Ch 97

The limo took them to the Rendezvous Grand Hotel where Josh was staying for the past two nights. They walked into the bridal suite to a bottle of champagne and bowl of strawberries. Josh turned to Nikki and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"So, Mrs. Holiday? We have three hours before we head to your parent's place. Any ideas on what we can do with that time?"

"I'm sure we can think of something, Mr. Holiday." They kissed and removed each other's clothes; they got into bed and made love. Then, they drunk the champagne and ate the strawberries before Nikki snuggled to Josh's side.

"Nikki?" he said caressing her slowly, "where would you like to live? I mean, you could move in with me, or I could move in with you," Nikki looked at Josh.

"What would you think if we search for a new place together?" Josh smiled.

"I'll like that. We can pick what we want to keep and what to sell or donate."

"Sounds like a plan," she rolled until she was lying on top of him; she looked at the clock then back to him. "So, as a celebration of our first decision as a couple…" she bends down to kiss him.

"Nikki…"

"We have an hour," they made love once more before getting up and having a shower together.

They left the hotel and grabbed a taxi towards her parent's place.

"Gee you are," Kim said looking at her watch then to them, "half an hour late."

"We had other things on our mind, Kim" Nikki grinned. Kim laughed.

"I bet you both did," Kim winked.

On the backyard, the table was placed in a U shape. Nikki and Josh sat in the middle and the places where soon filled by their families. Later that evening, the newlyweds cut their two-tier round wedding cake decorated with seashells and anchors, a glass anchor with their names and wedding date engraved was their wedding topper.

They managed to sneak quietly out of the house by walking one by one inside the house and getting to the front door apart. They ran to the waiting taxi that took them back to the hotel. It was their last night before they had to return to Cairns to their three-week patrol.

On the twenty-eighth, Kate and Mike meet Lieutenant Commander Brian Taylor in Steve's office. They talked about the three-week patrol for ten minutes before they left NAVCOM. Kate left taking one last longing look to Mike, knowing that he wouldn't be seeing Mike until the next year.

T

he crew was waiting on the wharf to meet their Captain. The crew saluted him, and he responded before he walked to one of the doors without saying a word. Nav frowned in confusion before she took it to herself to dismiss the crew.

"That was strange," Nikki commented when she reached Kate.

"Tell me about it! What's worse, he has never been on a patrol boat before," Kate said in dismay.

"You are joking!"

"I wish! Mike and Commander Marshal told him to ask me anything he's not sure about."

"And what did he say?"

"Thank you for the suggestion, sirs. But I'm the Captain, and my XO will do as I order her to do," Kate said imitating him.

"Darn! Sounds like he got something up his ass," Nav whistled.

"Yeah, well. These will be three very interesting weeks." They returned to work, and soon they were on the bridge, and it was about time to leave the port.

"X!" The Captain said Kate turned towards her. "I want you to take her out," everyone looked at the Captain in shock.

"Yes, sir!" Swain got up from his seat allowing Kate to take his seat. She did Swain's regular job until they were out at sea and heading north.

"X! You have the bridge," he barked before he got up and left.

"Yes, sir. X has the bridge!" He walked away leaving Kate in charge of the Hammersley. Kate stood up and let Swain take over, shaking her head as she walked to grab the binoculars and taking the Captain seat.

"So, Nav? How was your Christmas?" Nikki smiled remembering her day.

"It was great! All the family showed up, and there was so much food I could of having all of you guys there to help eat it all," she said smiling

"That good, huh?"

"Yes. I don't know when will be the next time I'll be able to make it down there."

"Yeah, and we never know when we get a crash sail when we are on shore leave," Kate said

"How was your Christmas, X?" Kate smiled

"Tiring. The kids enjoyed themselves, thankfully they were very active and fell asleep by seven o'clock."

"I know what you mean, my nieces and nephews were the same," she grinned. One by one, Kate asked the other crew members how their Christmas went, even Buffer shared his Christmas when he walked up on the bridge.

Over the next two days, they were busy with mayday calls. Kate and the crew could see that the Captain wasn't happy by the second day when there was another mayday. After attending the issue, the boarding party returned, and everything was stowed away. Kate went to fill out another mayday report before she went up onto the bridge.

"X you have the bridge," was the first thing she heard. "and if there's another mayday, deal with it."

"Sir?" she looked at him in confusion.

"Did you hear what I said, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good! Don't call me up if there's another mayday. I don't want to be disturbed."

"Yes, sir. X has the bridge." He walked away leaving a confused crew behind.

Ten minutes later, the phone rung, "Hammersley, Lieutenant McGregor speaking."

"Kate. It's Mike; the coast watch picked up an emergency beacon. They spotted a boat on fire forty miles from where you are, RO should have the fax with the information. You are the closest asset, can you let Lieutenant Commander Taylor know?"

"I will."

"Kate, what's wrong? Where is the Captain?"

"In his cabin, he sick tired of us doing maydays."

"It's the holidays, Kate."

"I know that and so does the crew."

"Will you be ok handing this?"

"I'll be fine. I have a great crew to back me up."

"I know you have."

"X," RO said walking the steps quickly to give her the information. She grabbed it and read it quickly. "Mike, there's no way the Hammersley can reach the boat. I'll have to send both RHIB's, and it will depend on the tide and how many people are on board."

"What do you mean, Kate?"

"Have you seen the info?"

"Hang on. Oh, I see! You are right, Kate."

"I hope there are survivors; I'll do some calculation and try to get the Hammersley in the same path as a raft."

"Good idea. Good luck and fair winds."

"X, what going on?" Nav asked after Kate delivered the change of route directions.

"The coast watch picked up an emergency beacon and they spotted a boat on fire, we the closest asset. We won't be able to reach them; we will have to send both HIBBS to pick up the raft."

"Why can't we get near it?" Charge asked.

"The life raft is in the middle of the coral reef."

"Ouch, any idea on how many people are there?" Swain asked

"It's unknown. It was a charter boat."

"Great! That means it could be from five to twenty," Charge huffed.

"We won't know until we get there, Charge."

Kate walked over to one of the computers to get the times of the tide, the currents and wind speed then she started doing some calculations. Once she got it, she returned to her seat.

"What about the Captain, X?" Buffer asked

"He doesn't want to be disturbed if it's another mayday."

"But he has the right to know," Nav said as Kate stood up.

"Nav, you have the bridge."

"Nav has the bridge," Nikki said.

Kate walked down to the Captain's cabin, knocked the door and waited.

"X! I told you I don't want to be disturbed!" He said as soon as he opened the door.

"I'm aware of that, sir. Commander Flynn called, coast watch spotted a charter boat on fire, we are the closest asset, sir."

"How long before we reach the boat?"

"Three hours at two three zero," she said giving him the papers. He looked at it.

"Alright, when we are close dispatch the HRIBS."

"Sir, we can't get close to the boat."

"Why not?"

"The coordinates are in the middle of the reef. I have done some calculations, and the best course is to head northwest. We will be closer to the raft as the current is heading southwest. Then we will be able to spot it and send our HRIBS."

"Are you sure about this X?"

"Yes, sir. We only have one chance; the tide is on the turn now too low double zero. Then it would be impossible for the HRIBS to go in."

"Then you better be right, is there anything else?"

"No, sir."

"Good," he said before he closed the door on her. Sighing, Kate turned around and walked back to the bridge. Three hours later, they were trying to spot the raft.

"X! Ten o'clock!" Buffer called pointing to one area.

"Spider, EDO?" Kate said walking towards Spider watchpoint. He found them and zoomed in.

"There are two rafts, ma'am."

"Good work," then she picked up the mic. "Hands to boarding stations, teams thunder and lightning prepare for sea rescue." She lowered the mic before she inhaled deeply. "All stop!"

"All stop!" Charge said before the engines were killed and the Hammersley stopped.

Kate gave the next few orders while keeping an eye on the two rafts. A few minutes later, the two HIBBS left heading to the raft. Kate saw them reaching the rafts and called asking for the report.

"X, we got thirty people. Fifteen males, ten females and five children. Copy over."

"Copy that, Buffer. Are the rafts towable?"

"No, ma'am. One of the rafts started to leak, and both are overcrowded." Kate huffed before she pressed the radio.

"Copy that, Buffer. Transfer the women and children to the HRIBS. Move the men into the non-damaged one. Let's try to tow that one. Thunder can attach it and deflate the other raft. And have Thunder follow Lighting."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Kate observed as they followed her orders and soon, she saw Buffer on the front of Lighting checking how close to the surface they were by holding a glass tube to see where the coral was. As soon as they were out of the coral area, they picked up speed and head towards the Hammersley. Kate went to the back, giving orders as the crew helped the men, women, and kids to climb to the Hammersley.

"I'm Lieutenant McGregor, second in command," Kate said once the thirty people were safely onboard. "Welcome aboard HMAS Hammersley. My crew will look after you until we return to Cairns."

"Lieutenant, I'm John Reed. Captain of Sea Adventure. Thank you for rescuing us," he said stepping forward and shaking hands.

"Mr. Reed, I would like to ask you some questions. But that can wait until the medics have checked you out, sir."

"I'm fine."

"There's a burn on your hand, sir." He looked down at his hand then at Kate and nodded. "After you been checked out, let one of the crew members know when you are ready to answer my questions."

"Yes, ma'am. Any chance for a drink?"

"Only tea, coffee, juice or water."

"Nothing stronger?"

"Sorry, sir. The only strong drink we carry is coffee," Kate grinned.

"Then coffee will have to do."

Swain and Bomber walked over to Kate carrying the first aid kit with them.

"Sirs, ma'ams," Kate said turning towards the crew. "These are Swain and Bomber, they are our medics, and they will check you all. Spider, can you go and get water for our guests, please?"

"Yes, ma'am," Spider said walking away as Swain and Bomber started their job.

"X to the bridge, rush."

"If you will all excuse me, I'm needed on the bridge," Kate said before she went back to the bridge.