Legacy 07

1204, HMAS Hammersley, Timor Sea, Afternoon Watch

„Vessel on my starboard bow, this is Australian Warship Hammersley", the speaker sounded over the water, "Stop or heave to. We are going to board you!"

The Hammersley's XO, LEUT Liz Doyle set the microphone back on the console.

"They are not stopping, Sir", SMN Chloe Blake reported from the EOD's display, showing the foreign fishing vessel. LCDR Ryan White bit down a curse.

"Call them again, X" he ordered, "If they don't stop, we will fire."

"Stop or heave to", LEUT Doyle said into the microphone, "Or we will open fire upon you."

"One round with the typhoon, fifty yards in front of the bow", Ryan ordered while watching through his binoculars.

"One round, fifty yards ahead of the bow, aye-aye", Chloe replied. She pushed a few controls and the automatic gun swept around on its turret and turned towards the fishing vessel. Another control activated the firing mechanism and the round flew through the air.

"Sir, they are stopping", LEUT Chan, the Hammersley's navigator reported.


"WHAT THE FUCK, WHITE? THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!" the radio cracked.

"Sir, it seems Lieutenant Commander Steele is not pleased with the result of our boarding drill", AB Susan Lewinski announced from the radio console.

"Nothing gets past you, Monica", Ryan commented, before he took the microphone for himself.

"HMAS Hammersley, calling HMAS Kingston", he said.

"This is Kingston, Over."

"What is your status? Over."

"WHAT DO YOU THINK IS OUR STATUS AFTER YOU IDIOTS SHOT YOUR TYPHOON FIVE YARDS IN FRONT OF MY BRIDGE?!"

"Easy, Rusty", Ryan said, "It was a boarding drill and you had agreed to play the target."


1120, NAVCOM Cairns, Forenoon Watch, One week later.

CDR Kate McGregor closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. When she opened her eyes again, the two officers were still sitting in front of her desk, both wearing impeccable white uniforms. That would have been too easy, if the two and their trouble had just vanished.

"We are professionals, are we not?" she asked, her voice already threateningly low.

"Aye, Ma'am", both officers answered in resignation.

"CAN EITHER ONE OF YOU RETARDS THEN EXPLAIN TO ME, HOW TWO AUSTRALIAN PATROL BOATS STARTED A WAR WITH EACH OTHER WHILE ON A TRAINING MISSION?!"

Ryan and Kathy both blushed deeply red.

"No, Ma'am!" they both rapped out.

"OR HOW IT IS AN ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR WHEN ONE OFFICER SLAPS THE OTHER IN THE FACE, WHEN MEETING ABOARD ONE BOAT?!"

"No, Ma'am!" they repeated.

Kate sighed deeply. Always those two to get in trouble. Almost as if they were hoping for it.

"LCDR Steele", she addressed Kathy who gulped visibly, "I can understand your anger, but that is no excuse for slapping a fellow officer in the face! In full view of both crews nevertheless!"

"Yes Ma'am. No excuse, ma'am!" Kathy replied sharply.

"White, why in hell did you fire a live round at the Kingston?" Kate asked in desperation, "In only five yards distance?"

"The aim for our typhoon is sometimes a bit off", Ryan explained, "Comes and goes. The mates in the artillery maintenance have not been able to figure it out either. And we don't get a spare one, with only three months of service left on that boat."

"Then, next time you fire that typhoon, make sure it points where it doesn't hurt!" Kate raged, before she calmed down again and sighed deeply.

"The two of you seem to have a talent of getting into trouble with each other", she commented, "I want you two to talk this out. If I ever see the two of you again together in my office, I WILL KEELHAUL BOTH OF YOU! UNDERSTOOD?"

"YES MA'AM!" they both acknowledged.


Ryan and Kathy both left Kate's office. They managed not to look at each other, until they were at the stairs in front of the NAVCOM building.

"That was close", Ryan commented.

"As was your shot at my boat", Kathy added, "I thought you planned to tell your stepmother about us, when we were the next time both ashore."

"You mean now?!" Ryan asked in shock, "I really mean to tell her, but does it have to be when she's in this mood? I'm not suicidal."

"Good point", Kathy laughed, "Although I could say, 'truth or dare'."

"You mean 'truth and dare'" Ryan smiled, "But do you know what I like about the order she gave us?"

"No", Kathy said, unsure about what he was talking about.

"She ordered me to ask you out, and she ordered you to accept", Ryan smiled, "Well, not exactly in these words, but I can claim free interpretation of my orders."

"Yeah, alright", Kathy laughed, "This evening?"


1946, Cairns

Kathy and Ryan were sitting in a nice little restaurant, overlooking the harbor and the naval base. Kathy was wearing a flower patterned light dress, while Ryan had chosen a simple shirt and jeans.

Kathy was just taking a sip from her wine, when her eyes widened in shock.

"Oh shit!" she cursed silently.

"What is it?" Ryan asked.

"Don't turn around", Kathy warned, "Your dad and your stepmom have just entered the restaurant."

"I am an idiot!" Ryan cursed.

"I won't argue with that", Kathy smiled.

"Ssh! Today is their anniversary", he explained, "I should have suggested a different restaurant."

"You didn't know they would come here", Kathy assured him.

"But it's their favorite restaurant", Ryan sighed, "How do you suppose I know this place?"

Both turned her heads and concentrated on their meals, hoping that Kate and Mike would not recognize them. It proved futile, when the waiter guided Kate and Mike to the empty table next to him.

"That is a surprise", Kate commented as they approached, "What are you two doing here?"

Kathy and Ryan both blushed deeply red.

"We are just following orders, Ma'am", Kathy told her.

"Following orders?" Mike wanted to know, "It looks pretty informal for official navy business."

"I told them to talk through whatever problem they have with each other", Kate explained, "These two are in more trouble than the rest of the Patrol group together. And mostly it's with each other."

"So, we were ordered to talk through this", Kathy smiled, "And for this, an informal environment serves better."

Ryan had been quiet, drinking from his wine. Now he looked up.

"Actually, that is not quite right", he told them. Six curious eyes lay on him.

"While there is an official order to talk through our argument, this is not entirely the reason we are here", Ryan told them, "Dad, Kate, may I introduce you to my girlfriend – Kathy."

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A/N: Of course I know that incidents like these don't just go away. In the very least, the officer's career is severely damaged or ended. And most likely, he would face additional legal consequences. And that applies to slapping another officer as well as the live fire incident.

But since the last chapters have been pretty grim, I found a little humor was just right. And I hope you find the plot so much fun to read as I found it to write.

Don't forget to review!