Ch. 1 – The Ever Knightly

Kate watched as the boat pitched with the rising waves that splashed and hammered the boat. She wondered yet again just to what level the Armidale class patrol ship could be pushed and still sail safely through the other side of a storm. They kept pushing it to the limits and anyone who was aware of this wondered that if one day their number would be up. But today was not to be that day.

"Sir, we have a vessel on the radar. It appears to be the right location based on the mayday call, correct size and all" called Nav from her station on the bridge of the Hammersly.

"Very Good Nav" responded the captain in a tense but efficient tone " Do we have them on EOD?"

"Sir," replied X "just focusing now. There seems to be a considerable group of passengers on the top deck" Kate focused on what was actually one of the strangest sights to be seen. A collection of middle aged women were waving frantically, cheering and wolf whistling at the approaching patrol boat. Anyone would think that the party they had been obviously in the middle of when the storm hit and the ensuing emergency revealed itself, was still continuing in full force. Kate was joined at the EOD by the other crew members currently on the bridge each musing on the strange sight.

"Sir, I just got off the radio with the captain" explained RO from the communications hub. "He has confirmed complete engine failure and steering has been compromised"

With an audible sigh as he watched the antics of their soon to be guests, the CO issued the order for a boarding party to assist with the rescue of the 12 people on board the Ever Knightly and then turned to the Ships PA .

"Hear there, this is the captain speaking. We will be taking the crew and passengers on board. Prepare the steerage for guests and catering team to accommodate for additional diners. We will be heading back to port as soon as the rescue is complete via the safest route through the storm."

Mike watched as all crew members seemed to carry out his orders like the well oiled team they had become. As CO, he was grateful once again for the efficiency and the professional way in which all members of the Hammersly conducted themselves at such times. Almost as if he had put the mocha on his team with such thoughts, he spotted his XO intently staring at the EOD, her face white as a ghost and frozen to the spot.

"X?" he queried.

He was stunned at the paled face of his executive officer as she turned to him and although he was sure he had imagined it, he thought he had seen tears welled in her eyes.

"Sir," she whispered in a darkened tone "Request permission to oversee the preparations of steerage with Buffer to lead the boarding party?"

"Its dangerous weather out there X. I need two senior officers managing the rescue" He hesitated when he saw the fear and trepidation spread across her face. He knew from experience that this vulnerability was something she hated to show and that in doing so, he understood the situation to be considerable and her request warranted. With an assertive nod he proposed a solution. "I will lead the second boarding party while you manage the preparations on the ship."

" X has the ship" he announced to the bridge personnel.

"XO has the ship "replied the XO with relief but still showing considerable stress levels. As he moved to prepare for the boarding party Mike leaned in and quietly but firmly commanded "We will talk about this later, Kate."

The use of her first name showed her that he was concerned about her and expected a full explanation whether it was a personal or professional reason. Kate stared back at the EOD and at the source of her obvious stress. She had a feeling that unless she was extremely lucky, the inevitable meeting with the CO over her behaviour was not going to be the most difficult moment she will experience on the boat as it headed back to port.