A Routine Patrol, Turned Nightmare
Disclaimer: I don't own the series nor its characters. This is just for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.
Characters:
Commander Mike "CO" Flynn, Lieutenant Kate "XO" McGregor, Lieutenant Nikki "Nav" Caetano, Bosun Dylan "Dutchy" Mulholland, Chief Petty Officer Andy "Charge" Thorpe, Petty Officer Coxswain Bud "Buddy" Anderson, Leading Seaman Robert "RO" Dixon, Leading Seaman Leo "2Dads" Kosov-Meyer, Seaman Jessica "Bird" Bird and Commander Maxine "Knocker" White as well as Captain Steve Marshall.
Summary: This story takes place shortly after the end of season 5. The crew of Hammersley, now with a new coxswain, just called "Buddy", is out on a new patrol. And once again onboard is navigational officer Lt. Nikki "Nav" Caetano. After three weeks out at sea, the routine patrol turns into a nightmare. A fire-fight with a mother ship and a following cycloneend in a way no one has ever dreamed of.
Chapter One
HMAS Hammersley. Forenoon watch, 11:35 hrs. Location: Arafura Sea.
Having just woken from her too short sleep, Kate swings her legs over the side of her rack and slips into her combat boots. Putting on her DPNU shirt, she walks up to the bridge. On her way there, she makes a short stop in the galley, where Bird is already immersed in making lunch for the crew. Kate greets her with a "Morning, Bird" and grabs herself a cup of coffee. Bird returns the greeting and resumes her work. Before she leaves for the bridge, Kate remembers that Mike has been on watch since late afternoon yesterday. Knowing that the poor man needs his caffeine, she grabs another mug for him. With two travel mugs, filled to the brim, Kate finally leaves the galley.
Taking the steps that lead up to the bridge, Kate has to make room for a young seaman who is on his way down. He hurriedly excuses himself and continues on. Shaking her head with a slight smile, Kate announces her arrival with a loud "Morning." All eyes turn to her. Dutchy, Charge, RO and the CO exchange a look, before Mike gets up from his captain's chair and walks up to her. Taking the offered coffee mug out of her hand, he shows her his most charming smile that even reaches his beautiful blue eyes and makes them shine. Then he speaks to her with a voice as smooth as velvet, "It may have escaped your notice, but it's already forenoon, X." The grin never leaving his face while speaking.
Kate can't help herself and smiles back, answering while looking into his deep pools of blue, "I have noticed it, Sir. But seeing as I've just woken up, it's still morning for me, – Sir." She nearly forgot to address him correctly just now, but she has covered up her slip up fast enough. Mike too has noticed her slip up, but he decided to just overlook it. They have known each other long enough to know what the other is thinking, making working together a lot easier, from both sides. Looking around the bridge, Kate sees Charge at his marine link console, RO as always at the radio and Dutchy on the EOD. Turning her eyes back to her CO, she asks "Anything to report?" Shaking his head with a smile adorning his handsome face, Mike returns to his position in the captain's chair and sits down and says without looking back at his XO, "Nope. All's been quite X."
A moment later, he adds "Why don't you just go back to your cabin and catch up on some sleep", pausing he looks back to her "You look like you need it. – I'll call you when anything happens."
With a slight nod Kate answers with "Alright, Sir. I'll be in my cabin if you need me."
Winking and giving a last look back at her CO Kate exits the bridge and leaves the four men again, a slight smile on her face. Mike too has a smile on his face as he is following Kate with his eyes. He wants nothing more than to follow her and take her into his arms, never letting go. But as he is still her CO, he has to act professional and leave his feelings aside, even though it is very hard. Returning back to the task at hand, he asks Dutchy "Anything on the EOD?"
Looking to his captain, Dutchy says "Nothing, Sir. It's fairly quite out there, seems we are the only ones out here." Satisfied with the answer, Mike resumes his usual position and stares out to the sea. His thoughts once more turning to his blond-headed XO, his Kate, the love of his life. Since their talk after Swain's and Jim's death', they have once more slowly restarted their relationship. But so far they have managed to keep it off the boat, just being CO and XO, two true professionals just doing their jobs.
Mike is so lost in thought, he doesn't hear someone entering the bridge. It's Nav, who is just starting her watch. Going over to her navigational console, she greets the guys with a loud "Hey, guys." They greet her back equally happy. With a coffee mug in hand Nav then turns her attention to her boss. Seeing that he is a million miles away, she stands beside him and gently nudges his shoulder, gaining his attention. A bit startled, he looks up to see Nav standing beside his chair and giving him a knowing smile. He smiles back, grateful for her discretion and takes a sip of his own coffee. Just then the alarm goes off. Nav goes over to the radar and announces "Radar contact, bearing two-seven-zero. Looks to be an FFV Sir, a big one."
Relieved that they now have something to do, Mike gives Nav the order to plot a course to intercept. Moments later, she says "Course to intercept, 250." The CO then turns to Charge, "Charge take the helm. Course 250, revolutions 1800." Charge takes his place at the helm and repeats the given order "Course 250, revolutions 1800." Satisfied Mike leans back in his chair and waits for the things to come.