CAIRNS
1415hrs

The scandal had rocked the Australian Navy. The Armidale-class patrol boats were faulty and had cost the life of a sailor. The entire fleet was confined to shore pending an investigation. To fill the gap some of the Fremantle-class boats were being brought back into temporary service but as acting Lt. Cmdr. Kate McGregor looked on at the warship moored to the pier that she was to temporarily take command of, what she saw was not the familiar shape similar to the earlier HMAS Hammersley on which she started her career in the Patrol Boat Force but instead saw an ex-US Coast Guard vessel. In the rush to fill the gap left by the temporary withdrawal of the Armidales the Australian government had secured the use of three of these vessels including this one which had been repainted in the familiar grey and given the name HMAS Amberley.

"What do you think...'boss'?" smiled Buffer standing beside her on the pier at Cairns. He had taken up the habit of calling her 'boss' from the moment it was annouced that she was to take command of the Amberley but used it in a teasing sort of way. "She certainly looks the part."

"That she does Buff" said Kate. "That she does!" Kate examined the warship with her eyes running over its lines. The former Coast Guard Cutter resembled the old Fremantle-class but was much more compact with a smaller forecastle that lead into a deeper hull. Looking at the HMAS Amberley both kate and Buffer knew that the comfort they had been used to on the Armidale-class Hammersley had come to an end.

Kate stepped into the CO's quarters and dropped her bag of belongings down onto the bunk. It was the first time in her career that she had a bunk of her very own and she lowered herself softly onto it to test its comfort. She bounced up and down indulging the small child that lurks in all of us and she smiled as she uttered to herself, "Hmm, not bad!" She looked around at her quarters. It was quite spartan and compact with a desk and several shelves as well as the ship's safe. That reminded her to do something. She reached into her belongings and produced a book - HMAS Amberley's first log book. She had been given the combination earlier that mroning and had memorised it. She turned the dials until they matched up and turned the handle, opening the safe.

She looked in expecting to find an empty safe but instead had found a small folded up letter. She reached in and removed it. The paper was stained from years of decay and the folds had become quite firm. As such when she unwrapped it she had to very physically hold it open as she read what was written on it.

Dear Sarah,

As I write this to you we are sailing back to port but I am afraid that I will not be aboard when we do. There are whispers amongst the crew. I can't blame the crew for what they may do after all I am to blame for what has happened to this boat and they don't want to sail under my command anymore. Who would? I didn't take it seriously at first but now I am a believer. I see them in my dreams. One way or the other they have demanded my penants. And I fear that Lt. Jackson will be their instrument. Do not mourn me. I have accepted this. I love you and pray that this letter reaches you.

Your ever loving husband,
Christopher.

"OH-MY-GOD!" gasped Kate as she fought to catch her breath. She looked at the cause of her surprise, the source of the knocking sound that had wrapped on the door to her quarters. There standing in the doorway was an equally surprised Able Seaman Webb. "Spider!" she gasped in relief. She had been completely absorbed by the mysterious letter and had failed to notice him come to the door. In his hand was a baseball cap.

"I'm sorry ma'am!" said Spider truthfully. "I'm...Sorry!"

"No it's fine" she said starting to chuckle to herself. "I was a million miles away. What can I do for you Able Seaman? Are you settled in ok?"

"Yes thank you ma'am" replied Spider. "I just wanted to thank you again for pushing for my promotion."

"That's quite alright Spider, you've earned it" she replied.

"Well thank you again ma'am and sorry for making you jump" continued Spider. "Oh and there was this!" Spider handed her the cap. She turned it around to the front and read out the words that were emblazoned in gold lettering "HMAS Amberley. Well Spider, we've arrived."