Madeline is on the phone.

"I told you Flynn was to be the CO and that woman was not to get her promotion I told you to do everything you could to make sure it did not happen"

"So what he only got a few more weeks before he would be cleared fit for sea duty. So why did they over rule me"

"Bloody brilliant. Explains why Jim is pissed off at present."

"THEY BLOODY WELL HAVE WHAT?" Madeline yells

"Great so they can't work together then. Well I still won't Flynn back as CO"

"I don't care sort it out."

Madeline hangs up the phone she is very pissed off. She dials another number.

"Maxine White speaking"

"Maxine Madeline Cruise here it would have been nice to have been informed that Hammersley had a new CO"

"Sorry Ms Cruise I thought you would of received a memo from Canberra about it." Replies Maxine, trying hard to stay professional to her over the phone

"Well I received nothing. I want you to make sure Flynn returns as the CO."

"Sorry I can't. Canberra has made the decision."

"Even with the past that they have?"

"Ms Cruise if you have a problem talk to Commander Steve Marshall not me about it. I can't do anything. And unless Lieutenant Commander McGregor steps down she is the CO of Hammersley." Don't real give a stuff what you think Madeline those two don't need shit from you. Kate is the CO and she has worked hard to be there.

"Are all you Navy woman like this? She spoke to me inappropriately on boat the boat and now you are too. This is not on Commander White and I will be laying a complaint."

"That is your choice Madeline and I look forward to hearing about it." Maxine then hangs up

Jim and his troops are heading back to their base in Cairns.

Well I wonder if that girl is really hers or if Mike is using her to give her a family. Something I know she wants to have. Is good to see she got her promotion. But I won't things to be more than friends with us and I thought she did too. Why would she kiss me that nights if she didn't or was that see if I still have feelings for type kiss? I am going to ring her tomorrow and find out.

Monday Morning

Flynn household

"Hey Honey we need to get a move along" Yells Mike from the kitchen where he is finishing off drying the breakfast dishes

"Have you seen my hat I can't find it?" Kate yells from Mike's bedroom

"It is with mine on the table beside the door were I put them"

"Oh thank you" Kate replies as she enters the Kitchen

"Well Ms McGregor this is it five days on Hammersley as professional Naval Personal think you can do it?" Asks Mike. As he puts his arms around Kate's waist

"I know I can but can you" she replies cheekily to Mike

"I think I can as long as I get a kiss." Mike replies as he leans in and kisses Kate. Kate deepens the kiss. They break apart when they need air.

"Will that do?" Asks Kate a few seconds later

"Yes thank you. Now we better go." Replies Mike as they both break apart and leave to head off.

Mike drops Kate off at Hammersley before meeting Nikki and the students at Navcom. So that they can head down to Navcom. Everyone is there when Mike arrives.

"Sir" Nikki says as she salutes Mike. Mike returns the Salute. The students do the same thing.

"Right everyone ready to go?"

"Yes Sir" is heard from the group

"Ok let's head towards Hammersley and please remember the briefing you got on Friday about what is happening the next five days. Nikki you will be bunking with Bird in her Cabin. The rest of you will be shown which rooms you are in once we arrive." Replies Mike. They pick up their bags and start to walk towards the docks. Mike and Nikki in front leading the bunch. Lieutenant Wilson uses this time to admire Mike from behind.

They arrive at Hammersley and are greeted by Kate and Pete who are waiting on the docks for them. The salute each other. Mike then introduces his students. Kate instantly picks out the one that has been hitting on Mike. It was not hard to tell since she spends loads of time looking at him. Kate shakes her head. God she has no chance in hell of getting Mike. She can try but she is out of luck.

The group board Hammersley and Hammersley gets underway. Mike is enjoying the fact he can just sit and relax. He and Nikki are both on the boat deck talking while, Kate, Pete, Swain and Charge are on the bridge the students are working on some course stuff that Mike gave them to do while on board Hammersley.

The next few days go by with interest the students watch and learn from the bridge for the first two days on how the Hammersley XO and Buffer work together and also how things run on the bridge. Two of the students to get to ride alone in the RHIB's and help with some of the boarding's. There was one Mayday call that Kate allowed Mike students to go along with Pete her XO.

Wednesday starts off as any normal day would but by lunch time it would change.

Little did the students know but today they would see their instructors at work. They would get a better understanding of the role that they play. And also be shocked at what happens. But to Hammersley it is just another normal day at the office.

Swain is at the helm, Charge at his console, RO, Kate, Mike, Nikki and several of the students are on the bridge. When they get a radar contact. Nikki spots it

"Ma'am radar contact just on the edge or our radar screen" Nikki says

"What direction are they going in Nav" Kate replies out of old habits. Nikki just smiles at Kate

"They are sticking to the edge. I think they think they are off our radar screen. Swain steer starboard 160 revolutions 1800" Nikki says without even checking with Kate. The Students watch on How come she issues an order without checking with the CO They think to themselves. This is the first time Nikki has done this while on board she has often stayed clear of the Navigation stuff

"Yes Ma'am steering starboard 160, revolutions 1800" repeats Swain back to the bridge. Kate just Smiles at Nikki

"Still got it I see Nikki" Kate says

"Seems so" replies Nikki looking guilty

"Nikki it is ok you did what I would of done anyway. Don't worry about it. It is part of you're the navigators job title." Kate says to her and those on the bridge

They watch the radar and Mike is on the EOD. When they get the boat into view. What he sees shocks him. He steers at it for a few seconds and says nothing

"Commander what is the vessels name" replies Kate. She gets no response

"MIKE!" Kate says again as she comes over towards Mike she sees what he sees

"Kate we got a problem"

"Yes we do."

"Sir what is the problem" asks Lieutenant Wilson

"RO get me Maxine on the stat phone ASAP please" pipes Mike. RO does as he is told.

"Maxine, Mike Flynn speaking"

"Hi Mike what the problem"

"Maxine we have come across the suspect vessel. RO is sending you the details of its location right now."

"Ok Mike I'll just get them loaded up gives me a moment." Mike hears Maxine tapping away on her laptop

"Ok Mike I am reading them now. Mike there is a second boat in one of the shots you sent through."

"Yes we saw that."

"Mike I won't you to take command of Hammersley. Send Kate with one of the RHIB's. We going to need all the experience we can but I can't risk you out in firing range sorry. You know what to do so do it. Make sure we get them all safe and sound."

"Will do Maxine. And I fully understand"

"Fair Winds Mike"

"Thanks Maxine" They both hang up.

During the conversation Kate is watching Mike. She can tell from the way he is talking to Maxine and the look in his eyes that Maxine wants her out on the RHIB's and Mike here in her chair.

"What did she say" asks Kate

"You are going to hate me for this but she wont's you out there. None of my students will be going only Hammersley crew and you Kate." Replies Mike. They are looking at each other there are a few moments of silence as they both have one of their silent conversations. The students look on wondering what is going on the crew is used to this and just ignore it. Mike is letting Kate know if he could go he would but can't and for her to stay safe and she replies will do.

"So Sir since you now have Command of my baby what is the plan." Kate replies crossing her arms in front of Mike. The Hammersley guys and Nikki start laughing at Kate using my baby to Mike

"Excuse me do you lot wont to be scrubbing the RHIBS with toothbrushes when we get back?" says Kate. The guys just shake their heads trying to hide their laughter

"Well Kate we will only being using our guys they been dealing with this a number of times. Expect problems weapons and even gun fire. You know the drill"

"Yep double plants, extra clips, take the tear gas and masks with us. Have some of the crew double weapons up as well."

"Yep that is it. But Kate I won't Dutchy buffering you. No offense to you Pete, but I won't you to board first with the other RHIB with Swain coming in behind you. Kate, I won't you, Dutchy, White, Charge and 2Dads in your RHIB with Harpy driving take the port RHIB. Pete I won't you, Swain, RO, Bird, and Spider with Brown Driving the starboard RHIB. Stay in contact at all times. You know the drill so go for it. And Swain take your medical pack and have it on the RHIB just in case you need in."

"Yes Sir" replies the crew that is on the bridge.

"Nikki keep tracking both those boats" Mike replies as he goes for the ships mic system

"Hands to boarding stations, Hands to boarding stations. CO, XO, Dutchy, White, Charge, Swain, Bird, Spider, RO, 2Dad's, Harpy, Brown report to the boarding room. Can Leading Seaman Judd report to the bridge please? Leading Seaman Judd to the bridge please" Is heard throughout Hammersley.

Hammersley is getting closer to the target vessels.

Man seeing Mike in work mode is a mega turn on. But I would love to know what is really happening and why we can't go with the others. Lieutenant Wilson thinks to herself

10mins Later the RHIBS are starting to get loaded up. Mike heads out on to the boat deck.

"Ok everyone stay safe. Watch each other's back. And let's get these guys." Replies Mike to the group.

"Oh Mike don't get to comfortable in my Chair I won't it back when I return." Kate says to him

"No problem by me I will keep it warm for you ok" replies Mike with a smile. Kate just nods her head.

"Lower sea boats" Mike pipes before heading back to the bridge to take command of Hammersley

Hammersley is closer now and Mike starts to raise them via the Radio. He has his students, Nikki, Judd, and Webster on the bridge that are Hammersley crew

"Vessel on my port bow this is Australian Warship Hammersley, heave too and prepare to be boarded"

"Vessel not slowing Sir" pipes Nikki

"Vessel on my port bow this is Australian warship Hammersley, heave too and prepare to be boarded."

"Vessel still not slowing Sir. They seem to have picked up speed."

"Webster line up the Typhoon please" says Mike

"Eye Sir" replies Webster

"Vessel on my port bow this is Australian Warship Hammersley, Heave too or prepared to be fired upon."

"Nothing Sir"

"Webster 3 rounds 100yards in front of the bow" Mike says to Webster he gets it fired up and ready to go

"Ready Sir"

"Engage" Three rounds come out of the typhoon on Hammersley and land 100yards in front of the vessel

"Vessel is slowing Sir…..Sir the vessel is changing direction". Mic picks up the radio

"Away sea boats, Away sea boats" rings out to the crew in the RHIBS, Harpy, and Brown push the throttle to the max and pull out from the side of Hammersley and sped off in front of Hammersley. Some of the students move to get a better view. Mike starts to pace the bridge. God I am so pleased I don't have to do this anymore. Both Kate and Ryan out there. They better come back safe and sound. Nikki can tell the boss is worried. She has seen this so many times before.

"Sir the vessel is changing course again"

"Vessel on my port bow heave too or prepared to be fire upon"

"Vessel not slowing down Sir"

"Webster 3 rounds 50yards in front of their bow….Engage" Mike says to Webster who is on the typhoon.

"Vessel has slowed down Sir"

Mike picks up the portable radio

"Insert, insert, insert." Mike relays across.

All the students now have binoculars on them watching what is going on in front of them