Wahoo kiddo. No ma'am nonsense. And definitely non of that -san, -sempai bullshit that Archerfish and Albacore get."

"Right, Wahoo. I just did what I had to and Skipper O'Kane deserves most of the credit." Tang said.

"Hmm, yes I suppose he does. A fine man and good officer." Wahoo replied. If anyone else would know, she would.

"I've also heard you've taken a few shots at our new enemy and added some new kills to your scorecard." Wahoo added.

"Oh yes, I did. The Abyssals are um, like us only darker. Like an evil twin kind of. It's creepy." Tang replied.

"I'd love to hear more about our new enemy and protocol dictates I should be briefed on them by someone who's seen them firsthand but there is a more pressing matter to deal with." Wahoo said.

"Oh?" Tang looked at the older sub and her commanding officer curiously. Carroway had made Wahoo head of the newly formed Wolfpack, consisting of herself, Barb and Tang now that the fleet had enough submarines for that sort of thing. Despite having only just been summoned. Tang had no problems with this, happy to defer to the submarine whose tactics she had learned from in the latter days of the war.

Wahoo handed her a lockpicking set in reply. "I passed Massachusetts on the way here. What's say we practice our drawer raiding skills, for the navy's sake of course. We are after all subthiefs."

Tang's only reply was a grin.

Two hours later the entire base shuddered under Massachusetts' thundering roar "WHERE THE FUCK ARE ALL MY SWIMSUITS?!"