Ch 4. Promotion
Four months earlier
Nikki
She made the last indication on the sea map and she stood up again. She straightened her back and looked around at the bridge of the HMAS Perth. Commander Cavenash sat in his chair and another officer was on watch. She smiled a little.
I've been lucky. I left Hammersley and I've been posted here, again as navigator. It's a good team and the CO is a reasonable man, although he's more prudent than Mike Flynn. I've a few friends here and most important of all, I've a cabin of my own. I'm the only female officer with a lieutenant rank. The two other women are sub-lieutenants and they share a cabin.
She padded to the CO and he sensed her presence.
"And Nav?", he said.
"We'll arrive in Sydney at 15.00 sir, thus within two hours", she said.
"Nice! Oh Nav, when we're moored you'll have to see the commodore asap", he said.
"Uh? Asap? Something wrong?", she asked him.
"You ought to know the Navy Nav, everything is asap. Hurry and wait!", he said with a smirk.
"You've any idea boss?", she asked.
"Nope, the Old Man didn't mention. Probably he wants to invite you for a romantic candle light dinner", he deadpanned.
"Sir!", she said pretending to be indignant and slapped him gently on the arm.
He smirked to her in reply.
"Do the decreases have impact on us?", she asked.
He looked at her for a moment before answering, giving her an awkward feeling.
"Normally, we, on the big ships, are not involved in this decrease operation. Although there will be some dismissals left and right. That will be mainly men who not perform well and that's forced by the need of the Navy to keep the most valuable men of the patrol boats. But the Old Man didn't tell me much more about why he wants to see you", he said with a poker face.
She nodded, "Yes, indeed" and she padded back again to her maps.
Even in the Navy you're not sure any more about your job. They can guarantee you that there's always a risk to be blown out of the water but they can't guarantee you to keep your job! …the big ships are not involved… Then I can be happy to not be on the Hammersley anymore! …to keep the most valuable men of the patrol boats… That would for sure mean that Mike and Kate stay employed. Will her dream to be on big ships become finally true then? Imagine Kate being transferred to the Perth! That would be funny. Although, sometimes she can be so private, while I know she isn't...
I'm going to contact her. Since I left Hammersley we've barely seen each other. When I was at sea she had shore leave and vice versa. And when we were both on shore she was for sure with Mike and then I didn't want to disturb their rare moments together. Most of the time we exchanged emails.
Two and a half hour later the Perth was moored and Nikki stood in her cabin. She has just put on her white uniform and now she was busy with the delicate job to tie her hair in a knot. She checked and rechecked it because she didn't want to get a remark from the Commodore. Finally she put her hat on and she left.
She reported at Navcom, at the base, and announced herself to the Commodore's adjutant.
"Yeah, you can come in, the boss has no visitors for the moment", the lieutenant said.
She knocked at the door, waited for the answer and entered.
"Ah! Lieutenant Caetano, I've been waiting for you! Sit down!", he said as he stood upright. Commodore John Harris was a tall man with short silver grey hair. He gestured with his hand to the chair in front of his impressive wooden desk.
"Thank you sir", she said heading for the chair.
He sat down and grabbed a file on the edge of his desk. He opened it and started to leaf.
"Lieutenant, you'vea nice service record so far. Assistant navigator on a supply ship, navigator on board of a mine hunter, a patrol boat and a frigate. All good remarks and recommendations. Moreover you seem to have a good influence on crews as well", he said as he looked at her.
"Indeed,Sir, I feel good among the crew members", Nikki replied.
"Well, we need qualified people and I'm glad to be able to announce some good news as well in this difficult times. You're going to follow a training as executive officer with the rank of lieutenant-commander. Congratulations lieutenant-commander!", he said.
Nikki looked at him baffled, open-mouthed.
"And work a bit on your facial expression", he mumbled.
"Ah! Uh, yes sir, thank you sir!", she reacted quickly.
He stood up and reached out. They shook hands, he sat down again and opened a drawer.
Commodore Harris grabbed a pair of shoulder boards with two and a half band.
"Here you go! The Navy counts on you and realise that if the captain isn't available due to I don't know what, that you'll be the CO of one of the most powerful ships of the southern area!", he said.
Nikki swallowed.
Jeez! What an idea!
"Yes, sir, I'm aware of it. And when do I have to attend the training?", she asked while accepting the shoulder boards.
"It starts next week. It means also that this was your last voyage on the Perth and that you'll become the executive officer of the HMAS Sydney", he replied.
"I see and who's the CO?", Nikki questioned.
"Captain Howard, but he's going to retire and I don't know his successor yet. So, enjoy your holidays lieutenant-commander", the commodore answered and he gave her the signal that the meeting was finished.
Nikki left the office in trance.
No, I'm dreaming. Within a second I'm going to wake up in my rack or my bedroom and I shall always be the navigator on the Perth. What did he say? I'm a lieutenant-commander and moreover I'll become the executive officer of a missile frigate! One of the most advanced ships we have. That means I have to manage a huge war ship and that I can offer it to the CO as a good functioning tool! And if things would turn out badly, then I'm the CO of that ship. Jeez!
I've to tell Kate about this. Hmm, but what if she didn't got her promotion? It will hurt her. No, I can't do that . I'll talk to her about something else.
She wandered back again to the Perth. When she reached the gangway the sailor of the watch drew her attention.
"Nav, the CO is waiting for you", he said.
"Ok", she replied and smiled.
He wants to know what the old man has told me, of course.
When she reached the bridge she was surprised.
All the officers were gathered on the bridge and apparently they were waiting for her.
"Lieutenant-commander, your uniform is not following the rules! You're not wearing the appropriate rank", the CO said sternly.
Nikki started to blush. "Ah?! Uh.. I didn't have had the time yet. I've them here….", her voice faltered as she showed the shoulder boards after taking them out of her pocket.
"I'm going to attach them", the CO said taking the shoulder boards. "Congratulations Nav!".
He started to untie the existing ones on her shoulder.
"Sir! You knew about it, didn't you?", she asked surprised.
"Of course! But I didn't want to spoil the Old Man's fun", he said with a smirk.
"Oh! That's mean! And I was thinking that it had to do with something completely different", Nikki replied a bit upset.
"Congratulations Nikki! Here something to flush away!", Martin, the XO, said offering her a glass of wine.
"Thanks!", she said.
"Cheers!", the CO added grabbing a glass of beer.
"We'll miss you Nav and not only for your splendid navigation capabilities but also because you're the most handsome of this bunch of geezers here", Cavenash said.
"Come on! You!", she replied blushing again.
"Where are you going to?", Martin asked.
"The Sydney", she replied.
"Oh, that's the barge of the old John Howard. He's not far anymore from his retirement", Cavenash replied.
"Take care Nikki, Captain Howard is one of the Old Guard. He sticks very much to the rules", Martin said with grin.
Another glass of wine followed and another one and another one…
To be continued...