The Last Israelis - an Apocalyptic, Military Thriller about an Israeli Submarine and a Nuclear Iran Read Free Page A

ladder, waiting for Daniel to finish his exchange with Admiral Levy so that he could go down next.
    As each man descended from the final rung to the safe and sturdy pier beneath his feet, he experienced a joy that only a submariner could truly grasp – elated by the endless room to run around and move freely without calculation or contortion. The guests who had gathered on such short notice to visit their loved ones were buoyed by seeing the crewmembers relish the mundane pleasures that most people take for granted. For those submariners lucky enough to see visitors waiting for them on the fenced lawn nearby, their next steps, after respectfully greeting the admiral, quickened to a restrained run ending in a joyful embrace.
    On the far end of the lawn, facing the sea, were several long picnic tables full of delicious food for the guests and – most importantly – the submariners who hadn’t tasted such delights in weeks and were expecting to be deprived for many more weeks. Just as they reveled in the pleasure of unimpeded movement, the men would equally savor the gustatory gratification of fresh food. The cuisines waiting for them were as diverse as the crew: Indian, Vietnamese, Persian, Ethiopian, and Druze dishes, along with an abundant variety of Middle Eastern dips and meats, salads chopped from vegetables fresh from local farms, and plenty of chocolate desserts and fresh fruits. The men would soon be gorging greedily and guiltlessly, trying to compensate for the ten days of culinary mediocrity that had just ended and the even longer period ahead. The delectable spread would also ensure that some mingling among the crew and their guests would take place, even as each sailor re-connected with his own private world for a precious few hours.
    The younger, unmarried submariners would be visited by parents, siblings, girlfriends, and friends. The senior officers would be greeted mostly by their wives, and in some cases also by their children. The six crewmembers whose family and friends were too far away to visit on such short notice would use the time to call their loved ones by phone, kick around a soccer ball, have a beer, and indulge in some truly carefree relaxation.

Chapter 3: Daniel
    The captain stepped down from the last rung of the accommodation ladder onto the pier and saluted Admiral Levy, who was waiting for him.
    “It’s good to see you again, Daniel,” the admiral said, returning the salute.
    “Thank you, Sir. It’s good to be back.” Daniel had a penetrating, fearless stare, even when talking to his superiors.
    “Again, I’m sorry that we had to cancel the break. I know how hard it is on you and the crew. But we did our best to make up for it with this gathering.”
    “Sir, each submariner knows that he enlists for a different kind of life with unique challenges. My crew is no exception.”
    “What about the most junior member?”
    “Boutrous? A fine sailor.”
    “So he’s ready for his first mission?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “And the rest of the crew?”
    “In good shape, Sir. Just eager to see their loved ones now.”
    “Sorry for holding you up. Enjoy your liberty.”
    “Thank you, Sir.”
    Daniel walked away from the pier toward the nearby lawn, just behind the fence, where all of the guest visitors were waiting. Admiral Levy stayed at the foot of the ladder, and – with a smile and a handshake – greeted each sailor as he stepped onto the pier.
    After Daniel was a respectful distance from Rafi, he picked up the pace of his walk until he was practically running to Sivan and Esty. The hug that followed brought the three of them back to a sense of normalcy, however ephemeral it might be this time. To his high school sweetheart and wife of 19 years, the 40-year old commanding officer looked as handsome as ever – and not just because his long missions away from home sometimes made him seem like an old lover recently rediscovered. His salt-and-pepper hair and well-chiseled face,