Chapter 9
Three days later.
They approached HMAS Penguin in Sydney. The traffic to and from the port as well as to the naval bases had increased significantly. The majority of the crew stood at the railing to watch the various kinds of ships ranging from merchant cargo ships, submarines, escort ships, mine-layers, destroyers, cruisers to an aircraft carrier.
"Jeez, man, it's just like we're shooting a war movie!", King said to Harpie who was taking photos.
He looked at his friend, "Wake up! You'll play an active role in an ongoing war, or has been history for us! It's for real now mate!"
At the same time, the intercom came to life.
"To all staff, this is the captain speaking.
Listen carefully.
I would like to emphasise that we are now at war.
Today is 18th May 1942. That means a lot of things that we are not yet used to.
Any strange behaviour or whatever you say will be considered hostile. People will think you are spies. They won't believe you're from 2011. Don't say what we're doing. If they ask specific questions, lip service to them and hold them at bay by saying we're a special unit. The best is to keep a low profile. Don't be too enthusiastic on commenting a football game or anything else, because they will find out that you're not from here. Don't go alone, always be two or more. Keep your drinking moderate. Drunk people say more than they want. Avoid quarrels, avoid military police. We don't have ID card yet and they will consider you a spy and an enemy.
It is not a request, but an order.
It's not yet known what we will do in the future, but what I do know is that we are under the direct command of Vice Admiral Crace .
Moreover, when we go ashore, we will receive a payday advance in the current currency. Ours is of no value at this time.
Finally, I understood that we were going to stay in the barracks.
If you have any questions, you have to contact your divisional officer, as usual.
That's all. Carry on", Mike said and ended the communication.
He noticed that some were looking at him and he nodded to them. He also saw that Kate looked very focused on the heavy traffic around them, but he also noticed that she was not reassured by the way she was biting her lip.
He walked to her. "It will be fine", he said simply to comfort her.
"Yeah, it has to be so", she said bitterly.
"You know, we have an advantage and that is we know how it ends", he said.
"But, before the 6th of August 1945, it's going to be quite rough", she answered.
"It's the only part we don't know", he whispered.
She changed the subject, "By the way, isn't it unusual for the crew to have to stay in the barracks? Normally we stay aboard".
"I know, but it's to give the crew another environment when we have shore leave. Nobody of us have a home and that should create a distraction", he replied.
"Great prospects!", she mumbled.
"Hmm, we're entering the base", Mike noticed.
"Slow ahead. Starboard 5", he ordered.
For the next thirty minutes, they spent them bringing the ship along the quay for the greater interest of the men on the base. They also noticed some officers on the dock.
As soon as the gangway was pushed ashore, the most senior officer, a captain, boarded . He greeted the ensign quickly. "Where's the admiral?", he asked Dutchy who was supervising the mooring activity. He was an elderly man with grey hair, probably just about retiring when the war broke out. His beer belly revealed that he enjoyed life.
"To the bridge sir, that way", he answered, pointing to the staircase.
The captain rushed over to the bridge and his eyes widened as he saw all the new equipment.
"Ah Collins! It's quick", Crace greeted him.
Captain Collins saluted, "Sir, may I ask you what this is all about? I've never seen this kind of ship before and all this strange equipment".
"I do believe you, Commander Flynn can explain it to you. Let's go to the control room", the admiral said.
Collins looked around highly interested before continuing and saw Kate looking at him.
"A WRANS on a ship?", he said baffled.
"I'm not a WRANS, but active service, sir!", Kate snapped irritated.
What do they think? That we're just good enough at typing or pinning papers on a wall chart?
"Gentlemen?", Mike said to avoid more snapping and gestured to the control room.
Later in the control room, Captain Collins leaned against his chair, mug of coffee in hand. "Pfft, it's a whale of a story. If it wasn't you who told me, I never would have believed it. Jeez! I guess our scientists will be eager to hear that too", he said.
"No!", Crace snapped, "The less we know about this, the better. Although, I think it will be going to be a matter of time before Tokyo knows about this marvel. There are eyes, ears and ready tongues everywhere. But we'll do our best to keep it secret".
"Yes sir, I understand", Collins replied.
"Firstly, I keep this ship under my direct command. Secondly, I keep it at your base. It's the safest way. Few people come here and those who come know they must be silent", Crace said.
"Uh-hu", Collins mumbled.
"But, I have to provide accommodation for the crew. Isn't it unusual? Normally a crew stays aboard", he continued.
"I know, I know, but these men have no home, nothing. If you don't give them another environment, they will break down and that's the last thing we want. This ship and their experience are too valuable to us and the war at this time. Give them NCO rooms and an officer's room to officers, of course", the admiral said.
"By the way, do you still have the money for their salaries?", he asked.
"Yes sir, I have it. We'll pay them before we distribute them the rooms", Collins answered.
Two hours later, the crew gathered in the main building to be paid. They looked in disbelief at the little money they got. Harpie convinced them that the things they could buy were price equal to the salary they had just receveid. There was only one minor incident and that was when Bomber appeared in front of the paymaster.
"Leading Seaman Rebecca Brown sir", she announced.
The man looked up sharply and stammered, "A WRANS?".
Kate saw the incident coming and moved closer to prevent Bomber from outbursting, "We, are not WRANS but active service, lieutenant", she said in her XO tone.
"Ah? It's new! Is it that bad in the Navy nowadays", he mumbled as he counted the dollars for her.
After the crew received their pay, the second in command brought them to their quarters. The enlisted men and NCO's were divided into six-man rooms. Captain Collins supervised the activity. Bomber was last, along with Mike and Kate.
The commander scratched the back of his head. "Hmm, we don't have rooms for WRANS…", he tried to say, but was interrupted by Kate.
"We are not WRANS, but in active service", she snapped.
The commander gave her an indignant look and muttered something inaudible.
"Uhm, it's really unusual, but the leading seaman can have an officer's room", he said ill-at-ease and headed for the door to the officer's quarters.
At the same time Collins pulled Mike's sleeve, "Mike, if these two women are bothering you, call me and I'll sort it out for you immediately", he whispered.
Mike grinned, "No sir, thank you, I'm keeping them. They are like a lucky charm for the ship".
"Hmm, you better than me. There have been mutinies for less than that", grumbled the captain.
A few minutes later they were in the wing reserved for the officers. Mike and Kate got a room across from each other and reluctantly the commander assigned Rebecca the room next to Kate.
Captain Collins looked at Mike and Kate, "You're invited to the officers' mess for supper tonight. You still have time to settle down", he said before leaving with the other officers.
The three of them entered their room and looked around. The rooms were spartan. A bed, a cupboard, a table with two chairs and a bathroom, that was it.
"Is this our home in 1942? I consider myself lucky compared to my colleagues. I have at least a room of my own", Bomber mumbled to herself.
Mike dropped his sports bag on the floor and scratched the back of his head. He barely looked at the furniture. He was more concerned about his ship and the crew in this new situation.
Kate made a face as she put her bag on the bed. "Oh gosh! How outdated it is!", she said. She looked into the bathroom and winced even more, "It's old! But, there's at least a bath". She came back into the room and looked around through the window. She saw the square with barracks around and some sailors. It looked so far away, so unreal. She turned away from the window and looked at the impersonal room. It seemed to her that the walls closed on her and she suddenly felt lonely. Without hesitation, she left her room, closed the door and knocked at Mike's door.
"Come in ", she heard.
Kate entered and found him in front of the window, he turned around to see who it was.
A smile lit up his face, "Hey Kate".
She collapsed onto his bed, "May I stay with you tonight? I don't know how I feel, but one thing I can tell you is that I don't feel happy", she asked desperately.
He sat down on the chair opposite the bed, "Yes you can, but, uh, it's not very wide, as you can see".
"I'll make myself small, promised", she answered with a faint smile.
"We'll manage", he replied with a broad smile.
"Mike, what's going to happen with us? Are we going to survive the war? We know the worst is yet to come, no?", she asked in one go.
"I don't know darling. I'll try to keep our crew together as long as possible. The Hammersley is not endless. We don't have high tech spare parts here", he replied with a frown.
Kate's shoulders slumped, "Moreover, we lost everything, our house, savings, car, the crew lost their families, everything…", she said sadly squeezing her eyelids firmly. She leaned forward, covered her face with both hands and sobbed.
Mike stood up and sat down next to her on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle hug, "Hey, it won't be that bad. We're together and that's the most important thing", he whispered to her.
It worked. Kate stopped sobbing and rested her head against his chest. "I feel safe with you", she said weakly.
"And I feel at ease with you", he answered hugging her.
They sat there for few minutes without talking, enjoying each other company.
He patted her knee, "It's time for supper. We've been invited. Rather formal here, isn't it?", he said.
"Hmm, so I think I'll refresh my face first. I think I must be awful", Kate said, standing up.
"Okay, I'll knock at your door", Mike answered.
Later that night, Bomber woke up. For a moment she stared at the dark ceiling, thinking where she was. She made a face when she realised it. She stood up and looked outside through the curtains. It was still dark. She looked at her watch, which read two o'clock.
I'm thirsty. The food was too salty. I wonder whether I could find a soft drink vending machine here.
She put on a pair of flip-flops and left her room with some coins.
A few minutes later she was back, still thirsty and in a bad mood.
Jeez, not even a soft drink machine or a water dispenser. Bloody barracks!
Rebecca looked up as she heard a door open of and saw Kate leave a room in her pyjamas. Kate looked scared when she noticed Rebecca.
"Are you thirsty X?", she whispered.
"Yeah, too salty. My tongue is just a piece of dried leather", Kate whispered back.
"Don't go any further X. There's nothing to drink here. It's going to be the tap", Rebecca whispered again.
"Ah? Okay.", said Kate and she went back into the room.
Bomber entered her bedroom and filled a glass with tap water. As she drank, something came to her mind.
It's weird, Kate's room is next to mine, but she came out of the one across the corridor. But this one is that of the CO. A late night meeting? In pyjamas? No! Would the boss be sick?
She put the glass down and lay down again.
I'll ask tomorrow.
The next day the crew gathered in the large briefing room. Mike stood in front of them.
"Well men, did you have a good night's sleep?", he asked.
The crew wasn't very happy and muttered.
"Can't we sleep aboard?"
"Is this luxury? Rooms with six instead of two?"
"Everything is outdated!"
"Couldn't Bomber cook here?"
"The power voltage for our electric shavers doesn't match!"
He raised his hands, "Okay, okay, okay. I understand your irritation, but remember it's 1942 now. And the most important of all, we are at war! This is neither an exercise nor a simulation. This is for real. People are getting killed outside. It's a solution to give you another environment when we're back in the base, knowing our special situation. To conclude, adapt and make the best of it and that counts for all of us", he said.
"The ship is under the direct command of Admiral Crace, given our extraordinary equipment. He'll deploy us for special targets, but we don't have a task yet. We popped up yesterday and he's probably now thinking about the best solution. Meanwhile, we are maintaining the ship, adding supplies and paying special attention to alarm drills. It's absolutely necessary that everyone be at the combat posts in no time. Tomorrow, training for all will be organised for the reconnaissance of ships and aircraft. Then we start with a war action plan and the drills.
For today, there's not much on the agenda. We have to try to find the right ammunition and oil for the engines. This is a positive point for you. The majority have shore leave, but be aware that you should return at 10 tonight and that you come out in uniform. Remember, it's 1942. Any questions?", he said.
Hands were raised.
"Is there a risk that we came across the enemy?"
"Affirmative! We've done it before with the plane", Mike answered.
"Are we going to survive this?"
"Good question. Let's hope so. I'll try to keep the crew together wherever we go", he replied.
"Right? You can get your permission from the X. But, remember to keep a low profile. No fights or too much alcohol. Keep your mouth shut. We're a special unit! Understood?", he said.
"Aye aye sir!", they replied.
The crew gathered at Kate's to get their permission. Meanwhile, RO moved closer to Bomber and whispered in her ear, "Becca, I think it would be better if I joined the mates, otherwise it'll be suspicious."
She whispered back without looking at him, "It's the best you can do".
Then, he walked away from her without being seen.
When Bomber got her permission and walked away, Kate looked at Mike, "Mike, …uh sir, are you going to town?"
He shook his head, "I'm sorry Kate, too much to do now. I'll try to figure out how it works here".
"Yeah, I see", she replied.
Rebecca heard it, turned around and said, "X, can we go to town together so I would feel safer", she asked.
Kate seemed relieved, "Oh? Yeah, great!", she answered.
Mike smiled, "Good idea! Enjoy it and tell me tonight what Sydney looks like in 1942".
A Navy bus took them downtown. Everyone stuck their noses against the windows to look at the landscape they knew only from the movies.
To be continued