"In danger?!" Kate exclaimed.
Kate couldn't believe what she was hearing! How was her crew in danger without her seeing it?
"You need to get to the bridge as soon as you can." Maxine's voice continued.
"But why?"
"Something is going to happen and you and the other two ships won't get back to port if you don't go back to the bridge."
"Alright I'll go but what's so important?"
Kate heard Maxine sigh heavily on the other side of the phone.
"Commander?" Kate asked again.
"It's the…. Kate I don't know how to say this…"
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Bomber looked over to her CO. He seemed to be sleeping but Bomber knew it was probably more serious than that. Swaine had finally got the needle ready. Bomber didn't mind needles but still didn't like the sight of them.
"Ready?" Swaine asked her.
"Yeah. Ready." Bomber nodded before she could change her mind.
Swaine nodded back and started the transfusion. Bomber's mind seemed to drift when the needle actually went in, which was good. The needle seemed to not even touch her!
"There you go." Swaine smiled as the blood went from Bomber to Mike.
"Already done?" Bomber asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Really easy hey?" Swaine smiled.
Bomber smiled and nodded. She then turned back to Mike. some colour went to his face again but she was surprised not to see an immediate reaction.
"It'll take time." Swaine answered her question.
Bomber looked a little downhearted after this comment. I mean she hadn't expected to wake up but at least stirred or something. She also knew she would have to stay a while whilst Swaine finished the procedure. Oh well. If they weren't moving she guessed there was nothing else to do!
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"It's the marines Kate." Maxine finally said.
"What?!" Kate nearly shouted.
"They're the ones behind this."
"But how?"
"I'll tell you when you get back to port. Now go and get the bridge back." Maxine gave as an order.
"Yes Ma'am." Kate ended the call.
Kate was still a little bit surprised but knew she had to take back the bridge. Even if Jim wasn't involved, she had to be in charge if something was going to happen if she wasn't.
She ran up the stairs to the bridge where the others were waiting.
"Aw Kate. How's our CO?" JIm asked not to turn around.
"Why has the boat stopped?" Kate asked with gritted teeth.
Nav and Spider both gulped quietly as they saw the situation evolve. Charge and RO kept away. They had their eyes on their work and what was going on at the same time.
"I thought it would be a good idea to wait." Jim spoke up for himself.
"I bet you did." Kate smirked.
Jim turned around at this remark. He had a somewhat surprised look on his face at this remark. Kate knew not to fall for it however and kept firm.
"I don't know what you mean." Jim lied.
"Charge." Kate said to her fellow shipmates.
"Yes Ma'am." Charge answered.
"Get this boat running again." Kate ordered.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Jim stopped him.
"And why not?" Kate asked a little bit worried about what response she was going to get.
"Because if this ship moves one mile further, it'll blow to kingdom come." Jim smirked.
Kate wanted to let out a little gasp but Nav did it for her. The whole bridge crew held their breath as they waited for more detail.
"Why?" Kate finally came out with.
"Too many questions." Jim smiled as he pulled a gun from his pocket and pointed it at Kate.
The whole bridge moved as one. Nav held Spider back from helping the X and RO was struggling holding Charge from moving the ship again. The rest of the bridge waited hoping someone would either make a decision or help them.
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"They should be back by now." Maxine talked to the captain waiting for the Hammersley to come back in.
"I know. They'll be here in a minute." The captain tried to reassure her.
"What if they're in trouble? What if they need us?" Maxine pleaded.
"They'll get here. Just wait." The captain sighed.
Maxine ended the call. She then walked around her office. Marshall was waiting outside.
"Where are they?" Maxine asked Marshall.
Marshall shrugged. He hoped as much as Maxine the Hammersley was coming back but his hopes were slowly slipping away.
"Should we go and help them?" Maxine asked, trying to get a hold of the situation.
"We can't. We're in quarantine!" Marshall reminded her.
Maxine had nearly forgotten about the quarantine. If it wasn't in place Marshall would have already gone out to look for them. She looked out into the mostly empty Navcom HQ. It seemed like the quarantine had been going on forever, not just a few days!
"They're alone then?" Maxine put a hand to her mouth.
"I'm afraid so." Marshall sighed.
Maxine turned to her boss. She hated feeling so helpless but there was nothing she could do. She sat down in her chair with a thump. She then looked down at the files spread across her desk. She chucked them all to one side. Marshall could tell how much she cared for Hammersley and her crew. He did to but right now he couldn't show it. He just hoped that something would save them.
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Bomber was nearly falling asleep. Anytime the Hammersley wasn't moving she felt more relaxed. She hadn't felt this relaxed since they had all gone scuba diving. What a time that was?!
"Drifting off are we?" Swaine chuckled.
"Don't know what you mean!" Bomber crossed her arms.
"Go and have a rest if you're tired." Swaine pointed at the bed with his pen.
"I'll stay awake thanks."
Swaine looked around the sick bay. He then put his clipboard to one side as he also crossed his arms.
"What's the matter?" Bomber smirked.
"Just noticed how quiet it is." Swaine noted.
"Yes I suppose it is." Bomber smiled at Swaine's somewhat misted vision.
"If only it was like this all the time."
"In lockdown I thought it was going to be."
"You're not the only one."
"It seems we had more adventure and mystery than we usually do without lockdown!"
"In a few days definitely a record." Swaine chuckled.
Bomber chuckled as well.
"What are you two chuckling about?"