Chapter 22.
The sun shone brightly on Cairns Harbour. After the greyness and tropical rain, it was a welcome sight.
Charge and Buffer were sitting in the pub, awaiting a hearty counter lunch and contentedly drinking beer. Nikki had gone to NAVCOM for the morning debrief along with the other COs and XOs.
Charge said, "Mission accomplished. Time I went home. And you?"
"I'm not due back until after next week mate. I want to spend some time with Nikki. I hope she gets a bit of shore leave. I'd like to stay here for good, actually. Matter of fact, I'm looking into staying here. See what opportunities there are." Buffer took a swig of beer.
He suddenly looked up "Well here's a sight for sore eyes."
Charge saw Two Dads coming toward them. His face cracked into a big smile.
"Two Dads! Mate! There you are! Good to see you! How did you get here?"
Smothered in Charge's bear like hug, and hearty back slaps, Two Dads said," A long story Charge-o, but good to see you too. And good to be home."
Buffer came back with the beers he'd ordered while all this was happening.
"Don't forget I have to take you to the cop shop later. You'd better not get pissed."
The three men settled in for a drink and Two Dads repeated his story for Charge.
Mike walked into Kate's room at the hospital. In the morning light she looked pale, but much better. She was sitting up and smiled as he came in.
"Did you bring Jessica?" she asked as Mike kissed her.
"No, she's having breakfast and being spoiled by mum. She did ask when could she see you. How are you feeling?"
"I've got a headache that would fell an elephant, and sore ribs. I had a scan, and aside from a mild concussion, I'm fine. I'm hoping they'll let me home later today. I still have my reports, and I imagine the AFP want to talk to me. I need to know how my Chief is. He was badly injured in the explosion."
"He's stable and out of danger. Long road to recovery though. You'll need a new Chief."
"If I remain CO. I'm thinking, I miss you and Jessica when I'm away. I'd love a shore posting."
"Really? That's not like you. Tell you what, you have shore leave while Hammersley is being repaired, and you did mention needing a holiday. I think you deserve it after all you've been through. Why don't we take as much leave as we can, and get away for a bit? I could use a holiday. I haven't had leave for a long time, either."
"Wonderful idea. So, how did Hammersley get home without her engines?"
"We activated the best of the best. Charge. We flew him in from WA and he got one of the engines going. He was the one who found you."
"Charge? On my boat? With Jamie? That would have been interesting," Kate said, recalling the almost non-existent relationship between Jamie and his father.
"Jamie is to report to NAVCOM this morning. He will be presenting his report, and explaining to me how he came to allow his CO – my wife to be taken away, kidnapped, abducted off her ship. That's not acceptable, Kate. He could be facing disciplinary action. I'm not pleased with him. He's supposed to have his CO's back. You might have argued with me, but you always had my back when you were my XO."
"Don't be too hard on him, Mike. It is his first posting and I am here now. Now then, what about you? I don't suppose you've been to Medical, have you?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. Mother-hen Steve persuaded me. The nerves around the wound have regenerated, causing pain in the scar. I'm wearing a compression wrap, so it's not hurting too much, and I'm booked in for a day procedure to correct the scar. So, stop worrying, I'll be fine."
Kate took his hands in hers. "I should think so. You scared me enough when it happened. I thought I was going to lose you. Thanks to Swain, I didn't."
They sat silently, holding hands, thinking of Swain, and then Mike remembered what Kate had said in the ambulance.
Swain found me.
He stood up, took her in his arms and said, "I have to go. You rest. I'll come back later with Jessica to see if they'll let you out, OK?"
"OK. Oh, and chocolate ice-cream," she said.
Mike grinned and headed for NAVCOM.
At NAVCOM, the debriefing had started. Mike found this the most tedious part of his job, but he managed to sit through it. Commendations were recommended for the officers and crews of HMAS Bendigo and Kingston for their part in preventing terrorist activity against the Ports of Darwin and Cairns.
The damage to Hammersley was assessed and a special commendation was recommended for CPO Andrew Thorpe, RANR for his actions in repairing the engines, and finding and rescuing Lt-Commander Kate McGregor-Flynn, who was, at present in hospital, along with CPO Jack Rogers. Both were expected to make full recoveries
Captain Mike Flynn and Cmdr Steve Marshall interviewed both Lt. James Patterson, and CPO Dylan Mulholland separately.
Both men avoided the Captain's Table; Mulholland for his part in taking down the remaining terrorist went some way to mitigate for the botched operation on Bright Island. He was formally reprimanded. However, his transfer of category was approved and he was to report to HMAS Penguin to begin training as a Clearance Diver.
Lt. James Patterson received a formal reprimand, and was transferred to Joint Operations Control in Canberra to take up an administrative role. As he was dismissed from the captain's office, Jamie knew it for what it was; while neither facing charges, nor demotion, he knew that this was a sideways role, and it would be some time before he would see a sea posting, let alone XO on a Patrol boat.
The Australian Federal Police investigation is ongoing. So far, they learned that the ASIO operative killed by the terrorist cell was responsible for the theft of the boat from Cairns, and recruiting two more for the cell. Police are still combing Bright Island for evidence, and ASIO are investigating the operative as to who his connections to the cell were.
Buffer, Two Dads and Charge left the pub, Buffer and Two Dads to go to the Federal Police, then to NAVCOM where Two Dads would be formally discharged. Charge went back to Hammersley, to collect his bag then find an Internet café to book his flights home. They agreed to meet at the pub for dinner. As Charge walked off Hammersley, for the last time, he realised how much he looked forward to going home. He saw Dutchy coming towards him, looking closely at a burly female XO, who had just disembarked the Kingston. As Charge watched, Dutchy moved to talk to her, just as a tall well-built young man, with a T-Shirt reading "Cairns Krav Maga" ran towards her, and she threw her arms about him. Charge laughed aloud at the deflated look on Dutchy's face.
"You can't win, eh mate?" Charge chuckled at him.
"Nah, wouldn't have happened anyway. I'm going back to Sydney to report to Penguin. Clearance Diver School."
"Good for you mate. I'm off to the internet café. Time to book my flight home."
"Where's home?"
"Hammersley Ranges, mate."
Dutchy smiled.
The pub was buzzing with mainly Navy personnel when Charge turned up. As he was about to walk in, he heard from behind, "Hey."
Charge turned around to see Jamie standing there. "Jamie. Coming in for a drink?"
"No. Just thought I'd say goodbye. I've been posted to Canberra."
Charge said nothing. Jamie continued, "I was reprimanded, not charged, but I've been sent into the wilderness, so to speak. Listen, I want to say I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything. I've been a real bastard to you, and by finding my CO, and repairing the ship, you saved my butt. I know we don't get on, but I was wondering…"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering, well if we could keep in touch."
Charge shook his son's hand. Then he enveloped him in a hug. "Of course, son. I'd like that."
"Thanks. Well, be seeing you." Jamie walked off; his shoulders not so slumped as before.
Charge went into the pub, and found Buffer with Nikki, Two Dads, Robert, and Dutchy. A loud cheer went up, and a beer put into his hand.
"So, Two Dads. How did you go?"
"OK. Buff stayed with me while I talked to the Feds, and I'm discharged from the Navy. I'm a free man. A free man."
"What will you do with yourself now?" asked Charge.
Buffer, half-drunk, slapped Two Dads on the back. "We're going into business together. I'm buying a boat, and we are going into the fishing and diving business. That will keep you out of mischief."
Two Dads said, "I think I've had enough mischief for a while. I think I just want the good life."
Charge raised his glass, "To Buffer and Two Dads! May their venture be profitable and legal!"
As the cheers died, down, Charge saw that Mike had come in, accompanied by Kate, just out of hospital, and a little girl in his arms. There were cheers and shouts of welcome, then they cleared a space, and made Kate sit down.
A beer was passed to Mike, and a glass of lemonade for Kate. Charge went over to Kate.
"She your little girl, Kate?" he asked.
"Yes indeed. This is Jessica. She's two years old."
Charge smiled down at the child, who was sitting on her mother's lap, with her arms possessively around her mother's neck, not letting her out of her sight.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine. A bit tired. We won't stay long. Charge, I believe you're the one who actually found me. I thought it was Swain. I thought I saw him." Kate put her hand on his arm. "And you got my ship home. Thank you Charge. Thank you so much."
Embarrassed, Charge said, "You're welcome, Ma'am. You're very welcome." He stood next to her, drinking his beer. He was silent for some time.
"Two Dads," said Mike. "Welcome home."
"Thanks, Boss."
The conversation flowed on around the former Hammersley crew, briefly re-united after completing a dangerous mission.
Eventually Mike said, "Well, we have to be going. I need to get my family home. Kate needs her rest." There was a subsequent chorus of "Bye," "See you," "Take care" to accompany the Flynn family as they left. Charge said, "Excuse me," and followed them outside.
"Boss." Mike turned around.
"Boss, you did all you could for Swain. It wasn't your fault. I was out of line. I was, well so angry, and yeah, it wasn't right. Sorry Boss."
Mike held out his hand for Charge to shake. "Thanks, Charge. For everything."
Charge went back to re-join his friends. He was happy.
The sun blazed hot on the red desert landscape. Charge stepped down from the small aircraft and looked around. Standing by her car, with the three kids, was Amy Fennell. He ran toward her, and scooped her up into his arms.
"Ugh, yuk," said Emmett, and they all laughed.
Later, after a lovely dinner, at her place, he took Amy for a walk. They had talked of how the mine workshop ran, and how the boss was pleased with how Amy ran the operation. Charge talked about Kate, Jamie, and Mike and how he had not only reconciled with his son, but with his former CO as well.
Amy was happy to hear that. They turned around and began to walk back to her house when Charge stopped her.
"Amy. Marry me."
EPILOGUE.
Andy "Charge" Thorpe and Amy Fennell were married six months later. Pete 'Buffer' Tomaszewski was his best man, and Nikki Caetano, now engaged to Pete, Amy's bridesmaid. In attendance was Charge's son Jamie, and his girlfriend Brittany, an English girl who was a solicitor in Canberra. Mike, Kate and their daughter Jessica also came, with Jessica acting as a flower girl along with Darcie Fennell.
They had taken three months' leave, and they are currently visiting Kate's father in nearby Exmouth while touring Australia.
Buffer and Two Dads' business is thriving. Two Dads had settled into the life, and has yet to meet a girl he likes. They now operate three charter boats, and have named their first boat "Swaino".
Dutchy is training as a Clearance Diver at HMAS Penguin. So far, he has avoided any ASIO spooks, and he too, has yet to meet a girl he likes.
Robert Dixon and Bomber Brown are still corresponding. Robert is still on-board Kingston, and Bomber is onboard Canberra. Robert wants to go out with her, and is getting up the courage to ask.
Bird finally got her much-desired sea-posting. She is a Medic on board HMAS Choules. She is also engaged to Ryan White, having accepted his proposal and his "scary mum". She and Bomber are still the best of friends.
Finally, Chloe Blake is in her second year of high school. She is a bright student and is still adamant she will join the Navy on completion of Year .12.
THE END