Ch. 16 A new commander
Cairns
Mike & Maxine
"Good morning sir", some of the sailors greeted him when he entered the operations room of Navcom.
"Good morning guys", he replied looking at them while he padded with his briefcase to his office.
Now they're reading newspapers. Everything was so different. Last month it was still a buzzing beehive and now...
He glanced at Maxine's office , but she hadn't arrived yet. He shook his head.
Here too, it's different. She used to be here before 08.00. It's past 09.00 and she isn't here yet. Since the patrol boats are no longer under the command of Navcom anymore she is no longer as punctual.
He entered his office and put his briefcase next to his desk. He frowned when he saw that the inbox was empty.
Damn, again nothing to do! A month has passed since we last arrived in Cairns and nothing interesting has happened. The handover of the Hammersley was my last real action. And since then? Paperwork of the wind-down operation. Exiting! Oh man you've not idea!
He sat down with a sigh and smiled an instant later.
At least there's one highlight.
Max.
We're on the same page, business and personal. It works between us. And tonight it's my turn to prepare a dinner. Why wouldn't we try? We've at least one thing in common, our son, Ryan.
"Day dreaming?", he heard the teasing voice of Maxine.
She stood in the doorway and gave him a big smile.
"Ah! Max. Good morning. I just took a break. I've finished all the work already", Mike replied with a smirk.
"Bugger! You didn't leave something for me!", she answered with a grin as she walked through.
"When you get installed, we can have a brew!", he said to her aloud.
"Will do!", he heard.
10 minutes later she padded inside.
"I thought you were thirsty?", she asked.
"Of course", Mike replied as he stood up.
"How's our Ryan doing?", he asked her as they walked to the officers' mess.
Maxine looked at him with a smile.
He said 'our' Ryan. Obvious, not? That means that there's a big chance that we can make it work!
"Last night I had a phone call from him. He's doing fine. He's sub-lieutenant on board of the Newcastle", she replied.
"Nice, I like to hear that!"
After he has taken a sip from his brew he looked at her, "Max, are you coming to my house tonight ? A drink, supper, a nice evening together,... breakfast?", he asked raising his eyebrows.
"You're a naughty boy and it will be with pleasure!", she replied with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Right, then I'm going to stop a bit earlier today. Groceries, you see", Mike said with a wink.
"Understood, loud and clear!"
They walked back to their desks after the break and Mike started to check a few operational reports of the hydrographic vessels of the base.
"Mike?",
Hearing his name he looked up to see Maxine enter his office.
"What's up?"
"Mike, enjoy your last easy days here because it can be counted on the fingers of one hand", she said waving papers.
"Ah? Tell me", he said leaning back against his chair.
"We're going to be replaced by a lieutenant-commander and a warrant officer and we both are going to be posted in Sydney, me on shore for the operations and you... you as commander of the HMAS Sydney. You're going to replace Captain John Howard. He's retiring", she said.
"Really?! Wow, that's great. A frigate! And even the one of the old Howard. That's a real honour!", Mike said by straightening himself.
"When? Three days you've said?"
"Exactly. Within three days you take over the command", she said.
"Splendid and when will our replacements arrive?", he asked.
"Tomorrow, I'm afraid it will be very short nights, because we've to pack everything".
"Hmm, that's the reverse of the medal, isn't it? But, uh... how are we going to do that? Packing, moving, looking for another house? Especially me! I've to take over a command and I can't look for a house."
"Mike, the Navy isn't that stupid. We'll get a container each and cartboard boxes to pack everything. Moreover we'll get help from a few sailors to move everything. In Sydney we'll get a flat from the Navy and meanwhile we can look for something that suits us", she said.
"Hmm, yeah, but when you're at sea, it's not that easy huh?", Mike replied frowning.
Meanwhile Maxine has taken a seat in one of the club chairs in front of his desk.
"Mike,… why wouldn't we look together for a house or a flat? You'll be at sea and when you're back you'll have a home. We go out together since a few weeks.", she suggested tenderly.
He looked at her and started nodding slightly, "Yeah, you're right. One day we will have to decide what we're going to do and this situation helps us a lot to make a decision. It's a good idea. It doesn't matter to me what it will be, a house or an appartment but something close to the bay or the sea", Mike replied.
Maxine smiled broadly. "Splendid, you'll not regret it, we'll make it work!", she said as she stood up. Maxine left his office humming a song and he watched her move away.
Alea jacta est! Better now than never.
By smiling he resumed further the reading of the report.
One week later
Sydney
HMAS Sydney
Nikki was standing in front of the bathroom mirror in her white trousers and grey T-shirt. She was tying her hair in a bun while looking gloomily at her reflection in the mirror.
I've every reason to be happy. XO on a frigate, I managed to have a good crew that works well, a lovely boyfriend, but I'm not. I'm worrying about Kate. I can't get in touch with her anymore. She doesn't pick up her phone, text messages don't arrive and unanswered emails. Finally I wrote her a letter but it came back with the mention "unknown address". It still lays on the living room table. Kate, what's going on with you?!
She padded to her cabin. She put on her official uniform, grabbed her hat and put it on her head. She turned on her heel and walked a few steps to the bathroom to look one last time in the mirror.
It's a pity that there isn't a large one in the cabin. Of course no man needs it and the constructors did forget the women!
Good!
Someone knocked at the door.
"Come in!", she said out loud.
The door opened and the buffer, Warrant Officer Dennis Freeman, entered.
"The crew is up on deck ma'am", he said.
Her gaze turned on the man in his whites, his sword and her eyes stopped for an instant at the impressive two rows ribbon bars on his uniform.
Wow! Where am I with my two ribbons?
"Thank you Buffer, Let's go", Nikki said grabbing her own sword.
They left the cabin and she closed the door while he waited.
"Dennis, today is your last full day and tomorrow you will be retiring. How does it feel? ", Nikki asked him as they started walking to the deck.
"Well, I'm looking forward to it, even though I doubt it will be the same kind of show where we're heading for", he replied.
"You're right. But, 200 years ago it was like this and within 200 years, it will be still the same", she said.
"That's the Navy huh?", he said shrugging.
"What are you going to do next?"
"Margareth and I are going to travel as long as we're healthty", he said.
"Good plan!"
"Do you already have a replacement for me?" , he asked.
"I've someone in mind, but the new CO will have to decide", she said as they reached the deck and stepped into the sunshine.
"Sydney up!", the Buffer yelled.
The entire crew stood at attention and Nikki inspected the row of sailors. Afterwards she took up a position in front of them.
"Listen up! Today we're going to receive our new commander. Ensure that the ceremony is perfect! I will not tolerate any failure! If you stuff it up, then I'll personally scratch your eyes out! Understood?", she said out loud.
"Yes ma'am!", the men yelled.
"Ok!", she replied and gave a nod at the Buffer.
"At ease!", he yelled again.
Petty Officer Williams who stood next to Pete whispered to him, "I'm baffled every time to hear how much noise our X can produce".
Pete grinned back, "You better make sure she doesn't hear you. With her temper, she would be able to put you on a spit with her sword like a piece of meat".
"Yeah, I do believe you", he mumbled back.
Pete smiled.
It's funny. I hear a lot of comments like this about my girlfriend. That means that they don't know, … yet. Sooner or later we will let out a word. It's only a matter of time!
"Attention!", yelled the Buffer again as Captain Howard stepped on deck.
"Salute!", the Buffer yelled.
The crew saluted the captain and he saluted back. Then he made a formal inspection tour along his men and made a short chat with some of them until he came back at his starting point.
"At ease!".
Captain Howard walked to his executive officer.
"You've done a quite good job X, the ship is again a good operating tool", he said to Nikki.
"Thank you sir".
"You'll see, one day it will be your turn to pay such a compliment", he said smiling.
"Sir?", Nikki replied frowning.
"Don't be surprised. I'm old enough to recognise a potential commander in someone", he replied.
"Ah?... " she started but his attention was attracted by the sound of a car approaching and he turned his head to look in that direction.
"Attention!", the Buffer yelled again and Captain Howard and Nikki took their position to welcome the new commander. Nikki took a position a few steps behind the captain.
She froze on the spot when she saw who the new commander was, Commander Mike Flynn.
Captain Howard and Mike saluted each other and shook hands. Then Howard presented his executive officer to Mike who stared wide-eyed when he saw who it was.
"Nikki!? You! What a surprise!", he said completely out of context with a broad smile.
"Hi sir! For me as well!", she replied as they shook hands.
The small group took again an official pose and Captain Howard saluted the crew before leaving the ship.
"Sir, do you want to inspect the crew?", Nikki asked solemnly.
"Yes, lieutenant commander", he replied formally.
They started with the officers and then they passed along the crew.
"Pete! You too! That's good!", he said as he saw Pete and they shook hands.
"The old gang back together", Mike mumbled to Nikki.
When they finished their tour he nodded to the Buffer.
"At ease! Dismiss!", he yelled.
The sailors started to walk back to their quarters to change in their daily uniform.
Nikki walked to Mike who was looking at the hustle and bustle of the crew.
"Welcome on board sir", Nikki said to Mike.
"For me too Nikki, this is a real surprise. Can you brief me in 30 minutes?", Mike asked.
"Sure, I'll show you your cabin", she replied.
He followed her inside to his cabin. She opened the door.
"Here you go sir".
"Thanks Nikki, or should I say X?", he asked.
"Whatever boss, as long as you don't start calling me Lieutenant-Commander Caetano", she said.
He smiled, "You can sleep soundly Nikki, it takes too long to pronounce that", and he padded inside.
Nikki did a few steps to her own cabin and entered as well. She opened her cupboard and put her hat on the shelve. Quickly she unbuttoned her jacket, took off the grey T-shirt and grabbed a white shirt.
Some wear that jacket on their bare skin, but I can't. It scratches too much! How stupid is this all? Often I think that we are characters from the world of fashion. Official whites, DPNU, white shirt and trousers or skirt, white shirt and black skirt and all that crap again for winter. Sometimes I feel like I'm busier about changing clothes than sailing!
Nikki looked around frowning.
What should I say?
She grabbed a few files and left her cabin to take a few steps to his and she knocked at the door.
"Come in!", she heard his clear voice.
"Ah Nikki! Take a seat", he said inviting her to sit down.
"Boss", she replied and sat down, the files on her lap.
He leaned back against his chair in his usual way and looked at her.
"Where's the time you were my navigator? And now my second hand. It's great!", he said.
"Nice, isn't it? Congratulations on your posting.", she replied.
"Thanks Nikki, we're going to make it! Well, are we all here?", he asked.
"Yes sir, you were the last replacement", she replied with a big smile.
"Hmm, that doubtful honour was for me? Well...", he replied raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, I almost forgot, the buffer Warrant Officer Dennis Freeman will also retire tomorrow, but I haven't yet received a message from Navcom about his replacement.", she said.
"In that case we'll take someone from our crew. We've 210 men on board, thus. Any suggestion?", he said.
"Hmm, then uh... I would suggest Chief Petty Officer Ian Coleby", she said.
"Why? Has he experience as a buffer?", Mike asked.
"No, not yet, but he's the oldest of the senior NCO's", Nikki replied.
Mike frowned, "I can't follow you Nikki, I've seen Pete, he has experience as a buffer", he said.
"Uh, yes it is", she said unsure.
"Ok, decided! Pete is our new Buffer. Call him after our chat", Mike said resolutely.
"Yes sir", Nikki endorsed.
Damn, I knew that too, but now, it's going even more difficult to get him on shore.
"Is the ship operational?", Mike asked.
"Yes boss,..." Nikki replied.
They talked for about an hour and when she stood up she couldn't help herself and looked at Mike.
"Boss, how's Kate?", she asked.
His gaze instantly became hard as steel and his voice as sharp as a razor.
"I don't know", he replied short-tempered.
She frowned, "Uh sir, I've understood from Kate that you both were... in a love affair?", she asked.
"No!", he grumbled.
"Ah?! Uh, ok then", she stammered, "uh then I'll call Pete?", she said trying get out this embarrassing conversation.
"Yeah, good idea!"
She left his office to get to the first speaker system to call Pete. He showed up a few minutes later, giving her a questioning look.
"Pete, the boss wants to see you", she said plainly and he looked suspiciously at her.
Nikki knocked at the door and they came in after having permission.
"Ah Pete!", Mike said enthusiastically.
"Sir, you want to see me", he replied while he stood at attention.
"Yes Pete and at ease", Mike replied as he leaned back against his chair.
Meanwhile Pete took an easier pose and Nikki stood next to them.
"Listen Pete, you know probably that Warrant Officer Dennis Freeman is going to retire tomorrow?", Mike started.
"Yes sir".
"Actually we need urgently a new buffer and you have the experience from the Hammersley, so I think that you are the best fit for it. Of course this ship is a tad bigger, but I'm persuaded that you'll make it!", he said confidently.
Pete raised his eyebrows at this promotion. "Yes sir! No problem sir!", he replied firmly.
"Right, that's agreed then! Well, we have a Hammersley backbone on board now! Splendid, this is going to be a good ship!", he said joyously.
"Of course sir!", Pete replied.
"I assume now you'll have to talk a lot with Dennis?", Mike asked.
"Sure boss! Thank you!", Pete said and he and Nikki left his office.
Outside he looked at her suspiciously, "Your idea?", he whispered.
Nikki looked unhappy, "No! What did you think? It was Mike's", she whispered back.
"Hmm".
"Pete, you're the best for that function but I knew also that it would be more difficult to get you on shore, that's why I didn't propose you", she said unhappy.
He gave her a smile, "It had to be so, I guess?".
"We'll survive!", Nikki said to comfort each other.
He gave her a wink and they left in opposite directions.
To be continued