Apologies for the slack updating; life has been absolutely hectic this week – I've been putting in 15 to 16 hour days, and that left no time for writing! But the week is over, so here is an update!

Enjoy!

Chapter Four-

The next five minutes felt like an eternity for Bird as she struggled to stabilise Spider.

"What's going on with him?" Asked Buffer, steadying the young sailor. She wiped her brow.

"I don't know; possibly a concussion from where 2Dads tried to knock the socks off him? I'll talk to Fleet Medical, see what they say, but the sooner we can get the Victory and Hammersley to port, the better. Can you stay here for a bit while I talk to Fleet?" Asked Bird. Buffer nodded, taking a seat near Spider. Bird left the wardroom, and 2Dads sidled in.

"What do you want Kosov-Meyer?" Growled Buffer.

"I just wanted to know if Spider was okay," asked Leo.

"What do you think 2Dads? Does he look okay to you? This is your fault!" He exclaimed.

"I know, and I'm so…"

"You're sorry? Sorry really isn't going to cut it this time. He could have a bleed on the brain, and all because you had to be in control of your sister's life! Get out 2Dads, and don't come back," said Buffer angrily, pointing to the door. 2Dads bowed his head, and walked out. He headed for the bridge, his own thoughts scattered.

"We're coming up on the Victory now," called Lex from navigation.

"Thank you Hunt. RO, have we had any word from them about their patients?" Asked Mike. RO shook his head.

"No yet sir. Their XO is flat out dealing with keeping the ship running and waiting for us. Something about their CO being unresponsive," replied RO, distracted with the communications console.

"Their CO is McGregor. RO, get me onto the Victory's XO," ordered Mike, standing up to move behind RO. RO nodded, and in moments had Nikki Caetano online. Mike slipped a headset on so he could move about freely.

"Lieutenant Caetano. What's going on with your CO?" Asked Mike.

"If I could tell you sir, I would. She's locked herself in her quarters, and none of us can convince her to come out. I don't know what is going on for her, but I can imagine it must be serious for her to neglect her duties in such a way," replied Nikki.

"Well, we'll be coming alongside you momentarily. Can you give me an update on your situation?" Asked Mike.

"We've got no engines to speak of, the entire engine room is still filled with smoke, and we have three injured. I'm hoping Hammersley will tow us back Commander Flynn, because we have no hope getting back ourselves," commented Nikki.

"I'll join you onboard Victory in a few minutes, and we'll sort out everything." Mike ended the radio conversation, and handed the headset over to RO.

"Make sure Chefo is ready to take over Spider's care, and get Bird to meet me at the RHIB. 2Dads can come with us; I don't want him left here. Pincher, you've got the ship.

"XO has the ship," called Kelly, taking his seat. Lex manoeuvred the ship closer to the Victory, and Mike headed out to the RHIBs. Bird was waiting for him, tidying her hair.

"You okay Bird?" Asked Mike.

"Yeah. Just want to get everyone assessed, and then get back to port as soon as possible," replied Bird wearily. Mike nodded.

"Don't worry; we'll board the Victory, complete our tasks, and tow the Victory back at full speed." Mike climbed up into the RHIB, and helped Bird in as 2Dads ran onto the deck.

"Hurry up 2Dads," called Charge as he came out on the deck. He crawled onto the RHIB, and Charge gave the order for the RHIB to be lowered. He shook his head as he watched Leo leave; he could clearly see that the boy was messed up and distracted.

Little did he know how much that would change…

Nikki watched as the RHIB approached, and left Sweeney to look after the RHIB. Mike climbed aboard, and shook Nikki's hand.

"Nav. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise sir. Bird, if you want to head to the wardroom, Flash is dealing with our three patients with Slinger and Giordano's help. 2Dads, if you have a moment to meet up with our charge, Patterson, maybe you can help him work out why everything went to hell." Bird and 2Dads split off, Bird to the wardroom, 2Dads to find Jamie. Mike faced Nikki.

"What's going on with Kate?" He asked. Nikki shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm her best friend, and I can't even tell you. She won't open the door, won't talk to anyone, and she hasn't fulfilled any of her duties. I have no idea what's going on, but something is, and it's starting to interfere with her duties," said Nikki tiredly. Mike nodded.

"While Bird and 2Dads are helping out, I'll see if I can talk her out of her room. Once they're done, we'll get underway and get back to port." Nikki nodded, and headed back to the bridge. Mike found Kate's quarters and knocked on the door softly.

"Kate?" He called quietly.

"Go away," she replied.

"Kate, what's going on? Nikki says you haven't been out of your quarters since you got on board. Did something happen?" He asked.

"You never cared; why would you start caring now?" She replied haughtily. She was leaning against the door of her cabin, struggling to figure out where her life went wrong. Mike slid down the outside wall, and sat next to her door.

"Kate, what's going on? Please, tell me," begged Mike.

"I don't want to talk about this," said Kate. She let the silent tears fall. Mike was quiet for a while, and then changed subjects.

"We'll be heading back to port shortly; Hammersley's here to tow you back, and then NAVCOM will probably give you some shore leave. Do you know what you're going to spend your free time doing?" Asked Mike.

No response.

After a few attempts, Mike gave up on questioning her, and left to find Nikki. When he appeared on the bridge, Nikki glanced at him. He shook his head discreetly, and then motioned downstairs. Nikki got the gist.

"White, you have the bridge. I will be with Commander Flynn in the ships office." Ryan nodded, and focussed his attention on the consoles in front of him." She headed down the stairs and into the office, where Mike was waiting.

"Did you get anything out of her?" Asked Nikki as soon as she was inside the door.

"Nothing. She only wanted me to leave. You're right Nik; something is going on for her. I only wish I knew what it was," said Mike. He rubbed his temples, frustrated.

"Well, I'm hoping to get a report from Bird and Flash soon, find out how Dutchy, Noble and Kosov-Meyer are doing," replied Nikki.

"Start from the beginning; what happened today?" Asked Mike.

"Giordano, our chef, asked if Kosov-Meyer could have a look at some of the wiring; our fridge failed an hour into our trip as well. Kosov-Meyer got in, and there was a stripped wire. She was electrocuted. Flash had revived her. Thought all was going well until the alarms on the Marine Link console went off, and there was a fire in the engine room. Noble and Dutchy were down there, and Patterson and Slinger found them. It's like the ship's lost it the same way Kate has. I don't know what's going on, but I hope the tech and engineering crews can work it out." A knock was heard at the door, and 2Dads opened it.

"You didn't tell me that my sister was in the wardroom," accused 2Dads.

"Watch yourself leader; you have no right to be speaking like that to a commanding officer. If he has not told you about a sailor who has been injured on this ship, perhaps because he felt he did not need to tell you!" Exclaimed Nikki.

"But she's my…" Mike raised a hand to silence Leo.

"2Dads, I understand your concern, but I did not want it to interfere with your duties. Now, did you come here to say something, or just to voice your issues with my style of command?" Asked Mike. 2Dads flushed a scarlet red, and stammered an answer.

"I-i-i-t was a-a s-s-setup," he stuttered. Nikki and Mike stared at him.

"What?" They asked in perfect unison. 2Dads gulped, and took a breath, steadying himself.

"The wires. In the kitchen and in the engine room. Patterson and I checked them all, and they've been stripped. Someone set this up to disable the Victory, or worse, blow her up," said 2Dads.

"What? Who would want to do that? She's only just been commissioned; she hasn't even done anything to earn a reputation on the sea yet!" Said Nikki. Mike sighed, and looked up at Nikki and Leo.

"Now, all the more reason to get back to port and get to the bottom of this."