A/N – I realise that some of you may not be completely au fait with some of the distinctly 'Australian' aspects of this story. For anyone wishing to familiarise themselves with Sea Patrol and its characters / background, I recommend a visit to the Wikipedia site
wiki/Sea_Patrol which provides a fairly comprehensive overview of this popular Australian naval drama series that ran from 2007-2011. This fic is set during Sea Patrol's fifth (and final) season. It probably will contain spoilers for that season, and may possibly even play around with some of the season 5 events.
For those readers who are unfamiliar with the term "SAS", I have copied the following from the Australian Army website
. /Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/Special-Operati ons-Command/Special-Air-Service-Regiment
'The Special Air Service Regiment is a special missions unit with unique capabilities within the Australian Defence Force.
Operating under the motto "Who Dares Wins" the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) is a direct command unit of the Australian Special Operations Command with a demanding role. Members are specially selected and highly trained to act with discretion and discipline in situations that may have national and strategic consequences. Personnel are required to work in small teams for extended periods without support.
'The SASR can trace its beginnings back to the Australian Z Special Unit and Independent Commando Companies that fought during World War II. On 25 July 1957, the 1st Special Air Service Company, Royal Australian Infantry was raised in Campbell Barracks in Western Australia. In 1964 the Company was expanded to a Regiment to become the Special Air Service Regiment.
'The SASR is tasked to provide special operations capabilities in support of the Australian Defence Force. This includes providing unique capabilities to support sensitive strategic operations, special recovery operations, training assistance, special reconnaissance and precision strike and direct action.
'Force elements from SASR have served in various major conflicts (including Borneo, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq) and provide support to peace enforcements and peacekeeping operations (including Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia and East Timor). In addition to international operations, SASR remains prepared to meet domestic and offshore counter terrorism tasks.'
[Captain Jim Roth and his team made their first appearance on Sea Patrol during Season Two – episode 4, Heaven Born Captains, episode 7, Hidden Agendas, and episode 10, Rules of Engagement. Jim reappears throughout season 5.]
ALSO – for non-Australian readers, ASIO stands for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Hope that's been helpful.
Terror Down Under
Chapter Four
"One of the difficulties we face in defending our country, Captain Rabb," Mike began as he indicated the map, "is the sheer amount of coastline we have." He gave a wry grin and pointed at the North Queensland coastline. "This is just a very small part of a very big country. We have nearly 36,000 kilometres of continuous coastline – the fifth longest in the world as a matter of interest – and this little section here, from Cairns to the tip of Cape York is roughly 1,000km, mostly uninhabitated once we're north of Cooktown. Just the odd little coastal community. It's mostly jungle coming straight down to the sea. Our destination is roughly 700km north of Cairns."
Mike paused and smiled at the US Naval officer. "I don't want to sound like a geography teacher, sir. Just wanting to give you a quick picture of what we can expect when we reach our target."
Harm nodded in understanding, his eyes focusing on the map.
"This is where Cooper went ashore," Mike indicated a tiny inlet on the map. "Further investigation by ASIO has led us to believe there's a very strong possibility he has set up a training camp somewhere in this area." Mike ran his finger in a rough semi-circle around the landward side of the inlet.
"The point is," interrupted Madeline Cruise impatiently, "we aren't entirely sure that the camp is still there. There's a very high possibility that these amateur spooks' cover was blown when they followed Cooper."
Harm's eyebrows rose and he felt himself quite consciously aligning himself with Flynn in his unspoken dislike for the aggressive security agent. He also noticed the varied reactions from the others present: Kate McGregor's eyes narrowed and her stance straightened as she glared at the other woman; Charge's pleasant open face registered complete disgust; both Swain and Dutchy stood straighter, their faces becoming impassive masks, their lips tightening; the SAS captain sucked in his breath and stared at her with obvious distaste; and Flynn's highly expressive face revealed his anger, his eyes flashed dangerously and his jaw tightened.
"Ms Cruise, I'll remind you of this only once. You are a guest on my ship and you will treat my crew with the respect to which they are entitled," his voice literally snapped with ice. "Had it not been for the quick work of Petty Officer Blake we wouldn't have even known that Cooper was in Australia, let alone here in North Queensland. And we both know that Petty Officer Mulholland is not without experience in covert operations. Your comment was uncalled for. If we are to work together, you'll kindly refrain from making any more of these snide comments."
The Cruise woman seemed quite unfazed by the Commander's cutting words, merely waiting until he ceased speaking before continuing in the same impatient tone.
"We don't particularly like one another, Commander, but that's not a requirement for this operation. Just so you understand, . .operation," she enunciated with exaggerated care. "I trust that is clear?"
"Actually, Ms Cruise, I'll be directing the operation," Roth stated quietly, his eyes boring into the ASIO agent's. "And Captain Rabb will be advising us regarding our American target. Both of those are non-negotiable."
"Ms Cruise," added Mike, his voice as deadly quiet as Jim Roth's had been, "you are here to observe and to debrief the prisoners – under the observation of both Captain Rabb and Captain Roth. You will not interfere in the running of my ship, nor will you upset any of my crew, or ASIO or not, I'll be putting you in a RHIB and one of my crew will take you to the nearest harbour. Is that clear?"
Harm noticed the alarmed look that Flynn's Executive Officer flashed at her captain before her face became a studied mask again as she continued glaring at the ASIO agent. To his initial surprise, Madeline Cruise appeared to back down.
"Don't worry, Commander Flynn. I won't upset your happy little party. Just remember that when you bring the prisoners on board, I'll be overseeing their interrogation."
"Along with Captain Rabb," added Mike imperturbably. He glanced across at the American officer. "Perhaps it would be helpful if you could explain the US Navy's position regarding Cooper, sir?" he invited with the smile that changed his whole countenance.
"Thank you, Commander," agreed Harm with a nod. He glanced around at the group, a small smile playing around his lips as he acknowledged each military member present. The smile faded, however, as his eyes met those of Madeline Cruise. Her eyes were cold, calculating and hard. Harm blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected animosity he saw there. In a fleeting instant, her expression changed and she smiled warmly, almost seductively. The woman nodded her agreement, her eyes never leaving Harm's face. Had he not caught that momentarily unguarded expression, he would have thought her to be a typical spook. Now he wondered. He unconsciously ran the fingers of his right hand around the broad wedding band encircling the ring finger of his left hand. The happiness and security he had finally found with the woman he'd married six short months ago inured him against women of Cruise's ilk. He'd danced to another woman's tune for over eight years and all that had brought him had been unhappiness, heart-ache and pain. No-one would ever fool Harmon Rabb Jr in that manner again, let alone induce him to betray the woman who held his heart so securely!
"I think you all know why I'm here," he began with a smile. "Firstly, I want to commend Petty Officer Blake for his quick thinking. Emailing that photo through to Commander Flynn provided the break-through we've been wanting. Both you and Petty Officer Mulholland did a sterling job in carrying out your duty and my CO was unstinting in giving the crew of the Hammersley full credit for finding Cooper. Pinpointing the location of his training camp was a bonus and I'm sure that your government is every bit as grateful as mine for what you've already done." Harm moved over to the map.
"When we arrive at…" he paused and peered more closely at the indentation on the coastline that was their destination, "…Flinders' Inlet, I'll be accompanying the shore parties and will take charge of Colonel Cooper once we have the situation under control. I understand that your men will be leading this operation, Captain Roth?"
"And I'll be leading the Hammersley's boarding party," asserted Flynn, looking steadily at his Executive Officer, who immediately straightened and confronted her CO.
"Sir…"
It was obvious that Mike Flynn had anticipated her reaction, for before she could continue, he raised a hand and interrupted.
"I'm under the direct orders of Commodore Marshall on this one, X. You'll stay on board in command of my ship."
Harm wondered again at the dynamics between these two. They obviously had a history, for the Lieutenant was clearly not intimidated by her captain, apparently being more than ready to query his orders. He noted the amused looks that the three senior NCOs exchanged – looks that were smartly hidden behind carefully neutral expressions as soon as they became aware of the US Naval captain's gaze. Even more interestingly, he caught the strange look that fleetingly passed across the SAS captain's face as he looked from the Hammersley's Executive Officer to her commanding officer and back again.
The meeting finally concluded and Mike dismissed his crewmembers to their duties, politely standing at the door to allow Harm to precede him. As they exited the office, Flynn glanced at his watch.
"Tea time already. Would you care to grab a bite now, sir, and then we can go over our plans together. Our ETA for Flinders' Inlet is 0500 tomorrow."
As the two walked down the passageway towards the galley, Mike explained the informality of eating arrangements on board the patrol boat.
"We don't dress for dinner on Patrol Boats. Life is a lot more informal – one of the many reasons I prefer serving here rather than on the bigger ships. Ahh, Bird," he greeted the young female rating whom Harm had met earlier on the Bridge and who now stood behind the servery, exchanging an endless stream of banter with the crew who had lined up, plates in hand, for their evening meal. Mike smiled at his most junior crew member as he led his guest to the head of the queue. "What's on tonight?"
"Chicken salad and chips, sir," the girl returned his smile and deftly served their meals. From his previous exposure to Australia together with his recent years spent in London, the American captain knew that 'chips' were what he knew as 'French fries'.
"Well, you can't go wrong with that menu," someone commented behind the officers, and the banter resumed as Bird continued serving meals. Mike winked at her as he and Harm turned away.
"This way, sir," the ship's captain stood aside again and indicated for Harm to enter the small Officers' Mess ahead of him.
Mike regarded his dinner rather sadly, sighed, and looked apologetically across the table. "Bird tries – she really tries, but cooking is not really her forte, I'm afraid. We've been waiting for a new chef for the past three months, but apparently there are none to spare at the moment and since Bird hasn't actually killed anyone, and is considered a tolerably competent cook, I've been told that we're just going to have to wait. Sometimes I think she simply calls up recipes on YouTube and multiplies the ingredients accordingly!" He attacked his meal, chewing thoughtfully for a few seconds, before grinning appreciatively, "At least she's cooked the chips right through this time."
"And the salad is just fine," nodded Harm approvingly. "If she's a beginner, she can't really go wrong with salads." As he spoke the door opened and the SAS captain and the ship's Executive Officer entered, obviously in the middle of an animated conversation of their own. Both became silent as they acknowledged the senior officers already seated at the table. A slightly uncomfortable silence ensued as the newcomers settled into their seats and quietly started on their meals. Just when Harm wondered if he should break the silence, Mike finally addressed his second-in-command.
"Everything right on the Bridge, X?"
"Of course, sir. Swain has the last dog watch," she supplied coolly, but politely. Roth glanced from one to the other but kept his own silence. Kate continued eating for a while longer, then turned to Mike.
"Sir, if it's convenient I'd appreciate having a word with you after dinner, please."
"If it's about the boarding parties for tomorrow, X, nothing is going to change."
The Lieutenant opened her mouth, but whatever she may have been about to say was overruled by the ship's intercom loudly announcing,
"Mayday, mayday. CO to the Bridge at the rush! I repeat CO to the Bridge at the rush!" Swain's voice rang through the room and Mike pushed his meal to one side, as did the others and as one headed for the Bridge.