CH 58
"Swain, what did you get Sally for Valentine's Day?" MacGyver asked.
He smiled," A dozen red roses, breakfast in bed, and then took her out to dinner and dancing. Our neighbour looked after Chloe."
"How romantic," Kate said.
"Yeah it was," he said smiling.
"What about you X, MacGyver?" Two Dads asked.
"Breakfast in bed, lunch at a cafe and a candlelit dinner," Kate answered.
"What? No roses?" Charge said, shocked.
"I got chocolate heart roses, it's the thought that counts," Kate said.
"Agreed," MacGyver said.
"What about you, MacGyver," Mike asked.
"Breakfast in bed with a single red artificial rose, helium valentine balloons, lunch and dinner at the hotel and an overnight stay."
"How many balloons?" Swain asked.
"Four, each one was different."
"Wow, lucky you." Then they moved on to talk about other things like they always do.
When their patrol was almost over they were tasked to be extra security for HMAS Newcastle as they were hosting a special medal ceremony. Swain, Bird, Two Dads, and MacGyver were watching the proceedings from the side deck commenting as to why the men received their medals from an American Ambassador.
"The American's are grateful for the work they had done in the gulf" Swain explained.
"Swain, they give out medals like they're chubby chomps."
"Sounds like you're jealous, Two Dads."
MacGyver added, "I don't need some tin ass to tell me how great I am."
"You do a pretty good job all by yourself," Swain said, making MacGyver and Bird laugh.
"MacGyver," she turned and saw Kate so she walked over to the door where she was standing. She could hear Mike talking to a woman, then there was gunfire and then nothing.
"I want you on the boarding team MacGyver." Mike said.
Then she turns to address the others who was out side. "Swain, Two Dads, gear up, there's a woman in trouble, double plates." She walked onto the bridge and then down the steps with Swain and Two Dads behind her. Bird watched from the side bridge as they got into the RHIB and it was lowered into the sea.
They took off heading to where the boat might be. They arrived fifteen minutes later, boarded the boat, and looked around. MacGyver pulled back the carpet and pulled open a hatch. What she saw shocked her. She got down on her hands and knees and carefully picked up the bomb and turned around.
"Halfy!" she called out waving him in close to the boat. MacGyver climbed into the RHIB.
"Halfy, move us away and go full throttle, NOW!"
Halfty as he was told. MacGyver looked at the timer then threw the bomb off the back of the RHIB. There was a huge underwater explosion.
"Okay, Halfy, let's head back," she said.
"MacGyver, what was that? An explosion?" Kate asked. stunned.
"There was a bomb on board. If we stayed on here we wouldn't be here. Had to get it off the boat. Swain, see if you can get this thing going."
"Can't the engines shot," Two Dads said.
"Alright, we tow it back to Hammersley then," Kate said and then she reported to Mike what had happened.
It took them half an hour to reach Hammersley since they were towing the boat. After the boat was secured they went to meet up with another patrol boat who was returning to Cairns and they took over the tow. Once that was squared away they went to check out every boat in the area. Then they boarded a barge and Kate spoke to the captain with MacGyver looking on. MacGyver looked around and then went down below deck with Swain behind her. She had given him a head nudge and placed a hand on her stomach so he knows what it means.
They check each room until they come upon one where a woman was tied up with her arms stretched over her head. Swain rushed to cut her down while talking to her soothingly to her..
"X, we found Caroline Taylor, the bastards beat her up pretty good. We're going to need a stretcher," MacGyver added. "Copy that."
Then the door closed behind them and locked.
"X...X, can you hear me?" MacGyver said. "Damn it!" As she looked at the door and then around the room, they could hear fighting going on up on the deck.
Finding what she was looking for, a slim piece of metal, MacGyver managed to slide it in between the door and lock and flick it open.
"Good work!"Swain said.
"I'll be back." She headed upstairs to the deck and helped to take down the six men from the barge and arrest them.
"What happened to you? Where's Swain?" Kate asked her.
"We were locked in a room with Ms Taylor." She then got what she needed and returned down below so she could help Swain take care of Ms Taylor. Once she's settled they carry her out and up onto the boat deck and into the RHIB. Swain and MacGyver accompany her back to Hammersley.
A second RHIB with an armed crew helped Kate and the others with a thorough search of the barge where they found two more men.
Once Caroline was in the wardroom, Swain and MacGyver took care of her.
"Caroline, I'm June Roth. I would like to know why those men beat you up."
"They wanted to know where the ambassador was. They beat it out of me. Please tell him I'm sorry," she started to cry.
"Hey I'm sure he will understand. Do you know where he is now?"
"Yes and now so do those men."
"Ok, if you can tell us we can let our people know and they can warn the American ambassador's people that his life is in danger.
Caroline nodded, " some water, please..."
"Sure."
MacGyver picked up a cup that got a straw in it and put it close to her mouth.
"Small sips," MacGyver said.
When Caroline had enough, MacGyver pulled the cup away. "He's on an island, Angel Island."
"Ok, thank you, you get some rest and I'll inform my captain about this."
"OK, thank you."
"No worries." MacGyver walked out of the wardroom just as Mike showed up. "Good timing, she said. Caroline said the ambassador is on Angel Island, the bastards beat it out of her."
"How bad?" he asked.
"Broken and cracked ribs. She is lucky that she hasn't got punctured lung from it, cuts, bruising, swelling. They did a number on her sir."
"Ok, JJ and Two Dads are on the boat and they are steaming for home port. The men from the boat are down on auster. We'll be in port in four hours."
"Thanks, Sir. I better get back in there."
''You did good today."
"Thanks." With that, she returned to the wardroom to fill Swain in on what's happening.
When they returned to Cairns, MacGyver received a phone call to go to NAVCOM so she left with Mike leaving Caroline in Swain's capable care.
When they walked into the bullpen, they noticed a woman in Steve's office.
"That would be the new commanding officer?" Macgyver said to Mike.
"Commander Maxine White," he replied.
"White as in 'knocker'?"
"Don't let her hear you call her that, she hates it."
"Ahh, so how do you know her?"
"We went through ADFA together and became friends."
"Ok, shall we go and see Knocker?" she said cheekily.
"MacGyver..." he replied with a warning and they continued to walk towards the office.
Maxine looks up as they reach her door. "Mike, it's great to see you."
They saluted as they entered.
"Maxine."
"So, how are you?"
"I'm good, thanks. Commander Maxine White, Petty officer June Roth, or Macgyver as she is known."
"Petty officer."
"Ma'am, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I've received an email from Fleet Command and Chief of Navy after they read the report about how you single-handedly saved Lieutenant Flynn life from certain death. I'm here to present you the bravery award for your acts of heroism in the performance of your duties. Congratulations Petty Officer." Picking up a box and she opens the lid and passes it to MacGyver.
"Thank you, Ma'am. I was just doing my job, as I was trained to do."
"I understand that. I've read your record, I'm quite impressed."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Congratulations, MacGyver," Mike said.
"Thank you, Sir," she said smiling at him.
"Now, with this ambassador business, I've contacted Fleet Command about this and they've made a call to warn the Ambassador about the planned assassination attempt. The Ambassador told Fleet Command that he would like to meet you, and Mike, and to thank you in person for what you and the Hammersley crew did for Caroline Taylor."
"The credit goes to MacGyver, Maxine."
"What?" she said shocked.
"If it wasn't for MacGyver, we wouldn't have gotten to her in time to save her life."
"Really..."
"Yes, you'll have to read my XO's and Swain's report."
"Ok, I guess I will. Now I've got some good news. When you leave your new buffer will be with you."
"I hope he comes highly recommended, Ma'am."
"Why would you say that, Petty Officer?"
"Well, the last buffer was a nightmare. We hope that this buffer will work with the crew as well as get on well with them. If he doesn't then he would be kicked off Hammersley, Ma'am," MacGyver told her.
"Well, Petty Officer, it's certainly not up to you to kick anyone off a boat, am I clear?"
"If anyone will be doing the kicking, Ma'am, it will be the Captain and I know that. Captain Flynn wants a crew who gets on well with each other as well as watching each other's backs. A crew who works well together with the other crew members. If a crew member doesn't do all three then they will be kicked off Hammersley.
Look at the list of chefs and lieutenants he's been through before the decommissioning of the old Hammersley. He wants a crew he can trust, Ma'am."
"She's right, Maxine."
"Very well. Now when you return from Angel Island you will be getting a new CO."
"That's great news, Maxine."
"What about a chefo and medic, Ma'am?" MacGyver asked her.
"You'll be staying on Hammersley until your contract expires next year."
"What?" she said stunned.
"Maxine, MacGyver's on Hammersley just until a replacement is found."
"I'm sorry, orders from Fleet Command," she said, picking an email that was printed out and passing it to Mike to read.
He read it and looked at MacGyver. "Sorry, MacGyver."
"Then why the hell wasn't I told this sooner?"
"Good question," he said, looking at Maxine.
"I don't know Mike, call Steve, he might be able to tell you."
"I will."
They continued to talk for a few more minutes before they left and returned to Hammersley.
"MacGyver, you seem to be upset about your posting."
"Jim and I have been trying to start a family. Whenever I have been on shore leave the timing hasn't been right."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Now, it's going to be harder for us both."
"I know what you mean."
"You and Kate?"
"Yeah."
When they get back to Hammersley, MacGyver walks onto the ship leaving Mike on the wharf talking to Kate.
"Mike, what's wrong with MacGyver?"
"She found out that she is staying on Hammersley until next year when her contract is up."
"What? No wonder she's upset."
"It's hard for her."
"There's something else, isn't there. What is it?"
"This will be my last patrol, there's a new Lieutenant Commander taking over, and our new buffer arrives before we set sail."
"Ok, is that why MacGyver was called into NAVCOM?"
"No, because of her actions in saving your life she was awarded the Bravery Medal"
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"Who's the new Commanding Officer?"
"Maxine White."
"Huh, Knocker White..."
"She hates that name."
" Yeah," Kate said laughing. "I remember you telling me about her and what happened years ago."
"I know."
They turned when they heard loud music coming from a car that had just pulled up. Everyone on the wharf was shocked at what they were seeing.
A tall good looking and a well built blond man got out of the car and kissed and equally good looking girl goodbye then walked over to where Mike and Kate were standing.
"Captain Flynn, I'm Petty Officer Mullholland, Dutchy."
"Petty Officer, welcome, sorry we haven't had the chance to talk but we will once we are on our way."
"Yes sir."
"This is our XO, Lieutenant Flynn."
"Flynn, Sir?"
"My wife."
"Isn't there a rule about married couples serving on the same ship?"
"There is, we will explain it to you later."
"Sure."
"Bird, care to show Petty Officer Mullholland to his cabin? He'll be sharing with Swaino."
"Yes, Sir". They walk over to the gangway.
"I'm Bird, Jessica Bird. I always wanted to meet a hero."
"Well then,that makes two of us." Then they walk up onto Hammersley as they continue to talk.
