The Storm - Version II

by ColREHogan.42

The crew of Hammersley, now with a new coxswain is out again on patrol. After two weeks out at sea, the routine patrol turns into a real adventure. A big storm hits the northern part of Queensland and the Hammersley helps out in the aftermath. While the crew is out helping trapped boaters, CO Mike Flynn coordinates a combined search from the Navy and the local FD. It ends badly.

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

After she has given that order, Nav goes over to Kate. She puts a hand on her shoulder and asks softly "Why the sad face, ma'am? As far as I know, you have a hot date tonight with the boss." Not able to answer, Kate just announces "Nav you have the ship!" Confused Nav looks after the retreating form of the XO, before she affirms the order. Being alone on the bridge with RO, she follows the RHIBs progress on radar.

Down on the aft deck, Kate leans against the railing, watching the waves and engrossed in her thoughts. She is deeply worried about Mike. All that she knows from this Andy, is the fact that he got attacked by a croc. Being aware that people have died from such attacks and not knowing how Mike is doing, brings tears to Kate's eyes. Endless minutes she just stands there, tears rolling down her cheeks and her hands are gripping the railing so hard that her knuckles turn white.

Meanwhile Dutchy, Charge, 2Dads and Spider rendesvouz with the other RHIB. Dutchy and the others are all shocked at seeing their CO lying motionless and covered in blood on the stretcher. After quick introductions, John tells Dutchy what happened and that the Commander's injuries are beyond their medical skills. Nodding Dutchy and Charge outstretch their hands to reach for the stretcher, as John and Andy move it over to the other RHIB. Always being careful not to jostle it.

As soon as they have the stretcher on board the Hammersley RHIB, they thank the three firemen and wave goodbye as Stancy, their driver, goes full speed back to the ship. Dutchy speaks into his headset "X-Ray-82 this is Bravo-82. Do you copy?" On the bridge of the Hammersley, Nav answers the call "Bravo-82 this is November-82, go ahead Dutchy." Surprised at hearing Nav and not the X on the other side, Dutchy replies "We have the captain, November-82, but he is injured and in a bad way. He needs urgent medical attention."

At hearing this, Nav swallows audibly and a lone tear rolls down her cheek. Please, not again, is all she can think of, remembering the last time her boss got hurt so badly. Getting herself together, Nav answers only "Copy that, Bravo-82." Going over to RO, she orders "RO, get NavCom. Tell them we need a medeavac. We have a criticially injured crew member who needs to be taken to hospital as fast as possible." Robert nods and gets on to it immediately, requesting the much needed help for a fellow sailor.

On the RHIB, all four sailors do their best to keep pressure on the wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. But all their efforts seem to be in vain, as blood steadily seeps through the bandages, soaking them in seconds. 2Dads is the first to speak "Damn. There is way too much blood. We are losing him." Dutchy whacks him over the head for this "Stay focused, 2Dads. The boss is still alive and we'll keep it that way till we reach the Hammersley. Then we leave it to Buddy and Bird to treat him. Got it?" Ashamed of his outburst, 2Dads nods "Yeah, I got it. Sorry Dutchy." Dutchy looks up and sees the ship ahead of them.

Moments later they are alongside and the RHIB is pulled back in by the crane. As it is safely stowed, Kate runs over and wants to climb the ladder up to get into the RHIB. But Dutchy stops her and asks her instead to go inside and tell Buddy that he'll be having a patient shortly. Reluctantly Kate nods and goes to the wardroom. Outside on the aft deck, Charge and 2Dads have climbed down the ladder and are now waiting for Dutchy and Spider to lower the stretcher down into their waiting arms. With a bit of swearing along the way, they manage to get it done.

Hurriedly they make their way inside and to the wardroom. In there Buddy, Bird and the X are waiting. As Charge and 2Dads put the stretcher down on the table, both women gasp in shock. Kate tries hard to fight her feelings for this man, not wanting to show them to the crew. She thanks 2Dads and Charge and sends them up to the bridge. With a last look at their hurt captain, the two men leave. Immediately Buddy starts to check Mike's vital functions.

As poor Bird has her hands occupied with pressing down on the wound, Buddy turns to the X "Ma'am, I need that oxygen-mask. Can you hand it over please?" Still not taking her eyes off Mike, Kate moves over and grabs the mask, handing it to Buddy. He takes it and carefully puts it over Mike's mouth and nose, feeding his body with much needed oxygen. Going over to a cabinet, he gets out three bags of Hartman-solution and readies an IV. Then he realizes a problem. The boss is still fully clothed and he needs access to the left arm. Turning once more to the X, who is still in the room, he asks her "X, can you grab the scissors and cut open his shirt?"

Seeing her confused look, he reassures her "All you need to do is to cut away his left shirt-sleeve, so I have access to his arm." Shaking her head at her own sluggishness, Kate takes the scissors and starts to cut away the shirt-sleeve, straining her eyes over to Mike's face from time to time. In the meantime Buddy hurries to stick the canula in Mike's right forearm, knowing that his boss has already lost a lot of blood. He then attaches the IV-line to it and sets the drip to a fast pace, hanging the IV-bag to a stand.

Hanging the other two bags beside the first, ready to be attached, Buddy takes out the transportable ECG and clips the sensor to Mike's left forefinger. Seeing that the X has cut away the sleeve, Buddy puts the blood pressure cuff around Mike's left upper arm and directly checks the pressure. Not too happy about the readings he gets, he is more then relieved to see that Bird has finally managed to stop the bleeding. Wanting to take a closer look at the wound, he gets out a pair of scissors and starts cutting away the pants leg, up to the knee. Pulling the cloth aside, Buddy has now a good look at the gaping, ugly wound on his boss' lower leg.

Again both women gasp loudly at seeing the extension of the injury. In some places it is so deep that his bones are visible. Kate chokes back her tears, putting a hand over her mouth as a loud sniff escapes. Just as Buddy wants to know if she is alright, RO sticks his head into the room and says "Good news, ma'am. The medeavac is on it's way. They meet us in about half an hour at those coordinates." With those words, he puts a paper into the X's hand and leaves as fast as he came, without taking a look at the hurt sailor.