Chapter Twenty-Six;
Under Siege

Buffer had drawn the misfortunate job of OOTW that night. Seated in the CO's chair at a little after 1am, he glanced down at the CO's log and flipped through the Nav's notes. Finally reaching the page about The Reginald, he noticed the Nav hadn't logged that they'd found fireworks aboard the ship. Surely that was something that should be in there? So, grabbing a pen from his pocket, he started to write it in. A loud boom from somewhere nearby caused the pen to jolt and fly out of his hand, cluttering to the floor. Tossing the log into the seat as he stood, Buffer went to the window of the bridge and looked out into the sea beyond. Then, with a whistle behind it, something exploded in a shower of pink and silver sparks. Jumping back in shock, Buffer realized what it was with ironic worry. It was fireworks. Someone was firing fireworks directly at the Hammersley. As another boom sounded from downstairs, Buffer grabbed the pipe and called what no one on the Hammersley ever wanted to wake up. To were under attack.

***

Nav flicked on the external lights, bathing the ocean between them in light. Then she growled. "The bloody Arctic Princess, I knew she was up to something."

"They seemed so nice." Haynes said, standing nearby and watching the onslaught continue.

"Yeah, well, so did the Walsmans." Bomber remarked, giving her fiancé a look. He just pulled a face and looked away. "But nice or not, who the hell fires fireworks on a warship? Isn't that stupid move number 147."

"It's up there with slapping Anthony Mundine with a fish." Clark piped up from the EOD. He looked at Nav. "Ma'am?"

Nav shook her head. "Despite the fact I agree 100%, it isn't THAT stupid. By law we can't fire back until they fire a real weapon."

Another three booms came from downstairs then a clang. Spider rushed off without a word and Buffer nodded after him then explained. "I believe THAT was the port side door."

"How the hell are the fireworks breaching the doors?" Bomber asked, directing her question at Buffer.

"The heat of the fireworks warps the locks and they pop out of their holds. It's pretty much the same as the old egg in a glass bottle trick. Light a piece of paper, put it in a glass bottle then place a boiled egg over the mouth of the bottle. Within minutes the heat and condensation will cause the little bugger, despite being almost twice the size of the mouth of the bottle, to slide right in."

"Okay, enough 'science with Uncle Buffer', what can we do to stop it?" Nav snapped.

"Uh, well, basic theory suggests the more locks you use the less chance it has of opening. So, maybe, a full lockdown would be the best idea?"

Nav agreed and sent Bomber off to help Spider. Almost as soon as she left RO appeared. "Ma'am, an e-mail just came in meant for you."

Nav frowned. "What is it?"

RO motioned her down to the comms room. "You better come see it."

***

Nav stared in shock at the e-mail. "When did it arrive?"

"About twenty minutes ago, just as the fireworks started. He's purposely left a return e-mail address."

Nav read the small note again.

HMAS Hammersley

I know a man, who works for a man, who wants you dead. But I'm a little nicer than that. Just a little note to extend my hellos and ask for the return of a little vessel we call The Avalanche.

Kind regards,

Captain Remington

Nav looked at RO. "What's The Avalanche?"

RO consulted his notes. "The supply vessel you handed over to Commander McGregor ma'am, the gun shipment."

Nav frowned. She'd forgotten about them. "So these guys are linked with The Avalanche?" RO nodded. "What do we know about The Avalanche?"

RO shrugged. "Not a lot, we just h…" he stopped and gave a small smile, having just remembered something. "I know someone who does know a lot about them actually."

***

Kasey was awake when they reached the cabin she shared with Scruffy Murphy, the CIS having left earlier to help on the bridge. She was seated at her computer when Nav and RO knocked. She smiled at Nav, ignored RO, and waved them in. "What do you need ma'am?"

"Robert tells me you've been researching The Avalanche?"

Kasey nodded and sat back down at her computer, pulling open some files. "I have details on drop-offs and deliveries, licenses, crew details. Pretty much anything. I have a report about them due for the Commander at the end of March so they can take the crew to court." She explained.

"Can I get a copy of them?" Nav asked, handing Kasey a small black USB.

Kasey nodded. "Of course ma'am." She plugged in the USB and started transferring information. "What's come up?"

"The Arctic Princess has contacted us. They're linked with The Avalanche." RO explained.

Kasey turned in her seat. "What? But I thought we saw the Arctic Princess' papers and logs? Nothing stood out from what I saw that linked her to The Avalanche…" Nav frowned. "Oh, I've been cross-referencing every ship we've come across with The Avalanche, just in case."

Nav smiled. "Very good thinking Leading Seaman Dixon." She took back the USB as Kasey handed it to her. "Who owns The Avalanche?"

"A South Korean firm. Please don't ask me to pronounce their name ma'am, it's all in there." She motioned to the USB.

"Thanks Danni, I'll have a look at it." She gave the CIS one more smile then left the cabin. RO lingered.

"That was really clever."

"Just doing my job." Kasey replied, turning back to her computer.

"The Nav's lucky you agreed to come aboard Kase, we all are." Then RO left. Snapping shut her laptop, Kasey just stared at the wall for a minute, pushing her wedding band around on her finger and getting lost in her own thoughts. Then, with one last sigh, she regathered herself went back to work.