THREE DAYS LATER

The hybrid crew of the HMAS Amberley had never worked so hard in their lives as they had done the past three days getting the ship ready to go to sea. The 18 crew comprised eight crewman from HMAS Hammersley, another eight from HMAS Kingston and two 'newbies' fresh out of training. It was not just making sure that Amberley was seaworthy but that the crew were competent enough to sail her safely. Despite some early integration problems it was not long before the crew began to come together and the old rivalry between Hammersley and Kingston was put aside to be replaced by a new sense of pride regarding their new ship. Earlier that third day they had demonstrated to the Navy inspection team that the crew of Amberley could take her to sea and so NAVCOM announced that she would sail at first light the following day. The quick departure was necessary because news of the Armidales being confined to port had spread up north and the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone was becoming filled with Foreign Fishing Vessels (FFVs) hoping to take advantage of the R.A.N.s problems. For nearly all the crew it was a time to unwind before going to sea but for two unfortunate crewmembers whom were on watch it was a night of tedious routine.

"That was you!" Spider's voice seemed to roar across the bridge at the realisation that he had a history with the man he was on watch with. Leading Seaman David 'Fritz' Fitzpatrick leaned back in the helmsman's chair with his feet up against the wall and his hands resting behind his head as he smiled in delight at retelling the story of how he and one of his shipmates from the Kingston had sneaked aboard Hamersley and stolen their mascot – The Mighty Thor! "Do you have any idea the grief I got for that?"

"Shut up!" said Fritz in pure nostalgic delight. "You got us back didn't you? There we are then. So anyway what's this McGregor like? She's a bit of a babe huh?" Spider seemed to wince at the disrespectful tone of Fritz. It's true that he had been less than respectful in the past but these days he had taken some pride in his XO (now temporarily his CO) and as such expected the same from others.

"She's alright I suppose" said Spider. "She's a good officer. What about Satchwell?"

"What about him?" asked Fritz grinning as if Spider had just asked a question on the most uninteresting topic in the world.

"What's he like as an XO?" continued Spider.

"Ah well now" sighed Fritz. "You know how there are some officers who make a name for themselves by being quite daring? Y'know your Dick Currys or Mike Flynns? Well Satchwell is one of those officers who has got where he is purely by playing it safe. It's not that he's a bad officer it's more that he's just about as dull and uninteresting as a bowl of Corn Flakes."

Judging by what Fritz considered to be 'interesting' Spider didn't know if Satchwell being compared to breakfast cereal was a good thing or a bad thing. Instead he just politely nodded as he realised the time. It was now coming upto 0100hrs and it was time for Able Seaman 'Spider' Webb to conduct yet another patrol of the boat. He picked up his checklist and a pen as Fritz picked up the sat phone and contacted port security informing them that all was well. While Fritz was on the phone Spider tapped his clipboard signalling that he was leaving for a patrol and Fritz nodded in acknowledgement.

Spider began his patrol of the boat making sure everything was still in order. Ropes had to be secured. Certain doors had to be kept shut at all times. He had to make his way to the engine room and check on the ship's batteries and engine fluid levels. The whole thing usually took about half an hour to complete and was mind destroying as far as Spider was concerned. After finishing up in the engine room Spider picked up the internal radio handset and called Fritz on the bridge to offer him a cup of coffee or tea from the galley.

"Tea! Milk and four sugars" was the reply.

"Four sugars!" gasped Spider. "What's the matter don't you like your teeth or something?"

"It's the Navy's sugar" explained Fritz jokingly. "The way I see it I should be able to sue the Navy for a new set of dentures and have enough left over for a Porsche."

Spider made his way to the galley through the quiet ship. With no one else around his footsteps echoed heavily through corridors until he reached the galley and began to make him and Fritz a brew. After filling the kettle with water he switched it on and waited for the water to boil. As he poured the water into the mugs he could hear Fritz's own footsteps making their way towards him from around the corner. Spider shook his head in disapproval.

"Mate there was no need to come down. I was going to fetch it up. You better get back up there before someone sees that you're gone." Fritz didn't answer. "Fritz!" called out Spider but there was still no answer as the footsteps got nearer until they seemed to stop just a few metres away from Spider. "Fritz? Is that you?" Spider leaned over the counter and looked down the corridor but there was no one to be seen. Spider felt like such a tool. "Oh very funny Fritz. Ha ha!"

Spider picked up the mugs and carried them out of the galley into the corridor but as he did so he shivered suddenly as if someone had just blown icy cold air onto his hands and face. He brushed it off and carried on towards the bridge. Just someone walking over my grave he joked privately. Spider walked back onto the bridge to find Fritz still sitting in the helmsman's seat but holding a porn magazine. As he saw Spider walk onto the bridge he opened the centrefold to show him the naked picture inside but was surprised to find that Spider had little interest.

"What's the matter with you?" asked Fritz. "Aren't you supposed to be a sailor? Or are you a 'sailor' sailor? I mean you are a bit of a pretty boy. I'd have a go myself if I weren't straight." Spider ignored the joke that implied that he had homosexual preferences and this only seemed to annoy Fritz further.

"So who told you? Was it Buffer or Charge? I bet it was Charge?" Fritz looked at Spider completely bewildered.

"I don't know what you're talking about mate?" said Fritz.

"Yes, yes I'm the one who suppose to have seen a ghost ship" chanted Spider. "So let's all have a little fun with Spider."

"What-the-hell are you talking about?" Fritz's tone was mildly annoyed and as Spider picked up on the fact that he was telling the truth the smile began to drop from his face.

"You mean you weren't just down in the galley a moment ago?" asked Spider nervously.

"Mate I've been up here the whole time!" gasped Fritz. "Seriously! I'm not kidding!"

Spider's heart sank. He was certain he heard someone walking down that corridor. It was clear as day. Part of him believed that Fritz was just a better liar than he had given him credit for. But another part of him was quaking inside. The more he thought about it that night the worse it got. He replayed the whole thing in his head. The footsteps definitely walked towards him but they didn't leave and there was very few places for someone to hide down there. He distinctly remembered hearing them getting to within a few metres of him. It was as if someone had walked right upto him and then vanished. And then there was that weird cold spot as he went through the door. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he realised the cold spot was in the exact location where he had guessed the footsteps had stopped.

Most of the crew had some anxiety that night after all they were taking an unfamiliar boat to sea the next day with a crew that wasn't used to working together. But aboard the HMAS Amberley that night one thing was certain – there was a particularly anxious Spider.