CH 72
The following day, Hammersley came across a vessel that appeared to be a SIEV. Upon boarding, they found several Asian's that were claiming to be refugees. After an investigation, the real reason for why they are there shocked Swain and MacGyver.
MacGyver and Bird stayed on board as a steaming party to take the vessel and the people on board to Darwin, while Hammersley attended to a mayday.
As Jessica Bird spoke with a young woman that was about her age, MacGyver noticed a boat heading towards them. Trying to contact Hammersley with no results, she got her emergency beacon and activated it. Then she got Bird and the people below deck and returned to the wheelhouse.
As Hammersley reached the area where the mayday call came from, it's evident that the call had been a hoax.
MacGyver's laptop buzzes and Kate opens it and sees that MacGyver's beacon had been activated.
"Sir, MacGyver activated her emergency beacon."
"Alright, get us there at the top of the green."
MacGyver was trying to maneuver away from the other boat, but it was faster and eventually overtook them. Three men from the boat that had been chasing them manage to board. MacGyver hid when one of the men showed up in the wheelhouse. Finding no one there, the leader of the raiding party ordered the other two to check below deck. When they went below deck, MacGyver came up and attacked. One of the men had a sawn-off shotgun, and as they fought, the gun went off. He collapsed to the ground.
She then started the engines and, at full throttle, turned away from the other boat. That done, she went to look for the other two invaders taking them out by killing them both. MacGyver returned to the wheelhouse and noticed that the other boat was now chasing them. Then she turned the boat around and headed straight for the other boat.
On Hammersley, they picked up the two boats on radar and could see what was happening.
"Sir! MacGyver's turned the boat around and is heading straight for the other boat!"
"What the hell is she playing at?" Mike said.
"I don't know, Sir."
MacGyver headed straight for the pursuing boat. The master of the other vessel was watching her come right at them. Just as they were about to collide, MacGyver turns to starboard, missing the pursuing boat by five meters. As they raced by, she was fired upon. Taking the shotgun that she had acquired, she fired back at the other vessel taking out the three men shooting at her. Once she shot past, she ran to the back of the boat and fired at the other boat's engine compartment and was rewarded when she saw smoke.
She returned to the wheelhouse, slowed the boat down, came around, and stopped the engines.
"X-ray eight-two! This is Charlie eight-two! Come in, over! "
"This is X-ray eight two; everything's under control, Sir. I caught a huge fish and his boat, which will need a tow, Sir."
Seeing Hammersley, she turned off her beacon.
"Copy that. Are Bird and the refugees okay?"
"Yes, Sir, They're still below deck. We're going to need a few body bags, Sir."
"Copy that. Hammersley out."
MacGyver left the wheelhouse and went down below deck to check on Bird and the passengers.
"Bird?"
"I'm here!"
"Everyone okay?"
"Yeah, we are. What's happening?"
"Hammersley will be here soon. Stay down here until the three bodies have been removed."
"Okay. What happened? I noticed you were going one way, then turn us around."
"I'll tell you later."
MacGyver returned to the boat deck just as the RHIB from Hammersley arrived. A second RHIB went to the marauder's boat that was dead in the water.
"Got three bodies here, one in the wheelhouse and the other two below deck," MacGyver announced as the boarding party climbed onboard.
"We watched it all on radar. What were you doing? You're crazy, and Mike's not happy."
"I knew he wouldn't be. I knew Berklmen wouldn't give up his investment, and as soon as we passed his boat, I took out the engine room."
"You did good."
"Thanks, X."
They took care of the three bodies and returned with them to Hammersley. MacGyver started the engine and headed to Darwin. She brought Bird and the others back up on deck.
On the other boat, the boarding team arrested Berkmen and another one of his men. Swain attended to one of the wounded while the other two were put into body bags.
When they arrived in Darwin, the feds were there to take pick up the refugees. They would be taken for questioning.
"Well, since we've got an hour, let's go and get a drink," MacGyver said to Bird.
"I've got no money on me."
"I do, come on. Shame that it's not a stiff drink; coffee will have to do."
They took off their life vests and left them on the back of the boat before leaving. While they were having coffee, the feds would be going over the boat. They went to a nearby cafe and got their coffees and found an empty table so they could talk. MacGyver told Jessica everything that had happened.
"I don't think I could kill someone." Bird told her.
"I was your age when I killed someone for the first time. He was going to kill a crew member. If I hadn't, that crew member would have been dead. The man I killed was wanted for killing many people and needed to be stopped."
"How did you feel afterwards."
"Sick. I killed five men that day. My XO told me that it will get easier. He said, "what you had to do was the hardest thing, but I had stopped them from killing more people, including me."
"He said that?"
"Yes, and it did help."
"Is that when you received your star of courage medal?"
"It was. I became the crew hero after word got around about what happened."
"I hate guns."
MacGyver smiled, "Have you had much fire practice since you been on Hammersley?"
"No."
"Well, how about on your next shore leave you go and fire a few rounds. Ask Dutchy to help you."
"I don't know…"
"Okay, you would be firing at paper, not at people. It might help build up your confidence up when it comes to handling weapons in the future."
"I'll think about it."
"Good."
Hammersley docked with the disabled boat that they had been towing. Bird and MacGyver were sitting on the wharf talking and laughing as Mike walked onto the wharf and over to them.
"MacGyver, you've got a lot of explaining to do."
"First, wait for my report, Sir, that should answer your questions."
"Alright. Bird, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Sir."
"Alright then, you both get on board."
"Yes, Sir."
"I better check and see if the galley is in one piece seeing that I wasn't on board to sort out lunch," MacGyver said.
As Mike watched them walk up the gangway and onto the ship, the feds arrived.
Pleased when she found the galley clean, MacGyver went to start her report about the incident. While she was working, she felt Hammersley move as she slipped away from the wharf. It took the next two hours to type up her report and print it out. Finished, she delivered to Mike on the bridge.
"Any questions, you know where I'll be, Sir," leaving the bridge for the galley to start dinner.
After everyone else had their dinner, MacGyver sat down with hers. Swain and Bird walk in and sit down across from her. "Swain, Bird, is everything alright?"
"Bird wants to talk to us," Swain said as he sat down.
"Okay, what is it Bird?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking since I've been on Hammersley. I've decided what I want to do in the Navy."
"What is that Bird?" Swain said.
"I want to be like you two, helmsman, medic and chief." Swain and MacGyver both grin.
"That is great to know that is what you want to do, Bird," MacGyver said.
"Thanks. Will you both help me?"
"Of course, we can. What do you think, Swain?"
"Sure."
"We can start off with the basics while you're on Hammersley and work it from there."
"Thanks."
"Let the captain know what you've decided, and he'll help with your duty assignments."
"I will. I know that there's a lot to learn. I've seen how you both helped others when they were wounded."
"So, what happens now?"
"Well, I don't know about Swain, but right now, I'm going to finish my dinner. You go and tell the Captain and the X what you've decided. They will be in the ship's office or Captain's cabin going over paperwork," MacGyver said, smiling.
"They're in the ship's office," Swain confirmed.
"There you go."
"Alright, I'll go talk to them." Then Bird turned walk out of the dinning room
"Were you surprised by what she said?" MacGyver asked.
"Yeah, but you didn't seem to be."
"Well, look at what we both do. This afternoon, she asked me questions about what it is like being a medic, chef, and helmsman. So, I had a fair idea that is what she interested in"
"She did the same with me," Swain said.
"Has she spoken to Dutchy?"
"At dinner about weapons training. Do you know what that is about?"
"I do; she doesn't like guns, and she is afraid of having to kill or hurt someone. We talked about it. She wanted to know about the first time I was injured and the first time I had to kill someone. I told her what it was like for me. I told her to get comfortable with her own weapon and go to the target range to shoot off a few rounds next time we have shore leave. I even suggested that she ask Dutchy to help her. Practice will help her to build up her confidence."
"She did ask Dutchy. That's what she talked to him about." Swain said.
"Good for her."
When they returned from their patrol, MacGyver went to see Mike. She found him in his cabin, going over the reports. Sir, going to the pub tonight?"
"I'll talk to Kate."
"Okay, good. Have you read my report?"
"Yes, I did, and I'm quite impressed with the way you handled the situation."
"Thanks, Sir. Did Bird talk to you and the X?"
"She did. So, you and Swain are going to be teaching her?"
"Yes, Sir. While out on patrol. Dutchy's going to be helping her with weapons training, help boost her confidence."
"Did Dutchy talk to you about it?" Mike asked.
"Last night."
"Well, it's good that she wants to learn."
"It is. let's hope Two Dads doesn't screw up, or he will get my boot up his ass."
Mike grinned, "you're not wrong there. Heading home?"
"Yep. If I don't see you tonight at the pub, Sir, enjoy your shore leave."
"You too, MacGyver."
Later that night, she and Jim went to the pup for a couple of hours. They made it a short night with Jim having to work in the morning.
The crew enjoyed their few days of shore leave before leaving for their next patrol.
While out on patrol, Bird helped MacGyver out in the kitchen as she wanted to learn to become a Navy chef. They listened to a CD and talked while MacGyver was preparing the meals.
"Bird, have you been to the firing range yet?" MacGyver asked as they were making the sandwiches for lunch.
"I did. Dutchy went with me and showed me what to do."
"How did it go?"
"Terrible at first, but he helped me, and I remembered the tips you gave me, and it worked."
"That's great. So, what guns did you use?"
"The brownie. He wanted me to use the other one, but I did terribly. We're going to stick to the brownie for now."
"Okay, I can give you tips later on if you like."
"Sure. So what soup are we having?"
"Cream of pumpkin with roasted crotons and sandwiches for the ones who want it."
"Sounds good."
Two weeks later, on the forward deck, MacGyver was showing Bird what to do with her weapon when Dutchy showed up and watched what was happening.
"What are you grinning about?" MacGyver asked him.
"Nothing, just watching."
"Well then instead of just watching, why don't you come over here and you take over since you're the weapons instructor."
"No, no, you carry on. You've got this."
"Bird, would you like Dutchy to teach you?" MacGyver said, looking at Dutchy.
"Please, Dutchy."
"Please, what? Chicken legs," He said, grinning as he stepped closer.
"Would you please teach me how to use this gun and shoot properly?"
"Sure." Dutchy stepped forward, and MacGyver stood back to watch. That was when Two Dads showed up. He didn't notice MacGyver.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
"Dutchy's showing me how to use this gun," Bird replied.
"What? You don't know how?"
"I need to learn, Two Dads. I am in the Navy."
"Well, good luck cause you're going to need it, especially when you can't seem to hit your target," he said, laughing.
"Two Dads!"
He jumped then saw MacGyver step around the typhoon. "MacGyver," he stunned.
"Don't you ever let me hear you talk to anyone like again! Bird wants to learn and build self-confidence, and all you do is pull her down. You are a Leading Seaman, and as such you are supposed to be a mentor for the younger sailors. You should be encouraging her. You should be in encouraging her and supporting her, not pulling her down. Do I make myself clear?" MacGyver said, yelling in her command voice.
"It was just a joke."
"A joke… I don't find it funny. The Navy doesn't want members who put others down. We're a team. It's not a joke. There's a time and place to say things. Next time put your brain into gear before you open your mouth!"
MacGyver turned back to Bird, who looked upset. Dutchy held the gun with one hand and had his arm around her shoulder with his other as she lay her head on his chest.
Stepping forward, "Bird," she said softly.
"I'm sorry, MacGyver. I don't think I can do it."
MacGyver put her arm around her as she cried on Dutchy's chest.
Turning back to Two Dads, "Get to the bridge now. You've got a lot of explaining to do to the Captain and the X. Now, get out of my sight!"
MacGyver looked up and saw Kate watching from the side deck. MacGyver shook her head, then turned to Dutchy and Bird. "It's okay, Bird. I think that will be all for today. I think you should stick to the brownie for now. Later, when you're up to it, I'm sure Dutchy will be happy to help you try again."
"I don't know if I can."
"Of course, you can. Two Dads is an idiot. Don't listen to him. Anyway, he's always putting his foot in his mouth," Dutchy said.
"That's true," Bird said, sniffing.
"Bird, I know how to cheer you up."
"How?"
"Dutchy, do you like KFC?"
"Yeah. Bird and I had lunch there after practice; why?"
"Which piece do you like the best, the thigh, breast or leg?"
"Leg, because it reminds me of Bird here; why?"
Smiling, "If a man loves thigh, leg or breast, send him to KFC.''
Dutchy looked confused. Bird thought about it and then started laughing. He looked at Bird.
"What's so funny?"
"Dutchy, who or what else has a leg, thigh and breast? "MacGyver asked.
He thought about it. "I give up, you tell me."
"You're looking at two of them."
He looked at MacGyver, then to Bird, then it dawned on him. It was women, that was the KFC joke.
"Ahh, very funny, MacGyver."
"Took you long enough," Bird laughs once more as they walk towards the side hatch.
"Well then, what piece does Jim like?" Dutchy asked.
"All of them," MacGyver said, grinning.