Cairns Hospital
Sally and Kate are still sitting waiting for news.
OR 2 – An hour after arriving in the hospital and going to the Operation Room
"His heart has stopped again."
"OK commence chest compressions,." The Surgeon says and as they get the defribulator ready to shock him, as they take their hands way to clear the patient his rhythm returns.
"Brad how is that leg amputation coming along?."
"Slow to be honest John, but I will get there." He replies back as he works at removing the limbs.
"Excuse me Doctor Roger, I've just been informed this patient has a NFCPR (Not for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)"
"Excuse me Nurse Gow why wasn't I informed of this before we started surgery?"
"We have only now just received his service records Doctor." A student Nurse then asks what a NFCPR is, stating that she hadn't yet heard what this term was.
"Nurse Malone a NFCPR is a not for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation also known by outsiders as a DNR Do not resuscitate order. Do you know what either one of them means?" Doctor Roger asks the Student Nurse
"I know a DNR means that if the patient's heart stops they do not want it to be restarted again. Also meaning they do not want themselves to be revived."
"That is correct and a NFCPR means the same thing as a DNR."
"Ok everyone as per this patients advanced directive of a no CPR order, if his heart stops once again we will not be performing CPR.
They resume their work on the patient for another twenty minutes when the sound of a regular heart beat is lost and the sounds of a flat are heard. The anaesthetist confirming what has been heard, the pulse has been lost.. The team pulls away, switching off everything. One doctor starts to stitch up the patient as another one calls time of death.
"The possibility of him pulling through this was slim, John." Brad says to his colleague and friend John as they are changing out of their gowns.
"I know, but he was a serviceman. He put his life on the line to save ours; the least I could do was try and save his. Now to tell his family that he didn't make it."
The two head off to find the family to inform them of the outcome, but as they are making their way to speak to them they get called away.
OR 3 - two hours after arriving at the hospital and entering the Operating Room
"Right, let's see if this holds shall we." Doctor Andrew Johnston says to his team.
"Benton, how are those leg wounds coming along?
"Good Andrew, all are fully cleaned out trimmed and half of them are have been sutured up. I need to put drains in to a few of these. I am not sure how much use he will have of his legs as some of these lacerations are extensive and have perforated the tendons and ligaments. Only time will tell if I have made the right choice with his left leg."
"What is the blood flow like in it, Benton?" Andrew asks as he checks his work finding no leaks.
"He registered blood flow through his foot; it is due to that, that I haven't considered seeking permission to remove his leg.."
"Doctor Carter, you can start closing up this gentlemen's stomach, while I help Doctor Jones." Andrew says as he helps Benton clean up the leg wounds but also watches on as Doctor Carter starts to close up the stomach.
"Wow some of these are nasty."
"Sure are I lost count on how many splinters of wood I have pulled out of all these wounds. Can you put a drain it to that wound there for me please?" Benton asks his colleague.
The two work side by side finishing off closing up most of the leg wounds. Some of the more minor ones are left alone once cleaned.
Once all of the wounds, had been closed up and the patient ready his wounds were then dressed.
Four hours after entering the OR
"Ok Can you make sure for the next twelve hours his obs are checked and recorded every ten minutes, and I will be back in two hours to check him over. We will keep him intubated and sedated for the time being. Give his body a chance to rest and heal before we look at bringing him out and seeing if he has any brain damage. The scan has come back clear at this point, but he was unconscious when found and never regained it before going under. Oh and nurse Finley can you make sure every fifteen minutes you run the pulse Doppler over both his feet if no pulse I want to be contacted straight away." Andrew says as the Anaesthetist writes the notes down and signs them off before handing them to the nurse just before they take the patient out of the OR (operating room) to recovery before moving up to ICU – (intensive Care unit)
"As long as infection doesn't set in he should make a good recovery."
"At least he was in salt water when it happened even though it was sea water it does help to a point in killing pathogens." The two doctors talk away as they take off their gowns and gloves and start to head towards their patients' family to inform them of what has happened.
Back out on the water
Hammersley
"Any word yet on Swain and Jim?" Dutchy asks Mike after returning with a brew for them both.
"No not yet." Mike says his voice low and quiet.
"Are you going to do anything regarding Kate?" Dutchy asks not sure what the boss is thinking, though within himself he feels like the Boss has been lead on by their XO. He also knows thanks to Kate that his Boss was prepared to resign to be with Kate so his feelings must be deep.
"Her emotions said enough to me Dutchy. In a way I'm pleased I am posting off; at least I won't have that daily reminder." He eventually says as they both watch HMAS Melbourne entering and returning back to Cairns Base.
"I thought there was a no go zone around us?" Dutchy asks as they watch Melbourne enter the harbour.
"There is, but Melbourne is allowed to enter AFP have cleared her, a plus she is helping with the watches and stuff. It's more the other vessels that need to be held back till AFP and that have done their thing and all the debris is collected. Navcom have tasked the search vessel Petaluma to come here and do the clean-up once AFP has cleared the area for clean-up. They are due to arrive later on tonight while I'm on Melbourne." Mike says to him.
"Have you had a chance to go over who you have in your crew?" Dutchy asks him trying to make some sort of small talk?"
"Maxine has emailed me my crew list, but with this going on I haven't had a chance to go over it yet. I will do it later."
1800hours
Mike has just gotten off the stat phone with Melbourne.
"Charge and Peters, Melbourne will be sending out two RHIBS very shortly, once they arrive at your locations you can then return back to Hammersley, we are taking her back to base. Over."
"Eye Sir Roger that. ETA on those RHIBS?"
"About ten to fifteen minutes. Dinner will be ready to go when you return. Bird is dealing with that now for you all. Also you all have the night off till 0700 hours tomorrow. Hammersley is sailing at 0900 hours to relieve Melbourne from night duty." Mike says to Charge and the rest of those in the RHIBs. The crew that are left on Hammersley already know as Mike has already done a ship wide notification.
"Yes Sir. See you in thirty minutes Boss." Charge says over the VHF Radio. As Dutchy guides Hammersley back to base, the Melbourne's RHIBS zoom past them on their way to relieve the Hammersley's RHIB teams.
"Sir, are you going to say goodbye to the crew?" Dutchy asks him once he has finished talking to Charge.
"No Dutchy, they have other things on their mind. They will all know tomorrow. Right now we need to concentrate on what is going on out there plus Madeline needs to be addressed and you really should go to the hospital with that arm of yours. If I had known you had injured it earlier I would have made you go when you took the X to shore to go with Jim."
"It's nothing Sir. Bird has looked at it. As long as I keep it in the sling it should be fine."
"Still Dutchy I would prefer you had it checked out. it is a gunshot wound. If you don't go do it I will order you to."
"I'll go after we've docked Hammersley."
"Thank you Dutchy. Let me know what they say too by the way."
"Will do Boss."
Once Hammersley has docked, Dutchy decides to wait before heading off to the hospital thinking that it is only a flesh wound and nothing ot worry about as Mike heads over to Melbourne with his gear. Thirty minutes later Melbourne is pulling away from the dock and heading out to help Chandlers and their own RHIBS who are patrolling the area.
Hammersley
Senior Sailors mess
1845hours
"Dutchy, have you been to the hospital to get your arm checked out?"
"No, not yet I decided to wait till you all were back before heading off."
"You heard anything yet?"
"Nope."
"Has the boss?"
"Nope."
"After this I was going to head up to the hospital and see if there was any news. Do you want me to take you with me?" Charge asks him.
"That would be nice. Saves me taking a taxi." Dutchy says.
"Hey has anyone seen the boss?" RO asks as he pokes his head into the senior sailor's mess trying to locate Mike.
"He's on Melbourne. We have a new CO tomorrow morning." Dutchy replies and then realises what he has said as two faces look shocked at him.
"Pardon Dutchy." RO stuttered
"The Boss is now on Melbourne as their CO. He's taken over when we docked. Knocker has a new CO stepping in before we sail tomorrow morning the boss said"
"No she doesn't Petty Officer! Your new CO is here right now and I do not like being called Knocker. Only because you weren't directing it at me directly you are lucky but next time you may not be Petty Officer." Maxine says having heard what Dutchy called her, but knowing how the crew will be feeling right now she decides against punishing him for it this time around.
"Sorry Ma'am." Dutchy quickly says to her and Maxine nods her head in reply to him.
"Lieutenant Commander Nick Watt. This is Petty Officer Bosun Dylan Mulholland, Chef petty Officer Andy Thorpe your Charge, also Leading Seamen Robert Dixon Radio Operator." Maxine says as she introduces him to the three sailors that are there and then they finish going through everything.
"Petty Officer, can you show you're new CO around the ship?" Maxine asks Dutchy.
"Sorry ma'am, I can't. I have been instructed to head to the hospital to get my arm checked out. Commander Flynn made it an order; Charge is driving me since it involves my right arm. RO, can you show our new CO around please?" Dutchy asks RO doesn't look too happy, but does as he is told.
"Excuse me ma'am, Sir, but I should really head off now. I will make sure our XO knows you are on board and will get her to contact you as soon as she can." He says as he goes to leave.
"Petty Officer, Lieutenant McGregor has already been rung, she knows what is happening. She will be here tomorrow morning leave her for the evening." Maxine says and the tone of voice that is used has Dutchy wondering if Maxine knows something that they don't about what is going on with Jim and Swain at the hospital."
"Yes ma'am." He says as he leaves with Charge as well.
Back in Maxine office
Navcom
Cairns
Before bringing Hammersley new CO down.
1800hours
Maxine is on the phone to Kate.
"Kate, you have the night off. Go home try and get some sleep and be on Hammersley by zero nine hundred hours. I've given your new CO the run down on you, but he is going to need your help tomorrow."
"New CO ma'am?" Kate says as she fights back the tears.
"There has been some changes of CO's done by the brass, Mike's on Melbourne. Kate you can do this."
"I don't know if I can ma'am. I don't know if I am strong enough."
"Kate you are strong enough. Yes it has been a horrible day, but you can do this. All Hammersley is being tasked with is making sure that other vessels do not get in the way or in where the debris is lying at present. You will be close to home so if anything happens you will be able to return back to base. I have faith in you Kate, have some in yourself." She says over the phone
"I can't ma'am. I just can't"
"Kate, you can."
"No ma'am, I can't I've lost the two most important people in my life, I can't do this."
"Kate, you haven't. Jim is in theatre at present. He will make it and you can do this. You did it when Mike was kidnapped. You can do it again. Your crew need you Kate and so does your country." Maxine says she listens and hears Kate sigh and take a deep breath.
"Ok I'll try, but I can't be held accountable for the way I am emotionally."
"That I can understand, Hammersley sails at zero nine hundred hours to relieve Melbourne's RHIB teams."
Cairns Hospital
Kate is sitting there having just gotten off the phone with Maxine.
"Bloody Navy has no sense in timing." She says under her breath. She gets up and heads over to the window and see's reporters and news vans outside the hospital, most likely waiting on news on Jim and Swain.
"We've been here for close to four hours now. Surely we should know something by now." Kate says, frustrations getting the better of her.
Two doctors enter and both Kate and Sally turn and look at them, going by the looks on their faces someone hasn't made it.
HMAS Melbourne
1930hours
Mike is talking to his new Xo who is giving him the basic run down of his new crew.
"So have you sorted out a roster for the RHIBS for tonight?" Mike asks his new X
"Yes Sir I have. I have them on three hours rotations, but one RHIB will stay out longer so that we always have one RHIB active. Alfa team is returning at twenty one hundred hours, Bravo team will return at twenty two hundred hours, and after that they will return every three hours, when a new team will take over. I also set up a watch roster for the bridge Sir. I wasn't sure what you wanted to do, but I have you down as on the Bridge or your cabin."
"Good thanks X, now I do hope you have left yourself on board for the night."
"Yes Sir I did. Commander Turner asked me to make sure I was on board so that if you need anything I was there to help you out."
"Right…" Mikes mobile rings and interrupts their conversation, Mike looks puzzled at it going off and he pulls it out 'Kate incoming' flashes on the screen.
"Mike Flynn." He says as he answers it not sure if it is really Kate or someone else ringing, and if it is someone else they may not know his voice.
"I need you." She says her voice sounding broken; he can tell she's been crying. He has no idea what to do.
"I'm going to take this in my cabin. if you need me, just page me." Mike says to his XO as he leaves the bridge and heads to his cabin. Kate hears him talking to his new crew.
"Kate," he says as he closes the door of his cabin. There is emotion in his voice as well.
"Mike, I need you." She says in-between sobs.
"Kate, where are you right now?" Mike asks her; her crying is affecting him.
"Hospital," She says to him.
"I'll ring Dutchy and get him to go to you and take you home."
"I don't want to go home! I want you." He sits there not sure what to say to this; to her statement.
"Stay on the line. I'll ring Dutchy on another line." Mike says, he lays his phone on his desk as he picks up the phone in his office and asks his new RO to put a call through to Dylan mobile after giving him the number to ring.
"Dylan Mulholland speaking," Dutchy says into his mobile and the nurse looks at him with the 'you can't use that in here' look.
"Dutchy, it's Mike."
"Excuse me boss for a moment."
"This is my CO ringing me I need to take it should only be five minutes?" Dylan asks and the nurse says yes but points towards a door that he quickly goes to, to get outside the nurse hot on his heels to make sure he doesn't run off but to also open the door for him.
"Sorry about that Sir. What can I do for you I only have a couple of minutes to talk to you."
"Drop the Sir and Boss for me Dutchy. Kate is somewhere within the hospital. I need you to go get her and take her home."
"I can do that, but it'll be another thirty minutes before I can do that."
"You getting your arm dealt with?"
"Yes I am. More serious than I thought. On light duties for at least a week."
"I'm pleased I made sure you went then. Anyway I have no idea where; she is within the hospital, but I do know she isn't in a good way. Can you look after her and make sure she gets on to Hammersley tomorrow?"
"Sure, I will keep an eye on her for you."
"Thanks Dutchy. I better let you go." Mike says before they both hang up. Dutchy stands there thinking after ending the call what is really going on with his old CO and the X, he decides not to worry about it and just do as he is asked. Deciding that whatever the two do is their own business and if they want to play with each other's hearts that is their choice and not his. He heads back to his cubical the nurse still following him.
"Kate, you still there?" He asks, he can hear her still breathing through the phone.
"Yes, I need you, Mike."
"I know, but I can't be there. I'm working right now baby so Dutchy is going to come and take you home and be with you tonight and take you back to Hammersley in the morning." His little endearment to her just slipped right out with all the emotions that are going around in his head from the day. As she hears him call her baby, she breaks down in more tears.
Mike is not sure what to say to her now, her crying is having an effect on him. He also has no real idea why she is crying. All he knows is that she wants him, needs him. Something she has never ever said to him is that she needs him.
The two sit there on the line with each other neither noticing the time that passes, Mike hears Dutchy talking in the back ground.
"Kate, time to hang up and let Dutchy take you home."
"I don't want him Mike, I want you, I need you more than anything." She says to him as more tears fall down her face. Dutchy hears what she says to Mike.
"You need to go with him; you can always ring me once you are home and settled and had some food." He says gentle to her.
"I just want you. Why did you have to be on the Melbourne? Why can't you be here with me?"
"I would love to be there with you right now, but the Navy needs me out here working. I will see you in the morning before you sail."
"You promise?" She says her voice sounding so broken, but with some hope that she might get to see him in the morning.
"I promise I will make sure we dock sooner than planned. Now can you pass me over to Dutchy." She hands the phone over to Dutchy.
"Dutchy, make sure when she gets home and she has something to eat. In the morning bring her down to the docks early. I'll have the Melbourne docked by zero eight hundred hours and bring her to me. If needed, there are some herbal sleeping pills in the downstairs bathroom, give them to her. They will help relax her, but they don't have the same side effects as normal ones. Also any problems just ring my mobile. Do not worry about the hour of the call."
"Certainly boss. I have an update for you on Swain and Captain Roth."
"Go ahead Dutchy." Mike says into the phone.