Chapter 13.
The sun rose over the harbour at Cairns, shedding light on a flurry of activity, as the Patrol Boat fleet prepared for sail. Crews had farewelled families and friends, who milled about the docks waiting for the ships to sail.
Among those standing about was Buffer, who had woken with Nikki, and prepared a light breakfast for her.
Mike also was standing there, as yet not in uniform, but wanting to see his wife away, before going back home to shower and change, then have breakfast with his parents and daughter before heading to NAVCOM.
Lines were cast off as first Hammersley, then Kingston, followed by Bendigo and Childers set sail for open sea.
As they left, the crowd on the shore thinned considerably, and Mike caught sight of Buffer.
"Buffer!" he called, and went over to him.
"Boss," Buffer shook Mike's hand. "Good to see you. How's the family?"
"Doing well, Jessica's two years old now. Takes after her mother. Likes to argue." The two men laughed at that, then Mike asked, "How are you? Back from WA already?"
"Yeah. I work three weeks on, two off. I flew over to see Nikki, only to find she's had to sail." He shrugged. "I know. That's Navy."
As they walked on, Buffer decided he wouldn't speak of Charge. Not until he had confronted him when he got back to the mine. Instead, he talked about his job, and his wanting to pursue a relationship with Nikki.
Mike listened, then said, "She has moved on from ET. When he died, I thought she'd chuck her anchor, but she has stayed in, and making a real go of being a CO. She is thriving as Kingston's boss. She does have a great crew—"
"But not a legendary buffer like me, boss!" Buffer Interjected.
"Mate, you're out now, so it's not 'boss', it's Mike, OK?"
"Sure – Mike. Got time for a coffee?"
"I'd love to Buff – Pete- but I'm due at my parents' place for breakfast. Look, give us your mobile number and I'll call you and we'll go around to the pub tonight. What do you say?"
"You're a family man, now. What about I grab some takeaway, and beer and meet you at your place? You'll be looking after your little girl, won't you? Besides –" Buffer's face softened – "I'd like to meet her."
"You're on. I'll see you tonight. Here's the address," Mike scribbled his address, passed it to Buffer, and clapped him on the back.
They had reached Nikki's place and Buffer turned to go down the little path. "It's really good to see you again, mate. See ya."
Mike waved, then went on to his place. His leg was hurting, but he did not want Buffer to see it. Besides, he had enough people on his case about it He let himself into the house and headed for the shower.
Charge came to work feeling much lighter inside. He felt a weight lift from his heart, and the day seemed brighter, somehow. Amy looked up at him and smiled. She came over to where Charge was sitting, scowling at the computer on his desk.
"Thanks, Andy."
"What for?" Charge asked.
"For not only listening, but opening up about your issues. I feel much lighter today, and for the first time since Greg died, well – happy."
"I feel different too. I like your kids, by the way. They're great. Emmett asked me to come and watch him at the school swimming carnival. Kristy too."
Amy grinned. "You must have made an impression."
Charge looked up. "Listen, have you got someone to watch the kids for you?"
Amy was taken aback. "Yeah, I could ask my neighbour. Why?"
"Well, I was thinking. I'd like to take you out. I know it's only the pub, there's not much to do here, but would you go out with me? Tomorrow night?"
"Yeah, sure. Why not?"
"Great. Now that's settled, we'd better do some work. That conveyor belt is offline again. That will be first priority. Organise a crew will you Amy?"
"Righto," she said. As she walked away, Charge thought, Am I moving too quick? Asking her out like that? Well, let's play it by ear…
He turned back to his computer screen.
Buffer let himself into Nikki's place. He thought about making himself some breakfast, but changed his mind. He remembered the café a couple of doors up from the pub, and decided to go there. He would then plan what to do with himself for the day.
He first sent an email to Charge.
Hi mate, got here safe and sound. I spent some time with Nikki before she had to sail. All the patrol boat fleet is out in a combined operation. SAS are involved too. That's all I know.
Just so you know, I'm going to make a go of me and Nikki. I think she's fabulous, and I think I love her. Not 100% sure just yet, but I sure have feelings for her. Hope she does for me. How is Amy? Now there's the lady for you mate.
Well, I'll have some time here, fishing and lazing around, in the hope that Nikki gets back before I have to come back to work. The fishing is just as good as it was when I was onboard Hammersley. They were good times mate, and I hope you can remember them more than the bad times soon. Kicking myself for not bringing my golf clubs with me. Never mind, next rotation I will.
I'm just about to go have breakfast, then go fishing.
Take care mate,
Buff.
He thought it better that he didn't mention that he saw Mike and would be meeting him later; he knew Charge was still touchy on that subject. He let himself out of Nikki's place and strode up the hill to breakfast, feeling happy and at peace with the world.
** ** ** ** ** **.
On the bridge of Hammersley, Kate had overseen the taking out to sea.
"Sea state 3, condition voyage. X has the ship."
"X has the ship," Jamie affirmed. Kate went below to grab some breakfast. She admitted to herself that she missed Bomber's scran, but wasn't too unhappy with her current "Cheffo" Able Seaman Lyn Harvey. She was standing in the queue next to Capt. Wentworth. "Everything OK for you, Captain?" she asked.
He nodded. "Can't complain. My team is being well-fed. If I'd known how well you eat on a ship, I'd have joined the Navy." Kate smiled dutifully.
'After you've eaten, I'd like to go over tonight's evolution with your team and my senior officers and senior sailors. Meeting in the ship's office at 1000 hours."
Wentworth nodded and took his plate of food to the officers' mess.
Dutchy, along with Jones, the other SAS team members and Hammersley's senior sailors reported to the ship's office. Kate was already there, along with Wentworth. She began,
"We should be within 5 nautical miles of Bright Island by first dog watch. We'll put the RHIB in the water on the port side, where the ship will conceal the RHIB. XO Patterson will lead the boarding party and take the SAS team to the agreed rendezvous. We will wait until the cover of darkness to do so. I want everyone in full Kevlar, with extra plating. The team who infiltrated the cell should be waiting on shore for you. These are ASIO operatives. The RHIB will return to the ship, then await the order to return for the SAS team."
Wentworth continued, "Wait for the agreed signal, and move in only when you sight the team. Take up your positions around the cell as ordered, and move in on my signal. I remind you these men are highly trained, armed and dangerous. Our mission is to neutralise this cell, and take captive as many as we can. Lt-Commander McGregor-Flynn, I will need the second RHIB at the ready. The intelligence we have from the team that infiltrated the cell, is that there are between ten to fifteen terrorists in this cell. They have in their possession two boats full of explosives, ready to head for the shipping lanes. Their plan is to disrupt the gas and oil shipping and to shut down the gas platforms. There is also intelligence received that they intend to take out the Port of Darwin. It's imperative we stop them before they can launch the boats. Any questions?"
XO Paterson asked, "How many operatives are to be picked up, sir?"
Captain Wentworth answered, "there are five. All will be at the shoreline as it gets dark. Any other questions?"
As there were no further questions, Kate said, "Dismissed" and returned to the bridge.
Dutchy stood up. He remembered his previous encounter with an ASIO "spook" and thought not again. I hope these spooks are clean. Quietly, he walked to the boat deck.
At NAVCOM, Cmdr Steve Marshall had received a call from Childers.
"Sir, we have just boarded an FFV travelling toward us at a great rate of knots. She looks like a tourist operator's boat, and we couldn't find anything amiss. No weapons, all personnel accounted for, but no tourists. When my crew left, she again sped away."
"Nothing out of the ordinary, Lt-Commander. Why are you calling this in? Just could be late for a group of passengers out of Cairns."
"That's just it, sir. She isn't going to Cairns; she looks headed toward Bright Island."
"Right. I want you to follow her. Stay below the horizon, don't let the FFV know it's being followed. Keep tracking her, and send me a report every 15 minutes. Got that?"
"Aye sir. Childers out."
Steve Marshall removed his headset, and passed a hand over his face. What's this all about? This is a new development.
He turned to his lieutenant. "Get me Canberra on the line."
"Aye sir."