Chapter 4
She found some rope and cable. She tired the end of the rope to the cable the she took a look up at the bridge. She knew all she can do is wait. She notice that they change direction once again. Grace waited for an hour then she got her opportunity and throw the rope over the front of the barge then she quickly move out of the way when the rope was pulled into the sea and under the barge. Then she saw the cables being pulled into the sea when she heard
"Shit, the cable" Then they all heard grounding sound. Grace watch from where she was when Rick ran down to the front of the barge then to the back.
Grace follow him till she saw him looking over the end of the badge "Dam it"
"What is it"
"The cable got caught up in the pillars" Then he ran up to the bridge with Ursula in tow. She heard him talk to some one in accent. Grace look around and pulled out her binoculars and look out on the horizon and smile she knew it would be Kingston or Hammersley.
Over the next few hours every one knew what was going on and they hate the waiting part.
"sir I got contact one eight zero" Mike walk over to Nav
"That Island Trader, they heading towards international waters" Then he turn to Swain
"One two zero"
"One two zero" then the phone rings, mike pick it up
"mike Flynn... what happen, how many wounded... who missing... we got them on radar...thanks for letting me know Hammersley out" then he hung up.
"That was lieutenant commander Thomas on Kingston. They made it to bright island. Feds and some of the Kingston crew are wounded, island trader escaped with Rick Gallagher on board. The feds and Kingston crew are taking care of the men on the island"
"Who missing" Kate asked
"Grace" Every one on the bridge is shock
"Some one will have to tell buffer" Swain said then Pete walk up on the bridge
"I notice we changing course... what wrong"
"Buffer Kingston crew and feds are on the bright island, there been a fire fight against the unknown men, Kingston crew and the feds" Pete face pail
"Grace" Pete said looking at Mike Mike put his hand on Pete shoulder
"She missing" Pete shook his head
"How could they lose Grace"
"Buffer they in a middle of fire fight. She might be pin down. They lost contact with her couple minutes after the fire fight begins. Once the feds and Kingston taking control they would look for her. Now we going after Island trader, they got to be stop. Once we taken care of that we can head to bright island and help look for Grace, ok"
"Ok, Dam that Rick Gallagher, Grace said he smelt bad and that there was some thing off about him"
"Well she right"
"She always right" Pete said
"Sir island trader has stop"
"What" Mike walk over to Nav and notice that the barge as stop
"What is he waiting for" Pete walk over and look at the radar then he look out at sea then a smile appeared on his face. Kate notice the smile
"Buffer why are you smiling" Every one turn to him
"Grace, she must of gotten on the barge when the fire fight began. She must of sabotage the engines or wrap a rope or cables around the pillars"
"You might be right but we will know in twenty minutes."
When Hammersley saw the barge as they got closer it it. Grace waited till the time is right then she made her move. She walk over to Rick pulling her gun out
"It over Rick Gallagher" He turn around
"You, you sabotages my boat, you and dam mike Flynn" he took a swing at Grace but she fired a shot got him in the arm
"Ursula destroy the lap top" Rick yelled out
Grace punch Rick lights out and then she ran up onto the bridge just as Ursula smash the lap top with a hammer
"It no good now you got nothing"
"Your wrong" then Grace pull out a pen drive
"Why you two were making out down below, I up loaded every thing" Ursula relies it was over.
"Come on"
Grace grab Ursula arm and pulled her out and on to the back deck then he pulled two hand ties out and tied Ursula to one of the containers then she did the same with Rick. Then she return back on the bridge
"Navy vessel on my port bowel this is lieutenant commander Grace Shepard, copy over... Navy Vessel on my port bowel this is lieutenant commander Shepard"
"Grace it mike Flynn we got you in our sites, what the situation copy over"
"mike, Island trader will need a tow, contact NAVCOM, there a mother ship heading this way from what direction is unknown copy over"
"copy that, Rick Gallagher"
"Knock out and tied up with his partner... Dr Ursula Morrell" Mike and the others were shock with that bit of news.
"Copy that Grace we will see you in few minutes, Hammersley out" Mike turn to grinning crew
"Mike contact Kingston, Rick Gallagher poison his crew with the toxic water. It was the only way to shut them up if they got caught"
"Copy that RO will contact them, good work Grace, Hammersley out" then he turn around to the crew
"Some one would like to let buffer know that we found his wife"
"No need" They turn to see Pete walking up the steps "I head every thing"
"You know Grace well"
"Yeah I do and I'm going to have a talk to her" He folded his arms
"Good luck mate" charge said grinning
When Hammersley stop not far from the barge. Grace watch as HRIB was lowered to the sea and few crew members got on and it headed towards the barge. Grace walk down and over to where the crew climb aboard.
"This way" Grace said then they follow Grace to where Rick and Ursula is.
"They all yours"
Swain cut the plastic ties and put cuffs on them then he and Spider took them back to the HRIB while the other crew members went to get things set up for the tow leaving Pete alone with her
"Grace what you did was dangerous not only to you but to our child" Grace step ford
"I know but I didn't want to let them get away and I got enough information to keep the feds happy for a while. I'm please I did what I did Pete"
"What do you mean"
"While I was up loading all the information on to pen drives I read some information... these bottle water was going to Iran. They were going to be swap with other normal bottle water that was going to number of bases... it was going to be a teariest attack"
"What bases"
"US, Australian, new Zealand, Britain army, air force bases as well navy frigates and air craft carriers. If this lot reaches those bases..."
"That big"
"Yes and it would taken out over sixty percent of the fleet, navy, army and air forces. Then counties like the America, Britain, New Zealand and Australia would be defenseless." Pete thought about what Grace said and relies she was right.
"Grace don't try to do some thing like this again"
"Pete you knew what I was like before we got married. You know that"
"I know but next time, not while you are carrying our child"
"I can't keep a promise but I'll do the best I can next time"
"And with back up"
"Are you offering" Pete gave her a look which made her smile
"With back ok, happy now"
"For now" Then he grab her vest and pulled her towards him and they both kiss
"Hey you two, do you mind, your on duty" When they broke apart they turn to Charge and Kate
"Why Charge are you jealous" Grace said grinning making Kate laugh
"No, but buffer is on duty" Grace turn to Kate
"He jealous"
Twenty minutes later every one was back on Hammersley heading to Bright island. Grace sent copy of the files to Steve and to the feds while she read what it says who on the list, names of boats, time sheets every thing. Mike appeared around the corner
"Hey RO said that you are here" Grace turn to Mike and smile
"Did Pete tell you about what I found out"
"Yeah he did. You done a great job Grace"
"I know, this will be the last time I'll be out on a boat till after the baby is born"
"Can you handle it"
"i can try, last time I wanted to get on a boat, any boat was when I was six months pregnant with the twins" mike grin
"I'm sure you and buffer can work things out between the both of you"
"We will"
"We will be reaching bright island in ten minutes"
"Thanks, any word from Kingston"
"Yes, they need our help with the wounded and all the prisoners have been given the antidote"
"Good, I'll be there" Grace finish what she was doing then she follow Mike up and onto the bridge.
"They got the wounded on the beach since there not enough room on Kingston" Kate said
"Right, Swain you and chefo with me, we going to take some stuff to the island" Then she turn and walk off the bridge. Chefo and Swain follow Grace.
Ten minutes later Pete drove the HRIB to the beach then he help unload the boxes and taken them over to where the wounded are. Grace spoke to the two medics from Kingston then she started giving out orders while she work on the worse ones.
"Mad dog this is charlie 82"
"Go ahead charlie 82
"HMAS Melbourne will be here with in the hour"
"Copy that we need medic vac for the worse ones, copy over"
"How many"
"Four copy over"
"Copy that I'll let NAVCOM know"
"Copy that, mad dog out" then she carry on with what she was doing.
When HMAS Melbourne arrives they sent medical team over just as four helicopters showed up. Grace had the four worse ones sent back to Cains by helicopter and the second worse cases went on to Mel borne and the rest were split between Kingston and Hammersley. Grace went on to Kingston.
Then the three ships started heading back to Cains. Hammersley was slower since they were towing the barge.
It wasn't till early hours the next morning when all three navy ships arrived back in Cains. The Feds had to use a tug boat to take over pulling the barge to navy port. Soon as it was in port the Feds were all over it taking photos and do what they do. When the three navy boats dock the ambulances and more feds were waiting.
Once all the wounded was in the ambulance they left for the hospitals. When Grace finally walk of Kingston she was tired. She been up for almost twenty four hours. Plus the sun was starting to rise.
"Dr Shepard" Grace turn around
"Yes"
"I'm agent William Newton, I'm the director of the feds" They shook hands
"Nice to meet you at last, did you get copy of the files that commander Marshal sent to you"
"Yes I did, I got people going over every thing. What I found out, you stop the biggest terrorist attack since nine eleven"
"I know I was reading a file about the plans"
"From what I was told you took down the Australian biggest terriers in Australian history"
"Which one there was two on the boat"
"Rick Gallagher. We knew he was up to some thing big but had no idea how big it was and who was involve"
"What about Dr homes and the others that died from the toxin"
"They were murder. Dr homes found out what toxin that was being used, she was going to come to us when she was sent to the island two days before she called for help. We found video recorder she recorded every thing that was going on right up to when she called for help. She said that it must be in the water, she show the bottle water on the camera before it stop"
"At least I hope justice will be serve for what Rick Gallagher and the others have done and almost done"
"We know. You are one amazing talented women Dr Shepard or shall I say lieutenant colonel grace mad dog Shepard Tomaszewski" Grace raise her eye brows
"Nothing gets past you and it lieutenant commander Shepard, how long have you known?"
"Five years. It was after you help us out the first time"
"So you don't mind"
"Not at all, only hand full of feds knows who you are"
"That good to know" Then Grace notice Steve walking over to them
"Steve"
"Grace you a great job"
"Thanks, at least it over for now"
"Why did you say that?" William asked
"Now that these terrorist first plans back fired they might try other ways if so question is where and when"
"Good point. But what you done Grace you saved hundreds, thousands military lives" Steve said
"I was doing what I've been train to do Steve"
"I know and because of what you have done, you might get promoted"
"Steve I was promoted three years ago"
"I know but with what you did, you should be honored"
"Yeppy, well if you both will excuse me I'm going to get my husband and go home to bed... after I have had McDonald" Then she walk over to where the Hammersley crew is.
"Hey you look tired" Pete said as he put his arm around her shoulder
"I am and hungry"
"What didn't Kingston crew feed you" Pete look at Grace in shock
"No and I want McDonald" Pete grin and gave her a kiss
"McDonald you want, MacDonald you get, see you guys later"
"See buff, mad dog" They watch as Pete and Grace walk away with their arms around each other.
Pete took Grace to McDonald. When they walk in they walk up to the counter.
"Order what you want" Pete said to Grace. Grace smile at the women behind the counter
"I'll have pancakes, four hash browns, two Boston deli bagels, big breakfast , drink hot chocolate and... orange juice thanks" The women put grace order in then look at Pete
"I'll have big breakfast, coffee, white one sugar and... Boston deli bagel" she put Pete order in
"Eat in or take away" Pete look at Grace
"Eat in thank you" Grace said.
The women push couple more buttons till Pete saw how much it was so he pulled out his wallet and got his card out. He use efpost to pay for for their breakfast. Once it was excepted the women got busy with their order. Few minutes later they were sitting down and starting to enjoy their breakfast.
"Pete I was thinking of getting a tattoo"
"Really what sort did you have in mind" Grace took a bike of her hash brown
"White band on my ring finger since I can't get a white tan line on it"
"Hmm not a bad idea then people would know that your married"
"You could get one your self" Pete grin and lean ford
"Why not we could go to my mates tattoo pallor after breakfast"
"Isn't he close"
"Nope twenty four hours, seven days a week but you got to book in but I don't think there should be any problems" He got his phone and and made the call.
"Hey is marko there... Pete Tomaszewski... hey marko, how's going mate... yeah it true... Grace... differently a ten...yeah we were there about eighteen months ago, johnny was there he did out tats for us... hearts and wings... yeah that the one... hey can you fit us in Grace wants to get another tat... white ring band on her finger... yeah I get one as well... we on shore leave just got back from a big mission mate... tell you about it when we see you... hour" Grace nodded
"Sure you get a change to meet Grace... Great see you then" Then he hung up
"No problems and he looking ford to meeting you"
"What this diffidently a ten" Pete grin
"We use to rate different women, the highest was an eight, he was shock when I told him that you are a ten. He told me she must be some women for you to give her a ten, wasn't you with her couple of years ago"
"you said eighteen months ago"
"Yeah that when we got out tats" Grace smile when she remember getting her first tat.
Then she turn her head and look out the window. Pete follow to what she was looking at then they turn and look at each other
"I was wondering how long it would take for them to find us" Grace said then the doors open. Both Kingston and Hammersley crews walk in.
"Hey" charge said as he walk over to Pete and Grace
"What are you guys doing here" Pete asked
"Well we decided to join you in breakfast celebration" Grace and Pete look at each other. Grace raise her eye brows and grin
"Why not" Pete said
"Good, I'm going to get some breakfast" Then Charge walk over to the counter.
"So much for a quiet breakfast" Pete said
"Well we are going to have a quiet day at home today" Grace said grinning
"True, but will it be quiet soon as we get home" He flick his eye brows at her
"For a short while"
Few minutes later both crews walk over to where Grace and Pete is and sat down close to them.
"Mad dog can I ask you a question" One of the Kingston crew asked
"Well it would depends on what the question is I might answer it"
"Ah, ok...would you like to go out on a date with me some time"
Most of the Hammersley crew cough when they were eating or drinking some thing. They all turn to look at Pete who was looking at the guy then to Grace who was looking at Pete then she turn to the guy
"Sorry I have to decline your offer, it was kind of you of asking"
"Oh" he said sadly
"Why not we all notice how well you two work together" other one from the Kingston crew said
"I work well with a lot of you Kingston crew. I work well with Hammersley, bendigo, childers crews as well" Then her phone ring she got it out and groan before answering it
"Dr Shepard...no... no... not again, he taking way to much time off... yeah I know... hey I got back an hour ago from a long mission... No look tell Dr Watson to get his ass to the hospital, for me..." she look at Pete
"I'm going to get a tat and I'm going to bed I've been up for almost twenty five hours. I need by beauty sleep... yes that them... you will find out soon enough... Good, if Dr Watson moans and groans I'll give him some thing to moan and groan about the next time I see him... thank you" then she hung up
"Jack ass" She put her phone on the table the look up at Pete
"Dr Jordan"
"Ah he let you get away talking to him like that"
"With in reason any way he knows I call a spade a spade any way he likes me"
"Should I be worried"
"He married, the reason why he like me cause of the excellent work I do" Pete nodded.
"Hey mad dog, what metal would you be getting this time" Spider asked
"I don't think that there is any room left on my uniform except for my shoulders"
"promotion" Pete said in shock
"Yeah that what Steve said to me this morning. But we shall see it up to the top brass for that one" They talk and laugh for the next fifteen minute before Pete and Grace stood up
"See you guys later" Pete said
"Going to the pub tonight mate" charge asked
"Not tonight, spending time with the family you all enjoy your leave" They all said their good byes to Grace and Pete just as they walk out the door. They got into Grace SUV.
