Hammersley returned to port the following evening. With the crew of the FFV being handed over to customs for prosecution of illegal fishing in Australian waters everyone was on a high for the shore leave that was to follow. Kate walked on to the bridge, smiling she could see Mike talking with Dutchy.
Coughing slightly, she stepped forward "Sir the fishermen have been handed over to customs."
"very good X" Mike smiled back
"and Sir some of the crew are making to leave," she turned
"right" he leaned over picking up the radio, "here there Captain speaking all crew muster, boat deck before you leave that is all" he called before replacing the handset.
There were groans from all over the ship nobody wanted to stay behind as it usually meant canalled leave.
Slowly everyone milled out on to the deck waiting for the intervenable bad news that they all knew was coming.
"what do you think is going on?" Bird asked
"i don't know you've seen as much as me" 2-dads called
"someone must be in trouble. They only call us all on deck to get to the route of the issue" Ro called walking up towards them both.
"well Roey what you been up to?" 2-dads grinned
"2-dads if anyone is in trouble it is more than likely going to be you." Ro said dryly
"RO you hurt me" 2dads said with mock offence
"2dads have you forgotten the spider monkey you smuggled on board, spreading rumours abandoning your post kidnaping and murdering a croc"
Bird laughed "be fair Robert the croc wasn't initially his fault"
"why thank you Birdy at least someone has faith in moi" 2 dads grinned
"okay settle down please this won't take too long the boss has some news" Kate called walking out standing in front of them shortly followed by Mike.
"thank you, X, now I know we all have homes we want to get back to so I will keep this brief. Dutchy has some news he would like to share with us all. Dutchy"
"thank you, Sir." Dutchy stepped forward "I umm found out that this was my last patrol, I have been selected for deployment out to Afghanistan..."
Bird stood on the deck she could hear what dutchy was saying but she couldn't take it all in. Everything was changing too fast she felt like she was on a merry-go-round spinning faster and faster and she was unable to get off or stop.
"now we're all going to miss Dutchy but I think I speak for us all when I say we wish you the best of luck" Mike smiled clapping. Kate immediately joined in followed slowly by the rest of the crew. "now I have organised a little something for tomorrow evening so we can send Dutchy off in true navy style, and the X is going to be passing round the hat for a collection" mike smiled "now have a good leave and see you all tomorrow."
Taking off her cap Kate held it out watching as the crew began dropping notes in as they left. Dropping a few notes 2-dads walked past heading for the gang way.
"2-dads where do you think you're going" Kate called
"pub?" he grinned hopefully
"i don't think so, don't think I don't know that it was you who poured red food dye in to the water tanks"
"Ma'am I honest..." he began
"i don't want to hear it 2-dads you were caught on CCTV. So, you're staying onboard and have to clean and flush out the entire system before the next patrol" she smiled sweetly.
"yes ma'am" he huffed
"and I would get a wiggle on if I was you especially if you want to come to Dutchy's leaving do" she smiled
"Yes Ma'am" he sighed heading back inside
The next day was filled with a somber mood. No one wanted to say goodbye to Dutchy. Jess walked in to the Bar where they were all meeting. She could see most of the crew talking amongst themselves. Walking over she pulled her bag from over her shoulder hanging it on one of the chairs
"jess" Kate smiled
"hey X" Jess smiled sitting on one the chair
"oh I need your autograph on this. But don't look at the left side" Kate held out a huge card and pen to her.
It was hard to find space to write a message to Dutchy as she was the last one who needed to sign. most of the left side had been taken up by a crude poem written by 2-dads. Feeling herself cringe at some of the words some she wasn't sure she knew the definitions of. Finding a space on the back she found the right words hard; she didn't want to seem like a silly school girl but she wanted to say something meaningful. signing her name, she closed it up handing it back to Kate.
"all done" she smiled as she handed it back. "what time is Dutchy arriving"
"soon," Kate looked up sealing the card in its envelope. "how is the university stuff going?" she asked
"it's not" Jessica half smiled "i am not sure if I even want to go"
"just have faith and follow your heart. It is rarely wrong" Kate patted the young woman on the shoulder.
"thanks X" Bird smiled
"Jess you can call me Kate when we are not on the ship or at work"
"okay. Kate" Bird smiled.
10 minutes later Dutchy walked in.
"Finally, Dutchy," 2-dads called. "The boss was refusing to let us touch this un-till you arrived" 2 dads grinned
"do you ever stop thinking about your stomach" RO called walking over.
"not when there is free food involved. Rule one in life Roberto never say no to a free meal" 2-dads grinned
Sighing Kate looked over at Mike rolling her eyes. Smiling back "go on then fill your boots" he sighed "I suppose the speeches can wait". once everyone had their fill Kate stood up
"Quiet please" she called tapping on her glass. Slowly everyone quietened down and turned their attentions to Kate. "Dutchy from the moment you came onboard Hammersley you created quite a Stir and not just with the female members of the ships company." There was a chuckle from everyone. "despite everything and coming from a big ship you took to a patrol boat like a duck to water. I am sure that you will fit in amazingly on your new ship but you will always be a member of the family. To Dutchy" she raised her glass
"Dutchy!" everyone called
"now we couldn't let you leave without a parting gift to remember us all by" Kate smiled indicating to Mike who pulled a large box wrapped in brightly coloured paper.
After mike placed it on the table Dutchy carefully unwrapped it not wanting to rip the paper. Lifting out what was in the box he smiled "Thor" he smiled lifting the statuette out of the box. Hammersley's mascot was the Mighty Thor so he appreciated the joke behind it "thanks guys" he placed it safely back in to the box. "Now I would like to say a few words. Boss you have been the best captain I have ever served under. Its been a honour to be a part of your crew. Kate. When I first found out I was posted on to Hammersley I heard some horror stories that the XO was a ice queen and a queen of evil punishments, thankfully only half of that is true. Anyone else feeling the cold" he grinned looking at Kate
"it is not too late to make you clean the heads with a toothbrush" she grinned trying not to laugh
"no in all fairness you have been amazing. You have been the best boarding officer I have worked with and I am sorry if I was cold with you in the early days. Charge, enough with the conspiracy theories. The moon is not made of cheese and the earth is most defiantly round as you should know. 2-dads know this may be hard for you but try and grow up."
Everyone laughed. Apart from 2–dads
Sitting waiting to hear what Dutchy may have to say about her Bird could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Slipping out she stood on the deck the cool evening air blow against her skin. Looking out to sea she hated change and this was huge, she felt like her family was falling apart.
"Jess?"