Chapter 14 Return from Patrol
Cairns
The Hammersley docked after the first patrol without Kate. Reports about actions and situations were brought to Navcom. The majority of the crew had shore leave, but the two officers were once more busy with administration.
Susan had herself installed in the mess and was surrounded with papers. Mike poked his head inside.
"X?"
She lifted her head. "Hmm?"
"I'm going to Navcom to report about the welfare action."
"Ok, that's a good opportunity to go with you to hear where our two men from that FFV are. Otherwise I'll keep on busy here."
She stood up and grabbed her hat from her cabin and followed him.
"How did you experience your first patrol?" He asked underway to the Navcom building.
"Good. Apart from the snails. I'm wondering if I'll ever get used to it. Besides that, you have a splendid crew, just family."
"As a matter of fact, it is family. It's more family than your real family. And what concerns the snails, you'll get used to it. Believe me. How's your eye?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore, but I'm afraid I'm actually not a photo model?", she answered with a grin.
He chuckled. "No, not exactly."
"And your arm? I understood you were a tad too enthusiastic", he looked at her.
"What do you think? A big blue bruise. I'll have to watch out what I will wear during my leave otherwise they will think I've got some blows from my husband. If the other patrols continue like this one, I'll end up in a hospital", she answered with a grimace.
"Hmm, I don't want to encounter the man who's capable of giving you blows", Mike said making a face.
Susan looked at him not knowing how she has to interpret that.
They reached Navcom and Mike headed to Maxine's desk while Susan looked to get info about her men.
He knocked on the door and entered.
"Hey Max, you've seen the reports?"
"Hi, Mike! Yeah, just read them. We can't do more, can we?"
"Nope", he said while he sat down.
"But, there's something more delicate about which I wanted to talk to you", Maxine said quiet.
He sat down and put his files on her desk.
"Mike, I know it's difficult, also for me, to say this. But, the house of Kate can't be kept. The owner was already ringing my bell. You see what I mean?" She looked careful at him.
Mike nodded. "You're right. I was already afraid for that, but it's logic. I can't keep it for ever," he said faint.
"Listen, you don't have to do this alone. I'll be there and ask for help from your some of your men."
Mike looked thoughtful and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I know who to ask."
"Fine, we go together and ask the others to come a bit later."
"Uh, why?"
"Don't worry. Tomorrow it will be clear to you. 0930Hr?"
"Yeah, I'll pick you up."
"Great. Ok, but then I'll have some admin to do before tomorrow. See you."
"Ok Mike."
He took his file, but was so confused and busy with the idea of emptying Kate's house that he didn't notice that he lifted Maxine's cup of coffee so that its content flushed over the desk and her trousers.
"Mike! What the hell are you doing?", she shouted, jumping upright and looked at the giant brown spot on her thigh.
"Ouch, sorry Max. Uh, give me the trousers tomorrow, I'll put it in the washing machine."
She sighed. "I prefer to do that myself. I know your capabilities of ironing!"
"Hmm, is it that bad?", he replied with risen eyebrows.
"Yes", she said plain.
"Hmm. Yeah, I'll go now." And Mike hurried out of her office.
Maxine watched how he walked out and how he didn't notice all activity of the operation room around him. He was just busy with the fact he ruined her trousers and about Kate's house.
She shook her head.
Poor bastard, he's still not over it yet. And clumsy! My God. God beware Kate. … Oh dear. Kate is no more…
She looked at her trousers again and her desk and shook her head again. She grabbed a couple of tissues and started to pat the coffee on her desk. Then she grabbed her cup and made a face.
Empty. Damn. I need another one.
She left her office with the cup and tried to ignore how the others looked at the big spot on her trousers.
Damn, now even that again.
A few minutes later she walked back spooning the milk in her coffee.
All these bloody reports are fine, but not a single one tells me how Mike was during the patrol.
Maxine saw Susan talking to someone of the transport section.
Hmm, but she can tell.
"Lieutenant, you have a minute?", she asked her.
Susan turned towards her. "Sure." She left the transport guy with a "I'll see you again within a minute". She looked suspicious at Maxine's trousers and then to her.
Maxine noticed her glance. "Your captain succeeded to give me a shower, yes?"
Susan couldn't keep a grin away and headed to Maxine's office.
"Ok, take a seat", Maxine said turning around her desk.
Both sat down.
"I've read the reports and I know about the incident at Guadalcanal. But reports are reports and you can tell whatever in them, but what I really want to know from you is this. Have you been dishonoured by these men? Honestly! If it is, then they haven't heard the last word from me yet."
"No ma'am. They wanted to spend the rest of the night with me and I've made them clear that I wasn't pleased with it", Susan answered dryly.
"Ok, that's a big relief. And what concerns these three men,… I've heard about it", she answered with a mysterious smile.
Susan shrugged.
"Lieutenant, I hope you are aware that you just made yourself with this a lifetime reputation? It's such a one they will still talk about it within a couple of years ."
"Oh?"
Maxine nodded.
"But there's another thing. How was Mike?"
"He was fine ma'am", she answered neutral.
"Just fine? All of a sudden? Not absent?", Maxine asked suspicious.
"No ma'am, he's ok."
"Lieutenant, I know how he left and I just saw how he acts and you are now trying to tell me he's the Mike from before Kate's death?" Maxine became irritated.
"Ma'am! He's one of my crew, and when I say he's fine, then he is fine. You said I have to take care of him, and so I do and there's actually nothing I can't handle!", she answered as irritated as Maxine.
"Oh, Susan, you became already as stubborn as all the other sailors of that bloody Hammersley! Carry on, but don't complain afterwards!", Maxine replied grumpy waving with her hand.
"Ok ma'am, but you will not hear from me", she said determined while she stood upright.
Susan left and Maxine glared at her when she passed by the window of her office.
Damn Max, it was you who appointed her on the Hammersley. This is your proof, Susan is perfect for it. Grr, but still I want to know how Mike was.
She rubbed her face with both hands for relaxation and looked surprised at her hands that were full with make-up.
"Damn!"
How do these bloody Hammersley guys arrange it every time that I ruin my make-up?
She looked at her trousers again.
It's not my day. Certainly not. I wish they were at sea again!
Espiritu Santo
The French Marines went to the island to help the local police to beat back the guerrilla's and they succeeded in avoiding a coup. The guerrilla's disappeared in the forest or escaped to some other islands.
In the settlement where Kate was locked up was a hustle and bustle.
"You and you, come with me", the leader barked and he took a syringe. They entered the room where Kate was locked up.
She was ash grey and lost quite some weight. She didn't struggle anymore when he put the needle in her arm.
"Bring her White Beach and leave her there. They will think that it's just another junk that they left at the beach", he ordered the two men.
These men had almost to drag her instead as she could not walk. Stoned and weakened.
But when they were outside the settlement, they decided not to go to White Beach.
"The boss said White Beach, but that's a long end walking and it's crowded there with police."
"I'm not mad. Shoot that wench here on the beach !"
"No, the boss would hear that shot."
"You're right, but no problem, the heroin will do its job. We leave her here and we are off."
At the beach he rammed the stock of the Kalashnikov in her belly whereby she sank down. The two guerrilla's disappeared in the jungle.