To all those who patiently waited, or impatiently BEGGED me to write this, all you wishes have come true at once. I present season seven of Sea Patrol. For those who are new to this, please read Season Six - Revenge before starting this.

Happy reading!

MissShawnaAlice xx

Episode 7.1 – Missing

Chapter One-

Commander Maxine White glanced up from her desk to watch as Commander Mike Flynn tore a Leading Seaman a new one. After the young sailor had left nearly in tears, Maxine crossed from her office over to Mike's.

"That was a little unnecessary, don't you think?" She asked mildly.

"Leading Seaman Cowen was a week late in handing in her paperwork, and she fully deserved the dressing down she just received, if not more," snapped Mike, transferring another sheaf of paperwork into his drawer. Maxine checked her watch.

"Another few hours and shore leave will be over for the crews. Did you want to be the one to deliver postings news?" Asked Maxine. Mike shook his head.

"I'd really prefer not to," replied Mike.

"In that case, when you've finished tonight, perhaps you'd like to come over and have dinner before the crew set sail? Ryan hasn't seen you for three weeks, and I think he'd love to see you and catch up," suggested Maxine.

"I'm fine Maxine. I have paperwork here that needs to be done," answered Mike.

"You've been in a desk job for two weeks, and you've already completed more paperwork than I have in four. You cannot possibly have that much paperwork!" Exclaimed Maxine.

"I do have that much paperwork! Just leave me be Maxine, and let me get my work done," asked Mike. Maxine nodded.

"I'll leave you be." She left his office and headed back to her own, where Kate and Alex were waiting patiently.

"How's he doing?" Asked Kate. Maxine sighed.

"Not well. Still withdrawn, depressed. Any sign of Kelly at all?" Asked Maxine.

"None at all ma'am. I've never seen him react like this; I just wish I knew where she was," replied Kate.

"On to other matters at hand. As I am sure you are both aware, the chain of command decided that we wouldn't commission a Hammersley II. Instead, they decided on a new ship in a similar vein to Victory; the HMAS Invictus. After careful thought and deliberation, we've come to the decision that Kate, you will continue to command the HMAS Victory, and Alex, you have been awarded a promotion and the command of HMAS Invictus. There will be a formal ceremony later, but given the current circumstances, we thought we'd give you some time to acclimatise to your new position. Once the rest of the crews are back from shore leave, we'll do the postings tonight. Any questions?" Asked Maxine.

"None ma'am, and thank you," replied Alex.

"I'll see you both tonight. Oh, and I hear congratulations are in order," said Maxine, a smile creeping on to her lips.

"Thank you ma'am. How did you know?" Asked Kate.

"Alex lodged the paperwork for you both, otherwise you could have found yourself in a tricky position had you been posted together. I'm happy for you both," said Maxine. She waved them out of the office and bent her head over her paperwork. Alex and Kate walked out of Maxine's office and out of the building, the bright sun almost blinding. Alex pulled his fiancé close and kissed her gently.

"We've got two hours. What do you want to do?"

Maxine looked at the posting list on her desk, and hoped to whoever was listening that it was correct. There were new faces in amongst the old; some who had transferred from other patrol boats, green sailors straight out of the academy, and some who'd returned after a short sabbatical. She glanced at her watch; fifteen minutes and she'd be telling everyone on the dock which ship they'd be posted to. Everyone had been notified of active duty, and Kingston and Lawson were sailing early to allow time for the new sailors to get to know each other. Maxine gathered her papers and left her office.

Tonight, she broke the news to them all.

"I'd like to welcome everyone here and I'll try and make this quick. There are some new faces here amongst the old, and some who are missing altogether due to their contract ending or to a transfer. For those who haven't had a chance to meet me in person yet, I'm Commander White. The commanding officers for each of the fine naval vessels behind me are Lieutenant-Commander Taylor and Lieutenant-Commander McGregor. The lists have been finalised for both crews, and in a few minutes, we'll have you on board, and on your way. On the HMAS Victory - Lieutenant-Commander Kate McGregor, Lieutenant Nikki Caetano, Midshipman Ryan White, Leading Seaman Jonathen Long, Able Seaman Charlotte Woods, Leading Seaman Emily Kosov-Meyer, Petty Officer Dylan Mulholland, Leading Seaman Oliver Rhodes, Petty Officer Liam Gordon, Able Seaman Alice De Luca, Chief Petty Officer Jamie Patterson, Seaman Alex Todd. HMAS Invictus - Lieutenant-Commander Alex Taylor, Lieutenant William Bennett, Able Seaman Logan Anderson, Leading Seaman Robert Dixon, Seaman Gabriella Romano, Leading Seaman Leo Kosov-Meyer, Petty Officer Jack Howe, Able Seaman Billy Webb, Petty Officer Jessica Bird, Seaman Daniel Giordano, Chief Petty Officer Andy Thorpe, Seaman Matthew Phillips. If anyone has any questions, direct them to you divisional officer. Fair winds." Maxine left the group on the dock and headed for her car. Alex and Kate glanced at each other, then turned to their crews.

"Right, we have to load on a few more supplies, and then we set sail," called Kate.

"We're prepped and ready," said Alex. The Invictus crew stepped on board, and in moments, they had departed the dock. Kate looked at her crew, mentally counting heads, and realised someone was missing.

"We're missing a sailor. X, can you go through the crew list as we board and find out who it is please?" Asked Kate.

"Sure thing boss." Nikki pulled a pen from her pocket and checked off the list as each crew member boarded the patrol boat. As Sweeney hauled on his bag, Nikki turned to Kate.

"Able Seaman Alice De Luca isn't here. I'll let NAVCOM know and see about crash-sailing someone else. We need to eat," said Nikki.

"I know. I know Toby left, but perhaps Commander White will okay him to join us for a rotation. Just until we work out what's going on with Able Seaman De Luca," replied Kate.

"I'll call NAVCOM now."