Kate sat on the Bridge staring out at the clear waters ahead. It was the perfect Navy day, crisp calm waters and not a cloud in the sky.
"Ma'am" a arm hovered over her shoulder with a thermos in. "Brew" birds voice called
"thanks Bird" she smiled taking a sip from the cup realising it was coffee
"it is Decaf Ma'am" bird smiled knowing that Kate was being careful of caffeine.
"thanks" Kate smiled
"and where is mine then Birdy" 2 dads called from across the bridge
"well its kind of still in the galley waiting to be made" bird smiled sweetly.
"that is so not fair" 2 dads began protesting. Folding his arms across his chest and sulking like a toddler.
"awww poor baby" bomber cooed pulling at his cheek
"all I am saying is that it would be common curtesy when making one person a drink to see if the rest of us want one and make them aswell" he tried to argue
"LEADER!" Nav called behind him. "remind me again how many stripes you have to your name?" she called winking at Bird
"well...I... umm..i" he stammered trying to think of a smart answer but was being put off by Nav's death stare which she had clearly been working on and taking lessons from Kate.
"well leader I am waiting or did you not learn how to count in school"
The rest of the crew tried not to laugh hiding their sniggers behind hands or the paper work they were holding.
"none ma'am" he spoke in barely a whisper
"pardon"
"None Ma'am" he shouted
"well then when you have more stripes than me and the boss then you can moan. Until then a brew would be lovely. White 2 sugars" she smiled holding out her mug
"ooooh yes please I would love a coffee" bomber called out grinning
There were also several shouts of yes please from Buffer and other members of the crew.
"this is so unfair" 2-dads huffed as he walked off the bridge.
"well it looks like I may have been dethroned" Kate laughed looking over at Nav.
"well what can I say I learnt from the best" Nav shrugged knowing exactly what Kate was on about. The Queen of cruel and unusual punishments.
2-dads return to the bridge carefully carrying a tray with several mugs, doing his best not to spill a drop. The second he stepped on the bridge it was like a swarm everyone diving on to their mugs grabbing their drinks
"Ma'am your drink" he held out the mug for Nav
"Thank you Leader" Nav turned back to the radar console looking
"Ma'am I have NAVCOM on the line" Ro called handing Kate the Sat-phone.
"thanks RO" Kate smiled taking it off him. "Sir"
"Kate Coast watch have spotted a suspicious vassal about 12 nautical miles from your position I have given the coordinates to Robert but your the nearest asset."
"yes Sir" Kate hung up. "Ro what are those coordinates"
"here they are" he handed a piece of paper to Nav
"Port 10 steer 250" Nav called after imputing the coordinates in to the computers.
The suspicious vassal was a FFV but they didn't have any lines in the water or any evidence that they had been fishing In Australian waters so all the boarding party could do was escort them the 5 miles to the line and give them a warning. It was always frustrating as they knew as soon as Hammersley was over the horizon and out of any kind of radar range, the FFV would just slip back across the line and poach fish from the EEZ.
Kate was sat in the officers mess. It was past midnight but she was having trouble sleeping lately. She sat tucking in to her vegemite crisps and chocolate spread. Nav walked in.
"sorry Kate I was just coming off watch" she smiled filling a glass with some water.
"its okay I just couldn't sleep"
"everything alright" Nav sat opposite her friend. It was one of the things she missed was their chats when they shared a cabin in the 'old days of Hammersley' once they had become friends.
"yeah its just Brass dragging their feet with who's going to take over Hammersley when I leave for this baby. There are talks of Mike coming " she sighed
"really" Nav sounded surprised . "I mean not that it wouldn't be great and a little like old times but with you missing. but isn't he too high ranking to command a patrol boat?" Nav asked
"well yeah Captains don't normally command the patrol boats but because Brass want someone with experience who knows, which probably means they wont be taking my recommendation of you. Sorry"
"its fine" she smiled "really. Whats Mike actually said" Nav asked
"he wants to stay on shore"
"that's good isn't it"
"I suppose I just hope they listen" Kate scooped more chocolate Carmel spread on to the crisp before biting in to it
"what are you eating?"
"not you as well its nice. Vegemite bagel crisps and Cadburys caramello spread"
"weirdo" Nav grinned
Yawning looking at the clock they didn't realise they had been talking for over a hour.
"you best go get some Kip. Is getting late" Kate smiled at Nikki
"well only if you go too. We cant have our captain pregnant and sleep deprived. It isn't good for the baby"
"okay I am going. Night" Kate smiled walking towards the door. "you get some kip as well" she turned to face nikki
Kate lay on her rack she could hear the hum of the engines below and the soft sound of the waves as Hammersley pushed her self through the water. It was strangely relaxing. To anyone else this would sound mad but she found it relaxing. Closing her eyes she focused on the sounds of the waves and soon found that she drifted off to sleep. She just hoped that brass would be sensible and get some one else in and keep Mike where he belonged with her and their baby.
here it is hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think.