The Hammersley and the other three ships from the navy were getting ready to leave. Luckily the engine problems were easily solved and they were ready to go on the Hammersley's signal. Mike was trying to keep steady on the bridge.
"We need a signal from you to go sir." Charge said looking up from his work.
Mike didn't answer. His head was hurting too much to let him even think. Charge and RO looked at each other.
"Is he alright?" Charge asked quietly.
"I don't know. Maybe we should ask him?" RO answered.
"Sir?" Charge asked to Mike.
"What is it Charge?" Mike finally answered.
"Are you alright?" Charge asked.
"Yeah I'm fine." Mike answered quickly.
Charge and RO were still a little bit suspicious. Mike didn't normally hide stuff from his crew, especially Charge and RO. Kate re-joined the bridge crew with Bomber following after her.
"How's Nav?" Mike asked Kate.
"She's fine. Just needs some space." Kate reassured Mike by patting him on the back.
"I'll go down and see her later." Mike whispered with a smile.
Kate smiled at this response. Mike always cared about his crew even if it might be dangerous to him. Kate looked out the window to the other ships in front of them.
"What are they waiting for?" Kate asked the bridge.
"My signal." Mike sighed.
Kate looked at Mike. it was clear that he didn't know whether he could give the order with a clear head.
"Charge." Kate said for Mike.
"Yes X."
"You have the signal. We can go." Kate nodded.
Charge went to say something but got a glare from Kate to tell him not to. Charge nodded back and typed in a communication to the other ships to move out. Mike gave Kate a 'thank you' look. Kate gave a little nod back.
"They're ready." Charge said looking up.
"Let's go then Charge." Mike answered before Kate could.
Kate rolled her eyes and got back to her work. Mike sat down in his seat as the Hammersley moved away from the island. The other two ships moved behind them.
"Let's get Navcom on the phone." Mike nodded at Kate.
"Yes sir." Kate said happily that Mike was back.
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"Are you going to answer me Maxine?" Marshal said crossing his arms, standing over Maxine.
"I just left a mission file in your office by mistake." Maxine quickly came up with an answer.
Maxine was keeping down gulping. Marshal was an imposing force when he wanted to be. She just hoped someone would get her out of this mess.
"Right. Well, you don't seem to have it in your hand that's all." Marshal looked back and forth to see some sort of file.
"Hammersley to base." The radio crackled from Maxine's office.
"I'd better get that." Maxine changed the subject.
"You'd better had." Marshal stepped back.
Maxine gave a little smile as she went back to her office. Marshal stared after her and then went into his office confused by Maxine's behaviour.
"Maxine here." Maxine finally answered the radio.
"It's Mike. We've moved off." Mike's voice came as a response.
Maxine couldn't be happier. Knowing that the ships were moving now. It also meant she could finally go and see them hopefully. However, with everyone on the mainland in lockdown, could they really do that?
"That's great news Mike." Maxine answered after a little pause.
"Where shall we go? As we're not allowed on the mainland?" Mike asked.
"There's a secret port at the side of the main port. I'll send you the reference and meet you there." Maxine ended the call.
Maxine put the radio down. It will be nice to see the other members of the Hammersley especially Mike after the big reveal that she hoped Mike had finally told his crew.
"Maxine?" A voice came from the door of her office.
Finally. He was here.
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Mike still felt awful as the ships continued to plod along. He didn't tell any of the crew in case they got distracted from the mission they were on. Kate could tell something was wrong, she didn't want to say something however, as she didn't want to show him up in front of the crew.
"I'm going to get some air." Mike said walking away from the bridge.
"Okay." Kate said quietly and calmly.
The rest of the crew watched Mike as he left but didn't say anything. Bomber came up to join Kate at the front of the bridge.
"Does he really need some air?" Bomber asked with a bit of a smile.
"I don't know. Maybe he just needs some time to think of what comes next." Kate shrugged.
Kate didn't want to get involved with Mike's problems.
"So where's this secret port?" RO changed the subject.
"Apparently it's just next to the main one but no one has ever seen it." Charge joked.
Charge and RO stifled some laughter. Kate could still hear them though. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Bomber looked around the bridge, something was missing.
"Where's Spider?" She asked.
"He needed something from his bunk." RO answered looking up from his work.
"Right. Did anyone actually believe that?" Bomber chuckled.
"Not really." RO and Charge answered together.
"I'll go and find him." Bomber shook her head.
Buffer looked over for the first time since Mike had left. Buffer had remained quiet since Mike had told everyone his secret. He thought Mike would have at least told him out of anyone. Obviously not.
"You busy Buffer?" Kate asked.
"Yeah. I've got to talk to Swaine." Buffer said getting up from his seat.
Bomber watched Buffer go. She looked to Kate, so many people had to be left on the bridge at one time during the daytime. Kate sighed and shook her head which meant Bomber had to stay on the bridge for now.
"Thanks Buffer." Bomber said under his breath.
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Buffer made his way down to the sick bay. He didn't really need to talk to Swaine but it would be nice to talk to someone. Swaine seemed to be the only sane one around at this point in time. He got down to the sick bay and knocked on the door.
No response came. Swaine was somewhere else obviously. He had another look around trying to see where he could have gone.
"You were looking for me?" Swaine said, coming up behind Buffer.
"Yeah. I need to talk to you." Buffer nodded.
Swaine nodded and opened the door for them. They then both entered for a chat that Buffer didn't really want to have.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Swaine asked first.
"It's about the CO." Buffer sat down.
"What about him?"
"I'm guessing you knew about the tumor."
"I did but I didn't want to tell anyone." Swaine sighed, a little bit relieved Mike had told everyone now.
"He never keeps secrets from us."
"I know but this seems a bit too private."
Buffer tried to say something but Swaine was right for once. Some things were a little too private to tell the crew and as CO he didn't have to tell every single secret.
"Alright I guess, that was it." Buffer said standing.
"That's not it." Swaine said before Buffer could leave.
"What? Of course that's it." Buffer smirked.
"Fine. Keep it to yourself then." Swaine shrugged his shoulders.
Buffer shrugged his shoulders and left the room. He had nothing to hide. What was Swaine on about?! Swaine stared after his friend as he left. He couldn't stop anyone from leaving if there was nothing physically wrong with them.
"Swaine!" Buffer shouted from outside.
Swaine looked up from the floor with a puzzled expression. What could have happened? He got out of his bag and went to where the voice was coming from.
"Oh my God!"