Chapter 27
Relieved to hear this, Dutchy orders 2Dads to stay with the boss till he comes to. He then takes the radio and calls for back-up. Nav who takes the call, assures Dutchy that two crewmen are out on the bridgewing manning the 50cal. gun. Satisfied that they have at least enough fire power, Dutchy and Buddy move forward to take the crew into custody. The smugglers open fire on them again, but they are forced to take cover as a heavy round from the 50 cal. gun on the Hammersley is fired at them. Slowly Dutchy comes forward and shouts "Australian Navy! Put down your weapons and come out slowly or we'll open fire again!" One by one the smugglers come out of the wheelhouse with their hands above their heads. Buddy counts six men in total.
Dutchy and Buddy get them on board the RHIB and take them over to the Hammersley. There they are being taken care of by Charge and RO. Both are armed and lead the arrested men down to austere, where they tie them all to their bunks and lock the door behind them. With this job done, Charge and RO go back up to the bridge and take their designated places there. Charge sits down behind the marine link console and RO gets down in front of his radio. Nav has watched everything over the EOD. But now she grabs a pair of binoculars and heads out to the bridgewing as they are alongside the target vessel. She watches with baited breath what is going on on the other vessel, her binoculars trained solely on 2Dads and the still unconcsious CO.
2Dads gazes intently at his boss' face and sees his eyelids fluttering. He encourages him further with a few words "That's it boss. Come on, open your eyes. Show those buggers what you're made of. – You're Mighty Mike Flynn, right?" Moments later Mike flickers his eyes open and looks confused around him. As he tries to sit up, a searing pain flares up his whole chest and brings him down again. 2Dads lays a comforting hand on his boss' shoulder "You were shot, but your Kevlar caught them all. You're going to be okay boss, apart from some bruises, according to Buddy." Still a bit dazed, Mike slowly gets up with the help from 2Dads, who keeps both his hands on his boss' arms, steadying him. With a grateful smile, Mike thanks him for his support. Taking another curious look around, he grabs his radio and contacts the Hammersley "Papa-82 this is Charlie-82. Do you copy?"
After a bit of static, Nav's voice rings clearly through "Loud and clear. It's good to hear your voice Sir." Smiling a bit, he replies "Likewise Nav. Could you please send Dutchy and Buddy back over with the RHIB? We still have that other boat to catch." Supressing a giggle, Nav answers "They are already on their way boss." Having heard her giggle, Mike laughs softly and says "Alright. Thanks Nav." As soon as the RHIB is alongside, Mike jumps over, followed by 2Dads. Mike stands on the side of the RHIB and directs the driver, while Buddy and 2Dads use binoculars to search the immediate surroundings.
Suddenly Dutchy sees something and shouts "Boss! Over there on the beach!" Turning around, Mike makes out an inflatable that's on the beach. Knowing the smugglers must be on the island, he grabs the radio "Nav, Captain! Send the second RHIB over. I need a full search party. Charlie-82 out." Nav confirms the order and a minute later, the second RHIB with Spider, Bomber and Charge is on its way. Together they make their way over to the island. Once the RHIBs are close enough, they all jump out, Mike in the lead. Thankfully he has his back to his crew, so no one sees him wince, as he lands in the sand. Halfy and Stancy take the RHIBs out to a safe distance, waiting for the order to collect their crewmates.
On the beach, Mike sends his crew out in different directions "Dutchy, Bomber. You go south. Buddy, 2Dads. You go west. Spider you're with me. We check east. And Charge, you'll make sure that the beach is secure. Stay in constact radio contact. That will be all. Let's go." With a chorus of "Aye Sir" they all go into the ordered directions, with Charge staying back to secure the beach.