Disclaimer: I own nothing
Sea Patrol – Love comes knocking on Deaths door
The story of Lieutenant Kate McGregor and Commander Mike Flynn, the commanding officer of the patrol boat HMAS Hammersley
It has been one extremely long day on patrol this stormy Friday night. They had been patrolling the oceans of Australia for nearly two weeks and it was finally coming to an end. However it hadn't been one of the easiest days within the last two weeks.
Chapter one
The weeks on patrol was drawing to a close, much to everyone's delight. It had been possibly one of the hardest days the crew had experienced on the ship. They had been responding to maydays for most of the morning and afternoon. There had also been one particular incident where they mayday had thought to have been genuine; little did they know it was anything but.
It started off a very dull day on Australia's ocean. Hoping it would stay that way but everyone knew there was no chance off that. Nav and Buffer had been on the last watch of the evening and the XO and 2 dads were due up on the first watch on the day.
The XO was making her way up to the bridge, passing the CO on the way, "good morning sir". The CO smiled and replied with a friendly "Kate, I hope so". Wondering why he had called her Kate, confused she walked up to the bridge.
"Morning Ma'am" said Nav as she walked into the bridge. "So have you got anything to report about the watch last night?" replied Kate.
"No, it has been quiet, we've haven't had any contact with any vessels and it's probably been one of the quietest and boring watches I've ever had."
"Right, on that case you two better had go get some sleep, and I'll see you in a little while, night both of you"
"Thanks ma'am" both buffer and nav said as they yawn simultaneously.
As she sat looking at the time she wondered where 2 dads is and hoped he still wasn't in bed, he was already late. As she looked up 2 dads ran in "Ma'am I'm really sorry I over slept and I know that isn't a good excuse I apologize"
Kate gave him a stern look and replied "2 dads you can't do this, you are late for this watch that is not on, your career is on the line here! So get your act together, starting from now!" at this point she was starting to yell.
Before she had chance to go on they both heard the radio crackle to life "mayday, mayday, this is the No Prop-lem. We need assistance".
Kate grabbed for radio, "CO, Bridge"
The CO darted into the Bridge within seconds. "Did you fly sir? It didn't take you long to get here," Asked Kate puzzlingly. Mike replied with a "well, I was already half way up the stairs when you called me, now what is it that you want?"
"We have just received a mayday call 23 miles away from us; the boat is called the no prop-lem stating they require assistance."
"Ok, I'll get on them on the radio,"
"No prop-lem, this is Australian warship Hammersley, calling you on channel one-six, come in" announced the CO on the Radio.
Seconds later the radio livened up, "Australian Warship Hammersley we require assistance immediately!"
"The captain speaking, we are sending help your way ETA 10 minutes"
"X prepare the rhib," the captain said
"Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations" announced the X
They all climbed on the rhib and went off over the sea, to see what assistance they could offer to the vessel, no prop-lem.
As the rhib approached, Kate was the first on deck. "My name is Lieutenant Kate McGregor, what is the assistance that you require?"
"Hi lieutenant, my yacht has run out of fuel, so if you could give up so fuel we shall be on our way, thank you."
"I'm sorry sir; (increasingly becoming a little annoyed) we don't carry spare fuel on our vessel"
"Charlie 2 this is X- ray 2, come in." Mike said through his radio.
"Charlie 2 here. What is the situation over there?"
"The yacht has run out of fuel, what do you suggest is the best course of action?" said Kate down the radio.
"X, you will have to set up a tow and we'll tow them to the nearest port where they can re-fuel, it's the only option."
So as the rest of the boarding party sets up a tow and then make their way back to the ship.
"Sir, we have set up a tow and we can now make our way to the nearest port, but I really do hate days like these, people should know better," Kate said as she walked on to the bridge and saw the CO.
"I know Kate, but it's the rules, we have to respond to every mayday and we can't just leave them there, however much I would love to do that" the CO replied, again much to the same annoyance as Kate.
Kate turned to leave, again wondering why again the CO was calling her Kate, especially while they were working, she couldn't quite place what was going on.
Within the next ten minutes, another mayday call came down the line, this time Mike responded to it. "Australian warship Hammersley, Captain speaking, what is the nature off your mayday?" hoping to god that it wasn't another fuel problem. This day was already turning bad when they found a storm was heading their way.
"This is knot so fast, we have had steering problems and out boat has hit the side of the rocks and we are taking water in rapidly"
"Ok we have your co-ordinates we will be on our way as soon as possible."
"RO, get me NAVCOM" the CO shouted.
A few minutes later RO replied that he had NAVCOM on the line. Mike returned and said to Kate "NAVCOM has given permission to drop the tow somewhere safe from the storm that was brewing and another vessel will pick up a tow for it. We are already on course for the mayday which we have informed them about so hands to boarding stations Kate"
Kate again thought that this is getting unprofessional now especially when he is calling her Kate in front of lower ranked colleagues. "Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations" Kate announced over the radio.
Mike was starting to walk over to Kate "Kate, can I have a word please?"
"Yes sir"
"Kate, I want you to be careful out there this is any routine operation in a rhib when a storm like this is coming in fast. I want you in and out as fast as possible. And Kate please, please be careful!" Mike stressed again.
As the crew started to board the rhib she was still wondering why mike was still calling her Kate and why he was stressing for her to be careful. Her mind still wondering as they approached the vessel.
"ma'am" said buffer, "the boat seems to be in good condition if you ask me"
Kate startled buffer just looked at him and didn't say anything.
Meanwhile on Hammersley Mike received a call from NAVCOM saying that the call they received a mayday from was a hoax and that the ship had been classed as dangerous and not to approach at any means.
Mike now panicking because his Kate and crew were already there. He tried to get in touch with Kate.
Kate didn't reply at first, he looked through the binoculars and saw Kate only standing on Deck as the others were proceeding to board.
Kate heard her CO and as she went to reply, the Master of the vessel pulled out a gun from behind his back.
A shot was heard...
