Disclaimer: I own not the Sea Patrol-ness of this piece!

Chapter Thirty-Six;
Arson

"A beautiful day on Sydney Harbour rocked by another of many explosions. But today was much bigger than the rest. This one coming from HMAS Kuttabul, better known as Fleet Base East, the naval dockyard in the heart of the Sydney Harbour National Park and not far from enemy territory. Until now the military have waited for their harbourside retreat to be breached by those running afoul on their doorsteps, and now it seems that day has come. Sarah Prince has the story."

Mike glanced up from the controls at the sound of a 'woman's' voice. "It began at 7am, the sound of danger brewing at the Navy's major east coast base. Up until now HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney's Potts Point, has avoided the damage affiliated with other wealthy and high profile areas. But, it seems, that was only temporary. Fire crews who were first on the scene report that, like many others in the area, the buildings of HMAS Kuttabul are unsalvageable. Thankfully, says Chief-of-Navy Admiral 'can't see anything outside his own power' Henshaw, the only two ships based out of Sydney were out on patrols. The HMAS Canberra, captained by Captain Mike Flynn, and HMAS Brisbane, captained by the devilishly handsome Steven Price, are not expected to return to base."

The voice changed to that of a man again, but a really stupid voice like someone doing their idiot tone. "Uh, yeah, they uh… not coming back. Uh derrr. Where's my money?"

The woman's voice came back. "Admiral Henshaw there. It is believed that the two ships will move their base elsewhere, but no reports yet. As for the fire… well, it just adds to the skyline of what was once the most beautiful city in Australia… Back to you in the studio."

Mike grabbed the radio as the voice fell silent. "You can't just give me the news like a normal person, can you?"

Price chuckled. "I miss the dumb bimbos the used to read my news out to me. You know the ones, blonde and big-boobed, trying to explain the American intervention in the Gaza Strip when they have no idea where Gaza is." He paused to the sound of rustling papers. "So, anyway, news is, Kuttabul is goneskies. We've got two options for bases, and neither appeal to me."

"What have we got?" Mike sighed, glancing at his 2IC who gave a wary smile. Mike just shook his head in reply. 'No, I don't get him either'.

"Coonawarra or Cairns. I was hoping for Stirling but apparently, the CO there is a jerk." He hit something, Mike guessed the table, and spoke again. "So, what is it Mikey? Darwin or the great north home you miss so much?"

"I wouldn't mind being based out of Cairns again. Is Steven Marshall still in charge?"

Price laughed. "Wow, you really keep up with the news don't you? That's like asking if Rudd is still PM." Mike frowned. "No, Marshall left the Navy last August, he retired. The new CO of Cairns is…" he shuffled some papers then stopped. "Ah, here we are, Commander Kate McGregor."

Mike froze in his seat. "What?"

"Commander Kate McGregor, previous ships the…" Price stopped. "The Hammersley. You knew Kate, didn't you?"

"Uh, let's go to HMAS Coonawarra, I like Darwin, nice place."

Price laughed. "Oh no way are you going to get out of this. We're going to Cairns now. My CIS is already giving them a call." He breathed out deeply. "Oh Mike, at least I know that I'll never get bored with you."

Mike looked out the window at the ship not far away, Price's HMAS Brisbane. He shook his head at it. Bloody Price.

***

Commander Kate McGregor was unaware of the new recruits' identities, having just accepted the acquisition of the two vessels without checking their particulars. With so few boats under her command at the moment, she relished the opportunity to take command of something bigger than a patrol boat and what could be better than the Navy's two biggest ships?

She had, of course, heard about the Kuttabul arson attack, not surprised at all when the news came through. Not surprised, but a little worried. An attack on Sydney meant it was only a matter of time before HMAS Cairns saw their own onslaught, and the way things were going around town, it looked more like a case of when rather than if.

Nightly attacks on the base were a common occurrence now, just the night before an attack by fireworks had taken place, the crew of Cairns unaware where the fireworks had come from, but having heard the Hammersley's tales of attack by the same kind of weapon only days earlier, it was likely the two were connected. Of course, knowing where they were coming from and doing anything about it were two different things. The Cape and the likely source of this mess was a long way away and as she and the dwindling crew of the HMAS Cairns were pretty much hostages in their own Defence Force base, any option to get up there and cut them off seemed unlikely. The Maryborough had been monitoring the island since the Hammersley's intelligence regarding The Avalanche and the acquisition of The Reginald. So far their scouting trips had been without success. This didn't stop Kate's belief however that trouble never lingered far from the island and so the Maryborough continued its work. With the Hammersley caught up in their mission to retrieve the Arctic Princess and return her crew to gaol, border security for the Northern EEZ had fallen dramatically. Hopefully the inclusion of two large battle ships would be enough to scare any illegals away.

But then with the way things were right now you could never be sure.

After the attack on the Hammersley, the Arctic Princess had high-tailed it away in the direction of international waters. Kate didn't share Nikki Holliday's optimism that she was still in Australian waters, instead placing her markers on foreign ports like Singapore and the Philippines, but making the Hammersley CO listen wasn't an easy job and so Kate had allowed the patrol boat one fortnight to find their men. After that getting back to border protection was the only way. Of course with the fortnight deadline fast approaching, forcing the Hammersley back into line now seemed like a pipedream.

The ship had become a floating lifeline for the HMAS Cairns and families. More than once Kate had been asked by the small handful of sailors she controlled for a chance onto the ship. It wasn't that the Hammersley wasn't in need of staff; it was, but that the base was in need of staff too. There weren't enough people in the Navy to go around anymore and those that had stayed; most had the sense to head to Darwin or Perth, the two remaining 'safe' spots.

And although offers to follow them had come through, Kate remained fiercely loyal to HMAS Cairns, despite being unsure why…