Chapter 8.

Buffer climbed down from the cabin of the huge truck. It had been a long day, but he was content, knowing he had completed his last shift on this rotation. He made for the bus which collected the workers at the end of their shifts and dropped them off in town. He thought of going to the pub, then changed his mind. He wanted to be packed and away to Perth as early as possible to catch a flight to Cairns. He knew that Nikki was in port while Kingston was having its routine maintenance, and wanted to have as much time with her as he could.

Picking up his mobile, he called Nikki.

"Hi Buff, how are you?"

"Good. I've missed you. I'm flying down to Perth tomorrow, so I hope to be in Cairns in a day or two." He could almost hear her smile over the phone.

"I'm looking forward to that. I want to see you." In the background, Buffer could hear RO saying something. Then: "Pete, have to go. See you in a few days."

"OK. Bye Nik." He put his phone on the table, and headed for a shower. Good old RO, he thought, knows when to interrupt a conversation. Nothing new. Smiling wryly, he turned the shower taps on and stepped under the water.

Nikki, onboard Kingston faced her RO. "This better be good, RO. You interrupted me on the phone."

"Oh it's good Ma'am," he said, passing the signal from Cmdr. Marshall to her. She frowned as she read. Don't like the sound of this, I'd better get the maintenance moving on. She piped, "XO to the bridge at the rush."

XO Georgina Harley responded some twenty seconds later. "Ma'am?"

Nikki, impressed asked, "How is maintenance progressing?"

Georgina brought her up to date on progress, and Nikki said, "X, we're really going to have to crack on. I need Kingston in voyage condition asap. I have had a signal from Cmdr. Marshall, there is a meeting for all COs at NAVCOM tomorrow. I anticipate a possible crash sail."

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll get onto it" Georgina turned and Nikki heard her X's boots clattering down the stairs off the bridge.

On board HMAS Hammersley, a similar scene was unfolding. Kate had sent for her XO, Lt. Jamie Paterson after she too, received the signal. Jamie was actually Charge's son, although he made little, if any reference to his father. As he stood in front of her, Kate thought, he's the spit and image of Charge. I almost called him that, so alike they look.

She said, "X, I will need the maintenance completed asap. Have all hands crack on, be ready for orders to crash sail."

Jamie's eyebrows raised. "Ma'am?"

"I received a signal from NAVCOM. All Patrol Boat COs are to attend a briefing at 1500 tomorrow. Let's crack on."

"Yes ma'am" and Jamie walked off the bridge in search of the ship's Buffer.

Mike was standing on the dock, waiting for Kate to disembark. He was joining her for lunch at the same café Kate and Nikki were at some time ago. She came down the gangway and formally saluted him, as it wouldn't do for two officers to hug in front of the lower ranks, even if they were married.

"How's things?"

"I got the signal from Cmdr. Marshall," said Kate, "it sounds serious. I have my X cracking the whip to get the maintenance and victualling done on the double."

"I can't say too much at the moment," Mike said, "there'll be more to be said at the briefing tomorrow, as we receive more intelligence from Canberra."

They sat down and ordered some food and coffees. Kate said, "My XO. Jamie Paterson. You know he's Charge's son, don't you?"

Mike indicated he did. Kate went on, "He looks so much like his dad. I very nearly called him Charge."

Mike asked, "So, how is he going? I believe this is his first posting as a lieutenant? Canberra thought that Hammersley would be a good place to start." They both smiled at that, recalling the same thing occurring over eight years ago, when a young, ambitious Kate McGregor was assigned to Hammersley, resentful that she hadn't received the frigate posting she wanted.

Kate laughed out loud. "We have come a long way since our early days, haven't we? We both had a bit to learn, I think, and look how it's turned out."

She held his hands, then said, "Jamie's OK. Bit of a plodder, and lacks self-confidence in his leadership skills. He's fluffed a couple of boardings, but he picks himself up and keeps going. He'll be OK with time. He won't set the world on fire, but will make a very steady officer. He has a good rapport with the crew. He goes the extra mile as their Divisional Officer."

"That's good," said Mike. "The XO of Kingston is something else. According to Nikki, she takes to all her tasks with gusto and enthusiasm. She gets a bit gung-ho with her boardings, but Nikki is very pleased she has George on board."

"George is a good officer," said Kate. "I almost envy Nikki having her." The subject of their conversation appeared on the deck of the Kingston, bounding vigorously down the gangway to speak to her coxswain, then striding over to where the ship's stores were being unloaded.

"Nikki's right. Full of gusto," observed Mike.

"I'd better get back to Hammersley," Kate said, finishing her coffee and picking up her hat. Setting it on her head, she quickly kissed her husband. "See you at home later", and headed away to her boat. Mike watched her go, thinking how lucky he was to have her as his wife. Putting on his hat, he made his way back to NAVCOM. Turning to look back at the Patrol boats, Mike felt a pang of envy. He missed being at sea, yet that last fateful day onboard a ship was one he'd rather forget. He still hoped for a sea posting, yet he had a family now, a family he loved with all his heart. He thought of Chloe Blake, growing up without her dad, and he swore that his little girl wouldn't suffer the same fate. Not if he could help it. That reminded him, he wanted to email Sally to see how she and Chloe were faring. In his heart, Mike still felt responsible for their loss, and made sure they did not lack for anything. He felt he owed it to Swain to see that his wife and child were cared for. He knew he owed Swain his life.

A life for a life, he thought as he climbed the steps to the entrance to NAVCOM.

Dutchy rode back to HMAS Watson. He parked his motorcycle, and thought about Twisty Johnston's information. Clearance Divers heading to Cairns?

Wonder what is going on up there? The more Dutchy turned it over in his mind, the more aware he was of formulating a plan. He had a fortnight of leave to go. He would book a flight to Cairns. Ostensibly to catch up with friends, but in reality, he knew, to see for himself what was going down. His mind made up, Dutchy opened his laptop to book a flight. As he did so his mobile rang.

"CPO Mulholland? I'm Captain John Wentworth, SAS. I believe you worked with the late Captain Roth."

"Yes sir. I did. What is this about?"

"We've reason to believe that the terrorist group you took out three years ago have activated another cell. They have been training in Indonesia, and have established a presence on Bright Island. There is currently an operation on the island, conducted by ASIO to infiltrate this cell. We want to know what they are doing and if they are a threat to Australia's interests in the area."

Dutchy asked, "What's this to do with me, sir?"

Wentworth answered, "I have asked your Commanding Officer to second you to an SAS group. You worked well with Jim Roth and you are experienced in such operations. Your former CO, Captain Flynn, has also recommended you. He couldn't speak highly enough of you. I understand you're between postings at present."

"I'm also on leave, sir."

"I'm aware of that, but as of now, you are back on duty. Your leave is suspended until further notice. Pack your kit and be on the first flight to Cairns you can get. I will meet you at Cairns airport."

"Yes sir. I'll be there."

"Good. I'll see you soon."

So, it's come. I hope it's not as bad as before. He thought of the Hammersley and her crew. He knew Kate McGregor-Flynn was now her CO. Briefly, he saw Swain's face in his mind's eye. OK Swain, this is for you.

Dutchy finished packing and headed for Sydney Airport.