Jessica Bird sat in the Juniors mess; she was looking at university prospectuses. It was so hard to choose and now she wasn't even sure if she wanted to go to leave. Pushing the books to one side she focused on a leaflet about training as a medic with the Navy. This would be the best of both worlds, staying in the navy and becoming a paramedic. Sort of.
She was so absorbed in the literature she didn't see Dutchy walk in and sit opposite her. he glanced over the pile of books.
"not thinking of leaving us" he grinned
"eh? What?" she looked up
"Uni" he pointed to the books. "it's a shame and will be a great loss for the navy" he smiled
"really" she smiled hoping her cheeks weren't turning red.
"of course. You have become an amazing sailor you should be so proud of yourself" he smiled looking at her. She had come far since the nervous teenager who was afraid of guns and anything slimy that first boarded Hammersley 2 years ago.
Tucking her hair behind her ear she looked up at him, "you think so?" she asked
"Think so, I know so, your amazing. Have faith in yourself and just believe you can do it"
"Thanks, Dutchy" she smiled feeling her cheeks flush.
"Ah! Dutchy" Kate poked her head round the door breaking the awkward silence between them. "The Boss wants a word in his cabin" she smiled
"Ma'am" Dutchy called in his 'professional voice' "no rest for the wicked" he grinned winking at Bird.
Hiding her face Bird watched as he walked out. She hoped her cheeks weren't flaming especially in front of one of her superiors especially the one had to remind her of the 'no snogging your shipmates' rule on her first patrol.
"you alright Bird" Kate called looking at the young sailor
"err yes ma'am" she smiled
"good" Kates eyes were drawn to the university prospectuses lay on the table. "you know you really should consider the Navy's training program for medics Swain was saying we should put you forward" she smiled leaving Bird alone in the mess
"thanks Ma'am" Bird smiled back picking up the leaflet, had Kate slipped it in to her bag or was fate trying to tell her something. Sliding round the table she headed towards the galley to begin prepping lunch.
Dutchy stood outside Mikes Cabin knocking on the door. He waited for a response.
"yeah" Mike called opening the door.
"boss The X said you wanted to see me?"
"umm yes, close the door Dylan" Mike turned in his seat. "NAVCOM have sent this through" he handed Dutchy a sheet of paper. "your being posted off, they want you to go back to Afghan. This will be your last patrol with us" Mike half smiled.
"Sir It has been a honour to serve with you and on Hammersley" he held out his hand to mike.
Taking his hand mike shook Dutchy's hand back "Likewise"
"CO requested to the bridge" Kates voice echoed down the pipe.
"Sir can we keep this on the QT until we get back to base"
"fine but in my experience the longer you leave something like this the harder it gets"
"I know, I will tell everyone when we get back, I just don't want it to be a distraction"
"it's up to you. I will let you get your head round everything" Mike said walking out.
"thank you, Sir," Dutchy said heading towards the galley
Mike walked up on to the bridge
"what we got X" he called walking up behind Kate.
"suspected FFV. She is ignoring our calls to stop"
"okay X take a boarding party and see what's going on"
"Sir" she picked up the handset. "hands to boarding stations. Hands to boarding Stations Hands to boarding stations" she called before replacing the handset. "Sir where is Dutchy" Kate looked round the bridge.
"he will be along shortly, but when you get back, I need a word"
"about?" she asked
"Like I said X it can wait till we have dealt with the fishermen. Watch your step over there"
"Sir" she shook her head if he brought it up now why couldn't he tell her now it clearly wasn't that important if it could wait.
They boarded the FFV without any issues or resistance. It had a sizeable catch of trochus and other shellfish. The boat its self, had more holes than a sieve and it was a wonder how it was still afloat.
After putting the crew in austere. Kate walked along the corridor coming to a stop outside Mikes cabin the door was open and she could see him sat at his desk. Knocking she made her presence known.
"Sir" she called "the crew are down in austere and their vessel has been sunk" she smiled "none of the crew speak any English" she sighed "or at least they are hiding the fact that they do"
"right well I guess it is a case for customs" he turned in his seat "umm close the door" he asked
"Sir?" she walked in closing the door behind her.
He handed her the print out of the email from NAVCOM. Her eyes scanned the document taking in the information. Stepping back she sat down on his rack.
"when?" she asked re reading the details
"when we get back, it seems the deployment is immanent." Mike replied
"so..." Kate replied not quite sure of what to make of everything
"I Know it's going to be tough but he says he wants to tell everyone when we get back to base so as not to distract anyone from their duties"
"umm when … when do they want him in Sydney?" she asked
"it looks like it will be within the next two weeks" Mike half smiled
"so not long" she sighed. Closing her eyes, so much change. Dutchy was a close friend and he always had her back and he had always been there for her especially over the last 18 months with everything that happened, with Mike and Jim.
"no but I am sure between us we can give him a good old-fashioned Hammersley send-off" he smiled.
"i know but its just with all this change, Swains death and now Dutchy being posted off I just worry it will affect the crew," Kate sighed
"well one the Hammersley Crew is the best and I don't think they will let something like that happen. Two they have one of the best leaders to unite them if they do, that's you by the way and three that's why we need to have a party it will help"
Kate laughed any excuse for a good old knees up "if you say so" she looked at her watch realising the time "i best go"
"eh what?" Mike asked
"its almost my watch and I need a drink" she smiled
"oh right of course, we can talk more later" he smiled
Walking out of Mikes cabin Kate was so distracted by her own thoughts she didn't see Dutchy walking down the other way.
"Ma'am!" he called
"sorry Dutchy" she forced a smile. Despite him still being on the ship she couldn't help but think how odd it would feel when he did post off.
"guessing the boss has told you then?" he half smiled making sure they were alone
"yeah." she whispered. "how you feeling? Last time you were out there you lost some close friends and have only just got over it"
"i know but that is the life we sign up for, we have to go where we are told and learn to like it" he smiled
Kate let off a small laugh. 6 years ago, she felt the exact same having being posted on to Hammersley for the first time. Now in those 6 years she couldn't imagen doing anything different. "I know so long as you are okay with it. You know where I am if you need to talk" she smiled walking in to the galley
"thanks X" he smiled heading along the passage way.
Watching as he walked away Kate smiled, he was taking this rather well or if he was affected by this then he was doing a good job of hiding the fact he was bothered. Pouring the coffee in to a thermos she headed on to the bridge. Taking her seat she looked out at the horizon ahead of them. She couldn't let this affect her she needed to focus on the job in hand and get home. She knew Mike had to tell her but she wished he had waited because now she couldn't focus for the second time in as many months, she was about to lose a close friend
so the idea for this came when I was listening to a song called 'The Call (no need to say goodbye) it was originally written as the soundtrack for Disney's Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian. But the version I like is by a group of 5 Girls who were called The Poppy Girls, all who have fathers serving in the Armed Forces and they were chosen for the 2013 Royal British Legion charity single. (watch the video of them performing at the festival remembrance and watch till the end its a tear jerker) I think the song is so moving do have a listen. Anyway let me know what you think and enjoy x