Chapter Six-
The cold water was creeping up to Mike's stomach, a harsh reminder that time was fast running out. The individual had left, and he had yet to work out who it was; no-one in the crew was even remotely related to John. Not that he knew of anyway. He heard a thumping noise on the thick metal door.
"Commander! Are you in there?" Came Charge's voice.
"In here!" Called Mike breathlessly. Charge shouldered the door, desperate to get in.
Desperate to save Mike…
"Bird, you take the first RHIB across, make sure RO gets the medical attention he needs. Flash and Slinger have already been alerted as to the situation, and ask that you take him straight to the Senior Sailors Mess," said Kelly.
"Sounds fine to me ma'am. We'll meet you on Victory," replied Jess. The RHIB left, and Kelly turned back to Taylor.
"Why do I feel like my day isn't going to get any easier?" She asked.
"I don't know ma'am, but I have the same feeling," responded Alex. She glanced at the list that Taylor still held in his hand.
"Who are we missing?" Asked Kelly.
"The CO, Charge and Jones," answered Taylor.
"Well, I guess we start with Toby; Charge is looking for the CO. I'd say they're clearing the area, making sure that everything is alright. The CO would go down with his ship if he could," replied Kelly.
"Alright. Jones. I'll start with the galley if you want to check his quarters," suggested Taylor.
"Go. We haven't got much longer; she's barely staying afloat as it is," reminded Kelly. Taylor nodded, and they split. Kelly headed towards the junior sailors quarters, the tilt of the slowly sinking ship making walking a little more difficult. As she walked past Bird and Hunt's room, the door swung open, and a pen rolled out. Automatically, Kelly bent down and picked it up. She walked inside the junior cabin, and placed it back on the desk. As she turned around, she noticed an array of objects on Lexie's bed.
Scary, frightening objects a sailor should never have.
Kelly backed out of the room slowly.
"Taylor?" She called.
"I found him! He's unconscious, but I found him!" He called back. Kelly ran down the corridor to the galley, and found Taylor dragging Toby's limp body out. He sported large bruises on his face and neck, bruises similar in shape to the cookware stored in the galley.
"Oh God, he looks like a mess," exclaimed Kelly softly.
"He had a note too ma'am," said Taylor. He handed Kelly the crumpled paper, and she unfolded it with shaking hands.
You should have died.
Kelly glanced up at Taylor.
"We need to get him out; he's going to need some serious medical treatment. That bruising doesn't look good," said Kelly. Taylor nodded his agreement, and between the pair of them, they lifted Toby up and carried him out. One side of the ship nearly touched the water, and the RHIBs were waiting for the three sailors. The Victory RHIB was waiting, with Seaman Noble and Seaman Todd aboard.
"That's it ma'am; that's everyone!" Called Noble. Kelly let out a sigh of relief; Mike and Charge were safe. Taylor handed Toby over to Noble and Sweeney, and glanced at Kelly.
"Ma'am, are you ready to go?" Asked Taylor.
"Just a moment. Can you come with me and we can do another quick sweep?" She asked. Taylor nodded.
"Can you two take Jones back for medical treatment, and then return for us please?" Asked Kelly. Noble and Sweeney nodded.
"We'll be back momentarily." Taylor followed Kelly as she returned inside the ship.
"Ma'am, if they say that everyone is out, then everyone is out," said Taylor.
"I'm not coming back to check for crew. I'm coming back to show you something disturbing," said Kelly.
"And it can't wait until we're on a level ship?" Asked Taylor incredulously.
"Unfortunately not," replied Kelly. She stopped at Lex and Jessica's room.
"Have a look at Seaman Hunt's rack," said Kelly. Taylor ducked inside the room, and was confronted by the same horrific images that Kelly had seen earlier.
A switchblade, crusted with blood…
Electrical wiring, stripped bare…
A bottle of chloroform, the lid dangerously loose…
And a letter titled 'Dear John'.
"Not much longer to go now Bec. You can do this!" Encouraged Charlie.
"I can't," she moaned. She was perspiring heavily now, the birth of her child so near.
"You can do this Bec. I know you can," encouraged Leo. He was seated behind her, rubbing her aching back to try and alleviate the discomfort. Jamie dampened a cloth and wiped her forehead again.
"The Bomber Brown I know never says never. Never says I can't, or I won't. She takes the challenge head on, and doesn't give up until she's given it her best. I really don't think this is your best," said Jamie in mock seriousness.
"Mate, I'll have to agree with you there. My Bec, she never, ever gives up, even when the going gets tough," said Leo. Bec pushed Jamie.
"Alright, I know I can do this. I just don't know if I'm ready to be a mum," she replied. Jamie bit his lip before laughing, and Leo slapped him upside of the head. Jamie brought himself under control.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, it's just… you can't really stop this now. You can't take back this baby. You're more than ready, and you don't even realise it yet." Bec nodded as a contraction started again; they were so close together now, and the urge to push was starting to make itself known.
"Charlie, I feel like I need to push," said Bec, trying to get herself comfortable.
"Wait for the next contraction, and then go for it. Gently though, don't force it," said Charlie. Leo rubbed Rebecca's shoulders.
"You can do this," encouraged Leo softly. She pulled his hands off her shoulders and took them tightly in her own. She gritted her teeth as the contraction started again.
"Relax! Relax," reminded Charlotte.
"Breathe," reminded Jamie.
"I can see the head!"
Kate paced the bridge, waiting for Kelly to come on board. She needed another level-headed individual, someone to lean on. Her thoughts briefly touched on Nikki, and as they did, she turned to Dutchy.
"I'm going to check on Nikki. You have the bridge," ordered Kate. Dutchy acknowledged her as she left the bridge. She just needed to know the younger sailor was okay. She reached Nikki's door, and knocked gently.
"Nik? Nikki, it's Kate." No reply. Kate pushed open the door; she was still on the rack where she had fallen asleep earlier.
"Nik," said Kate softly. She crept across the room to the sailor, and shook her gently.
Nikki didn't wake.
Kate shook her harder.
"Nikki, wake up," demanded Kate.
She didn't move.
Kate checked Nikki's pulse, and found it weak and thready.
Things weren't looking good.