Full Summary: Sea Patrol: Surface Warfare is an alternative version of the hit Australian television series Sea Patrol. Starting after 4x01 Night of the Long Knives, the series follows the crew of HMAS Hammersley as every hour of every day in all weathers the young men and women battle the elements and the odds to defend Australia's borders and enforce its economic zone. They provide security, support, and relief for the world's largest island. Honour. Honesty. Courage. Integrity. Loyalty. These are the Royal Australian Navy values and are the cornerstone of any successful crew. Old friends return to the cast, joined by new faces. This is it, the real deal...
THIS IS SEA PATROL.
Series Summary: Mike Flynn has finally taken a promotion at the urging of CMDR Maxine White, known as Knocker (behind her back), U.S. Ambassador Steve Davis and even the Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Crane. Replaced on board the Hammersley by LCDR Renae Jackson, a laidback but confident (mostly) female officer (and a greenie at heart), something different from Mike, who now takes a post as Chief of Staff at Naval Command (NAVCOM) North. Soon after Jackson takes the reins, however, the Hammersley becomes embroiled in a plot to launch a terrorist attack against a United States Navy ship while in Australian waters. LCDR Jackson must work to win the respect of her new crew while also heading off the attack.
Episode Summary: The HMAS Hammersley has a new commanding officer. LCDR Renae "Skipper" Jackson is laidback, but quietly confident. She has never captained a patrol boat before, but with the confidence of CMDR White and RADM Steve Gilmore, and the able assistance of LEUT Kate "XO" McGregor, she takes command. Joined soon by a new boarding officer, "Dusty" Miller, and JWO, "Artie" Shaw, the Hammersley is back up to full complement and ready for action. Meanwhile, the winds of change are blowing, and a New Generation Navy is coming...
Author's Note: When I started planning my first Sea Patrol story, I originally planned on writing a post-Season 5 story, but instead, I had the idea to write an alternative universe, a different Series 4. In this, Mike does not return as CO of Hammersley after one episode, instead the new CO stays on. I give fair warning now, I cannot guarantee that this story will be updated regularly, but I will do my best. This will not be a Mike/Kate story, for no reason other than the fact that there is more than enough of they already, and I wanted something different.
Previously on Sea Patrol...
Naval Command (NAVCOM) North, Naval Base Cairns, Queensland
1603 Hours Local - First Dog Watch
'Come on Kate, and I'll tell you about your new CO.' Commander (CMDR) Maxine White said, leading Lieutenant (LEUT) Kate McGregor away from the new office of the former Hammersley CO CMDR Mike Flynn, who had finally taken a promotion which had been in the pipeline for nigh on two years.
'Take a seat, Kate.' Max, known behind her back as "Knocker", said, directing the younger officer into a seat as she herself sat behind your desk. 'Unfortunately, there wasn't many lieutenant commanders anywhere near Mike's calibre who could take command in the Cairns area, but thankfully, a Lieutenant Commander Renae Jackson finished her deployment to the Gulf on HMAS Melbourne at the same time as your buffer, Dutchy, she's only had command of an LCH so far, but she has been the XO on two frigates and she'll of course have your able assistance.' Max explained, handing the woman's service record to Kate, whose look turned skeptical when she heard that the woman had only been the CO of an LCH, a small landing craft with a crew complement of ten.
'I'm sure, she'll be fine, ma'am.' Kate replied when it became clear to her that Max was waiting for a response.
'Good, she'll be at the ship first thing tomorrow morning ready for your next patrol.' Max nodded. 'That will be all, lieutenant.'
'Aye, ma'am.' Kate nodded, turning to find Mike and finish her conversation with him.
(insert Sea Patrol theme music)
Honour. Honesty. Courage. Integrity. Loyalty.
SEA PATROL: SURFACE WARFARE
Series Four
Episode Two: Winds of Change
HMAS Hammersley - Off the Coast of Cape York, Coral Sea, Queensland
0600 Hours Local - Morning Watch
'Call the hands, call the hands. Wakey, wakey, wakey.' Dutchy's voice echoed through the ship on the 1MC before the sounds of the Hammersley's own wake-up song, "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC filled the small Armidale-class patrol boat as it slipped through the water off the coast of the world's largest island, Dutchy sharing a smile with the electronics technician 2Dads.
'Best wake up song, ever!' 2Dads enthused from his place in the helmsman's chair.
'Don't I know it!' Dutchy agreed, having served on big ships and having heard everything from hardcore rock to Beethoven used as a wake-up call.
'Another fine Navy day is it?' The new commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Renae Jackson said with a smile as she stepped up onto the bridge, looking out at the horizon as she moved to stand next to Dutchy.
'Looks like it, ma'am.' Dutchy nodded. Just from the short time he had been on this ship, this was just his second patrol, he could tell that Jackson, or Skipper as she preferred to be called, was a very different CO than the previous one, Mike Flynn. Both had somewhat of a reputation, Mike as a cowboy, Renae as a confident but laidback officer, yet while Mike had a great respect for the traditions of the Navy, Renae was a more new age officer, like Mike she was a patrol boat lifer, but unlike Mike, her attitude towards the "old boys" and her laidback attitude precluded her from any real chance of career progression, something that suited her just fine, she loved the small boats.
'Any issues overnight?' Skipper asked, looking between the two enlisted sailors.
'No ma'am. Just a quiet night on the high seas.' 2Dads said with that infectious and near incessant grin of his, just as some of the other crew members arrived on the bridge including the XO and the Swain.
'Very good. Today I'd like to get to know you all better. I think we could do with a break. XO, prepare the crew for shore leave. Operation Relax is in progress.' Skipper said as she turned and left the bridge somewhat abruptly.
Kate, who liked the order and discipline of the Navy, looked flustered by the captain ordering shore leave so early in a deployment, even just a seven day routine patrol, but nevertheless, she picked up the radio handset, and switching it to the 1MC, she announced shore leave to all personnel not on watch starting from 0800.
Somewhere on the coast of Cape York, Queensland
1100 Hours - Forenoon Watch
A secluded beach in Far North Queensland played host to Renae's plan to get to know her crew better, codenamed Operation Relax, spearheaded by a light hearted game of touch rugby, all glad to be able to shed their Disruptive Pattern Naval Uniform (DPNU). Taking a break for a moment, Renae looked over her new crew, just now starting to recognise them by face and by name. Her 2IC was LEUT Kate McGregor, she was a lifer, third generation navy, Renae knew her to have been given the nickname "Princess Perfect" at ADFA and at one point, she had been on the fast track to get her star, until she served on a small patrol boat named Hammersley and liked it so much that she stayed.
She looked over at the crew playing touch, seeing that the youngest member of the team had the ball. Seaman Gap Recruit (SMNGX) Jessica Bird, known universally by her surname only, had been on the ship for maybe a month before he had arrived and she was well liked by the crew. She was enthusiastic about most things Navy related, except the use of deadly force. She also noticed that the chefo, Able Seaman Cook (ABCK) Rebecca Brown, of course going by the nickname Bomber, was looking at Bird with the telltale signs of jealousy. Bird was the shiny new toy and Bomber was just one of the boys.
Bird passed the ball off to 2Dads who cackled evilly and set off like a bull at a gate. Leading Seaman Electronics Technician (LSET) Leo Kosov-Meyer, whose double-barreled surname earned him the nickname 2Dads, was a practical joker at heart, in the past he had been lucky to get his hook, but since arriving on Hammersley he had certainly toned it down a lot, mostly serving with distinction since then.
She then looked over to the senior sailors who on the Hammersley were a very tight-knit group. Petty Officer Boatswain (POB) Dylan Mulholland was the newest senior sailor to come aboard, serving as the Chief Boatswain's Mate, the "buffer" between the two officers and the many enlisted on board the boat. Dutchy, as he was known thanks to his surname, had served two tours in the Gulf and was an expert on boardings, having boarded everything from FFVs to pirate vessels. Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain (PONPC) Chris Blake, known to everyone as the Swain, was very close to the heart and soul of the ship. Well known to everyone and well respected, it is his job to maintain health and discipline while on board, operating as both medic and policeman, while also being the most experienced helmsman, the one who drove the ship during the toughest of evolutions, something he seemed to take great pride in.
The senior-most sailor on board was Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician (CPOMT) Andy Thorpe, who had remained aboard to look after his precious engines. Known as the Charge, from his own admission he had served on every class of patrol boat that the Navy had used, serving for two months on the last of the Attack class boats, moving onto the Fremantles and finally serving on the Armidale class Hammersley. Charge loved his engines, and from what Skipper had seen, he loved them more than he did himself, his most frequent remark to Renae since coming on board was "my life isn't as important as these engines". Nevertheless, this old man of the navy was well loved by the crew and from what the new CO understood, had more than earned his place on board ship.
That left just Leading Seaman Communication Information Systems Operator (LSCIS) Robert J. Dixon, known as RO, or Ro, was the ship's main link between itself and the shore, all communications be it internet, satphone or radio went through his console or the Communications Centre (ComCen) which Renae had observed was run like his own private kingdom and only his able assistant was allowed in there without permission.
Done thinking about her crew, Renae spotted her moment for more bonding and shot over from her position, intercepting a pass from 2Dads to Swain with a skill belying her small, lithe figure and taking off, running the full length of the makeshift beach rugby field before diving full length to score the try, rising to the raucous cheering and applause of the whole ship's company, well those not on watch at least.
'Ma'am?' Dutchy called over from next to the esky, holding up the portable radio for all to see. 'It's Ro. NAVCOM has a FFV in our op area and we've been tasked to investigate.'
Renae looked around at everyone and nodded. 'Okay people, back to Hammersley, let's go hunting!'
'Are we up and ready, X?' Renae asked as she walked back onto the bridge deck, wearing the distinctive uniform of the Navy, the Auscam patterned DPNU that had been issued to all patrol boat crews just twelve months ago.
'Uh, yes, ma'am. Knocker gave me the coordinates and we are en route to intercept in approximately two hours.' Kate said from the command chair.
'Don't let her hear you call her that!' Renae said with a grin, reaching for the radio handset and switching it over to the 1MC, her voice carried throughout the ship 'Do you hear there? Captain speaking. We are on course to intercept a suspected Foreign Fishing Vessel. We will be going to boarding stations in approximately two hours time. That is all.' she finished, replacing the handset on its hook over the command chair.
HMAS Hammersley - Off the Coast of Cape York, Coral Sea, Queensland
1321 Hours Local - Afternoon Watch
Rendezvous with Suspected Foreign Fishing Vessel
'Vessel on my starboard bow, I am Australian warship, you should stop, heave to, I wish to board you.' Kate's voice sounded over the ship's loudspeaker, but the FFV showed no sign that it had even heard the call, let alone understood. 'Vessel not stopping, ma'am.'
'Okay, let's do this the hard way. X, take a snatch party.' Renae said, nodding to her 2IC.
'Aye, ma'am.' Kate replied in the affirmative, switching over to the 1MC. 'Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations. Assume damage control state 3 condition X-ray.' Kate replaced the handset on its hook before she headed off to the armoury and boarding party room to get geared up.
'Away seaboat, away seaboat. Stand by to launch port RHIB.' crackled across the ship as the crane lowered the rigid hulled inflatable down to the water with the five members of the boarding party on board. As soon as it was unhooked from the crane, the RHIB's engine roared as it raced away from the shadow of the patrol boat towards the small fishing boat.
As they approached the FFV, the Dutchy noted that the ship seemed like it was rotting and that it didn't look seaworthy by any stretch of the word. 'I don't get it, X. This boat doesn't look like it would make it here from that island over there let alone Southeast Asia. It doesn't seem right.'
'I know Dutchy.' Kate agreed as the RHIB came up to the stern of the small, rotting vessel. As she stepped onto deck, she heard a soft creak as the wood moved under her weight. 'Watch your step, we have an unstable deck.' she told the boarding party before moving forward onto the boat, slowly and carefully. 'This is the Australian Navy. Make your presence known!' she called out.
'This is the Australian Navy. Make your presence known!' Dutchy echoed. 'Going below decks, ma'am!' he called, entering the wheelhouse. 'There's noone at the wheel ma'am.'
'Okay. Swain, you get in there, cut the engine then help Dutchy below, and be careful.' Kate directed.
'Aye ma'am.' Swain nodded, joining Dutchy in the wheelhouse.
'This is the Australian Navy. If you are below decks, make your presence known!' Dutchy barked out again as he moved through the hold. After he and Swain had made a thorough sweep of the hold, he reached for his two-way. 'X-ray 8-2, this is Bravo 8-2. There's no one down here ma'am. The whole ship is empty.'
'This is X-ray 8-2. Okay then, come back up and we'll head back to the ship. We'll have to sink it.' Kate's voice came slightly distorted over the two-way.
'Papa 8-2, this is X-ray 8-2. There's no one here. Ma'am, this boat is not seaworthy, I recommend that we sink her. Over.' Kate looked up at the bridge as she made her report.
'X-ray 8-2, this is Papa 8-2. Roger that. Return to Hammersley and we'll prep the Typhoon.' RO replied on behalf of the CO.
'Okay everyone! Back on the RHIB. Let's go.' Kate said, directing the boarding party back onto the RHIB.
NAVCOM North Naval Base Cairns, Queensland
1102 Hours Local - Forenoon Watch
'Welcome back, X.' Mike smiled as he leaned casually against one of the cupboards in Max's office, watching on as Kate and Renae entered their superior's office, looking momentarily surprised to see a senior sailor and junior officer already sitting in the office.
'You wanted to see us, Commander?' Renae asked, standing at attention looking over CMDR White's shoulder at the wall behind her.
'Yes I did.' Max nodded. 'At ease, Kate, Renae, and take a seat.' Max nodded at Mike who stepped forward.
'As you both know, Hammersley has been short staffed since Lieutenant Caetano, Petty Officer Tomaszewski and Seaman Webb left,' Mike said, waiting for both officers to nod before he continued. 'Well it took a bit of wrangling but I managed to find you a new boarding officer and a JWO (she pronounced this Jay-Woah). Meet Acting Sub Lieutenant Rick Shaw and Chief Petty Officer Boatswain Paul Miller.' Mike gestured first to the officer and then to the senior sailor.
HMAS Hammersley - Off the Coast of Cape York, Coral Sea, Queensland
1714 Hours Local - First Dog Watch
The Hammersley sailed late that afternoon with a full complement for the first time in six whole rotations, the first time since the mass exodus of three of the most experienced members. Dutchy looked up from his place manning the EOD as the new boarding officer stepped up on deck. 'You must be Dutchy?' The "Boardo" looked at the category on Dutchy's name tape and at his name.
Dutchy nodded, shaking the offered hand looking at the new man's name also. 'And I'd bet my house that you would be Dusty?' he asked with a smile.
'Of course. Dusty and proud of it.' Chief Petty Officer Boatswain (CPOB) Paul Miller smiled.
Midway through this conversation, Renae climbed up onto the bridge. 'Ah, Dusty! How're you finding the Hammersley?' she asked the new boardo.
'It's a nice change from the Darwin ma'am. I served on patrol boats while I was training to be a boardo and it's great to back. It's too formal, too spread out on the big ships. I like the tighter knit teams.' Dusty explained with a smile.
'Very good. Nothing too difficult on this one, just an out and back patrol.' Renae smiled as she moved to take her place in the command chair.
NAVCOM North, Naval Base Cairns, Queensland
0945 Hours Local - Forenoon Watch
Mike looked around his office, still not quite used to the fact that he was now in a shore posting, nor that he now had three gold bars on his shoulder as opposed to two and a half. How life could change in just two weeks. Just two weeks ago he was a Lieutenant Commander CO of a patrol boat, and now he was the Chief of Staff of NAVCOM North, effectively the Executive Officer, junior only to his longtime friend and one time lover Maxine White.
He was broken out of his musing by the incessant ringing of his telephone. 'NAVCOM North, Commander Flynn.' he said as he picked up the handset.
'Vice Admiral Russell Crane on the line, sir.' He heard from the other end of the line.
'Put him through.' Mike said, wondering why the Chief of Navy would want to speak to him again. He'd already agreed to a promotion, what more did they want?
'Commander. Congratulations on your promotion.' The CN said and Mike could almost hear his smile.
'Thank you, sir.'
'I just wanted to give our NAVCOMs a heads-up. Parliament has just signed off on some radical changes to the military. These changes are going to be gradually brought in over the next few years.' What he just heard from the CN was not at all what was expected, he knew that Parliament were talking about the military, but he didn't expect anything to go through quite so soon.
'What kind of changes, sir?' Mike asked, not really sure if he wanted the answer.
'Big ones, Commander. Changes to the rank structure, new boats being purchased, there's a new generation navy coming Mike, and even talks of a unified Defence Command like up in Canada.' The Admiral explained to Mike.
'Wow, sir. Those are big changes. I'll go brief Commander White immediately.' Mike said, his head spinning at what the boss had just told him.
'Very good, Mike. Naval HQ will keep you updated. Fair winds, Mike.' The Chief finished.
'You too, sir.' Mike said, nodding despite the fact that it wouldn't be seen, only hanging up after he was sure that the Admiral had already done so. He rubbed his temples, the winds of change were well and truly in the air.
(insert Sea Patrol theme music)
Starring
Kate Bell as LCDR Renae "Skipper" Jackson
Lisa McCune as LEUT Kate "XO" McGregor
John Batchelor as CPOMT Andy "Charge" Thorpe
Matthew Holmes as PONPC Chris "Swain" Blake
Conrad Coleby as POB Dylan "Dutchy" Mulholland
Kristian Schmid as LSCIS Robert J. "RO" Dixon
Nikolai Nikolaeff as LSET Leo "2Dads" Kosov-Meyer
Kirsty Lee Allan as ABCK Rebecca "Bomber" Brown
Danielle Horvat as SMNGX Jessica Bird
Also Starring
Jonathon LaPaglia as ASLT Rick "Artie" Shaw
Martin Sacks as CPOB Paul "Dusty" Miller
Ian Stenlake as CMDR Mike Flynn
Tammy McIntosh as CMDR Maxine "Knocker" White