Chapter Seven-

The water was hovering around Mike's neck, slowly creeping higher. He knew time had run out.

There was nothing left.

Charge finally pushed the door in, the water flowing faster as it rushed inside. Mike's head went under, and he started to panic. Charge fumbled with the ties holding his CO down, and freed him in minutes. Mike pushed himself to the surface, desperate for oxygen.

"Thank you," he spluttered breathlessly. Charge shook his head, blood streaming from a head wound.

"Don't thank me yet sir," he replied.

"Why not?" Asked Mike.

"Because the only way we can get out of here is if someone else comes for us. Otherwise… This is it."

Kelly and Taylor tracked back out to the RHIB; Taylor had taken a few quick shots of the room with his phone, and had stowed the mobile away carefully.

"What do you think it all means?" Asked Kelly.

"I have no idea, but for now, I think it's best if we keep things quiet," said Taylor. Kelly nodded.

"Keep it between senior officers only," she answered. They stepped onto the RHIB.

"Right; time to go before Hammersley reaches the ocean floor with us still on board," said Taylor. The trip over to Victory was silent as Kelly turned back to look at Hammersley. The beautiful patrol boat looked forlorn, sinking slowly to the ocean floor.

"She should never have gone this way," said Kelly softly.

"Should have been brought down by a mighty battle," replied Taylor, a ghost of a grin on his face.

"Do you think we'll get another Hammersley?" Asked Kelly. Taylor shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know; she was recommissioned once. I don't know if she will be again. Depends on what the Navy wants. We might never have Hammersley again," said Taylor softly.

"She's been good. Well, now we've got to help Victory crew out, and we can get back to port and sort out this mess," said Kelly. The RHIB pulled alongside Victory, and a ladder was dropped down beside them; they had the two Hammersley RHIBS that would be towed back with them, in addition to the entirety of the Hammersley crew. Kelly climbed aboard, and was met by complete and total chaos.

"Taylor, you stay here and deal with our crew members; keep them calm, reassure them. If you see Hunt let me know. I'm heading to the bridge," ordered Kelly. She traipsed through the corridor and up the stairs to the bridge, where Dutchy was still in command.

"Lieutenant Martin. Good to see you. Are your crew all accounted for?" Asked Dutchy.

"I've got to do that now. Listen, where is Lieutenant-Commander McGregor?" Asked Kelly.

"She was checking on our executive officer. If you head down to the XO quarters, she might still be there," suggested Dutchy.

"Right. Listen, if you hear from Commander Flynn or Chief Petty Officer Thorpe, can you let me know?" Asked Kelly. Dutchy nodded, and Kelly left the bridge.

"Kate? Kate, where are you?" Called Kelly. She walked towards the XO cabin, and was nearly knocked off her feet as Kate flung the door open.

"Kate? What's going on?" Asked Kelly.

"I need Flash, or Bird. Someone," said Kate desperately.

"What's happened?" Asked Kelly.

"I can't wake Nikki up."

"Come on Bec, you can do this!"

"You're so close!"

"Push!"

"Push!"

With one last push, Bec brought her tiny baby into the world.

"You did it Bec! That's it, you did it!" Exclaimed Charlie. Bec relaxed back against Leo, tired and exhausted. He kissed her forehead.

"You did it Rebecca. You did it," said Leo lovingly.

"It's a girl Bec. A beautiful little girl. Ten fingers, ten toes; she's perfect," said Charlie. She swaddled the squalling baby girl in a warm blanket, and passed her to Bec. Charlie glanced at her cousin, and motioned for him to leave.

"I'll just be outside," said Charlie quietly. She pushed her cousin outside, and gave Leo and Bec some privacy.

"She's beautiful," said Leo softly.

"I've got the perfect name for her," said Bec, looking up at Leo.

"Really? What have you got?" Asked Leo.

"Sophia Maree," said Bec quietly.

"Sophia. I like it. We're going to have to fend all the boys off for you, because you're just gorgeous," said Leo, smiling.

"I meant to ask you; how come you're here? I thought I wasn't going to get you," said Bec. Leo ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

"Well, something happened on Hammersley, and she started sinking. They evacuated us here, and when I got on board, Charlie and Pete practically chased me down here," said Leo.

"You should go. Make sure the rest of the Hammersley crew are okay. I'll be okay here," said Bec softly. Leo kissed her again.

"I'll be back, okay?" She nodded, letting her eyes close. Leo stepped outside the wardroom where Charlie was still waiting.

"Thank you," said Leo.

"I'll look after her. Make sure your crewmates are okay." Charlie disappeared into the wardroom, and 2Dads tracked away. As he was walking through the corridor, he was nearly run over by Kelly.

"Ma'am? What's going on?" Asked 2Dads.

"I'm looking for Bird or Gordon; there's a medical emergency," said Kelly breathlessly.

"Gordon is in the senior sailors mess with Bird, RO and Jones," answered 2Dads. Kelly slipped past him and shot through to the senior sailors mess. 2Dads shook his head and then headed out to the main boat deck.

"Oh, thank God. 2Dads, have you seen Charge or the CO?" Asked Taylor. 2Dads shook his head.

"I haven't seen them anywhere," answered 2Dads.

"Are we certain they even left Hammersley?" Asked Gabriella. Giordano looked up; he had been checking through crew lists with Taylor.

"I don't know," replied Taylor, nervous. He glanced up as he heard the boat deck door open, and Pete stumbled out.

"Pete? What are you doing out here?" Asked Leo. Pete didn't answer him, instead collapsing to the deck.

"Pete!" Giordano dropped his clipboard and ran over to the prone man.

"Pete, tell us what's going on," said Giordano. Pete tapped his chest, wincing.

"You've got chest pain?" Guessed Giordano. Pete nodded, and made a stabbing motion towards his chest.

"It's a stabbing pain?" Queried Giordano. Pete shook his head, his breath raspy.

"Then what is it?" Asked Giordano. Pete made a motion to rip his shirt off, but couldn't grip the fabric properly.

"Leo, Taylor, help me get his shirt off." Taylor produced a pocket-knife, and ripped open Pete's shirt. Giordano looked across Pete's chest, and quickly found what Pete had been indicating.

"Pete, were you injected with something?" Pete nodded before his eyes rolled back into his head. Giordano checked for a pulse; anything.

"His heart's stopped!"