CH 10
The next morning HMAS Sydney showed up and that took the wounded a board as Kate request and have them head to Cairns which they did do with the extra medical supplies.
It wasn't till the next morning when Kate was woken up by bird "Bird what is it"
"come and take a look for yourself ma'am" she said grinning.
Kate went to get dress and relieve herself before walking up to the bridge what she saw shock her. All the Cairns navy boats were there on each side of Hammersley she could see the crews on the other boats waving then she saw her crew and the other waving back.
"some welcome back"
"more like a hero's welcome" Kate turn around and saw the captains walking onto the bridge
"morning sir"
"morning lieutenant"
Kate walk over and press the horn three times, she turn and grin at the captain just as the other ships did the same. Charge walk onto the bridge minute later
"Who blasted the horn at this time of the morning" then he look around
"sorry X... woo" when he saw the ships.
"We are almost home"
"Yeah" Kate walk over and sat in the captain chair and started giving out orders since they were close to Cairns
Half an hour later a navy tug boat took over in towing the damage Bendigo to another part of the port. Kate and the others saw people everywhere on the wharf.
Once Hammersley was dock Kate did her job and made sure everyone got off ok. There was Security there to take the five men away after what they did. It was hour and half later when Kate finally walk off the ship carrying her bag over her shoulder.
She walk to her car to put her bag in then she got into her car and drove to NAVCOM. When she got there she got out and pick up her hat then she close and lock the door. Then she walk around to where NAVCOM is she stop when she saw every single navy personnel there She saw Nikki who was smiling then she started clapping then Buffer started clapping.
Then others started clapping so Kate walk around and up the stair as everyone smile and clap in a job well done. She smile as she walk up stairs and into NAVCOM. Even the personal who was there was clapping and smiling at Kate will she walk in to one of the main offices to see Steve Marshall there waiting for her
"sir" Kate said as she gave him a salute which he did back
"lieutenant, job well done"
"thank you sir
"Please this way, some people would like to hear your report"
"Yes sir" Kate follow Steve into a private room. When she walk in she saw all the top navy offers there sitting at the table.
"sirs" Kate stood at attention and saluted which they all did back
"At ease lieutenant" Kate relax and walk over to a empty seat and sat down.
"lieutenant care to tell us what happen" Steve asked
"Yes sir"
then Kate spent the next hour telling them what happen till they return home. when she finish telling them they all asked her different questions which she was able to answer.
"Lieutenant job well done"
"thank you sir"
"You may leave" Kate stood up and gave them all a saute before she walk out the door.
When she did she saw Nikki and walk over to her since she was talking to captain Johnson
"sir, Nikki" Kate saluted which he did in return
"Are you ok Kate"
"Yeah, so why are you two here"
"Captain Johnson" they turn to see Steve at the door. So the captain walk over and walk in then the door close
"Kate what going on"
"i can't say at this stage...have you got video footage of the vessel"
"Yes I just put it on the computer, why"
"what about from Melbourne"
"Yes, why did you ask"
"It some thing that been bothering me"
then Kate walk over to a computer that got two monitors. She did some typing and watch both video footage
"what is it Kate"
"not sure yet"
After twenty minutes "Oh my god" Kate froze one image and then another
"Kate what is it" Kate turn around in her chair to Nikki
"Nikki after Bendigo was hit and shots fired, the vessel left then it return when Melbourne arrive"
"yes you know that"
"did you still have power to the bridge"
"Yes"
"after the vessel left and when Melbourne showed up did you have the vessel on radar " Nikki thought about it and look at Kate
"no it was off radar"
"how long was it off radar"
"couple of hours, why" Kate turn to the to pictures then to Nikki then she stood up and ran to the door and knock before opening the door and walk in
"Lieutenant you know this is a private meeting" Steve said
"sorry sirs I'm afraid we might have a bigger problems" then she walk over to a computer and did some typing
"lieutenant" Steve stood up and walk over to her
"what are you talking about" then two picture showed up on the wall screen. Then Kate walk over to the wall.
"Sirs this image is from Bendigo and this one from Melbourne"
"Same boat we know that" one of the admiral said
"Yes sir but see this one here" she pointed to one picture
"It's lower in the water like something big or heavy on the vessel"
"what are you saying" Steve asked
"I spoke to lieutenant Caetano and ask her couple of question, from what she told me that this vessel disappeared of their radar for two hours then return just before Melbourne showed up. So that means that somewhere out there is a larger vessel a mother ship carrying torpedo and explosives and boats like this one is perfect vessel to carry both"
"but why did they attack bendigo and sink Melbourne"
"Target practice sirs"
"for what" one of the asked
"the main fleet that over at Afghanistan. It would be perfect cover they would never suspect a fishing boat like this one here. That mean sir all RAN ships and allies ships would be a perfect target. And first shot will be the pillars to disable the ship"
"Seven of the ships are passing in timor sea, one australian, six are americans day after tomorrow"
"sir they got to be warned and show them photos of boats like this"
"Question is where the mother ship"
"close by sir most probably" she walk over to a map
"At one of these island since the attack was about here sir" Kate pointed on the map
"with the losing of one ship and a patrol boat damage and another without commandeering officer" Kate turn and look at the captain. Then to Steve
"sir what about captain Johnson sir he can be temporary CO on Hammersley" the captain look up at Kate in shock
"I think that a good idea lieutenant, Captain we know you use to bigger boat but for now I'm assigning you to Hammersley"
"Yes sir"
"good lieutenant we will let your crew know you leave at 0800 in the morning"
"Yes sir"
"dismiss and good job"
"It not over yet sir"
"true" Kate saluted once again before walking out of the room.
She went and got her report printed out and other paperwork done before leave to head home where she enjoy a hot shower since she had a warm one on the ship.
Then she got dress and left to go to see Mike. When she walk into his room he look up and smile
"Hey I heard what happened to bendigo and Melbourne"
"Yeah it not over" they both hug and kiss. Then she sat on the edge of the bed while holding his hands.
"Kate what is it"
she look up at him then she told him what happen when they went to find bendigo, everything including what happen at NAVCOM. When she finish telling him Mike was shock
"sounds like you guys are going to be very busy trying to find this mother ship"
"Yeah at least we know where to start"
"True"
"and there more good news"
"oh what is that"
"the navy going to ask the US navy to help raise Melbourne and make temporary repairs on the ship and have it tow back to Cairns"
"that would save a lot of money"
"It would"
They talk till visiting hours were over then Kate left to go home for the night.
The next morning Kate made sure everything been taken care of on Hammersley as well telling the crew about the temporary CO and who it is before he showed up. Once everything was done the captain showed up. Kate was there to great him
"lieutenant"
"sir" they both saluted
"Everything done"
"Yes sir when you are ready"
"good" they walk up onto the boat.
Kate showed him his cabin "Here you cabin sir"
"very good, X I'll meet you on the bridge"
"Yes sir" then Kate turn and walk onto the bridge.
Few minutes later the captain walk onto the bridge "Ok X take us out"
"yes sir" the she started taking Hammersley out. Once out in the sea they heard to the the islands where the mother ship might be.
Later that evening Kate was looking at the radar when she saw ten boats appeared on the screen she she did some checking out with NAVCOM one the boats. Few minutes later the phone rings so RO answered it
"X it NAVCOM" he past her the phone
"Lieutenant McGregor... yes sir...yes sir" then she past the phone back to RO which he hung up then a fax appeared
"X" he pass Kate a sheet of paper.
"thanks RO" then she did some checking out just as Bird walk on to the bridge
"bird go and wake the captain" then bird turn and walk off the bridge just as RO walk over to Kate
"you found them"
"Yep that them get NAVCOM on the line and give them the concordances and these boats" Kate mark next to nine numbers that on the sheets
"Yes ma'am" then he walk back over to his desk. Kate watchers as one of the vessels leave the group and was heading towards them.
"Dutchy, two dads to the bridge rush" Kate said over the PA system just as the captain walk on the bridge
"X what have we got"
"the mother ship and nine vessels sir, one of the vessels is heading this way"
"contact NAVCOM"
"already taken care of sir"
"good" then spider and dutchy walk on to the bridge
"X" Kate turn to the two men
"Get your sniper guns ready"
"You found them already" two dads said
"Yes now move it, they would be in range in twenty minutes"
"sir" they look at the captain
"do it"
"Yes sir" then they walk off the bridge
"Are you planning on doing what you did last time X"
"Yes sir first damage the torpedo tube so they can't use it"
Few minutes later every one was on the bridge while two dads and dutchy was down on the bow of the ship with their sniper guns ready. Kate use the binoculars to look at the vessel then she saw something long and black leave the vessel then she turn to the bridge
"Charge One two zero now" Kate yelled then the boat turn quickly. Kate saw the torpedo miss them. The captain ran out side and stood next to Kate and saw the torpedo go pass
"good spotting X"
"thanks sir" then she look at the vessel once again
"they loading again" then she turn to two dads and Dutchy and gave them the signal.
Every one watch as the two men fired at the vessel they only fired it once causing the vessel to exploded.
"They must of had the torpedo already in the chamber" Kate said
"could be let's get the rest" Then they walk back onto the bridge
"sir, X the vessels are spitting up" Bird said
"sir we should go after the mother boat first"
"Let's do it, RO get NAVCOM on the line"
"Yes sir"