CH 171
The next morning Coburn walk in to Maxine office, Mike was also there. "Mike, ma'am"
"Lieutenant commander Coburn. After the investigation about what happen at the bar. Two crew members told mike here that they saw you at the bar, in fact you were the other sailor that intervene in the fight as well stole the crocodile. Isn't that right lieutenant commander" Maxine said
"Two sailors ma'am"
"Yes the one you know of leader kosvo Myers"
"Who the other, I want to confront that sailor" Maxine look up at mike and gave him a nod.
He walk out of the room and tap on the window next door then turn around and walk back in and stood next to the desk.
"Who ever he is, two dads would of put him up to it to save his own skin ma'am" He said after thinking of a way to get out of the trouble he is in.
"you trying to save your own skin by telling two dads to keep his mouth shut sir" he turn around to see bird in the door way
"come in bird" mike said.
"thank you sir" she said as she walk in to Maxine office then she stood at attention and saluted both mike and Maxine which they did in return. Then bird turn to shock Coburn
"Two dads put you up to this didn't he"
"no sir he did not I was there, I saw and heard the whole thing"
"good one bird so two dads put you up to this, didn't here, cause I didn't see you with him, so how do I know your telling the truth"
"Lieutenant commander" Maxine said
"It ok ma'am" Bird said looking at Maxine then to Coburn
"No he did not. And I can prove that you were at the bar sir"
"How what prof?" Bird step ford
"I'm a member of the royal Australian navy it doesn't matter what rank I am it the respect I have for my crew mates and superior officers as for prof, I got plenty of prof"
then she pulled out her phone and look for one item then she turn the volume up as she press play it was the one where Coburn and two dads were on the wharf. She turn her phone around to show Coburn the recording. When Coburn saw the recording he relies he was in trouble. When the recording stop Bird did some thing on her phone then put it back in her pocket
"RO, X, Swain and Dutchy seen the recordings them selves that night. Commander White, commander Flynn and Fleet command also seen the recordings. There my prof...sir"
"Thank you bird can you wait out side" Mike said
"Yes sir...Ma'am" then she saluted them both before walking out of Maxine office when she saw bomber so she walk over to talk to her when Nav showed up.
"bird"
"ma'am, how Micheal"
"Growing what going in there"
"Lieutenant Commander Coburn is in deep trouble with commander white and fleet command"
"Why"
"He broke a number of rules, ask commander Flynn later"
"Captain table" bomber asked
"Yes and now Hammersley won't have a captain till one can be found"
"Ship stopper" Nav said
"Yes" they turn when they heard Maxine yelling at Coburn. Few minutes later Coburn walk out of Maxine office and walk pass Bird, Nav and bomber
"Lieutenant Commander Coburn sir" Bird said loud enough causing him to stop and turn to bird.
"what is is seamen bird haven't you already done enough damage"
"the damage you did your self sir" Every one was looking at them including mike and Maxine who walk out of the office.
"I hope you relies cause of you..."
"I join the navy just like my great grand father did...to help the ones in need as well help protect Australia. I did not join the navy so some high ranking officer puts the blame on a junior or telling him or her to keep quiet about it if they know what good for them. I didn't not join the Navy to be yours or any one escape goat. If it wasn't for me and my prof. A junior sailor would have been given the honor discharge and a record cause his superior... naming you sir told him to keep his mouth shut" Bird said yelling.
Coburn look around the room to see a lot of shock faces then he turn around and walk through the double doors. Mike walk over to bird, she turn to him
"sorry sir"
"don't be Bird you were being honest and what you said took a lot of guts"
"thank you sir"
"Bird sounds like you picking up some bad habits from Emma" bomber said making them laugh
"And the X" Causing them to laugh once more.
"I better head back to Hammersley, I said to two dads that I'll let him know how it went"
"I'm coming with you bird so I can tell him my self" mike said
"Oh I though it was so you can see the X sir" Causing bomber and Nav to laugh
"Bird" he shook his head
"I'll go and get my hat"
"Yes sir" then he walk away.
"You cutting it fine there with commander Flynn" Nav said
"I'm being honest any way next time when X walk in here and commander Flynn see her, see what happens between them"
"Meaning"
"Eye up and down movement and the way they smile as they check each other out, plus the X she lick her lips and commander shake his head a little"
"Meaning" Nav asked
"One hot sailor in uniform"
"Bird you need to get your self a boy friend" bomber said
"one day" then mike return
"Shall we"
"Yes sir, see you later bomber, Nav"
"Have fun with the X sir" Nav said giving Mike a wink before she return to her desk. Bomber try not to laugh just as Mike and bird walk out of the ball pen
"what is that suppose to mean bird"
"Are you going to let the X know your coming to see her and two dads"
"I text her, why"
"I bet she can't hardly wait to check you out in your uniform"
"Meaning"
"Eye up and down movement and licking of lips. I've seen it number of times you showed up on Hammersley in your uniform sir"
"Very observant of you bird"
"thank you sir" they talk till they arrived in the navy car out side of Hammersley Gang plank.
"she waiting sir" Bird said before getting out of the car.
Bird walk on to Hammersley first "X"
"Bird how did it go" X said while looking at mike. Mike watch what Kate dose and relies Bird was right.
Soon he was standing in front of her "Commander Flynn will tell you X...sir"
"Bird" she turn and walk away leaving mike and Kate alone. Mike and Kate talk for an hour and Mike spoke to two dads, swain, Dutchy and RO to inform them what happen.
Because of what happen to Coburn Hammersley is a ship stopper till another captain could be found so the crew got shore leave till future notice. Plus the crew of the HMAS Childers captured and arrested the five men responsible of the killing and skinning of the crocodiles as well taking the eggs. The four men were identified as the ones who fight with two dads and Coburn.
Sam got the next mystery letter out and showed it to Jack "Want to go for a ride to Australia Sam" she smile
"Why not"
"In the morning"
"sure"
The next morning Jack and Sam flew to Australia. When they arrived there it was ten O'clock at night so Sam walk off the ship and up to the front door where she crouch down and slide the letter under the door then she stood up and walk back onto the ship.
"done" she said as she sat down just as Jack close the door and lifted off the ground then head back to Colorado springs.
The next morning Mike saw the letter on the floor so he walk over and pick it up he walk in to his office and sat down and open it. He read the two pages then folded it up and put it with the others. Then he went to get breakfast on for Kate, there kids and him self since Kate was at home at nights since Hammersley is in port.
A week later Kate was on Hammersley when mike and Maxine showed up. Mike walk onto Hammersley and they saluted each other "what going on"
"you getting a new captain"
"Oh who" Mike gave her a look "your joking"
"fleet command agree with Maxine about having me back on board" Kate turn to Maxine who was smirking at Kate.
Kate turn back to mike "It only for few weeks till another can be found" Kate shook he head then turn around walking away pinching her noise.
Mike knew that Kate wouldn't be happy, but he had to say it with Maxine close by. Mike turn to grinning Maxine, she gave him a wave before getting back in the car and headed back to NAVCOM.
Mike follow Kate down and into the ship office where he put his brief case down and open it and got the letter out
"Kate"
"no, No mike, why now, what about our kids" mike step ford warping his arms around her
"sir the rules"
"Kate" he pulled back and show her the envelope
"Read this"
"when did it arrive"
"A week ago"
"Why didn't you tell me"
"I wasn't sure what was in that letter would happen" Kate pull the letter out and read what it said. When she finish reading it she look up at him
"Two months Kate, if no replacement is found, I'll do what that letter said for me to do"
"you promise"
"i promise" he pulled her into his arms
"you know it going to be hard but we can do it" mike said
"i know"
On Thursday morning every one received a text message about the award ceremony which is the next day and for them to wear there dress whites and what time they have to be on Hammersley.
The next morning the crew on Hammersley notice a lot going on. There was chairs set up and number of security personal about. They wondering who going to be showing up and why.
An hour before the ceremony the crew notice the media there so what ever it is must be big. When it was almost time every one saw cars arriving and people getting out and the cars driving away.
"Hey that ambassador Davis" Two dads said
"Your right" Charge said
"Hey of my gosh that admiral of the fleet Baxter" two dads said
"there Admiral Johnson...vice admiral Thompson and rear Admiral Adams they from fleet command" Charge said
"Alright every one in line" Kate said.
Once every one was in line they heard the music started when it started Mike walk off Hammersley with Kate behind him then the crew from higher ranks to the lower ranks till they form two lines.
"Hammersley about face" Kate said then they turn facing the guests, the ambassador and fleet command.
"Today we are here to reward two navy sailors for there heroic selflessly putting there lives in jeopardy to protect American ambassador Davis life from a wanted assassin. commander Mike Flynn front center"
Admiral of the fleet Baxter said Mike step ford till he was standing five meters in front of the crew. Ambassador Davis step ford holding a open box just as the admiral of the fleet said
"commander Mike Flynn of the royal Australian navy for your heroic selflessly in protecting ambassador Davis life from mortal danger. Ambassador Davis here to present you the commendation for brave conduct ribbon for protecting his life when the assassin try to kill him on the night of tenth of March two thousand and ten"
"congratulation commander Flynn"
"thank you ambassador Davis"
Ambassador Davis said as he pin the ribbon on mike next to his other metals then they shook hands before the ambassador walk back to his spot passing the box to some one there then turning around to see Mike saluted the ambassadors and fleet command then he return back to his spot.
"The next sailor Risk her life to save Commander Flynn from death from the assassin who was close to stabbing commander Flynn in the heart. This young women step ford risking her own life to attack the assassin when she saw what was going to happen. This young women not only save commander Flynn life she even knock the assassin out."
Every one look at the Hammersley crew, they saw three female junior sailors and wondering who it is.
"Seamen Jessica Bird front center"
Bird took a deep breath as she step ford like what mike did. The media was shock to see who the young sailor is. Then the admiral of the fleet step down from the podium and walk up to bird holding a box in hand while admiral Johnson step up to the podium.
"Seamen Jessica bird the minster of defense recognised the act of heroism in action in circumstances of great peril when you risk your life to save Command Mike Flynn from certain death from one of the top world wanted deadest assassin. For what you done You been reward the second highest metal the star of Gallantry for your heroic affect" Every one including Bird was shock. The admiral of the fleet pin the metal on Jessica chest then shook her hand
"congratulation seamen bird"
"Ah...thank you sir" He step back and they saluted each other then the admiral of the fleet return back to the podium while Jessica return back to her spot still in shock
"young Seamen bird has made history today. She is the youngest metal Representative in navy history at the age of seventeen to received the star of gallantry. Seamen Bird only been in the navy for three months and she done the navy prod. Plus with her crew mates on the HMAS Hammersley they were able to foil the assassination attempt not once but twice on the American ambassador life. This isn't the first time that the crew of HMAS Hammersley has made history and I don't think it would be the last. Crew of HMAS Hammersley job well done and fair winds" then every one clap as Kate said
"Hammersley Up... about face...March" then they march down to a spot where they stop then then
"Hammersley Dismiss" then they all relax and gather around mike and bird to congratulated them.
When Dutchy step ford to bird "I always wanted to meet a hero" He said smiling
"That makes two of us" then they hug
"My hero" Dutchy whisper to her
"you can by my hero any day" then they pulled apart then bird turn to mike
"congratulation bird"
"thank you sir and you to"
"Let's join the others shall we" mike said then they walk back to where the others as well the media is.
That night the crew went to the pub with there families to celebrate mike and bird metals.