Sitting at her desk Kate rubbed her temples she could feel a tension-stressy headache setting up camp. They had only been at sea for a week and it already felt like an eternity. Initially they were only supposed to be on a routine patrol in the north, however 5 days in to patrol NAVCOM sent through new orders. The federal police had requested assistance in apprehending a yacht that had been stolen from Gladstone 2 days previously. The gang who was suspected of stealing this yacht were wanted for drugs offences, armed robbery as well as assault with intent. It was widely believed they were heading north and coast watch had spotted the yacht heading towards them.

Sighing she rested her head against the desk. The latest intel that had come through from NAVCOM suggested that they gang were heavily armed and had taken the boat owners hostage. It was a strategical nightmare they had to be on top of their game otherwise people could end up seriously injured or worse killed.

Hearing a knock at her door she looked up wishing she looked up

"yeah" she called softly turning to face the door.

"Ma'am" Bird said pushing the door open "you missed dinner" she said holding out a bowl with a jacket potato topped with chilli and cheese and some salad

"thanks" Kate forced a smile taking it from bird placing it in front of her.

Smiling Bird looked around Kates cabin, her eyes caught by the two rocks "wow" she grinned picking one of them up.

"yeah Gracie found them in the park last week, just before we sailed" Kate smiled taking it from bird placing it back on her desk. Rubbing her head she turned back to the young medic. "any chance of some painkillers I have a monster headache coming on"

"sure I'll just go fetch you some" Bird smiled "oh and nav was looking for you"

"right thanks well I best go find her then" she said standing to leave. Edging around Bird she made her way towards the bridge.

"what about your dinner Ma'am!" Bird called after her with it falling on deaf ears. Sighing she picked up the bowl heading to the galley. As much as she knew Kate needed to eat, she didn't want her to come back to the stench of stale cold chilli con carne when she did eventually hit the rack.

Dumping the bowl in the hatch. She sighed

"sorry Kipling another one for you" she forced a smile

"it's fine. Is the boss okay. She missed lunch as well and only had 1 bit of toast for breakkie ?"

"yeah she is fine I think she is just a bit stressed with the feds breathing down her neck asking when we are going to get this boat"

"oh well I may take her a sanga up in a bit" Kipling smiled scraping the left overs in to the bin.

"that will be a good idea" Bird stepped away before retracing her steps "actually can you pass me one of your chocolate muffins please"

"umm sure" Kipling smiled handing her one

"thanks" Bird said heading towards the ward room.

Kate headed on to the bridge "what is the problem Nav" She called

"we have the yacht on EOD Ma'am." Nav smiled

Taking a look at the EOD Kate could see the yacht and there were 2 people on board that's she could see.

"right I best go talk to NAVCOM see what our next move is. Keep us out of sight but keep a eye on them. RO get me NAVCOM patch it through to my cabin."

"on it" RO called

Heading back down towards her cabin she bumped in to bird.

"ma'am I have those painkillers" she smiled

"thanks Bird" Kate said taking them

"and please eat something" she said holding out the cake

"I'm not hungry" Kate smiled swallowing the little pills Bird had handed he

"Please ma'am. Kipling said you haven't eaten all day and for the best results with your painkillers you are best to take them on or with food" Bird smiled

"Fine" Kate sighed taking the muffin from Bird taking a bite "I have to get this" she said hearing her phone ringing in her cabin.

Hanging up with NAVCOM she sighed this was going to be a tricky operation and dangerous. Picking up the receiver she sighed

"RO pipe senior sailors to the ships office please. Thanks"

Looking at the clock she sighed it would be dark soon so this was time sensitive. Boarding in the dark was always trickier and far more dangerous. The flood lights from the ship would help but they couldn't activate them till the boarding party had actually safely made it on to the suspect vessel so as they didn't alert them to their presence.

Hearing RO put the call across the pipe she sighed making her own way to the office. This would need to be a detailed plan.

Standing in front of everyone she looked they were more than capable of this she just hoped things didn't go tango uniform.

"the Feds want this yacht stopped and NAVCOM have authorized our boarding of the vassal. Before it gets to international waters..."

"at the speed they are going they will be international waters by morning" Nav called

"thanks Nikki" Kate smiled. She had already done the maths and figured it out

"as it stands the yacht is off to the starboard side slightly so boarding party will use the port RHIB and stay in the shadow of the ship until we get close then the RHIB will board at the back out of sight. These men are dangerous the man they assaulted is still in a coma so boarding party full boarding gear with extra plates."

"Ma'am" everyone called

"lets get them and bring the hostages home alive" she smiled "hands to boarding stations" she called watching as everyone filled out. Closing her eyes, she just hoped lady luck would be on their side

Sitting on the bridge she watched as the RHIB began moving in to the main position carefully making its way round to the back of the yacht. She turned her eyes on the EOD.

"Ma'am" Kipling walked up behind her

Turning she ran her hand through her hair having not expected the young sailor to be behind her.

"what is it Kipling?" she asked

"i brought you a sandwich. You need to eat" Kipling smiled

"thanks" Kate smiled taking the plate from her. She was feeling rather hungry now but couldn't eat she was too nervous and focused on the boarding and making sure her crew were safe. she turned looking at Nav.

"boarding party in position" Nav smiled

"thanks, nav" Kate smiled picking up the radio. "Buff you're in position. Boarding party insert" she said watching as they climbed on board.

"Buff Sit-rep" Kate called over the radio

"all seems very odd over here boss. Searching now" his voice crackled over the radio.

"very good" Kate replied taking a slight sigh of relief they had boarded okay. They had that in their favour now it was slightly easier at least the gang didn't know they were there.

"you okay?" Nav asked

"yeah I am now" Kate turned

"good. Now eat your butty we can't have our CO pass out with low blood sugar because she hasn't eaten all day" Nav grinned ….

so hope you like this. i am running out of ideas a tad for this. today we offically hit day 100 of lockdown and although we are slowly reopening (we re open on saturday) we already have had a near by city put on to lockdown again because of a spike. so if any of you aussies reading this could pm me what its like (are schools back yet? i know the loo roll bonkerdom has returned)

anyway hope you like this and let me know what you think xx