******Chapter 5
"It's ten days now since we heard of her. I still don't think that it was right." Kate was sitting with Mike in the seniors mess, having breakfast.
"You know I do agree with you but what could we've done? I've asked 2Dads and Spider to have a look at that fisherman, Jackson, while we're in Cairns and they couldn't find anything unusual." He stirred absently in his muesli. "Let's just hope the patrol stays as calm as it was the last few days. Maybe Swain could do some first-aid training with the ..." He couldn't finish his sentence.
"CO to the bridge at the rush, CO to the bridge at the rush." RO's voice came over the ship's PA.
"I guess that was a pipe dream." Both stood up and left for the bridge.
"Sir, coast watch plane spotted a possible FFV. We already got coordinates from NAVCOM, it's about 11 miles south-west from our current position."
"Thanks RO. Swain, get us there as fast as we can. With luck we catch them with longlines still in the water." He turned to Spider. "Is there anything on the EOD, Seaman?
"No Sir, not yet."
"Ok, tell me if you spot them. X, I want a boarding party on stand by."
Kate nodded and gave the order over PA.
Five minutes later, Spider reported: "Sir, I got a visual. It's the FFV, Boss. It's called..." He tried to decipher the ship's name. "It's called Marlin, Boss."
Mike Flynn turned round to look at his RO. "Wasn't that the ship the Kingston reported?"
RO nodded. "Yes Sir. I'm pretty sure it is. I can ask NAVCOM for confirmation though."
"No, I'm sure too. X, full kevlar, extra plates. I don't want the same disaster happening to us!"
"You heard the CO, no heroic deeds, no solo efforts! We do that one straight by the book." Kate had to yell to be heard over the RHIB's engine.
"Marlin, this is the Australian Warship Hammersley. Stop or heave to we intend to board you!" RO's voice sounded over the water.
"Ma'am they're not stopping. Looks like they even do increase speed."
"I can see that, Buffer, thanks." X answered. She wanted to ask Hammersley for assistance but didn't need to.
"Marlin, if you don't stop or heave to immediately, I will open fire." came RO's voice again. Kate could hear Mike over the radio as he ordered: "Spider give them a warning signal. 5 rounds. Now."
Hearing the gunfire and seeing the water splashing in front of their bow seemed to have the effect they all had hoped for.
"Sir, they stopped the engines and are heaving to."
"I can see that; go ahead then, X. And be careful!" Mike replied.
The boarding started as planned, there was little resistance. Kate McGregor already started to wonder if that really was the ship the Kingston had reported.
"X, deck is secured." Charge reported. "Three fisherman on board, all currently at the stern."
"Well done. Charge, you're with Bomber, see that they stay there. Buffer with me. 2Dads, Swain have a look below deck, see if you can find anything. And make sure the camera gets everything."
Buffer followed his superior officer to the wheelhouse. But before they could enter gunfire erupted behind them.
2Dads and Swain had made their way to the hatch which led to the cargo hold. Distracted by something he saw out of the corner of his eye, the younger sailor didn't notice a fourth fisherman who looked out the hatch gun first. Swain yelled a warning but 2Dads reacted too late. The man fired without a warning. 2Dads felt a hit straight in the middle of his breast, fell backwards instantly and went overboard. Swain tried to take cover but there was nothing nearby so he followed his crew mate over the rail. Better wet then sorry he thought hitting the water hard. The X and Buffer had seen the whole incident back from the wheelhouse.
"2Dads was shot, he went overboard! Swain's down too." Kate yelled already on her way back to the stern. Bomber and Charge had heard the firing and came running as well. Seeing himself held at gunpoint by four really angry looking sailors the fisherman gave up his resistance.
Charge disarmed him and brought him to the other ones at the stern. Kate leant over the rail and saw Swain and 2Dads floating, both motionless and quickly ordered the RHIB to help.
"X? What happened? We heard gunfire but we can't see anything from up here." The CO asked impatiently. How he hated to stay behind and let his crew face all the danger.
"Kate?" he urged when there was no reply.
"She's busy, Sir. She's helping getting 2Dads and Swain out of the water. There was an ambush, 2Dads was shot and they both fell overboard, Sir." Charge finally replied.
"How are they?" Mike waited anxiously for an answer.
"Bomber is having a look right now, Sir. 2Dads isn't moving but I can't see any blood either, Sir. Swain seems to be ok."
Mike sighed. That shouldn't have happened.
Aboard the RHIB, Bomber first looked after Swain who signalled to be ok.
"I'm just soaked to the skin, Bomber. I'm fine. What's with 2Dads? Have a look at him first. He didn't react when I called him. He got a direct hit!"
Clumsily he got to his feet and stumbled over to Bomber who was gently turning Leo around to see if she could detect any bullet wound. Her fellow sailor was pale and unconscious but as Charge had said there was no blood. She carefully opened the kevlar vest. Nothing. She sighed with relief. Swain helped her to turn him back into the recovery position, then sat down next to the unconscious young man and winced. Hitting the water after an uncontrolled fall had really hurt. Now that he knew his crew mate was going to be ok, he allowed Bomber to check at him as well.
After what seemed like hours, Mike Flynn got the report he had waited for: "Sir, 2Dads is still unconscious but is going to be ok. Kevlar took the round. We bring him and Swain back now, could you sent the other RHIB for the fishermen?"
"How are they?" The captain stuck his head around the door of the wardroom. Swain stood there, still in his full gear, soaked to the skin, helping Bomber to get 2Dads out of his wet clothes. The young man got some colour back in his face but still hadn't come around.
"He's got a punch in the solar plexus, knocked him out in a second. Kevlar prevented him from a more serious injury." Swain answered while listening to Bomber who dictated him the results from blood pressure measuring. He checked what he had written down so far. "Blood pressure's a little low, but that's not unusual in such a case. We just have to wait 'till he wakes up, there's nothing more we can do for now."
Mike frowned. "And what's with you?"
"I'm ok Boss. Just some bruises, nothing serious."
Mike looked suspicious and decided to ask his second medic instead. He knew his coxswain all too well. If there was someone in trouble he wouldn't look after himself.
"Bomber, what's your opinion?"
Bomber covered her friend with a blanket to keep him warm and turned.
"You should get out of your wet clothes, Swain. You're going to catch a cold. I told him before, Sir." she told her captain, "but he wouldn't listen then."
"She's right Swain. You do look a little shaken yourself. It was a long day, go take a hot shower and have a rest. We debrief later." Mike ordered.
Swain wanted to protest, he couldn't let 2Dads alone in his state. What if there were any complications? Bomber interrupted him before he could say anything.
"Go Swain! I'll stay here with 2Dads and call you the minute he wakes up or anything changes. I promise. You don't help me like this." She grinned. "That's an order Swain. After all, I'm second medic and you're my patient now."
After Swain had reluctantly left the wardroom, half being pushed out by his second medic, Bomber pulled herself out of her vest.
"I sent Spider to take care of your stuff and bring you a brew. And Bomber, good work." Mike left the wardroom closing the door behind him.
"Thanks Boss." Bomber pulled herself a chair next to 2Dads bed and sat down.
She must have fallen asleep because when she looked up the next time her vest was gone, someone had wrapped a blanket around her and a cup of coffee stood on the cupboard next to her. She took the cup, had a sip and made a face. It was cold! Someone chuckled behind her. Turning round she found herself being scrutinised by deep blue eyes.
"2Dads, you're awake! How do you feel? Is there any pain?" She blushed at his smile. "And how long are you starring at me?"
"Not nearly long enough, Bomber. You do look really sweet when you're sleeping." 2Dads tried to sit up and groaned. Gently but firm Bomber pushed him back.
"You stay where you are. I go get Swain. Maybe you did hit your head harder than we thought." She added with an annoyed look as a reply for his constant smiling and left. 2Dads followed her with his gaze. Wasn't she lovely?
Bomber knocked on the door and opened it cautiously when no one answered. It was dark inside the cabin.
"Swain?" She asked. There was still no answer.
Bomber tried to push her upcoming fear away. What if Swain had been injured after all? He did hit the water pretty hard. "Swain?" she asked again and slowly tiptoed in.
She didn't want to disturb her crew mate's sleep, he had looked like he should rest but she had promised. Kneeling down in front of Swains bed she gently touched his shoulder.
"Chris? Please wake up." she pleaded.
The coxswain woke up with a start looking down at her with confusion. Bomber sat on the floor in front of his bunk. Surprised by Swains sudden reaction she had keeled over.
"Bomber? What are you doing down there? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Actually I was getting worried about you. You did sleep so deep I couldn't wake you up at first." Seeing Swain stifle a yawn, she added: "I'm sorry I had to wake you. But I promised to do so if there was any change."
In an instant Swain was fully awake and out of his bunk. "What's with 2Dads?" he asked concerned pulling a shirt over his head. Bomber tried not to look at him. Seeing her crew mate in nothing more than shorts was kind of awkward.
"He's fine. Or at least he seems so. He just woke up some minutes ago. He wanted to stand up but I told him he should wait 'till you had a look."
Swain finished dressing. "Well then, we better not let him wait."
"Hey mate, you gave us quite a scare. How do you feel?" Swain took a stethoscope and started his examination.
2Dads tried to get up. "I just told Bomber I'm fine, honestly. Ready to return to duty."
"Oh really?" Swain grinned. "You're the new medic now? I didn't had the time to congratulate you on the promotion."
Palpating the blonde sailor's abdomen now he used a little more pressure than needed. 2Dads flinched. "That wasn't fair!"
"You know, you'd better let me decide if you're up for duty or not. You may feel fine for now but I still want you to stay here over night and another day. There could be late sequela."
"But I'm allowed to eat something, yes? Please, I'm starving."
Swain laughed. "Bomber, please go and see if you can find something to eat for our patient. We don't want him to starve to death now that he finally came around, do we?"
Bomber shook her head and left. Only 2Dads could get shot and think of flirting and eating the minute he woke up again.
Satisfied with the results of the examination Swain sat down on the chair Bomber had sat before, took some notes and then laid the clipboard aside.
"What was it on that boat, 2Dads? The fisherman was right in front of you, you must have seen him!?"
"I would like to hear the answer to that question as well." a male voice sounded outside in the passage. The CO entered the room.
"I just met Bomber on her way to the galley. She told me you're up and about. Glad to see you're fine." Mike Flynn crossed his arms and leant against the cupboard. Giving 2Dads a come-hither-look he ordered: "Go ahead, sailor. I'm curious how you interpret straight by the book."
2Dads put on a frown. "Honestly, I don't remember much, Sir. I do remember the boarding, I do remember Swain yelling but I don't remember what it was that distracted me. There was something... I just got a glimpse of it... but before I could take a second look I was hit and fell overboard. It must be on the video though."
"The X and I had a look at it, Buffer and Swain too. There's nothing. Nothing that would explain why you allowed that man to shoot you without any resistance!"
2Dads looked at Swain who shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry mate. I can't help you with that one. I haven't seen anything."
Happy New Year everyone! :-)
And thanks a lot for your comments!