Ch. 39 Being at each other's throats
Three weeks passed.
HMS Sydney
Nikki looked at her watch, closed one of the many wedding magazines and slapped it down on her desk.
I think that we have everything ready. I can't keep looking at those stupid magazines for ever! Three weeks and that's it! Mrs Tomasewski. It still sounds weird to my ears.
She chuckled, grabbed her cap and left the cabin to head for the bridge.
Time for my watch. Hopefully something interesting will happen now. It's so boring. Drill after drill. It's getting harder and harder to keep the crew motivated...and me too!
In the meantime she had reached the bridge.
"Hi", she said to everyone and nobody in particular and she padded to the chart to see where they were.
She saw their position and walked to the captain's chair where Mike sat, untouchable, as usual.
"Sir", she said plainly.
He looked at her, "Ah X! Nice that you're here, but unfortunately, nothing special to report", he said.
"Ok", she said and she peered at the sea through her binoculars .
"Sir, X?" called a leading seaman sitting behind the radar.
"Yes, Steward, what's up?", Nikki answered.
"A ship on the radar, she's identified as the MV Katherine", he said.
Mike's attention was immediately drawn.
"Aha! That's one of our amber list. X! Time for a new inspection", he ordered.
"Aye sir!", she replied and she grabbed the microphone, "Lieutenant Rowlings and Petty Officer Patterson at the bridge!".
Finally something to do! Thank God!
"Sir, did you know that Lieutenant Rowlings' nickname is LT? His team started calling him that and since then he's known aboard as LT", she said to Mike.
A smile spread over his face, "Is it? Hmm, that's a good one. I'm just wondering what will happen when he's promoted to lieutenant-commander. LC?", he mused.
A few minutes later Rowlings and Patterson arrived on the bridge.
"Sir, ma'am?", they reported.
"David, prepare your boarding team. A ship from our amber list is in sight, the MV Katherine", Mike said.
"Oh yes sir, I remember. The one with the blokes looking like military", the lieutenant said.
"Indeed. So, take precautions. Kevlar plates", Mike ordered.
"Aye sir!", he replied and he turned to the petty officer, "Andrew, let's go!".
They left the bridge and Mike turned to Nikki, "X change the course to intercept that ship".
"Yes sir!", she replied giving orders to the helmsman.
MV Katherine
Chris and Dylan were checking the manifest when Kate arrived on the bridge. She was humming a song. "Hi all", she greeted the men on the bridge and headed for her chair. She sat down, crossed her legs and started to play with her wedding ring, still humming the song.
Chris's eyes went from Kate to Dylan and he winked at him. "It's the first time since I've known her that I see her so happy. Well done mate", he said.
Dylan patted Chris' shoulder, "I still can't believe it was a week ago".
He padded to her, "So, Mrs Mulholland, It looks like you're happy?".
She returned him a radiant smile, "It's because I've every reason to be happy!"
He chuckled.
"And so does Charlie. She seems to like it with Harpie, isn't she?", Kate asked.
He grinned, "indeed, I thought these two were glued together. They didn't leave each other for a single moment that they were not alone".
"Yeah, the same with Becca and Robert. He took a step forward towards her and she seemed to like it", she said.
"No? RO and Becca? He was probably drunk", Dylan replied.
"No, not at all. Moreover, I saw him chatting with her in the galley this morning. Rather unusual, because he has never been very talkative ", Kate answered.
"Hmm, maybe we should change the name of our boat into Love Boat", he mused.
She poked him, "Don't even think about it! A so ridiculous series".
"Hmm, I don't even know what it's about, but as you seem to have an opinion about it, it means you've watched it", he said stepping back to avoid the inevitable poke. It came, but her elbow swayed in the air and didn't touch anything.
Meanwhile, Chris was standing next to them. "We really didn't know that you were able to sing. Kate, you've a golden voice, you know", he said.
"Thank you! Honestly, it was not my intention to sing, it was due to the absorption of a bit too much champagne", she replied.
"Only the champagne?", Dylan said.
"No, the DJ played 'Getting to know you' and that's one of my songs. I just had the sudden urge to express my joy by singing it", she said.
"And one delightful song after another followed. I'm wondering what you are doing on this boat? It's on the stage that you must be. Sydney opera is your place", Chris added.
"Oh come on! Knock it off now!", she said blushing.
"Well, we'll see, one day...", he mumbled with a smirk walking away his hands in his pockets.
"What am I going to do with him?", she mused.
Then, she looked at Dylan. "Darling, have you looked at the estate agency site again? Now, that we're married, I want to settle down. The last house we visited was crap", she said.
He made a face, "It's unbelievable, how these brokers hide defects on their photos", he replied.
They were interrupted by RO. "Capt'n, a frigate is approaching and we are asked if we can take aboard a boarding team to practice training".
Dylan and Kate seemed a bit surprised to hear the news. "What frigate?", Kate asked.
"It's the Sydney".
She frowned, "Again? Do they really have nothing better to do but keep us off our schedule?".
"Uh, I don't think it was a question...", RO said.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Ok , tell them that we agree".
"Slow ahead!", she ordered.
"I'm not going to stop right now. Only when they'll be here, otherwise we'll drift", she said determinedly.
The frigate approached until she sailed along to the MV Katherine.
"Stop all the engines!", Kate ordered.
"Stop all the engines", Cynthia replied who was sitting at the helm.
"Ok, get your visor caps, we're going to welcome our trainees", Kate said sarcastically.
When Kate, Dylan and Chris arrived on the deck, they noticed that their bosun, Harpie, had already turned the gangway outside to greet the boarding team.
Lieutenant Rowling was surprised when he saw the uniformed officers waiting for his team.
"Good morning lieutenant. I assume that you know you may not board an Australian vessel!", Kate said sharply.
He saw her captain rank. "Uh captain, I know, but it's for training purposes, you see. Just a check of the log book, the manifest, the cargo hold", he replied a bit baffled because he didn't expect such a direct assault.
Meanwhile Petty Officer Patterson also arrived on deck.
He poked Rowlings gently, "LT, they're Navies. Look at their ribbons".
"Ok, but hurry up with your exercise, we don't have an ocean of time", Kate answered.
"Of course captain, but uh...have you been in the Navy?", he asked.
"Yes, we were, the entire crew in fact. We were all fired by the last reorganisation", she replied curtly.
"Ok, so we are still a bit colleagues", he said.
"Ok, Andrew, check the hold and I'll look at the log book", he ordered.
Kate and Dylan turned around to go first to the bridge and he called the frigate "Bravo 1 to Charlie?"
"Charlie to Bravo 1, what's going on?", Mike asked.
"They're all former members of the Navy sir. Fired by the last reorganisation", he reported.
Mike looked surprised at Nikki, "The crew is former members of the Navy, ours", he said.
"Ah! That's the reason everything was so neat and well organised", Nikki answered.
"Yeah, obviously", he said.
"Bravo 1, invite the officers aboard for a brew. We want to meet them", he ordered.
"Aye sir", Rowlings replied.
Mike looked at Nikki, "I'm curious to see them. Maybe we know some of them".
On the MV Katherine, Rowlings quickly followed Kate and Dylan, "Uh captain?", he asked.
She turned to see what he was going to ask, "Yes?"
"The CO invites the officers for a brew", he asked with a grin.
Kate and Dylan looked at each other and he shrugged, "Why not?".
She nodded, "Good, get Chris and ask Harpie to take care of the ship".
A few minutes later they were crossing the distance between their ship and HMAS Sydney. All three looked up at the grey hull with mixed feelings. Kate was the first to board via the gangway, followed by Dylan. Mike and Nikki were waiting for their guests. As soon as they saw each other, their faces changed. Nikki's face expressed the joy of seeing her old friend again. Mike was surprised to see Kate again. Kate's face hardened and an irritated frown appeared recognising Mike. Dylan looked suspiciously.
"Kate? You?", Mike asked baffled.
"It's Captain McGregor for you commander!", she replied sharply. Nikki could barely hide a grin.
(They both have the function of captain of a ship, but Mike is commander and captain is a higher rank. Kate is playing with words to make him feel that he's a lower grade compared to her)
At that moment he noticed the four bands on her shoulder boards. "Wow, you're commanding! Congratulation Kate... captain", he said but Kate's icy stare let him add the word captain.
Then she noticed Nikki and smiled spontaneously, "Nikki!".
Nikki embraced her, "Kate, I'm so glad to see you again".
"So am I Nik, so am I", Kate replied.
"XO! Keep yourself in check!", Mike snapped, but Nikki ignored him.
"How are you?", Nikki asked.
"I'm fine and I'm married", Kate answered turning to Dylan, "Meet Dylan, my husband", she said.
"Hi, I'm glad to meet you", Nikki said holding out her hand".
Dylan shook her hand and at the same moment Mike said baffled, "You married Dutchy?"
Kate shot him an angry glance, "Because a certain Flynn didn't want me!", she snapped.
"Ahum, I also exist...", Chris said deadpan who was standing behind them.
"Hey! Swain, you too! As an officer?", Nikki said joyously.
"Hey Nikki, as you can see. I'm the second officer aboard", he replied .
Before Mike could say anything else, Nikki took over the lead, "When we learned that we have to do with former members of the Navy, we invited you for a quick coffee", she said waving her hand in the direction of the mess.
They walked in silence to the mess and sat down with a cup of coffee.
"So, you're in the merchant navy now", Mike concluded. "Are there still members of your crew we know?", he asked.
"Oh yes, Charge, RO, Bomber, 2Dads, Harpie and a few from the Kingston and the Bundaberg", Kate answered.
"You have my crew now", Mike said bitterly.
"Correction, it's my crew now", Kate answered.
He made a face, "How did you find them?"
"I didn't, he did", Kate said pointing Dylan with her thumb. "He's the second director and he hired them all, including me", she said with proud smile.
"Huh? Dylan, do you own this company?", Mike asked astonished.
"Nah, not exactly, I own a small part of the company, but the real CEO is Arthur, Kate's father", Dylan replied.
"What's the name of the company?", Mike asked.
"MGSL, McGregor Shipping Lines", Kate answered.
"Impressive. How many ships?", Mike asked again.
"The MV Katherine", Dylan said.
Mike leaned back in his chair, "Oh, only one", he answered disappointed, but the tone of his voice seemed rather ironic.
"You have to start with one ship, not a whole fleet!", Kate snapped.
"Of course", he said dryly.
"So you must have changed recently, because I heard from Ryan and Bird that you were a waitress in a café", he said deadpan.
Nikki stared wide-eyed at Mike and Kate.
"Have you seen Ryan and Bird recently?", Kate asked suspiciously.
"Oh yes, we see them every time they have shore leave", he answered.
"We?", Kate asked.
"Max and I".
"I see... Now everything becomes clear to me Mr Flynn", she said harshly.
"They also said that you sang to earn your living", he said disdainfully.
Nikki looked at Kate again, baffled.
Dear, you'll have to tell me a lot, you know.
"That's none of your business", Kate snapped.
Mike nodded impressed, Ok, but then you must have had tons of luck", he said.
She glared at him, "Do you really think that? " Then she looked round the table, "I'm sorry to disturb this coffee chat, but we have our sailing schedule to respect", Kate said emptying her cup.
"Thank you for the hospitality", she said and then she stood up. The others followed quickly, happy to be able to put an end to this awkward conversation.
At the gangway, Kate and Nikki said goodbye but suddenly Nikki frowned and, placing her fingers on Kate's right cheek, gently turned her head to the left. "Kate, what's that?", she asked worried looking at the dent on her temple.
All of a sudden, she remembered the moment when Pete had brought her the newspaper with that small article : "…female navy officer tried to commit suicide with a gun. She was brought heavily injured to the hospital…. Doctors fear for her life… Left an embittered note next to her officer's sword…. First fatal victim of the Navy reorganisation imposed by the government…"
She looked intensely at her friend, "Kate, don't tell me that you... Just say, it isn't", she whispered.
Kate didn't answer and looked deeply into Nikki's eyes and then she dropped her eyes.
"Oh no! Kate, not you! We need to talk as soon as possible. E-mail me to make an appointment. My e-mail address is still the same. Nicole dot Caetano at, remember?", Nikki said sadly.
Kate nodded, "Yeah, will do. Certainly, but now I have to go otherwise we're missing the timing slot in our next port", she said before heading to the gangway. There she turned suddenly and looked at Mike, "Mike, I could have had a son of you, but I miscarried", she said bitterly and walked down the gangway that leads to the boat.
Mike looked like he was hit by a freight train and Nikki looked at him suspiciously.
He glared at her. "XO, a word in my cabin!", he grumbled, turned around and walked away.
Nikki followed him in a very bad mood.
Wait a bit rascal! Now you're going to tell me everything! Looks like you screwed up with her again!
They entered his cabin and she closed the door.
"X! I don't want you to fraternise with suspicious visitors. I do not tolerate this from my officers...", he started, but he was interrupted by a fuming Nikki.
"Stop that bullshit Mike...", she snapped but she couldn't finish her sentence.
"X, mind your syntax!", he reprimanded her angrily.
"Damnit it has nothing to do with the Navy anymore. It's a matter between you, me and Kate. You haven't stopped taunting her. You were both friends and lovers and now you are at each other's throats. Each time I asked you about her you did a lip service to me, and now it's enough! And what was it like being a waitress and singing and what about that child? Now, you'll tell me what happened and I will not leave before I know!", she said, furious while crossing her arms and looking daggers at Mike.
He returned his gaze, but she didn't move. He realised there was no way to escape and he turned his back to her, shrugging. "She left me without a word. Listen to me well, without a word. Moreover I couldn't contact her anymore", he said turning to Nikki to see the effect of his words.
She gave him a shrug, "I know Kate, she didn't go away like that. I can't believe she did that without saying anything", she retorted.
"She did it!", he snapped.
"What was the last conversation you both had?", Nikki asked.
"I still remember, it was about something irrelevant at that moment. We were in the middle of the reorganisation and many people had already been fired or were going to be fired. And that's exactly at the moment we were experiencing that painful period that she raised a question about which I thought, 'what does this have to do with the current situation?' People lost their job and she's talking about children!", Mike said irritated.
Nikki frowned, "Can you elaborate further on this particular question? What exactly did she say? ", she asked suspiciously.
He scratched the nape of his neck, "Exactly? Hmm, let me think. It's been a while now, no? Hmm, it was something about our relationship. Suddenly, she wanted to speed up everything. And, she said she was getting older and it would harder for her to have children. Finally, she added that normally the aim of a couple is at least to have a child", he replied.
"And what did you answer her?"
"I told her that we were at a turning point in our careers. We were at the beginning of our relationship and she wanted to go much too fast. So, I concluded that the children's case wasn't yet on the agenda", Mike answered.
Nikki shook her head, "And you didn't understand that she meant she was pregnant?".
He looked at her bewildered, "What are you talking about? Pregnant? She didn't say that. I didn't hear 'Mike, I'm pregnant' and then the situation could have been completely different", he said irritated.
Nikki looked at him sadly, "You're indeed a male, all or nothing, that's all you are. Have you never thought about the idea that she could be afraid to tell you that she was pregnant? From what I understood from her, it was the fact that you never gave up anything for her. So, she didn't know what to expect and it wasn't that hard to understand that she didn't know how you were going to react when she would tell you those three words!".
Mike thrusts his hands in his pockets, "She could have told me instead of making a whole riddle out of it! How it's possible!", he grumbled.
"And what was it about being a waitress and a singing?", Nikki asked, ignoring his comment.
"Well, Ryan and Bird saw her in a bar in the south near the Twelve Apostles rocks. Twice a week she had a show in the evening where she was singing", Mike said with a slight smile.
Nikki looked daggers at him, "What's wrong with singing and the willingness to work?"
Mike moved a bit ill-at-ease, "Nothing, but uh... singing and a bar, it's not for an officer...no?", he ended very unsure.
"What would you do if you lost your job?", she snapped looking at her watch.
"Just think about it and if you will excuse me now,... sir? I've a ship to run", she said and left his cabin.
He stared at the door, "What I would do if...?"
"Fuck...I dunno...", he mumbled.
He plopped on his chair and rubbed his face. "Kate pregnant with me? Jeez, I could have had a son or a daughter! My goodness, what did I do?", he mumbled staring at the door blankly.
To be continued