Ch. 10 The last act
Back again at the Hammersley, heading to Cairns
Kate closed the zip of her sports bag and straightened her back. She looked around to see if she hasn't forgotten anything.
No. Bathroom?
She did three steps, opened the door and glanced inside.
Empty.
Ok.
She turned to the mirror, looked at herself and straightened her white uniform. She went back to her desk to take her hat and headed for the mirror. She put the hat on following the Navy textbook and she looked again at her presence. Official whites with medals.
Ok, Katherine, you're ready for the last act. Within a couple of hours this uniform will only be suitable for the game. But what do you look like? Stop crying, it doesn't help you, on the contrary!
She grimaced, walked to the door, turned off the light and headed for the bridge.
Mike sat in his chair and heard Bomber's voice.
"Sharky, I'll take over the helm. It's your turn", she said.
Mike turned around and saw that they had changed. He wondered why because it was rather unusual.
He raised his eyebrows as he saw that Bomber was dressed in her official white sailor uniform.
He wanted to say something but saw, out of the corner of his eye another white uniform and turned in its direction. Charge was also wearing his whites.
"I'm ready buddy", Charge said to 2Dads as he laid his visor cap on the cupboard.
While Mike wanted to say something to Charge, Dutchy entered the deck, also dressed in his whites.
He said nothing, raised his eyebrows and sat back in his chair.
A moment later he felt a movement next to him and turned his head to see Kate.
She also wore her official white clothes with all her medals and even her hat.
"The ship is ready to enter the base sir", she said.
"X, what does this all mean?", asked Mike motioning with his head towards the crew on the deck.
He looked at her red eyes.
Have you spoken to Swain yet?
She looked at him sadly.
Don't you really know it?
"The crew decided to enter the base in their uniform for the last time. ", she said swallowing hard.
"Hmm, I see", Mike said.
"A kind of farewell and also as a gesture of respect for each other!", the last part of Kate's sentence sounded rude.
Mike felt it, looked at her and could enjoy her famous stare, but this time it was icy cold.
"Hmm, yeah, you're right. I'll change myself too", he said faintly.
"XO has the ship!", he said.
"XO has the ship", Kate repeated and she settled in the captain's chair. She touched the arms of the chair and looked through the windscreen.
So Kate, enjoy this place for the last time.
Amazing. I almost had to kick him so that he also put his whites.
What will tomorrow bring me?
No! Tomorrow is tomorrow. Enjoy it now!
A few minutes later Mike arrived at the bridge again and, with reluctance, Kate gave him the place. He looked at her, trying to have eye contact, but she stared at the floor.
When the Hammersley entered the harbour the crew that was not on duty was lined up along the railings. Mike looked outside when Kate was giving the last instructions to bring the ship along the quay. He noticed that Maxine was waiting for them with a bunch a journalists.
He made a face.
Promising!
As soon as the Hammersley was moored Mike went down to greet Maxine. He walked towards her and saluted, ignoring the journalists.
Next they shook hands.
"Wow, so official?", she said to him.
"It's the crew. They decided to show up in their whites. As a kind of farewell", he said.
"Hmm, this makes things even more dramatic than they already are", she said worried.
He shrugged. "Well, I understand them. It's the end of a chapter you know", he said looking at his ship over his shoulder.
"How was the mood on board?", she asked him, trying to be as neutral as possible.
I hope that he wil not notice my mood about this. It's awful to see all these people go. except one …
He shrugged again. "If I say it was splendid I would lie and you would know it."
"Uh-hu. Troubles? Quarrels?", she asked choosing the words, reluctant to express them completely.
"No, not at all. Demoralized", that's the correct description.
"Uh-hu. I think that there'll be a lot of hangovers tomorrow morning", she said as she watched how the sailors left the boat with their luggage. The journalist has chosen a few to ask them questions.
"Yeah", he sighed. "And me?"
Maxime gave him a smile. "Tomorrow morning at 9:00 am at my desk", she said.
He nodded.
"Uh, you're going to drink a glass with them tonight?", she gauged his intentions.
"Yeah, they deserve that", he said eyes locked on his crew.
"Uh-hu. Ok see you tomorrow then", Maxine said.
I should have known, there was little chance that I could invite him to have a drink with me before Kate catches him. No problem, I'll pin him tomorrow.
"I'll see you tomorrow Max", he said giving her a barely seen poke to her forearm.
"Ok."
He came back, avoiding the journalist and went back on board to finish the last paperwork.
He walked deep in thought to the command room. He even passed a few sailors without noticing them.
Mike came in and sat down, then he glared at the pile of papers.
They did it deliberately, for sure! It's more than normal.
With a sigh he began to read through the documents and affixed his signature where it was needed.
Kate kept a close eye on the mooring procedure as it had to be perfect for the last time, especially now because the dock was crowded with people including several senior officers of the base and a bunch of journalists.
Out of the corner of her eye she looked at these creatures eager for a sensational story to be published in their newsletters.
Not for me, I will not give a show for 20 million people, no way! I'll say goodbye to everyone and I'm going to get away from this bunch.
As soon as the ship was securely moored and the gangplank installed she saw Mike head for Maxine. The rest of the crew followed. She went inside to pick up her bag and came back. As soon she got off the gangplank, the sailors stopped her to say goodbye and wish her good luck. Unfortunately she had not noticed the journalist and his cameraman hurrying in her direction. He was attracted by her officer's shoulder boards and her medals.
"Ma'am, may I have a word from you? You're one of the officers?", he started as the camera was running.
Kate was baffled, nothing she could do but answering him.
"Uh? Yes, I'm the executive officer on board", she replied.
"May I have your name ma'am", he asked.
"Lieutenant Kate McGregor"
"Lieutenant McGregor, is your job finished now or will you remain employed?"
"No, unfortunately this is not the case. From tomorrow I will have to look for another job. The Navy will be history then", she replied trying to stay strong.
"Is it true that there are patrol boats people who remain employed?"
"Yes"
"Do you know how they decided to do that. Because when I see your medals, you must have had a brilliant career", he asked.
Yeah, turn the knife a little more!
"The Navy Command had to have its reason. I cannot tell you more", Kate replied.
"How do you feel about this?", he asked.
Asshole! What do you think? I'm on cloud nine, of course!
"A sad situation. I would have wished it to be different", she said swallowing hard.
"Do you already know in which area you're looking for a job?"
Kate shrugged, "Shipping is the best area for me to look for".
"Ok, thank you Lieutenant for your time", he said looking for another person to interview.
Kate turned away.
In which area to look for? Shipping? I still have no prospects because I had always hoped that Mike could have convinced someone to keep me employed. But in vain.
She tried to slip away but again some sailors stopped her to say her goodbye with kind words while she was losing more and more control over her emotions
How do they do that for God's sake? They're all so optimistic and I'm a wreck. Breathe Kate, breathe!
She was so disturbed that she didn't see Dutchy. All of a sudden he stood in front of her.
"X, I was looking for you", he said and she looked back with dark green eyes. "Kate, you're ok? Life doesn't stop here you know", he said tenderly.
Kate wanted to say something and opened her mouth but the lump she had in her throat made it impossible. Her eyes became moist again and suddenly she turned around and stepped quickly away.
"X? Kate!", he shouted, but she didn't turn around. At that moment, the journalist tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hi sir, are you from this ship?", he started the interview.
"Uh, yes, I'm the bosun", Dutchy said and he saw out of the corner of his eye the tiny white figure disappear.
After the interview he scanned the crowd nervously but couldn't see the tiny officer among them. He jumped in fear when someone slapped on his shoulder and saw Swain's devilish smile.
"Goddamn Swain, you scared me!"; he said.
"I see it and it is the first time I see you scared. Guilty conscience mate?", he smirked.
"Nope, I didn't expect it", he grumbled.
"I assume you come to the pub tonight?", Chris asked.
"Yeah, for sure,!", he answered by giving his friend a slap to his upper arm.
"Right, till then, goodbye and now I'm going to join my family!", he said.
Dylan looked after him and grimaced.
Another one without a job! And he has a family. I wish I could swap with him. I can always find a job!
Mike was working on the pile of files on his desk. After 20 minutes he stopped due to something, but he didn't know exactly what. He looked at the walls and listened.
Nothing. Everybody's gone… for ever. The Hammerley is dead now. Damn!
Kate!? Jeez, forgotten! Damn you, how could you? I'll see her. Right now. She's probably also busy with the last reports.
He stood up and went out in the corridor and took two steps to her cabin.
He lingered In front of the XO's cabin. He knocked and waited. After a few moments he opened the door carefully, expecting to hear an indignant protest. But the cabin was dark. He turned on the light and saw it was empty. Not a single sign of the tiny blond woman who had lived there for a few years. He made a face, turned off the light and closed the door.
He walked slowly to the command room again.
Hmm, pity, she's already gone. Why didn't she wait? Why didn't she say something before leaving? Maybe she wanted to see the oculist for her eyes. Never mind, I'll see her tonight at the pub. Yes, and then we can see what we can do, even if I don't know it yet. Maybe tomorrow. Hmm, I'll keep the chat light tonight. Although I have the feeling that she has been behaving strange since a couple of weeks. It's just like she's hiding something…
or someone.
Maybe she met someone else?
Heck, I was still too late.
He entered his cabin, sat down and continued reluctantly with the paperwork.
To be continued