Kate walked on to the bridge, after spending the majority of the first few days of the patrol practically glued to the toilet. She was actually surprised that no one had guessed her secret. Apart from Nikki she had only told Bomber because she was the medic so it important she knew just in case anything was to go wrong.
"how is everything Nav" Kate asked stepping up to the console
"Fine Ma'am nothing to report" Nav slid off the chair handing Kate her binoculars. "you feeling any better?" she asked
"Much thanks" Kate smiled. "and I am not throwing up any more which is a bonus"
Nikki smiled "well that's a good thing that the sickness has stopped" she smiled
The rest of the day and the following week were extremely uneventful it was actually quite unusual for a patrol normally the Hammersley was the one to find trouble or trouble easily found her. They were now 2 weeks into the patrol heading north towards the Timor Sea.
"well this is a Sad Boring Quiet patrol" 2-dads called sat by the EOD
"2-dads" Nav called from the CO chair. It may have been unusually quiet but 2-dads attitude and language was unacceptable
Kate walked on to the bridge. "whats happening" she asked
"2 dads just said the 'Q' word" bomber called in a child like voice
"I was just being honest bomb. It had been really really quiet this patrol"
"there he goes again. 2-Dads, have you learnt nothing. Never ever say that word in the armed forces otherwise everything will no doubt go tango uniform"
"seriously whats wrong with saying quiet" 2 dads asked.
"3 times do you have a death wish" bomber sighed
"Quiet quiet quiet quiet quiet quiet" 2 dads started in a sing song voice
"2-DADS!"bomber called "just stop"
"quiet!" he whispered right down her ear
"leave me alone you annoying pest"
Kate shook her head trying not to laugh. Sometimes it felt like she was a pre-school teacher rather than the commanding officer of one of Australia's finest war ships. Especially with 2-dads on board it felt more like a floating nursery, but secretly she knew it would be even duller with out him on board.
"Mayday May-Day mayday this is the Iron Giant we are under attack I repeat we are under attack. In position 12 degrees 20 south 128 degrees 15 east."
"Nav how long to get us there"
"50 minuets Ma'am" Nav called imputing the data in to the computer.
"get us there" Kate sat in the captains chair
"yes ma'am port 10 steer 250 revaluations 2-0-0-0"
"see why did you have to say the 'Q' word" bomber hissed smacking 2 dads playfully round the back of his head.
"ow! What was that for" he moaned
"2-dads,! Bomber! stop acting like children, and keep your eyes on the EOD" Kate called with out looking over at them.
"Ma'am" they both called jumping a little.
They arrived at the coordinates given in just under the hour and found a yacht floating in the middle of the water, with smoke billowing from the bow and engine compartment. Picking up the tannoy Kate called boarding stations.
"Buffer be careful over there we don't know who or what is still on that yacht. Extra plates"
"Ma'am" buffer called as he walked off the bridge.
Kate watched the RHIB bounce across the waves. It was one of the things she missed on patrol was heading up the boarding party. Not that she could do it in her condition at this moment in time. But sitting on the bridge watching her crew board FFV's and SIEV's and not being able to do anything if something was to go wrong was nerve wracking and she finally understood how mike must have felt each time she boarded a vessel.
The yacht was deserted with no sigins of life on deck. Once boarded the party looked around and couldn't find anything
"Charlie 8-2 this is Bravo 8-2. The yacht is deserted ma'am no sign of life anywhere. Over."
"copy that Bravo 8-2 do a detailed search of the ship. Check everywhere they may be hiding"
"roger Charlie 8-2" buffers voice crackled over the radio.
"Nav anything on radar?" Kate called
"there is a vessel slightly north of us going at some speed on the same course as us" nav looked at the radar screen.
"any luck with that search Buffer" Kate called over the radio
"that's a negative ma'am this boat is like a ghost ship there is no one on board. Tinker and 2-dads have checked the engine and electronics and despite the smoke she is still sea worthy and should make It back to Cairns even if she only limps in to port" buffer radioed over
"copy that buffer. Leave 2-dads and Bomber on as a steaming party back to base and return to me. Bring the charts and logs. Over."
"is that entirely wise leaving bomber and 2-dads on that tiny boat"
"possibly not but I have had enough of them treating the ship like the school playground today"
"well lets hope they don't kill each other en-route to cairns"
"RO get me NAVCOM please. Nav you have the ship" Kate called as she walked off the bridge.
Sitting her cabin waiting for the call to be patched through. She pulled it off the hook the second it rang.
"Kate?" Mikes voice came down the line "are you alright" his voice was panicked
"Sir I am fine. We have just responded to a mayday call. The vessel was empty on arrival no one on board buffer has searched the whole yacht. They had reported a pirate attack. We have a suspicious vessel on radar that we are following, I have bomber and 2-dads steaming back to base with the yacht whilst we chase this other one"
"okay Kate be careful" she could hear a note of panic in his voice "what is the name of the vessel that was in need of assistance?" mike asked
" the Iron Giant. Logs state that there were 4 POB" Kate said
"Right I will see what I can find out. And Kate be careful please I mean it"
"Sir..."
"CO requested to the bridge" Nav's voice came over the tannoy
"I best go." Kate called down the line
"remember what I said..." mike said to the dead line.
"what is it Nav?" Kate called
"were coming up on that suspect vessel now. I have issued a warning and they are not listening"
Picking up the loud hailer "Vessel on my port beam this is Australian war ship stop or heave too I intend on boarding you"
"vessel not stopping Ma'am"
"Ma'am something in the water Green 35 distance far" Bird called
"Damn" Kate cursed looking at where Bird had pointed. "body in the water. standby to recover by sea boat. Nav have we got the boat on the EOD"
"Yes boss got a photo of it"
"thanks Nav looks like we will have to try and get them another time. I'll pass the photo on to NAVCOM" she sighed
"umm Ma'am" bird called "it looks like they have stopped dead in the water"
This was ether fate or Karma or both but Lady Luck was on their side. "hands to boarding stations" Kate called over the tannoy "buffer extra plates they have thrown someone in to the water and are no doubt are armed"
"Ma'am" buffer called walking off the bridge
Hammersley returned in to port the following evening. Having boarded the vassal they found 3 of the crew of the Iron Giant being held hostage as well as several heavily armed pirates. Mike greeted them at the quay side.
"Kate" he smiled as she walked over the gangway
"Sir" she saluted
"how are you"
"well the puking has stopped thankfully so it looks like this one has finally learnt that I am in the navy whether it has its sea legs or not" she placed a hand on her belly "and that its possibly not the best idea to make mummy puke every 5 minuets" she whispered so the rest of the crew who were still milling around on the ship
let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy. sorry if it seems a little rushed I was struggling a little with what to write.