Written for the September 6th Flash Fiction Challenge
I read that she was called “The Devil Boat” in reference to Revelations Chapter 13. We never called her that. The USS HAWKBILL SSN666 was a highly decorated Sturgeon Class Attack Submarine.
What was most grand about her was the crew.
Every crewman on a submarine stakes his survival on the skills and knowledge of the rest. This creates a bond. It builds pride in self and in others as, daily, you do more than you ever thought possible.
It’s a dangerous and cramped workplace. It’s not for everyone. It sometimes stinks. It frustrates. I’d undoubtedly do it again.
The prompt and instructions were:
In 99 words (no more, no less) write about an epic workplace. It can be real or imagined. Go where the prompt leads.
Authors comment: If the photo I have used here is yours please contact me and let me know who you are so that I can give credit where credit is due. It’s a great photo of the Hawk and you deserve the credit. Thanks.
tnkerr-Writing Prompts and Practice 
Spent a long weekend with my friend and her retired submariner husband this summer. As the sun set the first night, he took their American flag down and properly folded it. I teased him that it looked like it needed a trip through the washing machine. He smiled, “Never. This is covered with the diesel smoke and dust of my sub. They were going to retire it when we got back, and I was on my final trip. I got to bring it home.”
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I have one from my boat too.
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What a great piece you’ve whipped up in this prompt. “I’d undoubtedly do it again” is something we’ve all felt, even after all that treacherousness.
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You have to be a certain class of person to survive a sub, and you crew mates along with you. A tantalising snippet into that lass of character.
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Yes, submarine can be an Epic workplace. Defending countriy’s frontiers. What can be more grand?
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Those who know the sacrifice of service are those who would do it again. It’s not about the workspace, it’s all about the crew or the unit. Great flash, Thom!
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Thank you Charli
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