Ch71

Early the next morning, the phone rung, groaning Kate rolled over to answer it

"Hello? Thank you, can you ring room thirty, please? Blake room. Thank you," she hung up and rolled back over to Mike just as the sun started to rise

"What time is it?" Mike asked tiredly

"Five o'clock."

"Why they called so early?" Kate gave Mike a passionate kiss before getting out of bed and walking towards the bathroom

"Kate?" She stopped and turned to Mike

"To give us time for a long hot shower and breakfast before you leave. So, will you be joining me, sailor?" She asked before closing the door behind her. Mike grinned.

"So, what time for breakfast?" He asked When he walk into the bathroom.

"It will be here at six-thirty," she said walking into the shower. "Are you going to stand there and watch or come and join me?"

At seven thirty, Mike was down in the foyer. He was walking outside when Swan just steps out of the elevator. He ran out to catch up with, Mike.

"Sir!" Mike turned around when he was just about to get into the taxi

"Swain! Get in"

"Thank you, sir," Swain ran around to the other side and got in just as Mike did, he gave the driver the address, and they were on their way to the navy ports.

"Late night last night, Swain?" Mike grinned.

"Yes, sir. How was your night, sir?"

"Same here." Swain smiled

"I went to your room to meet up with you. But your wife told me I lost you for a couple of minutes. I thanked her before running back to the elevator."

"Well, you reached me. I just hope you used your time wisely."

"We did, sir." Swain nodded. "How did the party go?"

"Good." Mike grimaced. "I hope there isn't anyone hung over," Swain smiled

"I hope the same, sir. When does your family fly back to Sydney?"

"This afternoon," Mike said thinking about Kate and their kids

"It's going to be hard over the holidays."

"It always is." Few minutes later the taxi drop them off on the whalf next to Hammersley.

"Morning, sir, Swain." Nav grinned once they reached her. "Late night last night?"

"It's that obvious?" Mike asked.

"You both look tired, sir."

"Nav," Mike said, and she grinned. "Any problems?"

"One, sir." Mike frowned. "Lieutenant Adams hasn't returned since yesterday."

"Adams? He wasn't supposed to leave Hammersley; he was on gut watch last night."

"Yes, sir. I did his shift, sir," Mike checked his watch

"Thanks, Nav. I need to make some calls. How much longer with these boxes?"

"An hour. There was an hour delay in the delivery; the crew is moving as fast as they can to get everything on board before eight."

"Then, great job, Nav. Let me know when the crew is done with them," he said pointing the boxes. "We will leave port at nine; I'll contact the harbormaster."

"Yes, sir."

Mike walked towards his room and organized everything he needed to do that morning before leaving.

"Mike, I heard that you guys are still in port. What's going on?" Steve asked Mike over the phone.

"Good morning to you too, Steve." Mike chuckled. "Two issues are keeping us. Our supply boxes were an hour late, and I've been trying to track down Lieutenant Adams, he didn't return to the Hammersley last night."

"What?"

"He has until 8:45 to show up. We leave at 9."

"Mike, you know you can't be out there without an XO," Steve commented.

"I'm aware of that, Steve. But what other choice do I have? I've spoken to Commander Ross, he has no one available, and his people are looking out for the Lieutenant Adams. I've spoken to the police and hospital, nothing. They know they need to contact Commander Ross if the lieutenant shows up."

"Alright, Mike. You do the best you can; I'll give James a call. And I let Canberra know"

"Thanks, Steve"

"Good, fair winds."

"Sounds like we might be getting another XO, sir," Buffer said once Mike hung up the phone.

"Yeah, and I liked him," At nine o'clock Swain took Hammersley out, and they headed north.

"Hammersley's" Mike answered the sat phone two days later. "Lieutenant Commander Flynn, speaking."

"Mike, it's Steve. I've got some good news, James called to let me know that Lieutenant Adams has been found."

"Great! Have you spoken to him?"

"Yes, I did. He said he was with a woman that night and he woke up after ten that morning," Mike pressed the bridge of his nose.

"Steve, I understand someone falling asleep even if there are alarm clocks for a reason. But he was on gut watch that night and knew it. I spoke to Leader Johns, and he said Adams left shortly after the crew. When Nav arrived, Johns told her that he was already an hour overdue."

"Why didn't she contact you?"

"She thought the people on shore leave would bump into him and drag him back with them. When they all arrived around midnight Adams wasn't among them, and a few had a drink too many. She decided that calling me in the middle of the night and having me placing everyone on search duties would lead to an exhausted crew. And that all would be for a guy that we all know overslept."

"You are right, Mike. I'm sending coordinates to your RO; you can pick Lieutenant Adams from there."

"Thanks, Steve"

"Should I find another XO for you?"

"Yes. Just get to the next one of the list I gave you last time."

"I'll sort it out. Fair winds"

"Thanks, Steve. Hammersley's out."

"Sir?" Buffer started, "do you want me to get the toothbrushes out for his return?" Mike chuckled.

"Have you picked up some habits from my wife, Buffer?"

"Well, sir… if she was in your boots," Buffer trailed making everyone laugh.

"Yes, you are right."

Three hours later, Hammersley meet up with HMAS Larrakia. The crew looked in awe at the new Armidale class boat.

"Wow, sir. She's a beauty," Charge said

"Yes, she is. And that's exactly how the new Hammersley will look like in a year."

The Larrakia lowered the HRIBS to the sea and head to where Hammersley is. Mike and some of the crew watching what was happening till Adams took his life vest off and gave it to the other crew member before he climbed the ladder to the Hammersley. The guys on the HRIB saluted Mike before they returned to the Larrakia. From the looks on the crew, Adams knew he was in trouble.

"Lieutenant, my cabin now," Mike announced before turning and walking towards the hatch.

Five minutes later On the bridge, Nav, Buffer, and ET were on the bridge when they heard Mike yelling at the lieutenant since ET was holding the door open.

"Great! Now will have a grumpy captain for four weeks," Nav said.

"Don't worry, Nav. At least he can trust the rest of us."

"Thanks, Buffer. I wonder what he's going to do with the Lieutenant."

"Who knows, Nav."

"I know, he will make him clean toilets with a toothbrush," ET said making them smile

"I don't know, ET," Nav said but frowned when she watched Buffer and ET exchanging a glance. "What did you do?"

"What?"

"What did you do?" Nav asked, and ET smiled as he closed the door since the yelling had stop.

"I've put some toothbrushes on the Lieutenant bed."

"ET!" Buffer said shaking his head when Mike walked on to the bridge; he looked at his three officers as he sat down in his seat

"Anything we can do, sir?" Buffer asked.

"There's nothing you can do, Buffer."

"What about the lieutenant, sir?" Nav asked.

"He's on gut watch for the next week. He will be doing other extra duties until we get back to port next month."

"Is that including toothbrush duties, sir?" ET said making Mike smile.

"No, but close. Why did you ask?"

"ET put some toothbrushes on the Lieutenant bed," Nav said.

"ET," Mike warned.

"Sorry, sir. I thought that seeing them will make him fear to make the same mistake twice," Mike smiled

"I guess you are right," the following days it was quiet, the Lieutenant was busy with the tasks Mike gave him.