Kate's past, Mike's future
Chapter 7
Kate stood there shocked for a moment. Her brother, who she had just met this morning, was interested in her job. Her sister seemed just as excited at the prospect. Her grandmother was looking to the ceiling, as if asking for guidance. Where did Kate get the feeling her grandmother or grandfather might have served for Britain's Navy long ago. That brought a small smirk to her face.
"I would have to ask the Commander if it is alright. But understand if he agrees, you would have to be quite. If I am being called, most likely we have a situation up there ok"
Alisa squealed at this and about yanked Kate out the door. This made Christopher laugh again and Louise shook her head. Her strawberry blonde granddaughter was too hyper at times. She was glad that Kaitlin was more like her even more at the moment.
"Alisa, don't be yanking poor Kaitlin around, she knows where she's going better than you. She works and lives here!"
The bridge knew when Kate arrived because she had a very hyper Alisa coming up behind her. They all had to hide their laughter as they watched their X pinch the bridge of her nose and then turn to address her sister.
"Alisa", Kate said in a serious tone. Apparently that was all that was needed as the woman quickly calmed down in an instant. They were all smiling as Kate turned back around.
"Sir, I was called to the bridge, what is the current situation?"
Mike had to appreciate the fact that Kate took her job so seriously. He had figured her family would probably follow her around to see exactly what her job was, and had to give her credit on handling her sister the same way she handled the younger sailors.
"We have a FFV up on the EOD; X. Shiner is keeping an eye on it at the moment and seeing what they are up too. RO is trying to raise them on the radio now"
Kate quickly walked to the EOD at look at the FFV they were trailing. She didn't get a good feeling off of it.
"Sir, I don't think that is a regular FFV. I see no poles for fishing and no nets. If they are out here, it's not to be fishing illegally."
Mike quickly agreed with her and before he could think of what to do with it, Kate had walked up and taken the radio from RO"
"This is Australian Warship Hammersrly, You are to stop or heave to, and we intend to board you to enforce Australian Law"
Again, Kate repeated the order and again no answer. In fact, no one liked Charge's comment regarding the Ship's one drastic change.
"Sir, X they have speed up their engines"
Kate once again gave a warning, but this time it was different and the look on her face showed Christopher and Alisa just how well their sister did her job. It made Louise stand up more straight and proud of her granddaughter. She was a true McGregor.
"This is the Australian Warship Hammersrly. Stop or heave to or I will fire upon you!"
Everyone looked to Mike as he looked to Shiner and gave the order for a warning shot to be fired 100 ft in front of the FFV's starboard bow. Kate lifted her binoculars up to watch the ship as Mike gave the order to engage. The ship didn't seem to be slowing. In fact they were turning around. One look from Mike let Kate know what to do.
"Hands brace, Hands brace" as Charge and Swain moved the Warship slightly to the right to avoid a collision. Her siblings didn't like the next order their big sister gave.
"Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations; 2dads and Bird to bridge at the rush" Kate started to leave the bridge when she was stopped by Mike.
"Be careful X, Kevlar, double plating, proceeds with caution, and keep in contact."
"Yes Sir" and Kate quickly left the bridge to crew the boarding the party. Looking at her family, he could see the man and woman were uncomfortable at the moment. He really couldn't blame them; their older sister was walking into danger. He handed both a pair of Binoculars and had them stand by his chair to watch where the RHIB's would be leaving and approaching the FFV. Kate's grandmother was looking at a screen where Charge was working, looking at all the tech the ships now had. He recognized a navy woman when he saw one.
"Ma'am, as you can see, we are fully high tech and everything on the ship can be monitored from the bridge. I'm sorry Kate hasn't had the chance to give you the full tour and you probably have a lot more to talk about, but if you wish, you can watch your granddaughter in action like your other grandchildren at the moment", and proceeded to hand the woman her own set of Binoculars. Louise took them and walked over to where Alisa and Chris were. They all watched as Kate and the other members of the boarding party approached the ship. It even made her jump as RO, who had taken over the EOD, yelled at his captain.
"Sir, the crew has weapons trained on boarding party. Aiming typhoon and awaiting instruction." All three held their breaths as the bridge came alive in an instant. RO had the large gun locked and loaded on their target, Mike was on the radio warning the boarding parties and sending in a second RHIB as back up. Charge was at monitoring station, making sure the ship ran smoothly and someone name 'Crafty' was at the helm controlling the revs and course of the ship. When they heard Kate come over the radio next, Chris had to hold onto Alisa as she almost started crying.
"Sir, we are under fire, I repeat we are under fire, urgent assistance is required over"
"Roger that X, take cover Thunder and Lighting. RO, take out their engines. Engage!"
None of them had a chance to react as the large gun fired at the now approaching FFV. It was then Louise realized what the other ship wanted to do.
"Young man, they are going to fire on my granddaughter and Us!"
Mike wasted no time having everyone duck the gun fire towards the Bridges windows. Alisa screamed and Chris threw her to the floor and Mike threw Louise to the floor. Mike stares at the eyes of his crew before hearing Kate over the radio.
"Sir we are boarding over. Sir, sir put your weapon down!"
Mike realizes Kate hasn't turned off her radio and everything that happens between the boarding crew and the suspect is blaring over the bridge's speakers. They hear the struggle and the gun fire. They hear Kate giving the orders to arrest the crew, and for Dutchy, shiner and 2dads to search the ship. They hear Kate as who is the captain of the ship and then her demanding answers. Soon they hear an all too familiar sentence.
"Poppa A-2 this is Thunder A-2, we have control of the ship. There are six hostels, all in custody. We are transport them to the ship now to be placed in our Steer. Shiner and 2dads are staying on board as we tow to port over"
"Very good X, see you when you get back to the ship"
At that moment, Alisa and Christopher had earned a brand new respect for their sister Kaitlin. She was not just the oldest, she was also the bravest. Not to mention she was damn good at her job.
As the RHIB came back aboard, Alisa and Christopher run to their sister to make sure she is ok. As she assures them she does this everyday and that she is fine, Louise and Mike are standing side by side. Louise is watching Mike from the corner of her eyes as he watches her granddaughter. When Kate walked up giving him a brief report about the hostels that Dutchy and Swain were transporting, it didn't get past her the look in both of their eyes. 'So that is how it is, is it?' Thought Louise as she watched the interaction. She could see as clear as day now. She would have to question Kaitlin later when off the ship.
When Bird returned to the Galley, she found an interested looking Alisa McGregor looking into the fridge. She seemed to be deep in thought and Bird figured it had to do the incident with the suspect FFV. She could understand completely. She had just met her sister then had to face head on the prospect of losing her due to her job.
"Sorry Ma'am, but if you let me through I can start making the Scram"
"What is this 'Scram' you speak of? Is it yummy?"
Bird had to laugh she couldn't help it. "No Ma'am, Scram is the term we use for food, or meal time. I'm the Chefo on board here; I need to start cooking Dinner"
The young woman was surprised when the other woman stood back out of her way and asked;
"Could I maybe help? I cook and clean when I'm nervous and today I certainly need the distraction"
Bird agreed and started with having Lady Alisa peel the potatoes for chips. She started up the grill, oven and fryer then explained to Alisa.
"Tonight we are having Fish and Chips, Salad, Vegetable soup and I'm prepping roasts for dinner tomorrow. Any questions?"
Before Bird knew it, they were laughing and cooking together, having loads of fun. By the time Dinner was served, everyone was surprised to see Bird's assistant for the night had been no other than their X's baby sister. Even with the red tint to her hair, you could almost say they were twins.
Before long it was time for bed and everyone seemed to be down in their racks expect those who were on Guts watch. For them, Alisa and Bird had made two pots of coffee, pulled out the first roast and cut it up for sandwiches, and plenty of homemade cookies. Louise couldn't sleep and was quietly walking the halls. When she went to approach the senior mess, she heard Kate and Mike were still up. They were sitting down to sandwiches and coffee, doing paperwork for the day. She wasn't really surprised when she heard them talking quietly about their relationship.
"Kate, when we get back to port, I would like to take you out for dinner if that's possible"
"I'll make time for us Mike, I always have. We need to be extra careful now though. You know Maxine will be watching more carefully now that my secret is out"
"Maxine may be an old friend, but she can butt out of our relationship. I wish I could take my NavCom position, but if Maxine won't let me have you as my replacement, I'm not leaving this ship"
"Which leaves us with quite a large problem Mike? We are breaking the regulations again. If we get caught it is all over. What are we going to do?"
"I have an idea Katie, don't worry. We will be fine. Perfect, in fact. Nothing is going to take me away from you again"
Louise heard, rather than saw the kiss and quickly hid as she heard Kaitlin tell Mike she was heading up to the bridge again. After her granddaughter left, Louise approached Mike. She needed to make sure his attentions were true before she stuck her nose into this. She had a lot of pull, and she would use it if it meant her grandchild's happiness.
"So, you are the secret love of my Ducky's Life"
Mike about jumped out of his skin. Seeing Lady Louise McGregor standing in front of you, knowing you love her granddaughter was a scary prospect he wasn't ready for yet. If the woman was this startling, he was scared of how her father would be like. He caressed the small box in his pocket for comfort. He knew he was going to need it.