Chapter Thirty-Five:
Chances

Wednesday morning
1147

"Caesar!"

The man turned in the grasp of the larger ex-ADF man and grinned at the sight of two very familiar faces. The ADF man, however, just sneered.

"You again?" He sneered at the smaller of the duo.

Scruffy just glared at him and clicked off the safety on her Browning. "Put the gun down, sir." She said, drawing out the sir so it sounded more like an insult than a command.

The man put Caesar down instead and turned his shotgun on the duo. "Make me." He grinned cruelly before clicking off his own safety and dancing the gun between Scruffy and Swain. Caesar, meanwhile, had raised himself to his feet.

Meeting Caesar's eye, Swain motioned with his head to Caesar's left where Spider was waiting. Caesar took the hint and started towards the Seaman. He met him a minute later and Spider cut the ropes around Caesar's wrists, handing him a handgun. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Caesar nodded. "I'm fine. I know where they took Archie. We should go after him."

Spider frowned. "Maybe we should help Swain and Scruffy first?"

Caesar frowned back at him. "You didn't hear those ADF nuts. They don't work for Lyons anymore. They're after everyone and clearly they'll do anything to get us to pay them some heed."

Spider's brow furrowed. "I don't know. Maybe we s…"

But Caesar wasn't taking no for an answer. "Fine, I'll go on my own then." Then, before Spider had a chance to reply, Caesar strode off into the bush.

"Sir, put the gun down." Swain repeated, raising his gun to aim at the man's head. The ADF man just sneered at Swain.

"What are you going to do? Shoot me? Go ahead."

Scruffy gaped. "You're mad." She stared at him in shock.

He shrugged. "Yeah, maybe I am." He stopped the gun on Scruffy and she blinked as he seemed to pick his target. "So, me or you girlie?"

"You." A voice said, stepping into the clearing. He fired on the man before he even noticed he was there. The ADF man dropped and Swain and Scruffy turned to see Sergeant Chisholm standing there. He smiled at Scruffy. "Alright love?" He asked.

Scruffy looked like she was going to hug him, but just gave him a grin as Swain patted Chisholm on the arm. But the moment was lost as Spider burst into the clearing. "Caesar's gone."

Swain frowned. "What do you mean gone?"

Scruffy frowned at him, leaning an arm against a nearby tree as she listened. "Where'd he go?" She asked.

Spider shrugged. "I don't know. He mentioned Archie and then he just ran off. He was gone before I even noticed." He gave his puppy dog face. "Sorry."

Scruffy gave him a sad smile and Swain just moved to him. "It's fine Spider. I'm sure he'll be alright." He glanced around him. "Do you have a brief idea of wher…" He stopped as Scruffy cried out.

The hand that Scruffy had been lazily resting against the tree suddenly hurt and she let out a yelp of pain. Everyone nearby looked up, just in time to see the hand of one of the ADF men wind itself around Scruffy's wrist and yank. The pull was strong, forcing the Seaman off balance. She fell, right towards the man. But Spider was quicker. Grabbing her other hand with both of his he yanked her back, side-stepping as she was pulled towards him. She fell onto Chisholm who righted her quickly before joining Spider and Swain as they went after Scruffy's attacker. The cry also seemed to have attracted the attention of others of Black Box's men in the form of Haynes and Fulton who appeared at her side, asking what had happened and glancing at the man Chisholm had shot. She explained, glancing up at the where the others had disappeared before they returned five minutes later. "Spider?" She asked, though really asking if they'd found him. But they were alone.

"Nothing. They're too damn quick." He frowned.

Scruffy just put a hand on his arm. "It's fine Spi. Hey, I owe you a few beers when we get back to shore. Nice grab. He caught me completely off guard."

Swain agreed. "Yeah, nice work Spider." The young Seaman grinned. Swain looked at Scruffy. "So it's Ragdoll Murphy now?" He smiled.

Scruffy grinned. "Yeah, sure. Scruffy is getting a bit old." She turned serious. "Did you see Caesar?"

They shook their heads before noticing Haynes and Fulton. Swain went to them and told them about Caesar's disappearance as well as the ADF man they had found that RO and Herbie had taken back to the Hammersley cuffed. According to Chisholm he hadn't even put up a fight, hence why Chisholm had returned to help Scruffy. But, unfortunately, they hadn't seen the Leading Seaman either, but they did reveal something that made Swain frown.

"After I found Fulton we saw them." Haynes explained. "Lyons and a few sailors. They were headed this way."

And without knowing why he thought it, Swain assumed the worst. The sound of gunfire confirmed it. Turning towards the sound, everyone ran.

As the others went after Scruffy's attacker, Caesar was tramping through the bush towards where he knew they had Archie. But what he had expected to find when he strayed across Archie was not to be true. Instead there were more people. One of them was Lyons.

Archie, bound and gagged, lay on the ground staring up at two young men, barely older than himself, who stood over him with their guns trained on the young sailor. Nearby Lyons stood with his gun dancing around in his hand. At first Caesar thought there was no one else, until he heard a groan and his eyes flashed to the figure at Lyons' feet that he hadn't noticed before. It was the ADF man that he'd seen dragging Archie away. He'd been shot. It wasn't hard to guess by whom, especially when the Stuart captain turned his gun back on the man.

"One day you mercenaries will learn not to mess with us." He taunted.

The man groaned again, barely forming words. "Is that su… supposed to scare me?" He struggled to form the words.

Lyons looked up, allowing Caesar to see the evil grin on his face. Lyons was mad, there was little doubt about that, but this was something else. This was outside the training manuals. This was cold-blooded murder. "I'm not here to scare you mister Anderson. I'm here to get my bounty back." Then, turning the gun on the bounty hunter's head, Lyons shot him dead.

Caesar gasped and regretted it straightaway. Lyons turned, hearing him, and pointed his gun into the trees. Caesar slinked back behind the nearest tree, regretting his impetuousness almost immediately. Lyons seemed to shrug it off and turned to the other two men. "Get Able Seaman Piote back to the ship." He waved them away and the two men, pulling Archie to his feet, dragged Caesar's crewmate away into the trees. But Lyons, glancing around him, stayed where he was. With a small smile he started to speak. "Hammersley? I know it's you lot." He turned slowly, taking in all the bushes around the tiny clearing as he spoke. "Your desperation to retrieve your men is impressive, I'll give you that, but also stupid. I'm sure you've seen now that I show no hesitation in eliminating anyone and anything in my way. You are not immune from that, bounty or not. To tell you the truth, you're all giving me the shits and I can't wait to get you out of my hair." He paused for effect and Caesar took his chance to raise him gun slowly, aiming at the still turning man. Lyons continued. "So, how many of you are out there? Six? Ten? All of you?" He sniggered at his own comment. "So who's manning your stupid little patrol boat?" He grinned. "To tell you the truth, I've never liked you patrol boat lot. You're all amazingly pretentious. 'We're protecting the economic zone' blah blah blah. Don't know what real battles are. Seen Iraq lately? Not likely. I'll tell you now, it's great. Just got back myself, last month. And now here we are, here, with you lot."

Caesar had had enough. "Patrol boats are the only real defence in the Defence Force." He yelled back.

Lyons laughed. "Yeah, sure. But you know what they say? Attack is the best form of defence." He stopped turning, raising his gun at a spot a good distance away from where Caesar hid. "So, how many of you again? Nine? Four?" He paused then turned quickly on the spot where Caesar hid. "One?" He fired. The bullet caught Caesar in the shoulder before the Leading Seaman had a chance to duck back. Giving a loud groan at the pain in his arm, he dropped his pistol from the shock. It was the chance Lyons' needed and before Caesar knew what had happened, Lyons was standing over him, kicking the gun away and grabbing Caesar by his overalls. He dragged the man back to the clearing and dumped him on the ground, but Caesar wasn't done. As Lyons leant over him to deliver the killer blow Caesar kicked out, toppling Lyons into a heap on the ground. Then, launching himself at the Stuart captain, Caesar knocked the gun from his hand and it bounced away into the bush. Punching Lyons in the face as he held him down with his shot arm, Caesar grimaced in pain at the look of shock on Lyons' face. The Stuart captain had been outsmarted. But, the shock soon wearing off, Lyons blocked Caesar's next punch and pushed Caesar off him, pressing his elbow down on Caesar's wound. Caesar gasped with pain but didn't cry out, just pushing Lyons off him with his good arm. Lyons fell to the ground and made for the gun, but again Caesar caught him with his leg and Lyons fell flat to the ground on his stomach. Turning to sit up, Caesar was grabbed around the neck from behind by the captain and stayed still, not wanting Lyons to break his neck. Lyons seemed to sense this and used it as his chance to make for the gun again, loosening one hand. Caesar grabbed his chance and, bringing his arms over his head, pried Lyons' arms off him, turned and kicked the captain in the stomach. Lyons fell back on his backside before using his own feet to knock Caesar back down again. Breathing heavily, Caesar gave up on the gun and drove himself at Lyons, aiming for his face again, determined to break his nose. But Lyons saw it coming and ducked away from Caesar, leaving the Leading Seaman to fall flat on his stomach. Slow to turn after falling, Caesar did eventually turn to the worst sight ever. Lyons had found his gun and was pointing it at Caesar's head as he sat before him. Dusting off his legs and raising himself to his feet Lyons stepped away from Caesar's legs lest the man try again to knock him down. Then, with a small smile, Lyons fired.

Swain, Spider and Chisholm broke into the clearing, their guns raised, as Caesar's figure slumped. Caught up in watching the Leading Seaman, Lyons hadn't heard them coming until they were right on top of him. But, only a second too late, there was nothing they could do for Caesar. Lyons turned on them, beaten but victorious. "I guess I come quietly?" He said with a smile. He dropped his gun and, Swain's gun trained on him, Chisholm went to Lyons and picked it up. Pocketing it, Chisholm restrained the captain and trapped his arms behind his back. But, despite being captured, Lyons smile never strayed.

Eventually Swain had had enough. "Whatever you're smug about, you have no reason to be. Your game is over Lyons. We're getting our men from your clutches and going home."

Lyons shrugged. "It's not up to me anymore I'm afraid. I fear the men I brought with me have gone a little power mad."

Swain frowned. "What?"

"I believe they call it a coup." He smiled knowing about Samaru. But Swain had had enough.

"You two take him back. I'll go find the others." He said to Chisholm and Spider. The pair nodded and grabbed Lyons, holding him. The captain, the whole time, never quite stopped grinning. "Take him back to the Hammersley. I'm sure the CO will have a few questions for him." Turning away Swain was stopped by Chisholm and glanced back to find Chisholm had stupidly left Spider to hold the captain alone. It was a mistake as Lyons had freed himself from Spider's hold and turned on the Seaman. Swain looked up to find Lyons had another trick up his sleeve. He had a knife and was hodling it to Spider's neck. Swain reacted quickly, raising his gun to Lyons face, but he was using the Seaman as a shield. "Don't move Spider." Swain requested. The Seaman listened, staying completely still. Glancing up Swain noticed something else. Chisholm had disappeared. He decided not to draw Lyons attention to that. "Lieutenant Commander, lower the knife."

Lyons shook his head. "And why would I want to do that?" He grinned and lifted Spider's flack jacket a little. He grinned. "A Seaman? Sorry about this son." He pressed the knife to Spider's throat and a small line of blood appeared. Spider's eyes went wide, assuming the worst, but before Lyons could do anything he convulsed and the knife fell from his hand. Spider's entire body shook under the weight of the man as he fell away. Swain, reached for Spider, pulled the young man back towards him, Spider bravely gathering himself and turning his own gun back on Lyons. But it was futile. Lyons had been shot in the side. Blood gushed from his stomach and he pressed his hands to it, turning white, has Chisholm strode from the trees. He'd gone around and Lyons hadn't noticed. He'd also shot Lyons in the one place he wasn't protected or would hurt Spider – under the arm he had raised to Spider's throat. He stepped over Lyons and looked down at him coldly.

"How does it feel when the roles are reversed sir?" He asked, aiming his gun at Lyons head.

"No, Chisholm, don't." Swain said, looking at the Sergeant.

Chisholm shook his head. "I wasn't going to. Only scum kill in cold blood." He picked up Lyons knife them patted him down for any more weapons. He didn't find any. Then, turning away, he left Lyons behind to die. Swain's eyes danced between Lyons and Chisholm, but in the end he too couldn't excuse what Lyons had done and knew there was nothing he could do to save Lyons anyway, so left him behind. Then, picking up Caesar's body, they headed back to the Hammersley.

Scruffy gasped at Fulton finished explaining to her about Lyons and the ADF men. "So, they've what, gone renegade?"

"Well, they were already mad." Haynes put in unhelpfully as they ran.

Scruffy shot him a smile. "Yeah, true."

"I don't know what this is all about. I mean, clearly money, but something else as well. Something we don't know about." Fulton continued.

"Something Price does." Scruffy put in.

Haynes frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Haven't you noticed he's stopped sending help for us?" She pointed out. "Captain Flynn asked him to send help for this search and he refused." She shook her head. "I don't like it."

Haynes sighed. "Look, Emma, I know your father hates him but do you really think he's hiding something from Lieutenant Commander Flynn?"

"Uh, yes Luke, I do. He's a selfish jerk who only ca…"

Fulton shushed them and pointed to something in the distance. Three figures were moving away from them, two dragging the other with them. Fulton strode forward, followed silently by Scruffy and then Haynes, as they made for the figures. The third one seemed to be putting up a decent fight and had slowed the other two down. They all looked up, including the captured figure, as another gunshot rung out. There had been one only five minutes before. This allowed Scruffy and the army men to recognise the hostage. It was Archie. Moving slowly forward, they got close enough to hear Archie talking.

"So this is how it is when you join an ANZAC is it? You go power mad? Or is it just the Stuart? The Tartan madmen?" He demanded of the man on his left. The men said nothing so Archie continued, ceasing walking until he had answers. "Lyons told you he was taking us home for our own good didn't he?" He looked now to the one on his right. "So, who just got shot?" He asked.

"That bastard Anderson." The one on his left said, but his voice was uncertain.

Archie shook his head. "He was dead when we left. Why shoot him another two times?"

Scruffy realised Archie was right and hoped to god that it was Caesar or Swain and the others shooting Lyons instead of the other way around. She glanced at Fulton as he motioned for her and Haynes to go around. She nodded and she and Haynes headed to the left. Fulton headed right. Archie, meanwhile, kept them stalling, asking them more questions. Seemingly worried Archie was right and their captain was insane, the two young men had gone silent and still. It gave Fulton and the others the chance they needed and they stepped from the bushes, surrounding the three men. Archie gave them a grin, almost as if he'd been expecting them, and shook off the men's arms. The young Stuart men seemed to know better than put up a fight and just put up their hands. Cuffing them, Haynes and Fulton led them back towards the Hammersley. Scruffy went to Archie and undid his ties. Archie shook his wrists and grinned at her. "So, not a Price fan?" He asked.

Scruffy laughed. "You heard that?"

He nodded. "That's how I knew you were coming and I stopped." He laughed. "You have to work on your subtle Seaman Murphy." Then, taking the pistol Scruffy held out to him, he followed Fulton and Haynes from the bush with a laugh.

The smiles on Archie and Scruffy's faces were lost when they reached the beach and saw the figure in Chisholm and Spider's arms as they lifted him into the RHIB. Swain was already in the RHIB, radioing to the others and the Hammersley, as Fulton and Haynes pushed their captives into the RHIB. Scruffy looked at Spider and noticed a small red gash on his neck. She frowned at him and he gave her a sad shrug as he sat down next to Chisholm. Realising there wasn't enough room for all of them in the RHIB, Scruffy and Fulton stayed behind, watching the RHIB as it headed back to the Hammersley. With a frown and a sigh she took a seat on the sand. It had been a long day and it wasn't over yet.

1351

"We have a problem." Price's voice came over the radio.

Mike picked up the radio and frowned at Kate. She shrugged. "What is it this time Steven?"

"The bounty hunters. They couldn't get your lot so they've decided on a new target – they've taken about 50 0f Lyons' lot and called in friends."

Mike frowned. "What do you mean 'called in friends'?"

Nav answered. "New contact."

Mike glanced at the radar and saw the ship. It was another Australian warship. But this time it was the…

"Childers?" Mike gasped.

"Exactly. The same group we met up. I told you they wanted in on this fight."

"Let them come in. I won't be too upset if those bounty hunters take the Stuart off our hands."

Price snorted. "Great idea Mike, but don't you have two men with them still?"

Mike frowned and chastised himself. Worrying about Caesar and Pierce he had completely forgotten about Buffer and Dutchy. "Yeah, I know." He sighed. "Maybe it's just best we let them return to Australia."

"It isn't like you to give up Mike."

"What can we do about it then Steven? Force the Childers to leave Buffer and Dutchy behind?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Price replied. "And I have the perfect bargaining tool. Just, give me an hour."

1413

"Lieutenant Commander Flynn?" A new voice came across the radio.

Mike picked up. "This is Mike Flynn. Who is this?"

"This is Lieutenant Commander Grey of the HMAS Childers. We've met before."

Mike nodded. He had only met Patrick Grey once, the Childers based in Darwin. Back then Grey had struck him as a pushover and now Mike guessed it was this nature that had caused him to yield to the ex-ADF men. "Yes, I know we have. This is about my men Patrick?"

"Yes, Steven Price has spoken to me. He's very persuasive. For that reason we've demanded that Trevor Barnes, the leader of the bounty hunters, leave your two men behind. If they do not, they will not be allowed on board."

"And the Stuart?" Mike asked.

"The Stuart are wanted by Canberra for charges. Their conduct means your charges have been dropped. For that reason I suggest you pick up your men and come home with us. We will be taking these men home as the fugitives they are. You, I believe, will be welcomed home as heroes."

Mike frowned. "What?" He gaped. "What's been happening in Australia while we've been away? Last week we were wanted men with bounties on our heads."

"Yes, the Stuart changed all that. Canberra have sympathised with what the Stuart have put you through as well as everything you've faced with the French and the Islanders. You're the stuff of stories back at base Mike. Because they feel responsible for sending the Stuart, they've cleared you of all charges."

Mike shook his head. Whatever Canberra's reasons, it was too late to undo the damage that had already been done. He just sighed. "Okay Patrick. Thank you. Good luck with the ADF men."

"Good luck finding your men Mike. I made Barnes promise to leave them behind. Where he'll leave them however I can't help you with."

As he went to hang up Mike recalled a question he wanted the answers to. "Patrick, what made you come around?"

Patrick Grey chuckled. "Steven Price can be very persuasive. Especially with a little friend he's nicknamed Molly." Grey hung up.

It took Mike a second to realise what Grey was talking about, and then he remembered Price mentioning he had given the Sea Sparrows names. With a small smile and a shake of his head, Mike glanced at the Kanimbla. Typical Price.

1503

"We have a problem." Price's voice came over the radio.

Mike picked it up again. "What is it this time Price? Did Molly get stuck in her launcher?" He joked.

They'd been watching the Childers for the last half an hour as she strayed off the west coast of Libertile. Just 2 minutes earlier she had started away and Mike guessed she had her men and was going home.

"Uh, no, worse. I've just spoken to Grey. The ADF men didn't take the deal. They've handed over the 50 something Stuart men, but stayed behind with your men. Grey says Barnes wants you, and he won't stop until he has you."

Mike sighed. "Great, so, now what?"

"I don't know Mike. They're outnumbered but still mad. They could do anything."

"What about the Stuart? Can we get any help from the last of them?" Mike asked.

"Not likely." Price replied. "There's only about 15 of them left, not even enough to get themselves out of here. They've called Canberra for assistance."

Mike glanced at the others on the bridge and they all looked confused about what was to happen next. Mike wasn't sure either. He knew enough about Barnes' men to know they were mad, a little suicidal and clearly desperate to get ahead. They obviously didn't know that the bounty had been removed from the head of the Hammersley. Either that or they didn't care and just wanted the Hammersley for the fun of it. With these men one couldn't be sure. But whatever they were up to, the Hammersley was in trouble.

"What can we do?" Mike asked.

"Just prepare yourselves. Man your Typhoon and guns. Keep everyone on the boat. I've got some men on here that are dying to help." And with that mysterious ending, Price hung up.

1526

"Movement." ET yelled from where he stood on the deck, binoculars to his eyes. It was enough for Swain who, standing over the Typhoon controls, slapped a hand down on the shoulder of Spider. They readied the device and it swivelled just a little to the direction ET, and RO now, was pointing. But they didn't fire. They hoped that it may be Buffer or Dutchy. But it wasn't. It was the ADF men from the Stuart.

Almost kamikaze-like, one of them ran out into the open sand to signal he was there. He was shot down quickly by the Hammersley's gun, now manned by an agitated Bomber and Scruffy. Bomber had cheered up at the mention that she'd finally get to do something relevant, but still looked grumpy. Maybe it was the knowledge that once her services were finished with she had to get back to bed.

The CO frowned. "What are they doing?" He said as another ran out only to again be shot down by Bomber's gunfire. Then ET realised.

"It's a distraction. Sir." The CO joined the two Leading Seaman on the deck to see the RHIB coming at them from around the island. Silently they had moved on the Hammersley, expecting their kamikaze act to draw the Hammersley's attention. Spider turned the Typhoon on the RHIB and fired. It flew a metre in the air before hitting the water upside-down a second later. Another minute and it would've been on them. The CO congratulated ET then turned his attention back to the island. More distraction techniques. Either they didn't know the RHIB had been lost or they were planning something else. Assuming the worst, Mike grabbed the radio.

"Price, watch for RHIBs. They're planning an assault on the ships. The beach is a distraction."

"Well, that's desperate. It's fine Mike. We have everything covered." He paused then spoke again. "Put your guns away. We'll take this next wave."

Unsure why he took the chance, he ordered Nav to step down the gun. Spider pushed away from the Typhoon. Just as they did, a small group of heavily armoured individuals burst on the beach, not where the first group had been but further down. They didn't meet any gunfire. They stopped, confused. Then, almost out from underneath them, the sand rose. Throats were cut and a man was captured before they knew what was happening. The sand then dragged their captured man back into the trees. They were gone before Mike even knew what had happened. And then Price's voice came through the radio.

"Thank you Mike. Please, go back to your firing."

But the capture seemed to have spooked Barnes and nothing more came.

Then, in his own special way, Spider summed up the situation. "What the hell was that?"

A/N: Lol. I had to bring the Childers back. I'm just surprised no one brought up Price's comment about the Childers last time we saw it…

That's the last of the Stuart and the last of Caesar. And the last of the ADF? Maybe, so, who's next? And where is Buffer and Dutchy?