Chapter Six-

"I've got them in visual range!" Called 2Dads. Kate rushed to the front of the bridge, binoculars raised.

"It's not moving," said Kate, concerned. She grabbed her radio.

"Dutchy, we're good to go. Launch the RHIBs!" Dutchy and 2Dads' teams were lowered in the inflatables, and they sped towards the boat.

"Do you think they're okay?" Bird asked Dutchy. He shrugged.

"I don't know, but if they've stopped in the water either the team figured out a way to apprehend Mr Hardaker, or something worse has happened," replied Dutchy. Bird nodded, eyes focussed on the water. On the other RHIB, 2Dads was pre-occupied with his thoughts, namely those involving Rebecca Brown. She'd broken up with him, but he had never really gotten over it. She had always seemed to bring him back in line just before he did something stupid, and he loved her for it. He loved her hair, her smile, her laugh. He loved holding her close, knowing that she was his. She wasn't anymore, but that didn't erase the love and concern he was holding for her. They came closer to the boat.

"Right! 2Dads and Chefo, you board portside, Bird and I will board starboard. Keep your eyes peeled for Hardaker and our team," called Dutchy. They crept on board Silent Star, the boat living up to its name. It was eerily quiet, too quiet for Dutchy's liking. His hackles were raised, feeling threatened and unsure. He motioned for Bird to check the wheelhouse, and she returned empty handed.

"He's got to be below deck; there's no-one else up here," said Bird as she moved to stand next to Dutchy. He nodded.

"2Dads, you and I first. We need Chefo and Bird to be protected," he said. 2Dads nodded.

"Just like old times, aye Dutch?" Dutchy slapped him on the back of the head.

"You can go first 2Dads." The remark wiped the smirk off of 2Dads face, and he stepped into the living area of the yacht. 2Dads opened a door, and then pulled back almost instantly.

"What is it?" Asked Chefo.

"I found the little girl," said 2Dads, averting his eyes. He wished there was a way to erase what he just saw. Bird stepped forward and checked the girl over; unfortunately, the bullet to the head she received had killed her instantly.

"She's definitely passed Dutchy." Chefo heard a tapping, the noise echoing on the quiet vessel.

"Did you guys hear that?" Asked Chefo. Bird nodded.

"It sounded like it was coming from the engine room," commented 2Dads. He opened the hatch, and peered down. He could see Bomber and Buffer lying unconscious on the floor.

"They're here!" He called to Dutchy. He climbed down into the tight space, and moved aside to allow the rest of the team down. He glanced around, and noticed Hardaker slumped on the floor.

"Bird, Chefo? I've found Hardaker. I think he's dead," called 2Dads. Dutchy slid down the hatch next, landing lightly on the ground.

"Please tell me that's Navy," called Charge's pained voice.

"Chefo, go deal with Charge. I'll deal with Buff and Bomb," said Bird, taking control now. She functioned best as a chief medic, and that's what she was known for throughout the Navy.

"Dutchy, can you check Hardaker for a pulse? Just to confirm," said Bird.

"What do you want me to do?" Asked 2Dads. Bird handed him a flashlight.

"See if you can get Buff to come around. He looks like he's just got a head wound, and I'd probably hazard a guess at a concussion," said Bird. Bomber was her biggest concern right now. She pulled a gauze pad out of her medi-kit and pressed it to the split skin on the back of Rebecca's head. She used a bandage to hold it in place. She could clearly see Bomber's broken nose, and that wasn't a problem; there was nothing she could do for that anyway. Her broken ribs and the possibility of internal bleeding were the biggest problems for Bird, and she knew they were going to have to race against time to get her back to port. Dutchy returned to Bird and 2Dads. Buff started to come around, and pushed 2Dads' flashlight out of the way. He rolled over and threw up, his eyes rolling in his head.

"Bird?" Asked 2Dads, concerned.

"Normal reaction for some people from a concussion. Don't worry. Dutch, we need a body bag from the RHIB. Can you grab one? 2Dads, help him put Hardaker's body in there for transport, and then take it up on deck and put it in the RHIB."

"Hey, can someone help me move Charge? He's got a bullet wound to the lower leg, and he's not going to be able to walk out of here," came Chefo's voice.

"2Dads, help him while I grab the body bag," said Dutchy. 2Dads nodded and disappeared through the door to help Chefo. Moments later, they were struggling to help Charge through; he was clearly in a lot of pain.

"Get him out to the RHIB, and send him back over with Hardaker's body," said Bird. Chefo and 2Dads nodded, and helped Charge up to the deck. Dutchy and 2Dads returned to pack up Hardaker's body, doing it silently and efficiently. Bird laid a gentle hand on Buffer's head.

"We've got you now Buffer. You're safe."

Bomber woke up in a stark hospital room, her hand held by someone. She shielded her eyes from the blaring light as she realised it was 2Dads.

"Leo, what are you doing here?" She croaked. He glanced.

"Oh God, I thought I had lost you again. I thought you were going to die," said 2Dads, stroking back her hair. Her ribs ached terribly, and her mouth felt like a desert. She tried to grab the cup of water off the stand next to her bed, but found that moving hurt way too much. 2Dads grabbed the cup and passed it to her, allowing her to take a sip. She laid back down, the simple movement exhausting her.

"Is everyone else okay?" Asked Bomber.

"Buffer's had a severe knock to the head, and Charge was shot in the leg. They'll be out for a bit, but the doctor reckons they'll be right as rain," said 2Dads. Bird stuck her head into the room.

"Bomber! You're awake! How are you feeling?" Asked Bird.

"A little sore, but I'll be okay." Bird nodded, and stepped aside as Buffer pushed his way into the room.

"2Dads, Bird. I need to speak to Bomber alone," requested Buffer. 2Dads got the message instantly, and pulled Bird out the door.

"How could you?" Asked Bomber.

"What?" Asked Buffer.

"How could you keep a secret like that from me?" Asked Bomber.

"Rebecca, I had no intention of you ever finding out. Your mother said you were happy with your step fath…"

"Happy? My mother told me one night that my real father was in the Navy, that he was some one night stand. I joined the Navy so I could find the bastard that left my mother, and now I find out it's you?" Buffer stood speechless next to Bomber.

"Get out of my room and don't come back. I don't want you talking to me unless it has to do with our duties on board Hammersley. Got it?"

RO waited with bated breath. He was sure he was dying; he probably had cancer or something. He'd been a hypochondriac ever since he was little; one of the many phobias and fears that had carried on since his traumatic childhood. A doctor came in.

"Give it to me square doctor. Am I going to die?" Asked RO.

"No Robert. You have a severe case of glandular fever, and it is what caused you to collapse. I've reported your case to you superior officers at NAVCOM, and you are being put on medical leave until further notice until you have medical clearance to sail again," said the doctor. RO was shocked.

"You mean, no more Hammersley?" Asked RO, his voice small. The doctor nodded.

"For now, no more Hammersley."

So here's my first episode of Sea Patrol! There are always wrinkles to iron out when I first start writing, but don't worry, they will be ironed out in subsequent episodes.

I hope you've enjoyed! Please leave reviews – I find them helpful to know what you're thinking, what you're enjoying, and what you'd like to see.

Thanks for reading my first attempt, and I hope to eventually post more.

Next episode will be entitled "Seeing Double."

MissShawnaAlice (Nell)