CH 211
Few minutes later the two HRIBS headed to the pleasure craft. Bird saw the name of it
"Ma'am it the other planes" Bird said then they were fired a pond so they return fire till the guy collapsed after being shot. Then they boarded the boat. Swain went up top to slow down and turn it around while Jim went below deck to see the bomb
"Can you disarm it"
"no but..." he look at it
"Yes I can"
"Bird can you come up here" Swain said Bird went up top
"Here make sure you going in a strait line the auto pilot and throttle leaver got hit"
"sure" then he went down onto the boat deck
"There to many here the rest of you return to Hammersley" Kate said
"what about you ma'am" Swain asked
"I'll stay here to help Jim"
"I'm staying as well" Mike said
"I'm staying" bird said
"no bird you get off here" Kate said
"I needed up here, the auto pilot and throttle leaver was damage during the fire fight"
"she right" Swain said
"ok rest of you return to Hammersley" they got back onto the two HRIBS and headed back to Hammersley.
Bird look around when she saw the guy wearing a belt so she crouch down and manage to remove the belt from the man with one hand. Then she tie one end to the wheel and the other to the throttle. Then she step back and watch for a few seconds then she went down blow
"bird what are you doing" Kate said as she was cutting white wires.
Bird got her clippers out and help "don't worry ma'am i use the guy belt to tie it to the wheel and throttle."
"good idea"
Once they cut the white wires mike toss them over board "Ok now the red"
"I hope we don't run out of diesel" mike said
"there enough got another five minutes sir" Bird said as they start cutting the red wires while every one on Hammersley watch what was happening.
When the red wires were cut they were able to remove the top slowly. Bird look underneath it "stop" she got her torch out and took a look
"Dam there are wires connected under it as well"
"Have we got time" Bird sat up and look at the time then to Jim
"no we got to a banded the boat. The wires are all red not white and red" Jim look under the timber, bird pass him her touch
"Dam she right, we got four minutes left" Jim said when he look at the timer
"Charlie eight two we need HRIB now" Kate said
"copy that ma'am, one on it way"
"At least we remove the caesium" Bird said
"Yes we did, you did good today bird"
"thank you ma'am"
then the HRIB showed up when they saw they got ninety seconds left so they got into the HRIB
"Go, go, go" Kate said then the HRIB turn around and headed back to Hammersley full speed.
When time was up the boat exploded. Jack and Sam saw the whole thing happen and is happy that they help save there lives so they return back to Colorado springs knowing that there final mission was complete.
When the HRIB was back on board Mike, Kate, Bird, Jim and the driver got off and on to ship deck.
"We better let NAVCOM know that the threat is over" Kate said
"good idea" Mike said then they walk towards one of the hatches.
Bird went looking for Dutchy when she heard him and Madeline talking. So she got her gun out and took the safety off as she step closer to the door when she stop and turn to see Charge there She gave him hand signal which he under stood and heard Dutchy and Madline talking then he turn around and walk back the way he came.
Bird step closer till she was in the door way "Put your weapon down" bird said.
Madeline who was holding a gun at Dutchy turn to bird and fired it, Bird fired back shot Madeline in the hand, which cause her to drop the gun while bird hit the wall and slide down it. While Dutchy kick the gun out of the way while he restrain her.
Charge ran up to the bridge "Sir, ma'am Madeline Cruise she holding Dutchy hostage in her cabin. Bird there"
"what" mike said then they heard two shots.
Mike Swain, charge and two dads ran down the steps and down to where Madeline cabin is when they saw bird on the floor.
They stop "Dutchy" mike said
"in here sir, I got Madeline restrain" Then they step ford to see that Dutchy got Madeline restrain while swain went to check on bird
"Bird" she look up at him
"I'm ok, I'm glad I was still wearing my vest" she unzip her vest revealing she was wearing double plate under it
"It looks like I'll be asking for a new vest swain" He smile
"At lest your alive"
"True" He stood up and help her up.
"bird are you ok" Dutchy asked
"Yeah, need a new vest my one got a hole in it" they all grin excepted for Madeline cruise.
"you did good bird"
"thank you sir." then she pull two bags out of her pocket and pass them to Mike
"what these"
"Ms Cruse sat phone and cell phone memory chip sir. They will have every thing on them phone numbers, texts messages, every thing"
"Good work bird"
"thank you sir"
When they return back to Cairns mike and Kate went to see Maxine while Dutchy and swain handed Ms Cruse over to the ASIO feds before returning back to Hammersley. The crew received texts to tell them that there shore leave started three days early so every one went to the pub to celebrate.
Three days later bird was on the wharf when Childers came into port. She waited and smile when Ryan walk off the ship and into her arms for hug and kiss.
"My hero" Ryan said
"you read my E-mail"
"Yes I did, I'm prod of you Jess"
"thanks Ryan, lets go home"
"sounds good to me" they put there arms around each other as they follow the others who also got shore leave.
Two weeks later Both Hammersley and Childers left port for a month patrol. While out on patrol Fleet command was reading the reports from Hammersley about the ASIO missions and what happen the day of the boat exploding.
When they finish reading every one reports they say back and look at each other when Captain Steve Marshall said "Hammersley done it again" they all laugh and agree with Steve that the crew of Hammersley stop another teariest attack. They talk for the next few hours before talking about other matters.
When Hammersley return back to Cairns they all heard over the PA system
"now here this captain speaking this Saturday morning I was all ship personal to be in dress whites and on Hammersley by nine thirty for the award ceremony, that is all" Every one talk about it and wondering who going to be there.
On Saturday morning the crew and there families showed up. There was other guests there as well including the media. Bird walk over to two dads who walk looking out to sea
"Two dads are you alright" he turn to her
"Yeah"
"what wrong"
"you wouldn't under stand"
"Try me, perhaps I can help"
"I called my parents the other day... dad answered the phone..."
"what happen"
"i said Hi Dad it Leo... he said what do you want" two dads said in the same tone as he father
"I said that call to see how he and mum are, he said that they are fine and don't bother to ask for money or call there again then he hung up" Bird put her hand on his back rubbing it up and down
"i know what it like"
"no you don't"
"Yes I do sort of. My parents, hell my whole family is against me..." then she turn around to him
"you know what two dads, how about we fly down to our parents and give them a peace of our minds"
"your crazy"
"your parents live in Sydney right"
"yes" bird smile
"how about we fly down together and we go to your parents place first then fly down to Melbourne to see my parents, we can be there for each other as crew mates. How that sound"
"Are you sure"
"Yes so what do you say" Two dads smile then he put his hand out, then Bird did the same
"Ok you got your self a deal"
"good" Bird said smiling.
Few minutes later Hammersley crew lined up and walk off Hammersley as the ceremony began. They notice fleet command and the govern general was there in person. There was couple of speeches before the govern general step ford to the podium
"On the eighth of October two thousand and eleven is a day to remember, I historic day when the crew of the HMAS Hammersley stop the worse disaster in Austrian history. These men and women spends days, weeks finding and stopping a teariest attack close to our shores. For that on behalf of all Australians we thank you for the work you have done as for that it has given me the please to give the Hammersley crew and Commander Mike Flynn and Captain Jim Roff of the army the group Bravery Citation for collective act of bravery by group of people in extraordinary circumstances that is considered worth of recognition" the govern general said
then he step down and walk over to mike first with thee navy leaders behind him carrying boxes. He pin the first one on mike then Kate then he did the next one till he did bird last. Then he return back to the podium. While every one clap then settle down once again.
"these next awards go to a part of the group on Hammersley... lieutenant Simpson, chief petty officer Thorpe, petty officer Blake, leader kosvo Myers, leader Johnson and leader Dixon. For there part in help locating and boarding the boats that was part of the teariest attack you been reward the bravery metal for act of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extra peril"
He gave them a nod then they step ford as the govern general step down once again and step ford to give them there metals. When done the crew return back to there spot as the govern general return to the podium.
"In reconsign for there bravery act in risking there own lives to save millions of others by trying to disable the dirty bomb. These four men and women only manage to disable the dangerous part of the bomb for what they have done for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy I here by reward...commander Mike Flynn, lieutenant Commander Kate McGregor, Able Seam men Jessica bird of the royal Australian Navy and Captain Jim Roff of army the second highest award ever received. The cross of valour"
Then the four of them step ford as the Govern general step ford to pin the metal on the four of them then they return back to there spot.
"Three of these bravery personal have made history...Lieutenant commander McGregor and able Seamen Bird are the first two women in history to received the cross of valour. Commander Flynn and lieutenant commander McGregor are the first... married couple in history to received the cross of valour on the same day for doing the same job...And able Seamen bird is the youngest women in the arms forces to received the cross of valour. And from what I heard and read about the young able seamen, she made history three times and she only nineteen years old." He said smiling.
"HMAS Hammersley crew has done this country prod" then he step back
"Hammersley Up" XO said
"about face" then they turn one direction.
"Match" then they match down the wharf as every one stood up as they clap.
When Hammersley crew reach so many meters they stop and was dismiss then they return back to where every one is. Emma ran over to Mike and Kate to give them a big hug then MJ and David did the same. Then others showed up to congratulated them all. Mike and Kate were talking to the govern general when buffer walk over to them
"sir, ma'am"
"hi buffer, we please you could make it" Kate said
"Same here ma'am have you seen Emma, she disappeared" Mike and Kate look around then Kate look up to the bridge
"mike, buffer on the bridge" they look up and so then the govern general did to see Emma waving to them then they saw her walk through the side door
"On no, she not is she" buffer said as he went to the gang way ramp when every one heard the horn sounded
"she done it again" Kate said causing every one to turn to Hammersley.
"what do you mean she done it again lieutenant commander" Mike and Kate turn the govern general.
They told him about what Emma did with the old Childers and Hammersley patrol boats before there decommission which made him smile.
"Now here this Emma Flynn speaking" Every one heard and turn to Hammersley
"auntie Jessica when are you and Ryan going to get married, if so can I be flower girl... oh uncle Pete said party at the pub... and I'm sure there would be... GUAVA MOJO... sorry for yelling, blame the Hammersley crew for that, that is all" Every one laugh as they turn to Ryan and bird who was shock.
Mike and Kate look at each other while the crew laugh and cheered. Mike turn to Maxine, she wasn't impress with what Emma said over the PA system. When Emma and Buffer walk off Hammersley the crew turn and clap at Emma for what she said.