Chapter 21 Dreamtime Memories
"Kate talk to me, what is going on?" Mike asked as he walked after her as he took hold of Kate's arm, stopping her from walking any further. "what is going on?" said Mike repeating himself.
Kate turned to face Mike the fear on her face, and the sound of her voice said it all " do you really want to know honestly?" replied Kate, Mike nodding, " the ship goes by the name of molten hardy, remember seeing on the side of the ship research vessel, there using the backpackers as lab rats"
Replied Kate, thought back a few months ago when they came across the organs in the water, truly disgusting but this was worse and Kate knew it. Kate walked up onto the bridge, Mike allowing her to sit down in his chair, while he stood beside her holding her hand. Many hours passed, finally coming into range the radar sounded into to life.
"Radar contact" yelled Nav, Kate stood up and made her way to the EOD.
"Sir its them" replied Kate he hopes started to brew, if there was a chance Kate could save the backpackers she would, this had hit home and she wasn't going down with out a fight.
Everyone ran around like chooks with there heads cut off, scrambling to there respective positions Kate started to walk down the stairs when Mike pulled her up.
"Kate be careful, if there is any sign of trouble get out of there I don't want you to risk your life and everyone else for that mater" said Mike sending a look she had received many times before.
"Mike I'm going wether you like it or not, I have to finish this, I made a promise to Dianne, and I'm not about to break it" replied Kate leaving Mike standing were she once stood.
Kate walked in to get her gun and vest when Buffer stoped her, " Kate are you sure you're ok to do this?" asked Buffer, he rarely used her first name and doing nothing to correct him she nodded and continued get ready, and this time she put an extra two layers in her Kevlar vest just to be sure.
It took her less than 3 minutes to get ready and Kate wasn't wasting anytime, she needed to get onto that ship.
The Rhib roared after the ship, chasing it, as it bounced through the waves. Mission time had just reached 8 minutes and they were fast approaching the ship, it was only a matter of time.
Kate stepped up onto the carrier immediately coming under fire, Hammersley was not far behind, as the surged into life. Bullets and shrapnel flew everywhere, as Kate tried to make her way below Buffer covering her back. " Hammersley this is Sierra 82 I'm in" said Kate over the radio, the sound of guns echoed through the ship.
Kate and Buffer slowly made there way through the ship until the came across a freezer, Kate need to know what was in there, opening the doors the smell of rotting meat hit them in an instant. " disgusting" was all Kate could say before her stomach started to turn, pressing on unable to find any trace of the backpackers.
They walked down a long thin corridor, when they came across a bulkhead with a medical sign on it, final they were getting somewhere. Kate lead the way opening the hatch, they both stepped inside. They both couldn't believe the sight that stood before them. On two tables laid two backpackers, they were white as ghost, Kate and Buffer each feeling for a pulse unable to find one, they looked around the room a little more, when Kate heard a knocking coming from behind her there stood Dianne.
"Were are they do you know where they are" asked Kate but Dianne stood there silent, she was still, dormant. Until all she did was point and then she vanished, only Kate could see her.
"Ok Buffer this way" said Kate as she lead the way, leading them down to same corridor, Dianne appeared once more pushing them in the final direction.
Bursting through the door there lay on the cold metal ground were the remaining backpackers, The gunfire slowly stared to subside. "Hammersley this is sierra 82 over" said Kate as she listened to the static awaiting a reply or at least the sound of Mike's voice .
" This is Hammersley go ahead Kate" replied Mike relieved to hear her voice.
" Sir we have found them we only have 5 survivors we need Swain over here now" yelled Kate making sure Mike heard her.
Launching the port side Rhib, Swain and Bomber ran down to Kate, she didn't want to be around the backpackers, when they woke up.
Hours later Kate stood in the galley fixing her self something to eat and it looked like she would be doing dinner at this rate. Bomber and Swain still hadn't left the backpackers they were in an even worse condition when they were brought aboard Hammersley and still they continued to deteriorate.
As Kate had thought earlier she prepared dinner, Mike lending her a hand it was nothing fancy. Snags, bread, mash potato and pumpkin simple and easy. All the sailor's had a laugh when they got there dinner it was an unusual sight the captain and xo making dinner, It was something that would only happen on Hammersley.
Five days later and they returned to port, and by now the back packers were almost well again except for one a young woman who still hadn't woken up. Kate stared at her, she looked familiar, but from where?
She couldn't put her finger on but her train of thought was interrupted by Swain.
" Ma'am how are you feeling, no more nightmares?' asked Swain curiously.
" No thank god, I have actually had 2 days of full sleep no nightmare no nothing" replied Kate. Mike walked up behind Kate they were off duty and they finally had some shore leave and in 3 weeks it would be Christmas time, Hammersley was hoping they wouldn't get the patrol.
Kate picked up her rucksack as well as Alexia's, the past few weeks had been a little to much for Kate all she wanted to do was sleep, and by sleep no nightmares. They all headed to the pub a well earned drink was in order round after round, the night was just getting started by 2Dads of course starting the shots starting with tequila Mike and Kate separating themselves from the others.
"Kate are you ok, I mean after the past couple of weeks you should be exhausted" said Mike as she stared out onto the beach. Sipping her wine she said nothing and continued to stare out into the vast ocean until he placed his hand on her shoulder startling her she brought him into a head lock until she realised it was him releasing her grip.
"I'm sorry I zoned out for a second" replied Kate looking at Mike, he was worried about her and she saw that in his eyes, they slowly stepped back into the bar, Mike made his way over to Buffer.
" Hey Buffer can I ask you a favour?" asked Mike.
"Yeah sure boss what is it?" replied Buffer before he looked over at Kate and looked back at Mike, " boss take Kate home, Alexia can stay with me and Bomber " replied Buffer picking up Alexia's gear and placing it with his, he watched Kate and Mike leave the bar before picking up Alexia, " Alexia you sleeping at Uncle Pete and Aunty Bombers place tonight is that ok?" he said to Alexia as she nodded in reply, " guys were heading off enjoy the drinks" Buffer yelled as all the half drunk sailors yelled back, they left the bar and headed home.
Kate stepped in the door, Mike following close behind carrying her stuff she walked into the bathroom turning on the taps, as the bathroom started to fill with steam Kate slipped into the bath soaking her aching muscles, before she was joined by Mike, bringing a glass of white for Kate and a red for himself, she rested he head on his collar-bone, the tension slowly starting to leave her body, as Mike massaged her shoulders, she slowly started to drift to sleep and that was he queue to get up and into bed. Mike laid her down on the bed before covering her with her thick doona, he slid into bed himself, both tangled in each others arms, the warmth, the comfort, it was soothing, Kate didn't feel so alone anymore. She drifted off to sleep becoming trapped in her mind she dreamed, until it became a dream no more…. Dianne was back…
" You promised you would save her, you promised" she yelled at Kate and then she woke up…
a/n sorry guys I had to do this again lol.. I'll wrap it up next chapter and then we can get onto another topic lol and Bomber will finally get 2Dads back but at what cost?…