CH 161
Mean while in Colorado springs Jack and Sam flew the ancient ship to Afghanistan where they going to save a lieutenant life. When they reach Afghanistan they follow a shore party on to shore since Jack and Sam read the letter where it talk about what happen to the lieutenant and how it affected all the boarding team of eight.
Five left the navy when they return back to Australia after what happen and was getting counseling. Three of them commuted suicide six months later and the other two whom was married ended up leaving there families. The other three stay on in the navy two had shore posting till there contract expired and the last person was transferred to Hammersley even though he still blame him self with what happen that day.
Jack and Sam watch what happen with the shore party and where they were heading. Jack found out that the four Americans were held hostage so four navy seals and the Australian navy team, team up together to go in and rescue the four prisoners.
Jack and Sam watch what happen for the next ten minutes when they saw what was going to happen. Jack flew over to a spot and open the back door for Sam. She walk to the back of the ship picking up a Granada she pulled the pin then toss the Granada out the back door then Jack quickly close it as he move the ship back to where the teams are when there was a big explosion.
The men were distracted from the explosion so Dutchy gave his lieutenant a nod then he raise his gun just as the lieutenant move his head to one side exposing the leader head. Dutchy fired the shot getting the wanted leader in the head. Then the rest of the team as well navy seal manage to tackle the arm men to the ground and grab there weapons. Some of the men was either wounded or killed
"Great shot Dutchy, lets get the prisoners and get the hell out of here" the lieutenant said.
They manage to rescue the four prisoner and ran to the rondeview point where two HRIBS will be waiting for them. Every one was please that the rescue mission was a success but wondering what cause the fuel drums to exploded just before the lieutenant almost died. Jack and Sam watch both HRIBS return to the Australian navy ship before they flew back home.
At the same time in Melbourne navy academy Jessica bird smile when she finish her training at the top of all her classes. Her instructors were very impress with what she knows and done. They knew that when she started she was brown belt in karate and tai quan do and now she black belt in both.
Plus since she been doing first aid medic training before signing up in the navy. Her instructors were very impress and that she was in top of her classes in every thing.
When she finish her training she was given an envelope letting her know where she would be posted some where with her qualification and expediences. When she open the letter and read what it said, she smile when it telling her that she would a sign to a patrol boat up in Cairns and that she got accommodation at the navy flats for junior personal.
When she finish reading it she folded the letter up and put it back in the envelope as she walk back to her room. When she arrive back to her room she got her cell phone and made some calls. When finish she started packing her things up then she walk out of her room with bags and box in hand. When she walk out side the accommodation building she saw others who also finish there training being greeted by there family. She walk over to a taxi that showed up
"Are you bird" the driver asked
"Yes I'm Jessica bird sir"
"Ok, here let me help you"
He open the boot and took the box from Jessica hands and put it in the boot then she pass him her bags
"thanks you sir" Jessica said as he close the boot then they got into the taxi
"where to miss"
"air port please"
"ok" then he drove her to the air port.
Few hours later Jessica got into another taxi and headed to NAVCOM. When she arrived there and paid the fair, the driver pass her, her bags and box before leaving. Jessica look around then she walk up the steps and into NAVCOM.
She asked one of the sailors which way to Steve Marshal office. After getting directions she thank the officer before walking to the elevator. Few minutes later she walk into the ball pen, she look around when a officer walk over to her
"Can I help you with some thing seamen"
"Ah yes ma'am I'm looking for commander Marshal I'm suppose to report to him"
"your name"
"Seamen Jessica bird ma'am"
"Here let me help you with these did you came strait from the academy"
"Yes ma'am" the lieutenant took a box and a bag from Jessica and walk over to where the lieutenant put them on couple of chairs
"Here you can put them here for now"
"thank you ma'am" Jessica put her bags on the seats then she open one of her bags to get the letter out then close it.
"This is the letter ma'am" Jessica pass it to the lieutenant whom open it and pull out the letter and read what it said
"follow me" Jessica follow the lieutenant to an office where she knock on the door before walking in.
Steve look up "Yes lieutenant"
"Seamen bird is here to see you sir" she pass him the letter. He look at Jessica whom look nervous then to the letter.
"Seamen bird"
"Yes sir"
he look up at her then stood up and saluted in return when he saw Jessica standing at attention and saluting him.
"At easy seamen" Jessica lower her hand then relax a bit. The he walk around his desk putting his hand put she put her hand in his and they shook hands
"Welcome to NAVCOM" then they let go of each others hands
"thank you sir."
"Lieutenant care to take seamen bird to the flats. She would need keys to her apartment"
"I'll take care of that sir"
"Good. Seamen bird till I can find a place for you on one of the patrol boats you were be on leave till next year by then there will be an opening on one of the patrol boats"
"thank you sir" She stood at attention and saluted which he did in return
"dismiss" she turn and walk out of Steve office with the lieutenant behind her.
They walk over to where Jessica bags are and pick them up and walk out of the ball pen while talking. They went to a different floor where Jessica got key to her new apartment then she and the lieutenant left to head to the navy flats.
When they arrived there saw number of junior sailors enjoying there shore leave. Jessica follow the lieutenant up to one of the empty flats. Jessica manage to unlock the door and open it then they walk into the flat. They put the bags and box down on the ground
"Well here you go. Do you need any thing"
"no ma'am I'll be fine thank you"
"you will need to buy your own sheets, towels"
"I know ma'am. Once I put my bags away and change I'll be going into town to buy them"
"Ok, I'll leave you to it then"
"thank you ma'am"
"no worries" then she walk out of the flat leaving Jessica to check it out for her self.
Jessica look around her flat then she got change and put her things away. When done she left to go into town to do some shopping. When she return few hours later. She went down to where the laundry room is to wash her new sheets, towels duvet covers, and other things she just brought.
Since there was four washing machines and no one else was using them she use all four of them at once. One for the duvet cover, the second was for the sheets, third was for clothes and the fourth was for the towels. While they were going through the wash she then went to her flat to put the food away then return back to the laundry room with her cell phone and I pad so she could listen to some music.
When the washing was wash and dried she then return back to her flat where she made her bed and put the other items away. Then she went and made her self some dinner then while eating it she was watching a DVD on her laptop since she hasn't got a TV yet. Plus she knew it will be her first Christmas alone and away from her family.
When Hammersley arrived back in port every one smile when they saw who was waiting on the wharf. Soon as Hammersley dock Emma, MJ and David ran onto Hammersley saluting along the way. Soon as they were on board they ran to where they know where Kate and mike is. The crew smile when they saw the kids running towards and up onto the bridge where Mike and Kate greeting them with hugs.
"Have you kids been good" Kate asked
"Yes mummy"
"looking ford to Christmas" mike asked
"Yep"
"good why don't you kids go and find bomber I'm sure she got a muffin or chocolate biscuit in the galley for you three" Kate said
"Thanks mummy" they said before running to the steps and down them.
"I'll meet you on the wharf X"
"Yes sir"
When Kate was on the wharf she smile when she was over to Nikki "Hi X how was your patrol"
"good thanks and how about you"
"a little tired cause this little man" they look down to sleeping Micheal
"i know what it like, where ET"
"Melbourne out on patrol till next year"
"ET would miss Micheal first Christmas"
"Yeah, we are flying down to Adelaide for Christmas this year"
"Ok"
"where the kids"
"some where on Hammersley." Kate said smiling
"Well we will meet you at the pub" Nikki asked
"Yeah every one going to be there for Christmas drinks"
"We both know what that means"
"Yes we do" then they saw Mike walk off the ship and over to them
"hi Nav"
"sir" Nav said just as navy car showed up
"See you at the pub later" Kate said
"We will be there, where the kids"
"In the galley with bomber she given them a Tim tam each"
"Mike we know what happen every time they eat chocolate" Kate said
"I know, see you at the pub Nav"
"Yes sir" Nav watches Mike and Kate walk over and got into the car then it drove back to NAVCOM.
Few minutes later Nikki heard giggling and saw the kids walking from behind the HRIBS with charge and buffer talking to them. When they walk off Hammersley they walk over to her
"hi Nav how is our newest member" Buffer asked as she look down at Micheal
"He good, heading to the pub now"
"yep so shall we"
"Why not, what about the others"
"they will join us soon" they walk along the wharf while talking and laughing.
Couple of hours later the whole crew showed up for drinks and meals. Swain showed up with his family. Every one was having a great time during the night.
"sir any word on lieutenant commander Coburn" Buffer asked
"Yes the good news is that his family is fine"
"what" every one was shock
"it turn out that the wagon was stolen but Steve sister and brother in law didn't know it was stolen it was in the garage getting new brake pads. It was stolen over night when six teenagers broke into the garage and stole the wagon and went out on a joy ride. There was a police pursuit when the wagon lost control and flip and crash into a tree catching fire. The police check out the owner of the wagon and next of kin it was Steve since there was six bodies in the wagon and Steve sister and brother in law got four kids"
"He must be releave"
"the whole family was. The six teenagers were identified through dental record and there families have been notified about what happen to them"
"sir what cause them to lose control like they did" Swain asked
"no brakes, the day before the mechanic received the wrong brake pads so they had to wait for the new ones to arrived which they did the next day"
"Is lieutenant commander Coburn returning for our next patrol sir" RO asked
"no, two days ago he was up a ladder putting up the last of the Christmas lights for his sister when he foot slip. He fell off the ladder and onto the ground, braking his leg so you will have me for the next few weeks"
"why couldn't his brother in law do it sir" two dads asked
"He suffer from vergo attacks and passes out"
"what vergo?" Charge asked
"It a inner ear imbalance like when your lying down then you quickly sit up you get that dizziness, head aches, migraines, nausea, passing out that what vergo is. It can be treated with meds but you still have the odd dizzy spell. And if any one who suffers from it, heights can trigger an attack" Swain said
They talk and laugh for the next few hours till it was time for swain and his family, Nikki, Micheal, Mike, Kate and their kids to leave since it was getting late. They said their good byes to the crew before leaving for home.