AN:
So, I'm back with a new story. I made up Keppler Island and the character of Jack Winkler. I aoplogize for all the mistakes I've made. I don't own Sea Patrol. So, please enjoy and review.
Chapter 1 – The passenger
„Daddy, stay", Swains three year old daughter Chloe begged, as they were standing at the dock.
„I'm sorry Sweetheart, but I have to go. The Hammersley is going to sail in an hour, but it shouldn't be a long trip. Be a good girl for Daddy, will you?" It was always tough for Chris to leave his familiy, but this was his job and he loved it, to be out at sea. Sally picked Chloe up and said: „What about some icecream?" She tried to distract her daughter. „Yeah, I want strawberry and chocolate! See you soon, Daddy!" Swain shot his wife a grateful look: „Goodbye Chloe, I'll miss you and I love you!"
„Love you too, Daddy", his little girl gave him a last hug and a wet kiss. „Take care of you sailor", whispered Sally in Chris ear. „I will Baby, I promise, I love you two so much!"
„Three", Sally corrected.
„Three? You mean, you are …. we are …" stammered Swain.
„Yes, I wanted to tell you this morning, but then you where crash sailed."
„Sal, this is wonderful, how far are you?" Chris had tears in his eyes.
„Not far, just 8 weeks and before you ask, I'm fine. I went to the doctor last week and he said everything looks good."
With a relieved sigh Swain pulled her in close. „I love you Sally Blake."
„I love you too, Honey! I think your crew is waiting" she tilted her head and looked over his shoulder. Dutchy and Charge were on the deck and watching the little familiy.
„Just promise me to be careful, will you?" Chris could hear the concern in her voice, she was never able to shake of, when he was sailing.
„I will, I promise and you take good care of you three. Don't overdo it, ok?" Swain knew a pregnancy was never easy, when you are a Navy wife.
„I won't, the little sailor tires me out already, so I will take it easy. Now get going or they will sail without you" she gave him a playful push.
„I'm the Coxswain, they can't leave without me", Chris grinned and gave her one last kiss.
As he entered the ship, he saluted and walked over to his friends with a wide smile.
„I'm going to be a Daddy again!" He beamed.
„Really? Congratulations Swaino!" Charge patted him on the shoulder.
„I'm so happy for you, mate", Dutchy gave him a bear hug.
Together the three entered the senior sailors mess, where the CO and the XO were talking to a man in an elegant suit.
Mike introduced: „Mates, I believe you know Jack Winkler. We are going to take him to Keppler Island, where he has planned a pre-election party. Then we will add a few days patrol, before going back and picking him up again."
The crew nodded. They all knew the man standing in front of them. Jack Winkler was an Iraq veteran, who had turned into a successful politician after his return from the war. He planned to tighten the firearms law and to stop the drug smuggling business out at sea, once he was elected Senator of Queensland.
„Sir, it's an honour to meet you, I'm Dutchy", Dylan took the outstretched hand of the man.
„Petty Officer Mulholland nice to meet you", Jack Winkler smiled.
All the other crew members followed and introduced themselves.
The CO ordered: „Get ready to sail in 10. Dismissed."
„Yes, Sir."
The crew went to the bridge to do what they were told. The X gave the orders to guide the Hammersley out of the port with Swain at the helm. They set off for the Coral Sea.
After their shift Swain, Dutchy and Charge were sitting in the mess and had a cup of coffee. „The man's a hero, he got a bullet to his shoulder in Iraq and still managed to save two of his mates", Dutchy spoke up.
„Yeah, for once a real good guy. I hope, he wins the election, we need more politicians like him", Swain agreed.
Charge doubted: „Let's wait and see, when he wins, if he keeps his promises."
„Oh, come on Charge, he's at least someone, who knows about what he is talking", defended Dutchy.
Swain threw in his two cents: „ And he seems a nice guy."
„All right, all right, you win. I'll go and see, if Bird has a snack for me." Charge left the mess.
They arrived Keppler Island in the late afternoon. The CO granted the crew shore leave until midnight. Bird had watch and Mike had some paperwork to do. As usual the crew went to a bar together. 2Dads wanted to start a drinking game and most of the crew joined, except Swain.
„Oh come on Swaino, you have something to celebrate!" Leo tried to make him change his mind.
„Yes, I have, and because of that the first round is on me, but I'm sticking to beer tonight."
„Suit yourself" 2Dads shrugged and sat down. Swain got the first round for his mates and his beer and brought it over to the corner, where they had gathered.
They raised their glasses. The X said: „To Swaino, who's gonna be a Daddy again!"
„To Swaino!" The crew echoed.
After a while Chris stood up and took a seat at the bar. His thoughts were with his wife and he wished he could be at home. Dutchy saw the serious expression his friend wore and joined him at the bar.
„You all right mate?" Dylan asked.
Swain nodded. „Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about Sally."
„Then, why are you so serious, you should look a bit happier. You were waiting for this to happen, weren't you?"
„Absolutely, yes. But I'm concerned about Sal. When she was pregnant with Chloe, the first trimester was pretty hard on her. And now she has to take care of Chloe and nobody to help. I think I'll head back to the ship and email her."
„Good idea, mate. Say hello from me."
„I will, see you later, mate."
„Bye, Swaino."
Chris left the bar. He was so lost in his thoughts, that he didn't pay attention where he was going. Suddenly he noticed, that he was not on the road, they had taken as they went to the bar. The general direction was right however, so he decided to continue his way. The buildings were pretty run down and nobody was around. As he rounded a corner, he stopped dead in his tracks. A person, handcuffed and with a bag over his head was pulled out of a car and brutally shoved through the door of an old warehouse by two bullies. Swain took out his phone to call for help, but he couldn't get a signal. He decided to follow and observe. Chris waited a few moments and then slipped quietly through the door. Thank God, there were a lot of boxes and crates in the building, which provided cover for him.
Swain could hear voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying. He carefully moved in closer avoiding any noise, that would give him away. He stood behind a large pile of palettes and was able to see, what was going on.
The handcuffed man was sitting on a chair, the two bullies were standing behind him. Swain could see them clearly. One had a nasty looking scar running from his left eye to his mouth. In front of the victim stood another man wearing a dark suit. Chris couldn't see his face at first but then he turned and he had to surpress a gasp.
The next day on the Hammersley.
The CO, the XO and Charge were chatting in the senior sailors mess while having breakfast.
Dutchy walked in. „Has anybody seen Swain this morning?"
„No, isn't he in your cabin?" Andy asked.
„No and it looks like he wasn't there all night long. He's not logged in on the board."
Mike spoke up: „Didn't he come back from the bar with you?"
„No, he left earlier. He was concerned about Sally and wanted to send her an email", Dylan explained.
„Ok, has anybody seen him, after he left the bar?"
Only shaking heads were his answer.
„That's not like him to stay away the whole night. Did you try to contact him, Dutchy?"
„Yeah, over a dozen times. I can't reach him." Dutchy was getting restless. „OK, what are we gonna do about this?"
„Tell RO to contact the local Police and the hospital. I hope he didn't have an accident." The CO said.
Ten minutes later RO appeared on the bridge. „Sir, the police couldn't help me, but the hospital told me a man was brought last night, but he had no ID on him and he is still unconscious."
„OK, Dutchy you come with me." Mike decided and left the bridge.
OK, please let me know, what you think.