Ch 90
After the two weeks, the Hammersley returned to Cairns, and everyone was looking forward to their three days off. Mike and Kate spend it with their kids.
The next patrol was super quiet; there were only five FFV during the two weeks. On their way back, Steve contacted Mike due to the death of the family member of one crew member. After that call, Steve walked to see the RO.
"RO"
"Sir," he turned to Mike.
"I've got a call from Commander Marshal. It's about your father." RO frowned, Mike, sighed. "There's no easy way to put this, RO. Your father passed away a few hours ago; we are returning to Cairns so you can."
"No, sir. There's no need we can carry on with our patrol."
"Robert, you can take your leave."
"I know that, sir. However, I'll rather not take it." He said with a stern voice then turn his chair around facing the computer.
"Why? He was your father," RO turned his chair around to face Mike.
"With all due respect, sir, you know nothing about my father."
"Then tell me," Mike said watching RO clench his jaw.
"He … was… a cold bastard, he was not only strict. Most of the time he was either drunk or abusive, and that is why I joined the Navy, to get away from him," he said with no emotion.
"Robert," Mike said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You are nothing like your father, and you won't end up like him. Trust me."
"You can't know that, sir," RO sighed.
"I can," Mike grinned. "I have seen you with my kids, especially with Emma. You are a softy, and you will be a great father someday. Anyhow, for the leave, the choice is yours."
"I understand, sir. I rather stay and carry on with the patrol."
"Alright, I'll let NAVCOM know."
"Thank you, sir." Mike turned around. "Sir. Thank you for your words."
"No problem, it's the truth." He walked back up to the bridge when he saw Kate walking towards him. "X, a word, please."
"Yes, sir." They walked into his cabin where he sat down on his bed and patted the spot beside him.
"Sir, you know the rules."
"Please, Kate," she frowned when she noticed his expression.
"What's wrong?" Kate asked seating beside him. He held onto her hand then looked at her. "Steve called before to let me know that RO father passed away."
"Did you tell him?"
"
Yes."
"But?" She asked, and he sighed.
"RO doesn't want to take the leave."
"And he told you why?"
"Yes, what he told me made me remind of your history before you joined the Navy."
"His father was abusive," she affirmed
"And a drunk."
"And you are telling me this. Why?"
"Perhaps you could talk to him?"
"I'll talk to him, Mike. Don't worry."
"Thanks," Kate stood up and walked out of Mike cabin leaving him alone for a few minutes before he returned to the bridge.
Mike called Steve and spoke to him for a few minutes before hanging up the phone. Kate went to talk to RO and talked for over an hour before she walked to the bridge. She smiled at Mike, and he smiled back knowing that she spoke to RO.
The next day, they came across containers, and they had to check each of them before they sunk them. Two containers got North Korean refugees that were helped onto the Hammersley. With the refugees secured they headed back to Cairns.
On the way to Cairns, RO talked to the refugees for a short while until he had to attend to his duties. Once on Cairns, he watched the families walk off the boat and into waiting vans before they were driven away from the wharf. The crew left the ship shortly after talking about what they were going to do during their five days leave.
Mike and Kate gave Mike parent's a break and took care of their kids for the five days. Soon, they were back on the Hammersley leaving for a month patrol. It was barely a week after they left port when a bad storm hit them. On their way, they received some mail that made them happy.
Everyone wanted to know about the package that RO received, but he was not saying a thing about it to anyone who asked. After a while the questioning became boring, and he yelled at them to leave him alone. Kate heard the yelling and went to find out what was going on; she followed RO to his workstation.
"RO? What was all that yelling about?" he turned to her.
"Sorry, X. The whole crew wanted to gossip about the parcel I received."
"Want to talk about it?"
"It's my father ashes."
"I understand. You should tell someone of the crew, and they will understand."
"It has nothing to do with them."
"RO, trust me. They are more than crewmates; they are friends, family even. They will support you. Just think about it, ok?"
"Yes, X," Kate nodded and walked away leaving him alone.
When the Hammersley reached the area, they all got to work. On land, Spider made friends with a couple of boys that showed him something that no one else knew about. Once the boys left to go to school, Spider hurried to find Kate.
"X."
"Yes, Spider?"
"Ma'am, Connor showed me something. It was an old sea mine on the beach not far from here," Kate frowned looking at Spider. She radioed Mike.
"Sir, Spider just informed me that there's a possible live sea mine not far from the school. Copy over."
"A sea mine?" Mike asked, and Spider nodded
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, I'll call NAVCOM. Charlie eight two out."
"Spider, go and help Charge."
"Yes, ma'am."
Two hours later, Captain Craig Bolt showed up to talk to Mike. Nav rolled her eyes when she saw him.
"Great," she muttered to herself.
"Nikki, do you know him?" ET asked since they were alone.
"Yeah, Craig Bolt, army. We dated a couple of times a few years ago. He's a prick," she added as they watched the guy talk to Mike and Spider. After a while, Spider walked with Craig down to the beach.
"Everything is done here?" Mike asked turning towards Nav and ET.
"Yes, sir."
"Nav, what's bothering you?"
"Nothing for you to worry about, sir. If you both excuse me," she said before they nodded and she turned away. Mike looked at ET with a frown.
"Don't ask me, sir." He shrugged before he too walked away.
An hour later, all the kids were heading to the classrooms when Spider noticed that Connor was missing. He ran down to the beach heading towards Kate.
"X, Connor's missing. I think he's heading to his hideout. You got to stop the Captain," Spider yelled as he approached Kate. She tried to talk to the Captain by radio running towards the beach. Mike and couple of crew members heard Kate over the radio.
"X? What's going on?"
"Connor's missing, Spider thinks he's heading back to the hideout."
Spider managed to catch up with Connor as he entered the hideout, he picked him up and ran as far away as possible. Kate was running towards the Captain yelling at him, but she was too late. Kate, Spider, Connor and few others who were running towards the mines hit the deck.
Kate got up and ran over to the Captain who removed the ear muffs. She was yelling at him while Mike and the others ran over to where Spider and Connor were all the while yelling out Spider name. When they got to them, Swain and Chefo check them over, noticing that Spider shielded Connor from the blast.
"Are you alright, mate?" Spider moved looking down at Connor.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Why did you return to the hideout?" Spider asked
"To get this," he said showing him an old WWII pistol. They all chuckled relaxed knowing that everyone was safe. Buffer helped Spider to his feet while Connor stood up and looked around.
"Sorry."
"It's ok. We are all alive," Charge said
"Spider, you did a brave thing today. It will be noted in your record," Mike added.
"Thank you, sir."
"Spider? Are you both ok?" Kate asked as she joined the group.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Let's head back to the school," Spider put his arm around Connor's shoulder as they all returned to school.
The crew stayed for three days before they continued the patrol, soon they returned to Cairns for a few days off. On port, Mike went to talk to the Captain of the Kingston who was on the wharf.
"Any idea what the bets are, Nav?" Kate asked lowering her binoculars.
"Yeah, the losing crew has to buy dinner and drinks at the R.S.L the day of farewell of this old boat."
"Ah," Kate said noticing that Mike was walking towards the Hammersley again.
"How did it go, sir?" Nav asked once Mike joined them on the bridge.
"They are ahead. We need to step it up in the next three months."
"That bad?" Kate asked
"Yes. Ready to go home, X?" Mike asked, and Kate smiled.
"Yes. Goodnight, Nav!"
"Night, X, sir." Mike and Kate walked out of the bridge.
"Mike?" Kate called over later, entering his cabin.
"Yes?"
"Hey, could you get the kids and meet me down at the beach?"
"Something wrong?"
"No, RO is releasing his father ashes in half an hour."
"Oh, sure."
After getting changed, Kate followed RO down to and stood next to him. They were quiet for a few minutes before he took his shoes and socks off and stepped into the water. Kate said a few words as RO let the ashes go into the sea.
"Thank you, X." He said turning around and walking out of the water.
"You are welcomed." She turned around and smiled. "Someone's here to cheer you up."
He frowned and Kate pointed him towards the car. He picked his shoes and sock, and they started to walk the path to the car park.
"Uncle Robert!" Emma yelled running towards him. He lowered all he had on his hand to wrap Emma in his arms. "Daddy said you were sad and needed a hug and lots of feel well kisses!"
"Thanks, Emma."
"Sir, X, thank you." He whispered.
"You know we are here for you, RO. If you need someone to talk or a hug, you know where to find us." Mike said.
"Uncle Robert, do you want to know something funny?"
"Tell me, Emma."
"Granddad farts in his sleep, and they stink!" Emma grinned.
"You know? There's someone else who does that," RO said, and Emma's eyes widened.
"Who?"
"Charge!" Emma frowned. "Uncle Andy."
"Really?"
"Yes! They are especially smelly after he had baked beans," Emma laughed.
"That happens to grandad too!"
A few minutes later, RO lowered Emma and sat on the floor to put his shoes on.
"You be a good girl Emma."
"I will, Uncle Robert." She grinned.
"Thank you, sir, ma'am…. Again."
"Enjoy your night, RO" Mike said
"You too, sir, ma'am." He said his goodbyes to the kids before walking away from them.
"Lets' go home, kids!" Mike said.