4 Bad business
Darwin - Two months earlier
It was an exceptionally hot day in Darwin, and in a dingy bar at the port, lots of swearing men were just sitting around at tables. Some were leaning against the bar, but they were all waiting for something - a job, an opportunity, something to do.
One of them, a man in a dark blue shirt and jeans leaned against the bar, and sipping from his beer looked outside at a patrol boat that was lying in the port.
"Fucking Navy," he muttered taking another sip.
"What's the matter mate?" A guest next to him asked. "You don't like the Navy, do you?"
"I don't like them anymore! I gave a big part of my life to them and they kicked me out. Bastards."
"Ouch! And each time you see them, it makes you angry, right? Another cool beer?"
"Yeah, I could use another."
"Are they that bad?" he asked when two tasteful beers appeared on the bar.
He sighed. "Just because I did what I had to do… The senior officers didn't appreciate it.
Incompetent idiots. They were just too busy with their stupid rules and pulling rank on me. I didn't obey their orders.
Leading seamen are supposed to carry out orders, not give them or use their initiative. And they didn't like that. But I don't give a damn anymore."
" Are you capable of skippering a ship then?"
"Sure I am. I was once a commander, but they demoted me due to a woman."
"Oh, I thought it would be interesting to be there with all these women nowadays."
"Shut up about women in the Navy. One of those bitches rammed a knife in my back; that's why I'm here."
"I see. So, a captain you said?"
"Yep."
"Hmm interesting. Do you have a job?"
The man in the blue shirt shrugged. "Yes and no. Nothing serious. A stupid job here, another there, nothing exciting."
"I think I've got something for you - your own command. Travelling between the islands. Delivering cargo. Easy, not too much paperwork. No questions. You like that?"
The man in blue looked at his neighbour. "Yeah, sounds good. And the money?"
"Much better than average."
"Deal! Anything is better than hanging around here."
"Okay, my name is Ronald Meagan, but what's yours?"
"Flynn. Mike Flynn."
"Right, finish your beer and follow me, I'll show you the vessel. It's not a beauty, but it's perfect for what we have to do."
Mike followed his new boss to the docks. The boat was a small rusty cargo trader with a flat quarter deck and space for a few containers.
"This is the one, the Coral Sea. Actually they are busy with a few minor repairs but the plan is that you sail within a couple of days. I have here a few boxes for you to deliver to Port Moresby, and from there you will collect a couple of other boxes to bring back."
"What's in the boxes?" Mike asked.
"Don't know. I'm not interested either. It's just cargo, you see." The man shrugged.
"Oh, then I don't have to worry either? Easy."
"Perfect attitude, man! We understand each other," he said with a grin. "The only thing that you have to worry about is not losing the bloody boxes!"
"No prob!"
"Right, get yourself familiar with the boat. And here's my card. Give me a call when you're ready to pick up your orders."
Meagan walked away and the moment he was around the corner he took out his cell phone and made a call.
"Mark, it's Ronald. I found a skipper. Seems to be a good one this time. An ex-captain of the Navy, who has a score to settle with them. Haha, they kicked him out because he was too busy with a woman."
He listened to his partner's concerns.
"If he can be trusted?"
He paused for a moment.
"Let's test him. When he gets to Port Moresby, I'll ask them to give him a small parcel with instructions that it requires 'special treatment'. It'll just be a dummy package, just innocent coffee granules."
His partner agreed.
"Yeah, great. See you."
A few days later Mike sailed with 'his' vessel to Port Moresby. Mike stood at the bridge overlooking 'his' kingdom.
It's good to be back at sea again, and to command a vessel. The last six years were horrible. Damn! It was so bloody hard to be the subordinate again, to obey only. Idiots.
They wouldn't accept that I knew how it all worked. I even knew how to do it better, but I was not allowed to take the initiative. They knew about my former rank, and used it against me.
At a Captain's table - again! 'Leader, you're blatant disregard for the rules you're your inability to follow orders, makes you a liability. Your employment is no longer in the best interest of the Navy. You will have to search for a career elsewhere. Dismissed.'
Dammit! And all this started with that damn relationship with Kate.
Was she really worth it? At first I thought so, but then she was so focused on her career. I don't think she ever really loved me.
That last fight between us should never have happened. It was nothing to be proud of. It caused irreparable damage between us.
I wonder what she's doing now. Is she still thinking about me? I doubt it.
She used me to better her career, but that blew up in her face, didn't it? Ha!
No point in dwelling on the past. Might as well forget everything and start thinking about the future.
Maybe after a few months, I can get a better job than on this grubby little boat.
And this crew? There's no discipline here at all.
But they at least get on with their jobs, no questions asked.
But that's none of my business.
They let me play cards with them, and drink a few beers, but that's all. I'm not bothered.
I get the feeling my employer likes to do a little extra business on the side.
Should I be concerned?
Probably.
Am I concerned?
Not for now.
As long as I can sail, and still earn money, it's all good.
At Port Moresby, another grubby port, they unloaded the containers and loaded a few more to take back. A man in a green sweaty jungle uniform stepped on board with a sports bag. He asked for the master of the vessel and one of the crew pointed him to Mike.
"Hi, you are the master of this vessel? I'm looking for Flynn."
"Yes, that's me."
"A word in your cabin?"
"Sure, follow me."
After they entered Mike's cabin, the man opened his bag and pulled out a small parcel, wrapped in brown paper."
"Can you hand this over to Ronald? It's personal. Okay? No customs, okay?"
"Okay, got it."
Then the man left and Mike put the parcel in a place where it couldn't be located easily.
So, I was right. A little extra work on the side. I'll keep my mouth shut. Is what I'm going to do, right? Probably not.
But on the other hand, what has my country done for me after all my years of service? Nothing, otherwise I wouldn't be here!
It might not be right, but it's better than hanging around in bars, doing nothing.
Besides, no legit carrier is going to be interested in an officer that was kicked out of the Navy.
Back in Darwin, Ronald was waiting on the quay when the Coral Sea arrived. From the moment the vessel was moored he went on board.
"Hey Mike, how was the voyage?"
"Pfft, a milk run. But, come along, I've got something for you."
In his cabin Mike handed over the parcel to Ronald who looked at him interested.
"Thank you. I was expecting this, but didn't know when it would arrive," he lied. "You want to know what's in?" he asked cheekily.
"Nope, none of my business."
"Good guy! Thanks a lot mate. Between you and me, in the future, there will be more parcels. And, by the way, here, a small bonus." He handed over an envelope. with a couple of dollars extra.
Mike opened the envelope and looked inside. He lifted his eyebrows when he saw the amount of dollars and nodded.
"Okay, no problem. And thanks."
Ronald put the parcel in a sport bag and left the boat. After he left, he called Mark on his cell phone. "Mark, it's Ronald. Tonight you can have your Papua coffee. Mike delivered the parcel, without questions. Very discrete. We have a good guy for the bigger stuff. See you."