Chapter 1 Dark Side Of The Sun

Kate walked aboard Hammersley her first day back from leave, everything so far had gone to plan, and she expected it to. Mike walked down from the bridge when he was met with the sight of Kate.

"Are you sure your ok to come back, you were shot, and I don't feel like sitting beside you bed again waiting to know if your going to be ok Kate" said Mike as he was starting to babble.
"Mike I'm fine honestly, look I dropped Alexia off at your mum's and she told me to give this to" replied Kate placing a kiss on his cheek, "And this one is from me" added Kate as there lips met it lasted mere seconds but it was enough to get the message across.

The rest of the crew boarded Hammersley ready to depart, until three familiar faces walked down the wharf and onto Hammersley, Kate immediately handing the ship over to Swain she ran off the bridge to meet Hammersley's new guest's.

"Well, well, well I didn't expect to see you on board what are you doing here?" asked Kate.

"Were being escorted to Bunyan Island thanks to Mike he said you wanted to catch up so we requested Hammersley escort us and here we are" replied Sam as she peered up on the bridge she noticed Mike step out on the quarter deck.

"So how's Alexia, it's been what five months since I last saw her" replied Liz.

"Yeah she's great she with Mike's parents this rotation, she was so excited to see them, you should come and visit when you have the chance she was asking after you three the other day" replied Kate.

"Yes well I have always been the favourite aunty" replied Neela, as they all laughed.

"Anyway I better show you your way to your cabins, your on the ship what a week?" said Kate as the doctors followed close behind.

"Yeah a week" replied Sam as she looked around the ship.

Kate finished showing Sam, Liz and Neela around before she headed to the bridge. "Special sea duty men and cable party close up, assume damage control state three condition voyage" said Kate over the speaker as Hammersley started to depart.

They had been under way for just over six hours and it was time for dinner. Bomber was in the galley and with the help of Buffer, dinner looked delicious but hey when Bomber cooked she never disappointed.

"Look's nice Bomber oh and Buffer" said Spider as he filled his plate up.

"Thanks Spider hey where's the boss he said he was coming down like twenty minutes ago" replied Bomber.

"He's in his cabin with the X" replied Spider.

Kate laid on Mike's rack as he laid beside her, her head rested on his chest as well as one of her hands as it traced circles around his stomach.

"Why didn't you tell me that we were escorting the girls to Bunyan Island?" said Kate as titled her head up so she could meet his eyes.

"I wanted it to be a surprise" replied Mike as a cheeky smile spread across his face.

"It was a surprise" replied Kate as Mike pressed his lips against hers. "You know we shouldn't be doing this" added Kate as their lips broke apart.

"Stop worrying, if I recall we have been here many times when Alexia was onboard, anyway it's not like any one onboard doesn't know what we do" replied Mike.

"Yeah well we all have our secrets, and thankfully the crew look side ways when it comes to that" replied Kate.

"Yeah but as long as they keep it professional, which is something I'm finding hard at the moment" replied Mike as he rolled on top of Kate, his face was millimetres away from hers, he wanted an excuse to kiss her but no excuse presented its self as he closed the distance, a soft passionate kiss. Kate was due on the bridge for her watch in fifteen minutes as she laid in Mike's arms.

"I have to go I'm on duty in five" said Kate as she stood up, pulling her shirt back on she buttoned it up, "Thank god we don't have overalls anymore" Kate thought to herself as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist.

"Here's something to keep you going for the next six hours" said Mike spinning her around so that they were face to face, Mike embraced Kate in a passionate kiss, and he was right this would keep Kate going for the next couple of hours.

"You know we have to stop doing this, alright stop I have to go, and you need to get yourself something to eat" replied Kate as she placed one last kiss on his lips.

Mike walked down to the galley for dinner grabbing his food he stepped into the seniors mess; the girls were watching TV and eating dinner.

"You know Mike you two could be a little less obvious you know" said Sam as she dug into her meal.

"What do you mean" replied Mike as he looked at the three girls.

"One- your hair is messy, clearly Kate's hands have been through it ; two- your shirt is buttoned up wrong and three your still blushing" replied Liz as Sam and Neela laughed as Mike started to button his shirt up the right way and fix his hair.

"Nothing happened in that sense" replied Mike as they were still laughing at him. "I'm going to my cabin to eat dinner" added Mike as he stood up to leave.

"Aww now he's upset" said Liz poking fun at him.

"No I'm not upset, it just that I will be closer to the bridge and maybe I can get some peace and quiet" replied Mike as he walked out of the mess.

"Ma'am we have a radar contact looks like we have another FFV" said Charge as he picked them up on the EOD, "Ma'am they've got their lines in the water" added Charge as Kate called Mike to the bridge.

"You just could stand not having me around could you" said Mike as he walked up the stairs.

"Ha ha very funny" said Kate sarcastically as she continued to speak "No we have picked up an FFV looks like they have their lines in the water, looks easy enough to take down" added Kate as she took another look at the EOD.

"How many time's have I heard you say that Kate and then something has seriously gone wrong and one of my crew ends up in hospital or gets hurt" replied Mike as he stared down at her.

"I'm going whether you like it or not, and yes I know full Kevlar the works" said Kate as she piped the orders.

Sam walked up onto the bridge wondering why the ship had stopped. "Mike what's going on why have we stopped?" asked Sam as she was joined by Neela.

"FFV we have been chasing this one for about two months and every time we close enough to it we just miss out, because one they pass into international waters we cant touch them, you can stand up here and watch if you want" replied Mike as he sat in his chair.

"Yeah sure why not" replied Neela.

"So he's letting you take this one hey XO" said Buffer as he handed Kate her 9mm.

"Yeah I didn't give him much choice though Buff" laughed Kate as she put her vest on and grabbed her radio. Kate stood at the back of the Rhib as charge lowered it into the water.

"Be careful Kate we don't know if they're armed or not" said Mike it was only ten minutes ago that Kate was standing on the bridge getting the same talk as she was getting now.

"Yes Mike I know, no need to remind me" replied Kate as the Rhib ripped through the ocean as they made their way to intercept the FFV.

What would they find on the FFV, drugs? Weapons? Fish? Who knew? All the answers were so close to being answered when the FFV exploded; the Rhib was hurled into the air as well as the boarding party.

"Away sea boat, stand by to launch starboard Rhib" said Mike over the radio. "I'm going to need your help we are going to have injuries and Swain our medic was on the boarding any help would be appreciated guys" said Mike as he ran off the bridge.

"Yeah what ever we can do" replied Liz as they ran down to get their kits before they headed onto the boat deck.