Chapter 13
29th December 2021
The Hammersley's patrol was over and they were due to arrive at base just after noon. They were to be relieved by the Kingston which had left the base on the 26th. Everyone was in a good mood and was looking forward to celebrating New Year's Eve with family or friends. The mood was intoxicating and Kate sat relaxed in her chair thinking about the upcoming event at the Tomasewskis' where they were guests. She was thinking about the dress she was going to wear and was hesitating between the long black one with an open back and the strappy heeled sandals or the bright blue cocktail dress with the slingback heels.
They had only two hours left to sail when RO informed her of a phone call.
"I take it in my cabin", she told RO and rushed downstairs.
"Hey darling! Two more hours and I'll be with you!", she said joyously.
"Uhm, honey, I'm afraid I have bad news", he began, as Kate frowned.
"Uh, what's going on?", she asked suspiciously.
"The Kingston is returning with a broken radar. I understood from the report that it will take a few days to find where the failure is coming from", he said.
"A few days? I thought we had qualified technicians?", she said irritably, feeling their shore leave slipping away.
"Well, it sounds complicated. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't".
"And what does this mean?", she asked fearing the worst.
"I'm afraid you'll need to bunker and restock to leave again tonight. There are no other assets at this time. The Launceston is dry docked in Sydney and the others are at sea", he said.
"Kate?"
"Honey?", asked Mike hearing no response.
"Yes, I'm still here", she grumbled.
"Honey, I can't help it, I…", he started but she cut him off.
"Yes darling, I know. It's the only logical decision, but I must admit that I'm quite disappointed", she replied.
"Yeah, I understand".
"I can handle it, but I was wondering how the crew will take it", she said.
"Hmm, treat them to a New Year's Eve barbecue on one beach or the other", he suggested.
"Yeah, indeed, it's the least we can do".
"Will I see you for planning and area of operation?", he asked.
"Yes, of course", Kate answered before ending the call.
She stared blankly at the opposite wall.
And why do I think Spicy Donger's radar failure is fake? A few days before New Year! Is there any connection between that and Becca's stunt with the rum and the cake?
She sighed.
We are not sure.
She returned to the bridge and took the microphone, "Do you hear there? This is the captain speaking. I'm afraid of having bad news. We need to bunker and to restock to leave to a new patrol area because our relief had to return to base with a radar failure. I know you are disappointed, and so am I, but we'll do our best. We are going to show that the Hammersley can perform even with bad luck! Carry on", she said and ended the connection.
She listened to the grunts and the comments of the crew and could only agree with them, but as CO she couldn't join their disappointment.
When the Hammersley arrived at base, sailors and trucks stood ready to bring supplies aboard and they began bunkering. They were disappointed to see the Kingston safely moored with the technical engineers' van parked in front of the gangway.
Kate was putting on her white uniform to see Mike and get her orders when there was a knock on the door.
"One moment, please!", she replied, pulling up her trousers.
"Come in", she said, slipping her shirt in her trousers.
It was Dylan.
"Dylan?", she questioned.
"Can I go ashore for an hour?", he asked.
She took a deep breath. "Dylan, you know as well as I do that now it's not the time. We have to get the ship ready to sail in a few hours", she said, putting on her white shoes.
"Yes, I know, I had plans for New Year's Eve, but this happened unexpectedly. So I had to change them and I have to get something from the store. I ordered something, you know", he said, raising an eyebrow.
A smile spread across her face, "Is it what I'm thinking?"
He shrugged, "It is. It's going to happen on New Year's Eve, only the place will be different", he said grinning.
Kate sighed, "Go away Casanova, but come back in time! I need you!".
"Thanks!", he told her with a wink before leaving her cabin.
She took her hat and also left her cabin to go to Mike's.
"Hey", she said, entering Mike's office.
"Sorry honey. You know how it is in the Navy too, huh".
She sighed, grimaced and plopped down on a chair in front of his desk. "So, it's a radar failure on Spicy's boat?"
"Yes, indeed, one of those failures that are barely detectable. Sometimes the radar works and sometimes not. I put the specialists on it", he said.
"I guess we're going to Spicy's area, Torres Street and Cape York?", she asked.
"Yes, indeed. I don't like it either. I would have loved to accompany you to New Year's day lunch with lobster", he said.
She leaned forward and patted him, "So you have an advantage now. You'll have more lobster because I will be at sea".
He made a face at her.
"Does Nikki already know that? We were guests there", she asked Mike.
"Uh, no, not yet", he said.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Mike! You better call her right away. If she has ordered something, she can always modify the order for one less person. It would be a waste of money", she said.
"Yes, you're right. I'll call her after our talk", he said.
He made a face and sighed. "Okay, back to business. Here are the files. There are federal actions underway. It should be a quiet patrol", he said and handed her the sailing orders.
"Right! Give James a hug from me and see you in fourteen days", she said, kissing him.
When she entered her own cabin, she saw a bottle on her desk with a note sticked on it.
She looked at the bottle, it was a sparkling wine and she read the note.
To share with your crew of gangsters. Despite everything, we offer you a bottle.
Curry
She made a face.
It was to be expected. They knew about the rum, flour and eggs. Someone had spilled the beans. And now, I'm even more convinced that he faked the radar failure. But it's not for me to say, let's the technicians find out.
She picked up her cabin phone and pressed the keys to access the speaker system, "Bomber in my cabin", she said.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in", she said.
Rebecca entered her cabin, "Hi, did you want to see me?", she asked.
"Yes Becca. We got a gift from Lieutenant Commander Curry", she said, handing her the bottle.
Rebecca accepted it and looked at it with raised eyebrows, "Jeez, it's just plonk with bubbles and only one bottle! Haggler!", she muttered.
"And here's his note", Kate said, giving her Curry's note.
Rebecca read the note and raised her eyebrows.
"So, he faked the radar failure to come back and send us back to sea in revenge", she concluded.
Kate raised her hands, "I don't know. It's not for me to judge. The technicians have to find … a… failure and then it's up to Mike to decide".
"Hmm, you're mad at me now, huh?", Rebecca asked.
Kate looked at her friend, "Would it help if I was?"
Rebecca shrugged her shoulders, "No".
"Well, if you're playing a game, you know the rules and then you have to consider the consequences, huh? We both know that, but I doubt the crew does. And they are pretty upset right now. So, now it's up to you to invent something to lighten the mood again. Okay?", Kate said.
Rebecca nodded, "Yes ma'am, I understand. I'll…uh…", she said pointing to the door.
Kate nodded, "Yes, go ahead".
Rebecca left her cabin and closed the door. Kate hears her yelling, "Biiiiiiiird, come here ! Job to doooo!"
Kate concentrated on plans for the next patrol and looked for an interesting island to spend New Year's Day. It was the least she could do for the crew.
A knock on her door brought her back to reality.
"Come in".
It was Dylan.
"It's just to say I'm back", he said.
"Good. Do you have everything?", she asked.
He made a circle with his finger and thumb, "Perfect!"
She smiled, "I'm happy for you". She looked at her watch. "Check if everyone is aboard and that we have everything we need. We leave in forty minutes".
He saw the bottle on her desk and took it, "One man's party? Watch out that you don't need painkillers with this", he grimaced, reading the label.
"It's a gift from Spicy", she replied.
"Wow, and since when is he so generous? Although, generous?", he doubted, waggling his hand.
"And here's his note", Kate said, giving him the card.
He read the card and raised his eyebrows, "Aha! He didn't digest his loss of rum and faked a radar failure to come back and send us back to sea".
"Well, I'm also convinced of that , but we can't say it out loud. "
"Hmm, the crew won't like it".
"I know. Therefore, I ordered Becca to organise something to satisfy the crew. So, if you check our crew, make sure she and Bird are part of it. I don't sail without a coxswain and without a cook", she said.
"Okay, I will!", he said and left her cabin.
Later in the day, the Hammersley had been at sea for a few hours, Rebecca had the opportunity to exchange a few words with Kate.
"Ma'am, everything is set for a pleasant New Year's Eve", she said.
"Ah? It's okay. What have you got planned?", Kate asked.
"Hmm, I can't tell you. It's going to be a surprise".
"Are you sure I don't have to worry? We don't steal food from other shipmates, do we? I don't want to make all the other ships our enemies!"
"No Kate, you can sleep soundly. No other ship will miss anything. Trust me", Rebecca said.
"Hmm, fine. I found a pretty little abandoned island where we can spend New Year's Day. So, ask Bird to plan a barbecue", Kate answered.
"Good. I'll do it. And, you'll see, you'll like it", she said, smiling broadly.
During the evening, Kate noticed a signal on the bulletin board as she walked into the galley to get her souper.
New Year's Eve
Gastronomic diner at 8.00 p.m. at the junior sailors' mess
Dress code : Navy T-shirt
Huh? Navy T-shirt? I've never seen this on a signal as a dress code. I can imagine a better outfit. What are they up to?
She entered the officers' mess and saw Dylan.
"Hey", she greeted him.
"Hi. Enjoy your croque-monsieur", he said before taking a bite.
"Thanks. Bird learned it from Bomber. But you have a croque-madame. The egg makes the difference", Kate said.
"Ah? I didn't know", he said looking down at his plate.
"By the way, did Becca tell you what's for New Year's Eve dinner?", Kate tried, hoping these two had no secrets from each other.
"No. Honestly. I tried too and each time she answered me with a radiant smile and that's it", he said.
Kade winkled her nose and he chuckled.
"What? I'm the commander and I have the right to know", she said.
"Nah! It's just female curiosity", he replied.
She waved her hand, "Shouldn't you eat your croque, mister?"
"Do we have a mission? Deliver medical supplies?", he asked.
"Huh? No. I should have known. Why?"
"Well, I saw Becca and Bird bring several plastic containers aboard. They are the medics, so I assumed".
"I didn't get any orders. I guess it's food supplies because it was Bird and Bomber", she said.
"Hmm, okay then", he said and took another bite.
To be continued