DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sea Patrol or anything other than the plot of this story and my original characters.

Chapter Three: Ulterior Motives

From Chapter Two:

Done thinking about her crew, Maddy spotted her moment for more bonding, and a bit of showing off, shooting over from her position, intercepting a pass from 2Dads to Swain with a skill belying her small, lithe figure and taking off, running the full length of the makeshift beach rugby field before diving full length to score the try, rising to the raucous cheering and applause of the whole ship's company, well those not on watch at least.

The cheers were interrupted, however, by the sound of Dutchy yelling out from his position next to the esky. "Ma'am? It's Ro!" He informed her, holding up the portable radio to be clear what was going on. "NAVCOM has ordered us to Thursday Island, there was a collision between a coastal trader and a Navy ship, unknown number of casualties. We're the closest asset!"

Orton Island Beach
Orton Island, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia
1156 Hours Local - Forenoon Watch

"A Navy ship? What Navy ship?" Maddy asked as all other sound on the beach ceased in disbelief.

"HMAS Diamantina, ma'am," Dutchy informed her promptly. "No more details at this point but the quickest they can get a medevac chopper there is over ten hours. HMAS Success is also en route to provide medical assistance but we are the closest navy ship."

"Okay, listen up everyone! We have a collision at sea near Thursday Island!" Maddy barked, taking control. "We have likely casualties. Swain, Bomber, Bird, I want the three of you to prep the wardroom. Let's stow this gear and get going. Time is of the essence here people!"

HMAS Hammersley - Armidale Class Patrol Boat
Off the coast of Cape York, Shire of Cook, the Coral Sea, Queensland, Australia
1220 Hours Local - Afternoon Watch

"Are we up and ready, X?" Maddy asked as she walked back onto the bridge deck, wearing the distinctive uniform of the Navy, the Auscam patterned DPNU that had been issued to all patrol boat crews just twelve months ago.

"Yes, skipper," Kate confirmed.

"Very well, set course for Thursday Island, top of the green!"

"Aye ma'am! Port 15, steer 3-5-0. Full ahead both engines, revolutions 2-0-0-0!" Kate nodded, turning around to address Dutchy sitting at the helm.

"15 of port wheel on, ma'am. Steering 3-5-0. Full ahead both engines, revolutions are 2-0-0-0," Dutchy confirmed as he set the new course and powered the engines up to full power.

"Very well, XO you have the ship and I'll be in my cabin if you need me!" Maddy told her second in command before turning and making her way down the stairs to her cabin on the deck below.

Headquarters, Naval Forces Command - Northern Region
HMAS Cairns, Cairns Region LGA, Queensland, Australia
1305 Hours Local - Afternoon Watch

Mike sat in his office with the radio tuned to 106.7 ABC Far North when something of interest in the news caused him to turn the volume up higher, "... a Department of Defence spokesperson has revealed yesterday that the Royal Australian Navy will be receiving the first of a class of twenty vessels expected to replace four separate warship classes as early as 2012, Stephen Porter with the latest."

"I'm here at Cairns Naval Base in Far North Queensland, where senior defence officials, including Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Logan Morrell, and Minister for Defence John Faulkner, gathered yesterday to meet with a team from Austal Shipbuilders, the company that built the Armidale class patrol boat and also the United States' Independence class, to discuss the acquisition of the new vessels.

"The new class of twenty vessels will be a smaller variant of the Independence class with a multi-mission capability allowing the ships to perform survey, mine warfare or patrol duties at various times, winning out against a design by Huntingdon Ingalls based on the US Coast Guard National Security Cutter. Minister Faulkner also revealed today that the lead ship will be named HMAS Hero, with the remaining ships of the class expected to be named for Australians who have won the Victoria and George Crosses and the Cross of Valour. The procurement schedule released to day shows that the first two vessels, Hero and the as yet unnamed second vessel will be launched and commissioned in early 2012, with two more to follow by the end of that year.

"The Littoral Multi-role Vessels, as Austal has dubbed them, will be multi-crewed, as are the Leeuwin and Armidale class boats they will replace. The final design for the LMVs is expected to be released to the public tomorrow morning, but we can reveal that the vessels will be capable of carrying and operating the Australian Air Force and Fleet Air Arm MRH-90 multi-role helicopter for helping with the vessel's multi-mission role. This is Stephen Porter, ABC News Radio." This news surprised him, especially since he had not been aware that the CDF, CN and Minister had all been in Cairns.

"Uh, sir? Commander White would like you in her office for her next meeting," one of the many junior officers at NAVCOM stuck his head into Mike's office to pass on the message.

"Thanks Lieutenant," Mike nodded, standing from his desk and moving towards the door.

"Ma'am, your 13:15 is here," Max's yeoman informed the two officers in Max's office.

"Very good able, send them in," Max said, nodding in recognition.

Mike looked on in surprise as the Chief of Navy was followed into the office by a young woman in her twenties wearing a British Royal Navy Blue No. 1C uniform with the sleeve insignia of a Sub Lieutenant, regaining himself quickly enough to snap to attention in front of his service chief. "Commander White, Commander Flynn, at ease. This is Sub Lieutenant Lady Amelia Gordon, and she is the Staff Officer to the Official Royal Navy Liaison in Canberra," V. Adm. Morrell introduced his young companion.

"Lady?" Max asked with a raised eyebrow.

"My father is The Right Honourable Earl of Dover," the young Brit explained, "and as I told the Admiral before, while I might be his heir presumptive I do not wish to use any noble titles while I am serving in the Navy. Please call me Flash, or Amy."

"If I may," Mike started, looking at the Admiral for permission to continue, "without meaning to be rude, aren't most earldoms only able to be held by men? Additionally, what can we do for the Royal Navy?"

"Don't worry, sir, I get asked that a lot. The earldom was created for my great-great-grandmother and has special remainder that allows it to pass to both males and females. And what we need from the Royal Australian Navy is an escort for HM Ships Illustrious and Edinburgh from the north of the Samaru Islands through to Sydney, what with all the anti-monarchy protesting in Samaru since the coup," Amy explained.

"That makes sense, but wouldn't someone higher up the food chain normally take this job?" Mike asked wondering why a Sub Lieutenant was a staff officer to the Royal Navy Liaison, and why said staff officer was here rather than the Commodore holding the position of RNL.

"I should think so sir," Amy replied frankly. "My mother was a member of WRANS, an Australian, and she met my father while he was serving on board a frigate. I've been looking to emigrate anyway, so I think Admiral Stanhope might be trying to give me a leg-up towards joining your Navy, ma'am, sirs."

"I appreciate the frankness, Sub Lieutenant," Maxine admitted before stopping short, "wait...Admiral Stanhope?" Amy Gordon must be some officer to have the First Sea Lord trying to give her a leg-up the career ladder, joining another Navy, even.

"Yes, ma'am," Amy nodded. "Because the Samaru Islands are within reach of your operational area, and several patrol boats under your command have served in the Samaru Islands conflict, I think the Royal Navy Liaison and British Fleet Command had hoped that Naval Forces Command North might provide one of your Armidale class boats to escort Lusty and the Fortress of the sea through the Samaru Islands to HMAS Kuttabul," she added, explaining the RN's position.

"Understandable," Maxine nodded. "I'm assuming you would want to be on board during the voyage?"

"I think that is what Fleet Command and the Admiralty Board want of me, yes," Amy confirmed Maxine's thoughts.

"Very well. I think I can wrangle a boat for this. It will take a bit of jiggery-pokery, but I'll let you know ASAP," Maxine said after a few moments thought.

"Thank you, ma'am," Amy stood to leave, saluting Maxine as she did so.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Sub Lieutenant, just leave your contact details with my aide and I will contact you about that escort," Maxine said, and recognising the dismissal, Amy nodded her thanks then turned and left the office. "Now, Admiral sir, what can we do for you?"

"Just a heads up, Commanders, I was in Cairns and I was going to call all the NAVCOMs anyway. Parliament has just signed off on some radical changes to the military. These changes are going to be gradually brought in over the next few years," Adm. Morrell said, causing Mike and Max to share a look of shock, what they had just heard from the CN was not at all what was expected. Everyone knew that Parliament were talking about the military, but none of them expected anything to go through quite so soon.

"What kind of changes, sir?" Mike asked, not really sure if he wanted the answer.

"Big ones, Commander. Changes to the rank structure, as you heard, new boats are being procured, there's a new generation navy coming Mike, Max, and even talks of a unified Defence Command like up in Canada," The Admiral explained several shocking new snippets of news to the two Commanders. "I've got to get a wriggle on, I fly back to Canberra within the hour but I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone." With that, V. Adm. Logan Morrell stood and left the office, giving Mike and Max just enough time to salute before he was gone, leaving two shocked officers in his wake.

HMAS Hammersley - Armidale Class Patrol Boat
near Thursday Island, Shire of Torres, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia
1500 Hours Local - Afternoon Watch

"Ma'am, we have the coastal trader and the Diamantina visual on the EOD," 2Dads reported as the patrol boat approached Thursday Island.

"Very good. Officer of the watch, bring the ship to FAIDEX stations. XO, I want you to lead this," Maddy ordered after a quick glance at the EOD to confirm the report.

"Aye ma'am," Kate replied.

"Aye ma'am," Dutchy echoed before picking up the microphone and speaking over the 1MC, "Do you hear there? Buffer speaking. We have sighted the stricken vessels and are preparing to render assistance. Hands to FAIDEX stations, hands to FAIDEX stations, hands to FAIDEX stations. Assume damage control state 3 condition Yankee."

"Hammersley, this is the CO of the Diamantina, Lieutenant Commander Michael Johnson. You are a sight for sore eyes! Over," crackled out of the radio.

Hearing it was the CO of the minehunter on the radio, Maddy took it from RO and replied, "Diamantina, this is Lieutenant Commander Maddy Norton, CO of the Hammersley. What's your sit-rep, over?"

"Our hull has been breached and we are leaking fuel, but currently our pump seems to be keeping up with the inflow," Lt. Cmdr. Johnson explained, "we do however have injured on board. Three men were working in the engine room at the time of the crash. One has a broken leg, another two have head wounds. Over."

"Very well, Diamantina," Katie replied, "Success is en route as well to lend assistance and to help tow both boats back to port. For safety reasons we are gonna recommend moving all your personnel across to Hammersley. Over."

"I would tend to agree ma'am, I'll give the order and start moving personnel across, over," the Diamantina skipper agreed.

1800 Hours Local - Last Dog Watch

HMAS Success had finally arrived on the scene and all the personnel had been transferred off the two damaged vessels in preparation for towing them back to Cairns. Both Success and Hammersley were maintaining a safe distance from the boats which were now surrounded by a mix of seawater and fuel when another vessel approached the damaged navy ship. The dark blue cabin cruiser was still over a kilometre off but was approaching at high speed when a lookout aboard Hammersley spotted it.

"Vessel on my starboard beam, this is Australian warship Hammersley," the voice of the XO blared over the loudspeaker. "You are entering a restricted area, turn north immediately!"

"The vessel is not stopping, ma'am!" Charge noted as he held his binoculars up to his eyes which were trained on the fast-moving cruiser.

"Give the warning again," Maddy ordered, "Charge three short blasts of the horn."

"Vessel on my starboard beam, this is Australian warship Hammersley," the voice of the XO blared over the loudspeaker. "You are entering a restricted area, turn north immediately or we will be forced to fire on you!" The message was punctuated by three short blasts from the ship's horn.

Not even warning shots from the Typhoon could stop the speedboat which never wavered from its course making a beeline for the crash sight. A rushed order came through from NAVCOM and once they were sure there were no civilians in range, a two shot burst sent the cruiser up in a ball of flames... a suspiciously big ball of flames.

"Something isn't right here, that boat must have been jam-packed with explosives," Maddy gasped out, holding her ribs which felt quite tender after having hit the console hard when the ship shook from the force of the explosion.

"Are you alright ma'am?" Swain asked as he too picked himself up off the floor.

"I'm fine," Maddy assured the ship's medic although the steeled look Swain could see on his CO's face suggested anything but, and he suspected that she was actually in quite a lot of pain. "Seriously Swaino!" she protested when Swain moved to check her anyway.

"With all due respect ma'am, you could have broken ribs," Swain shot back.

"Fine!" Maddy huffed and turned to her 2IC, "XO, take the ship."

"I have the ship, ma'am," the XO confirmed as the Skipper stalked off the bridge followed by Swain.