Chapter Nine:
Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra

The ever-present roar of helicopters hovering over the torn city met Captain Steven Price's ears as the CO of the HMAS Brisbane stepped out onto the deck of his Hobart-class destroyer. He looked up at the small army of Blackhawks flying over the city. The last of the Army's defence. He turned his attention to the city stretching away from him. Buildings were crumbling and, as he watched, one small one fell out of sight, the dust rising up into the sky and the tremor shaking the Brisbane. He kept to his feet by separating his legs and bracing himself. One of his young seamen weren't so lucky and fell back on his behind. As his crewmates laughed, Price headed for the docks, his eyes still trained on the city around him. From here he could only just see the top of the Harbour Bridge, but even that looked neglected. As he left the ship and walked down the docks, he got a better view of it. Reaching the end of the dock he leant on a barrier and looked at what was left of his birth city. The Harbour Bridge still carried traffic, but less than usual. The New Years Eve lights from 2010/2011 were still up. The single word 'Strength' etched with irony across the broken waterside city. Waverton, on the other side of the bridge, was a mass of flames still. It was a fire that it appeared would never end. But joining it, right across from him, was Mosman. HMAS Penguin had been abandoned in the fight. The city was owned by the west.

***

Brigadier Redgrave met Price at the gates to HMAS Kuttabul ten minutes later, flanked by a cavalcade of army men. He nodded to Price then glanced up at his ship.

"One of the brand new Hobart-class destroyers. I never thought that the Sea 4000 Project would go ahead, let alone ahead of schedule."

Price gave a cold smile and shrug. "Economic crisis, whatever, this is the ADF baby. We may not have people, but we have power."

"Indeed." Redgrave replied, confused by Price's far too enthusiastic reply. But that was just typical Price. He laughed in the face of danger. Or at least gave the impression of someone who did.

"So sir, I assume you're here to escort me to Pitt Street and the Defence Headquarters."

"I am Captain Price. Due to the… situation…" he said, the single word telling Price he was little more than a pen-pusher in an Army uniform. Only upper-ranked, un-battle-scarred people described hell as a 'situation'. "Sydney isn't the safest place to be for ADF personnel."

"It never was a safe place for anyone. The prices! You know Café Extra at Circular Quay used to charge nine dollars for a beer. Nine dollars! And don't even get me started on the price of steak!"

"Café Extra?" Redgrave frowned, unsure of Price's point at this moment of haste and seriousness.

"Yeah, you know, get steak at 3am. Loved that place. Wonder what the prices are like now."

"Circular Quay shops have been out of business for a year. Circular Quay is now the main heart of terrorist operations and one of the places classed red under Project 7800, the battle plan for winning back Sydney from the people." Redgrave responded. Price thought he sounded like a robot. Either that or what he'd just said was word-for-word from something he'd clearly read too many times.

"So, no steaks at 3am?" Price gave a grin. Redgrave just frowned. Price motioned to the car behind Redgrave. "Okay, 'nuff jokes, let's roll."

***

"Captain Price, take a seat." The man at the door motioned to a seat near the end of the table. He sat down in it and as he did he noticed the small name placard they'd placed in front of him. He glanced at it. His name, his ship and the medals he'd been awarded. He chuckled and looked at the man next to him.

"My medals are important, why?"

The man just gave him a smile and shrug then went back to staring at the front. Price pulled a face behind his back. Was everyone a robot around here?

Five minutes later Price was bored. He tapped the shoulder of the guy on the other side of him. "What's with the waiting?"

"We're waiting for the Commanding Officer of the HMAS Canberra. It's sister ship, the HMAS Adelaide, has had one of it's helicopters shot down. Canberra are worried the lead Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock will be next."

Price nodded. "Right. So I'm here cos…"

The man glanced at Price's placard then smiled. "They want the destroyers paired with the Helicopter Docks for extra defence. You carry Sea Sparrows, they don't. I guess the Brisbane gets the Canberra?"

Price waved his fists in mock happiness. "Yay!" The man looked away and Price rolled his eyes. Great, working in tandem with another bossy CO. Knowing his luck probably someone ranked higher than him with a serious attitude problem. Price chuckled. Someone like himself.

Finally the room moved as the man at the doorway reappeared, leading in front of him someone that looked incredibly familiar to Price. He frowned at the man then gaped as the man sat down in front of the last nametag at the table. Why it hadn't occurred to Price to simply see who was the Canberra's CO suddenly surprised him, but as he looked now his shock was confirmed. He knew, and it now appeared was working with again, someone he knew very well.

Finally the Commodore who was in charge of the whole meeting got his speech under way. He said almost exactly what the man next to Price had said – the Brisbane was going to be guarding the Canberra from now on. As he finished he looked between the two CO's and Price finally met the Canberra CO's eye. The man blanched a little, clearly having not checked Price himself. Price just gave a cheery wave.

"Gentlemen, stand up. Everyone, the team that will protect Sydney and New South Wales waters in this time of anarchy – HMAS Brisbane CO Captain Steven Price…" Price gave a bow despite the fact that no one was applauding. "And HMAS Canberra CO Captain Michael Flynn."

Price met Mike's eye and gave him two thumbs up. Flynn just sighed and looked at the table.

A/N: *does the 'Price is back and he's working with Mike' dance*