The Turbulent Road Ahead
By: Sigmastar79
Chapter 23
Andrea waited until her mother left the room before she told Sarah to get the boys to eat something then move to the far side of the room. Sarah saw the radio and knew it was time. Smiling, she did as her sister asked, moving the TV to face them. It didn't take long for the boys to fall back asleep and for the girls to put them in Andrea's bed. Sarah went to get a snack as Andrea grabbed the radio. Putting her headset on, she spoke low but clearly.
"Romeo A-2, this is Juliet A-2, come in over"
Mike was pacing the bridge of the Hammersley while RO was manning the radio. He knew Andrea would be calling in soon, and he hoped soon came really quickly. Every time the boss or Pete looked at the radio equipment, he was forced to get them to back of using one excuse or another. When he finally heard her, he smiled. He was glad to finally hear her voice.
"Romeo A-2, this is Juliet A-2, come in over"
"Sir"
Mike turned to tell RO now was not the time, until he saw the smile across the man's face. Not really in the mood for his dry humour or outlandish comments and facts, he responded in kind.
"If it's not life or death RO I don't want to hear it. We're waiting for Andrea to make contact"
RO's smile just got bigger as he put the call on loud speaker in the bridge while taking off his head set and picking up the mic. Everyone looked at RO weirdly until they heard him speak. Then they understood the smile upon the man's face.
"Juliet A-2, this is Romeo A-2, I'm receiving you over. What is your situation?"
The whole bridge cheered as they heard the young girl respond. They had them, they were coming home.
"All is quiet here Romeo, Juliet is ready to be rescued. Give me Uncle Mike or Dad please Romeo, I need to give a SitRep"
Mike smiled and took the mic from RO. The man was in for a lot of praise in a bit. Not to mention a lot of love from Kate and Shamus, if not a stern talking to by Pete by the way the man was looking at Robert.
"Andrea, its Uncle Mike. SitRep over"
"All is quiet, Mum is keeping father busy while I give the signal. The boys are asleep in my room and Sarah is with me. There are 12 guards outside, 5 inside There is a large auburn man here that is my father's right hand man. His name is Danny. You will probably have to get past him and our father to get to us."
"How are all of you doing? Are you all OK?"
"No, Mum has just about had it. I think father has finally got into her head. Mum has been trying to play along to keep us all safe, but it's taken its toll. She's about to break, Uncle Mike. With everything at home, the babies, now all this; it has been too much for her. Her eyes have gone dead. I think she is on the edge of giving up hope"
Pete looked at Mike when he heard Andrea say that. It broke his heart to know Christina having to go through so much without him. All he wanted to do was hold on to her and tell her everything was going to be OK.
"What do you mean your mum has been playing along Andrea? I need to know the situation over"
"You don't know how my father is Uncle Mike. If mum doesn't act a certain way, he will know we are looking for a way out. He's been forcing her. He keeps thinking she's crying because of the hormones, but she's crying about having to let him touch her. Today, he forced her to put her old wedding rings on again. She's breaking right in front of us and there's nothing I can do, which is really pissing me off. He is also getting super scary. He calls Mum his wife, he's planning the baby's room. He had everything set up before we got here. And I do mean everything. He even has a delivery suite here. He hardly lets mum out of his sight. If you saw the room with all the freezers full of food, you would swear he wasn't planning on any of us leaving until after the baby's born! "
Mike looked to Pete again and knew from the look on his face he knew what was happening. Christina was playing along to protect the children and herself, but at the same time was starting to develop Stock Holmes Syndrome. They needed to get all of them out of there and fast. Christina was on the break of no return.
"What was your Mum's reaction when you told her we were coming?"
"She was almost indifferent. She wants me to save myself and the kids. The doctor came today and did an ultrasound. She has been super quiet since. Something is wrong with the baby or there is more than one. She is more focused on us than her"
Mike and Pete shared a look with everyone on the bridge when Andrea said this. Christina was giving Andrea the chance to take the kids and run, leaving herself to deal with the fallout afterwards. Something was terribly wrong. They needed to get in there and now.
"Juliet, Romeo is coming"
Kate had just got settled in once again when the male nurse returned. Kate was still sitting in bed staring at the laptop in front of her with a worried expression on her face. She didn't even notice the man looking at her chart, or her. All her focus was on the screen in front of her, waiting for word on the rescue of Christina and her kids.
"Is there a problem Miss McGregor?"
Kate looked up to see the male nurse once more. She had to think for a moment before she could remember his name.
"Not really Larry, just anxious. They found where my sister and her children are being held captive. I was just waiting for word as to the progress of the evacuation"
"Oh, well I hope all works out well for your sister and her kids. I will just fix you a new saline bag then I'm out for the night. Your new nurse should be in after a while to check on you"
"Ok Larry. Thank you"
"Oh you're very welcome" smiled Larry as he walked out of the room to get a new IV bag. When he retrieved it, he took a needle out of his pocket and shot its contents into the saline bag. He smiled as he put the used syringe into a biohazard box on the wall and walked back into Kate's room. Hooking it up for her and throwing away the old one, he marked down on the chart the change and checked her blood pressure. Writing down the numbers, he asked if she needed anything before using the excuse of making sure everything was working in her bathroom to text Maxine. He smiled at the message and waited a bit. It wouldn't take long for the medicine to take affect and put Kate McGregor to sleep. That and the meds Maxine had would leave Kate defenceless to protect herself and her child.
'She's ready'
Looking back in the room, Larry smiled at the sight of Kate McGregor passed out in her bed. Making sure she hadn't pushed the call button, he smiled at the unexpected woman. This was going to be fun. Moving and disconnecting the laptop, he moved it before removing the sheet covering her to take a look at her. Feeling his phone vibrate, he pulled the cell out and read the message sent.
'Good, I'll be up in 15'
Looking at the petite blonde in front of him, Larry moved the hair form her face as he started to touch the sleeping woman. If Maxine could have her fun, why couldn't he? Removing Kate's nightgown, he texted Maxine back before he continued with his playing.
'Excellent. See you in a bit'
When Maxine arrived, she found Kate McGregor naked in her bed. When she looked to Larry, he was removing the condom from himself and putting it into a plastic bag to dispose of later. She looked a little shocked and disgusted, but didn't really want to ask. Whatever Larry did to the woman in the bed was fine with her. If anything, it took the blame off of her and onto him. All the evidence would point to him instead once they found the evidence of a man penetrating her. Walking up to Kate, Maxine slapped her as hard as she could before punching her in the stomach. Taking the syringe from her purse, she quickly handed it to Larry to inject into Kate's IV bag. As Larry was doing that, Maxine bent down and whispered into an unconscious Kate's ear.
"This is what happens to stupid little whores who think they can sleep their way to the top. Remember this you little slut, Mike is MINE!"
After Larry put the syringe in his pocket to dispose of downstairs, Larry and Maxine left the hospital together but in separate vehicles. Larry headed home to destroy his evidence as Maxine drove to the Airport to catch her flight. Taking her bags with her inside the airport, she boarded the plane for Canberra. She had done what she needed to do. Before she boarded the plane, she sent a text to the man she had hired to drive her getaway to Canberra. Now all she had to do was wait and act surprised when the news came.
When the evening nurse came in to check on Kate, she was horrified to find Kate unconscious and bleeding. Sounding the alarm, several other nurses rushed into the room. The head nurse rushed in and started barking out orders. She sent one nurse to inform Doctor Harper at home, while she told another nurse to call and notify the family. She looked at two other nurses and told them to set up the operating theatre and NICU while she set up a foetal monitor around Kate's stomach. Something was terribly wrong.
Doctor Harper rushed into the room and asked for an update. Quickly seeing the blood, and the nurses trying to stop it, she ordered the medicine to stop labour. When the dose came and was administered, Doctor Harper was shocked to find it wasn't working. If anything, it was raising Kate's blood pressure dramatically and the baby Cat's heart rate. That was when she noticed the mark on Kate's face and stomach. The blood drained from her face when she realized this had been done deliberately. Screaming for one of the nurses to call the police and Admiral Marshall, she told someone they needed to run a test on her blood. Two nurses rushed to follow her orders as she had Kate rushed to the theatre. Placing a hand on Kate's stomach, she whispered to the young baby inside her mother as a tear ran down her face.
"We needed you to stay in for another 2 ½ weeks, but someone has taken that out of our hands little one. Be strong and live through this and I will do everything I can for you and your momma. I just pray your father gets here in time"
Shamus was enjoying a whiskey sour with Joe when the phone rang. When they heard Catherine scream, both men dropped their tumblers and ran inside. The tears running down her face told both men something bad had happened. Thinking it was Christina, Shamus grabbed the phone.
"This is Shamus McGregor, what is wrong with my baby?"
"Mr. McGregor, this is Nurse London from Cairns Naval Hospital. I have been told to call you and the family of Kate McGregor. Miss McGregor was attacked a little while ago and has suffered injuries. She is in labour and Doctor Harper can't stop it. You all need to get to the hospital quickly"
Shamus chocked out an answer that he was on his way as Joseph looked at him. He was blaming himself. With all the worried thoughts surrounding Christina, Shamus had forgotten Katelyn was also in danger. He had left her alone and now his oldest was paying the price for his mistake. Turning around, he shared a look with Joe only fathers could understand. Joe didn't expect Shamus to say what he said next.
"Call your kin Joe, someone attacked Katelyn. She's giving birth. Little Cat is on her way"
Steve was in his office when he received the call from the hospital. Knowing the operation to save Christina and her children was still underway; he couldn't call Mike at the moment. Grabbing his keys, his hat and his phone, Steve rushed from NavCom like hell was nipping at his heels. Dialling his wife, he told Susan to meet them at the hospital and gave her an update of what was going on. It broke his heart to think someone had hurt Kate, but he had a good idea who it was.
Driving by Maxine's house, he saw all the lights off. Calling her cell, he got her voicemail, saying she was not in town and to please leave a message. Driving to the hospital, he called the Chief of Navy to get an update when Maxine showed up. Pulling into the hospital, Steve ran into Shamus and Joe. Going inside with the two men, they waited for news not only on Kate and Cat, but also Christina and her children.
The RHIB teams reached the beach and were meat by a single AFP agent who had warrants to search the premises. They were then informed the rest of the AFP would be there in a few hours but to go ahead. The teams from Hammersley were Polo, Red, Charge, Bird, and Crafty lead by Pete. Dutchy lead 2Dads, Swain, Stormy, and Mac; the teams from the HMAS Huon and HMAS Kingston seemed to be fired up as well since the XO from the Huon happened to be the Hammersley's old Navigator Nikki . With her was Charge's son Peterson and Spider. The Kingston's Swaino had also served on the old Hammersley as the Chefo before Bomber.
They all quickly surrounded the property using the dark of night as their cover. Spider, 2Dads, and Sparky were all in position to take out the first of the guards. Swain, Bird and Chefo stood back ready to help any injured as Nikki and Pete stood ready to charge in with the XO from Kingston, Hawker. Their job was to enter the house and find Christina and the kids. Peterson and Charge were tasked with the job of knocking out the power before the attack started. Everyone else was charged with taking out the resistance and arresting Gerald Perkins.
Mike and the RO waited until word came back that the teams were in place. After a quick communication with the two other ships, all were in agreement. RO held his breath as Mike grabbed the mic and called out to Pete.
"Bravo A-2 this is Papa A-2, Insert Insert Insert! Get our people home."
RO held his breath and hoped Andrea had herself and the kids covered. That house was about to become a hellhole. He looked at Mike and Mike saw his face. Both men shared a moment between them that said the same thing. They were worried about Christina and the children.
After hearing the order, Pete made the motion to Charge and Peterson. The power was cut to the property and then all hell broke loose. Spider, 2Dads and Sparky took out the sentries as the other teams moved in. Shooting could be heard as Gerald's security detail started yelling out orders.
Pete, Dutchy, Nikki, Hawker, Swain and Davis went towards the house while being covered by Spider, 2Dads, Sparky and Mac. Entering the house, more gunfire ensued around them. Pete saw Gerald running down the hall at him and gave the order to duck right before Gerald fired a semi automatic weapon in their direction. Pete and Dutchy returned fire when Hawker saw a man coming up behind 2Dads. Firing the gun, the other man screamed as his weapon went off in his hand around him. That was when they all heard it; the scream.
Hearing the gunfire, Andrea and Sarah went to cover the boys who woke up screaming. Moving the boys down to the floor and by the base on the bed, Andrea and Sarah once again covered their siblings. Andrea just prayed her mother was OK. Andrea could hear voices screaming orders around her and she cooed to the boys and Sarah that everything was going to be alright. That was when she heard the scream and started to cry. No, it couldn't be…..
Gerald and Christina were in bed. They had just had a shower and Christina was feeling sick to her stomach. She wished the Hammersley would hurry up so she wouldn't have to deal with Gerald any longer. Then the lights went out. Christina sat up and looked around.
"What the, Gerald?"
"It's OK Princess, I will go…"
That was when they heard the gunfire and Christina screamed. Gerald called out for Danny and the man ran in the room.
"Mr. Perkins, it's the Australian Navy"
"God damnit" yelled Gerald as he back handed Christina hard across the face. "You had something to do with this!"
"No I didn't Gerald, but you need to go and defend us. Danny, go with him and keep him safe. I need to get to the children!"
Gerald could hear his security detail screaming orders to defend the house. He looked to Christina who was already out of bed and putting on her gown. As he went to grab her, she kissed him to convince him to go into the fray outside. Placing his hand on her extended stomach she looked into his eyes.
"You go take care of the intruders my Irish Warrior. Let this feisty Celt care for our young"
It had been years since she had called him that and he kissed her again more fiercely. He wished the Navy wasn't outside at the moment because he would have taken her right then and there. But she was right though, he was her warrior and she his lass. He had to protect them.
"I love you Christina Perkins. Protect our children and I will return to you with the heads of those who dare to hurt us"
As he left the room, Christina watched in relief as he walked out to his death. She had fooled him. Their rescue was upon them. Running out after them, she quickly ducked to dodge bullets flying over her head. Running to Andrea's room, she prayed none of them had been hurt. She felt a sharp pain rip through her left shoulder and she screamed out in pain. Her scream before entering the room echoed through the house and she could hear Pete and Gerald scream out for her as she hit the ground. Her last thought before feeling someone's arms around her was of her children.