Chapter 10
Kate cleaned her empty mug and returned to the bridge. She exchanged an understanding glance with Mike and checked their position on the chart.
The next day they reached the surveillance area and a few hours later, they spotted a FFV .
"FFV sir, at 2-8-3, distance 5 miles", Kate said.
Mike nodded, "Right, let's inspect her. But mind, full Kevlar and be prudent. Those bastards have nothing to lose".
"Yes sir", she replied and grabbed the microphone, "Hands to the boarding stations, Hands to the boarding stations, Hands to the boarding stations", she announced and hurried off to the armoury.
"Charge!, Man the Typhoon, I don't want to take any chances", Mike ordered.
"Yes sir", he said and sat down behind the gun console and aimed it in the direction of the FFV.
When they were within range, the Rhib was launched and they rushed to the old fishing boat. Jerry jumped aboard, followed by 2Dads and then Kate and the others. As usual, Jerry barked at the fishermen who didn't understand a single word. With a few pushes and pulls, they herded the crew of six Asians together onto the quarterdeck. They started to carefully inspect the boat and Kate entered the lower deck. A mixture of different smells greeted her, engine oil, cooked food, fish and dirt. Normally she had been used to it for a long time, but now she was running out of air. She started sweating and her face turned green. She rushed upstairs and reached for the railing to vomit. Bomber was quickly next to her, "X, are you okay?"
Kate couldn't answer because she continued to vomit.
"Shit ! What was that?", she gasped and accepted a bottle of water from Bomber.
Bomber squinted, "Shouldn't I examine you? The last time you were like this was with your stomach bug".
She leaned wearily against the railing, "It's okay Becca, I feel better now. It stinks like hell down there", she said weakly.
"All clear ma'am! No terrorists, no weapons found. Only fish and not even that much", Jerry reported.
"Okay, let's go back to the ship" , she said, waving her hand slightly.
In the afternoon there was another incident. They had spotted another FFV and were heading towards her. The boarding team was gathered next to the Rhib. They were all wearing their helmets. Unusually, Mike was watching the team from the outer bridge. He probably wanted to see how Kate was doing because he had heard about her nausea aboard the FFV that morning. She stood a little aside and was adjusting something he couldn't see because her back was to him. Jerry barked something and she didn't hear for two reasons, firstly she was the officer and the orders were for the crew and secondly she was focused on what she was doing.
"Hey lazy bastard, don't sleep upright!", he yelled at her, not recognising the bands on her shoulder and gave her Kevlar jacket a yank. Kate lost her balance and fell.
That's when he recognised her face, "Oh X, it's you", he said surprised.
"Yes, who else?", she replied irritated.
Luckily for her, Mike witnessed the whole scene and ran in a rage down the stairs to the quarterdeck.
"Petty officer Müller!", Mike yelled, "I saw it all from the bridge! Yelling at your fellow sailors, rushing them and especially officers is not accepted on my ship! You're out! Understood!", he barked.
"Yes, sir. It won't happen again sir", Jerry said abashed.
"Behave well for the rest of this operation but you're still out!", he said angrily.
This time too, the fishing vessel turned out to be an ordinary fishing boat, with the same smells. Unfortunately, Kate was retching again and vomiting over the railing.
Bomber insisted on examining her but Kate being tired denied her request.
By the next morning, it had become apparent to Bomber that there was something else going on with Kate.
She went to the galley to have her breakfast.
"Good morning Bomber", she greeted her through the pantry.
"Good morning ma'am, a small portion as usual", she answered and put a plate with a small portion of bacon and eggs in front of Kate.
"Thanks, mfph….", she mumbled and ran as fast as she could to the lavatory with her hand over her mouth. The men around her saw what was happening and looked at the plate.
"It looks like the tastiest breakfast ever", Harpie said.
Bomber looked around and saw Bird, "Bird, please take over. I've to see the X", she said and left the galley. She went to the lavatory and waited for Kate come out. Kate was surprised to see Bomber behind the door.
"X, I really need to examine you", she said.
"But, I'm…", Kate started, but she was interrupted by Bomber.
"No, I insist on examining you. This is no longer normal! Please come", she said.
Kate mumbled something inaudible, but followed her to the wardroom anyway.
"So", Kate said slightly irritated, leaning against the bunk.
"I've been watching your behaviour and your mood for the past few days and something tells me that's not normal, although it could be very normal", Bomber said.
Kate frowned and watched how Bomber took a small box from the cupboard.
"Just try this and we'll find out", she said, handing the box to Kate.
"A pregnancy test?", Kate said in surprise, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes, moody, hyper-sensitive to smells and nausea. These are all symptoms of pregnancy".
"Hmm".
"Just do it. Take your time and let me know. Then we'll know if we need to look for something more seroius", she said.
Kate nodded and left the wardroom.
Fifteen minutes later she was back.
"And?", asked Bomber.
"You were right. I'm pregnant. But I don't understand.", Kate said.
Bomber made a face, "Remember the times you were ashore and the barbecue with 2Dad's notorious cocktail a while ago?"
"Oh my Gosh! I was so smashed that night that the next day I couldn't remember anything. I just hope it was with whoever I think of", she whispered.
Bomber smiled, "Of course Kate. Congratulations! And don't forget to tell the father", she said with a wink.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Yes, I almost forgot".
"You better do it now. I know he's worried about you", she said.
Kate nodded, "Yeah, you're right".
She left the wardroom and headed for her cabin. She entered and sat down on her bunk. She pulled the test out of her pocket and looked at it again to convince herself she hadn't been dreaming.
How on earth am I going to explain this to Mike? Or better, how on earth will he react? Every time I mentioned a family, he ignored the subject. Hmm, what is he going to do?
She sighed and stood up. She headed for the bridge, knowing he was there.
He heard her coming and looked over his shoulder, "Ah, X, good morning".
"Good morning sir, can I have a word?", she asked.
"Yeah, sure", he said and stood up.
He headed for his cabin, Kate on his heels. Once inside, he waited for her to close the door. "Tell me Kate".
"Uh, Mike, it's embarrassing. Remember New Year's Eve, on that island?", she asked unsure.
"Yeah, how would I forget that, although I don't remember much", he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh, well, looks like we did something. I'm pregnant, Mike. I'm sorry", she said and looked at him uncertain.
He thought back to that night, frowning, "Pregnant? From that time on?"
She thought and shook her head, No I don't think so. You also have to take into account the times when we were on shore leave and only a gynaecologist can determine how many weeks I'm pregnant".
"Hmm".
She watched him, trying to gauge his mood.
Then he embraced her, "Oh Kate, this is wonderful news! We're going to be parents! Fantastic!", he said and kissed her.
His enthusiastic reaction brought tears to her eyes, "Aren't you mad at me?"
"Of course not, silly!", he said and kissed her again.
"CO and XO at the bridge!", they heard over the loudspeakers.
They both looked at each other and he shrugged.
"This is the worst timing ever", he mumbled and they left his cabin.
He didn't bring up the situation again and Kate started to worry again. But the next day he asked for her in his cabin. He was leaning against his desk when she entered. She closed the door, "You needed me sir?"
"Yes Kate, it's about yesterday and what you told me. I've been thinking", he began.
"Yes?", she asked unsure, not really knowing what was coming and knowing Mike. She feared for a "Sorry Kate, it was a mistake, just forget everything", or something like this.
"You're carrying our child. that means we are getting married. When do you see this?", he asked bluntly.
"I beg your pardon?", she asked flabbergasted.
"Yes, when are you planning our wedding?", he asked in the same tone as if he was asking for ETA at the base.
"Uh…it's easy, before I look like a whale or after the birth", she replied with mixed feelings.
"Hmm, in that case, I prefer before. Fine, so we will fix everything on our next shore leave, okay?", he said smiling.
"Uh…yes….well", she stammered, not really believing what was happing at the time.
"Good! Then I won't hold you back any longer. Oh, I don't have a ring here, of course. You'll get one ashore", he said smiling.
Kate was standing in the corridor again, in a trance.
What was that? I've dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl, but this? I could never have imagined being proposed to in this way. It was not what I expected. It's the goofiest proposal ever, good for the Guinness Book of World Records.
She looked at her fingers.
Beautiful ring Kate!
That night, she was so confused that she could barely sleep.
The next morning, she woke up early and headed for the bridge to escape the smells of the galley. She skipped breakfast to avoid getting sick again. So as not to remain with an empty stomach, she brought some dry biscuits to the bridge.
Mike entered the bridge an hour later, "Good morning crew!", he greeted them.
"Good morning sir!", the men replied.
He noticed her, "Hey, are you here yet?".
"Yes sir, I know, I'm avoiding the galley. I have my private stash", Kate said, showing a biscuit.
"Dry? No brew?", he asked, looking around.
"It's in the galley", Kate said with a wry smile.
He raised his eyebrows and understood the situation, "Ah! Well I need a brew, do you want one?"
"Yes, please", she answered eagerly.
He went down and came back a moment later with two mugs, "Here you go".
"Thank you sir".
"By the way X, you're on light duties", he said.
"But sir, I…"
"No buts X. It's an order. It's the best for…uh…your stomach bug….you see", he said, hoping she would understand without explaining that he was doing it for the baby.
"Ah, uh… yes…I get it", she stammered.
"Good! So, I do the boardings and you act as the CO", he said.
She nodded, "Yes sir".
A few hours later, they spotted a small cargo boat on the radar. It was a ship registered on a normal shipping lane, nothing suspicious. A little later, RO passed on a signal to Mike, "Sir, a signal from the Kingston".
"Thanks RO".
"X, Kingston won the price. They intercepted a FFV and after a short firefight they were able to take down several terrorists in austere", he said.
"Several? Not all of them?", Kate questioned.
"The others are dead", he said, handing her the signal.
"Ah, okay, but it is also said that their weapons aboard were minimal", she said, looking at him.
"Uh-hu, exactly, if their arsenal is already ashore or still at sea", he said, looking at the horizon.
Kate looked back at the radar screen and raised her eyebrows, "Hey, this is weird, that cargo boat is changing course. She's making a U-turn".
"Huh?", Mike mumbled and leaned over to look at the screen.
"Shit! It's her! They must have had the news too and now they are trying to get away. X, plot an intercept course! "
"Yes sir".
He grabbed the microphone, "Do you hear there. This is the captain speaking. Kingston intercepted a ship with terrorists and we are about to intercept another suspicious vessel. Carry on".
Fifteen minutes later, they had a visual with the cargo boat.
Mike took a megaphone and walked over to the bridge wing, "It's the Australian Navy. Stop or reduce speed. We are going to board".
They waited for a reaction, but given the size of the bow wave, it looked like the ship had increased speed and turned away.
"Five degrees starboard!", Kate ordered so they could sail parallel to the cargo boat.
"Stop or reduce speed or we'll fire!", Mike said into the megaphone but nothing happened.
"Charge, one bow shot", he ordered.
"Yes sir", he answered, he aimed the Typhoon, cocked it and fired.
A column of water appeared in front of the ship and it was more successful. The ship stopped.
"Hands to the boarding stations, hands to the boarding stations. Extra Kevlar!", Mike ordered
He and Kate exchanged a glance and she mouthed, "Be careful!"
He nodded and left the bridge.
Kate ordered to wield the .50 calibre heavy machine gun just in case.
She worriedly watched the activity on the other ship and couldn't contain her impatience. She grabbed the microphone, "Charlie-82, this is X-ray-82, sitrep please!"
"X-ray-82, this is Charlie-82. Bingo! It was the ammunition ship. Only one adversary aboard, but he surrendered upon seeing our weapons. The crew was forced to sail. We're bringing the bad guy and a steaming party will take the ship to the base where the Feds will take her over", Mike said.
Kate sighed in relief, "Thank God, but be careful huh", she said.
"Yes. Over and out", he said and ended the call. On the other side, Kate let out a deep sigh of relief.
The Hammersley returned to base followed by the vessel with the steaming party. The Feds took her over and took the terrorist with them. The crew was leaving the ship, but the officers were still at the bridge. Kate was leaning against one of the bridge poles, looking at Mike, "And?', she said.
He looked at her, "What 'and'?"
Kate rolled her eyes, "Us of course! Now what?", she replied irritably.
"Ah yes! Well uhm…you can go. I see you at home", he said.
"Which house?"
"Yours, of course", he said, winking at her.
Kate raised her eyebrows, "Ah? Okay then. Fine, I see you there. I'll have a bath, you have a key, huh", she said and left the bridge.
With mixed feelings, she drove homewards. She was thinking about his odd reaction and muttered to herself about his lack of interest. Once home, Kate sorted out her seabag and ran her bath. She undressed, turned on the radio and got into the bathtub. She closed her eyes and smiled, feeling the warmth envelop her.
She relaxed and didn't hear Mike announce he was home. As he received no response, he headed for the bathroom. He poked his head inside, "Hey, I'm home".
She was surprised because she had forgotten the time, "Oh! It's good. I'll be with you in a minute", Kate said.
"Take your time honey. We're not crash sailed", he replied with a wink and closed the door.
The hot bath had softened her mood and seeing his face made her feel good. She got out of the bathtub and reached out for her bathrobe.
He heard her leaving the bathroom and said out loud, "Honey, I'll cook for us".
She chuckled, "With what? There's nothing in the fridge"
"Don't be smart arse, I bought everything. Satays with rice and Provençal sauce", he replied.
"Sounds lovely. But watch out, no wine for me, if you catch my drift!", she answered.
"Understood, loud and clear!"
Smiling, she dropped the bathrobe on the bed and slipped on some underwear before taking a fluffy dress out of the wardrobe.
When Kate entered the living room, she saw a small brown bear on the table with a velvet box in its paws.
"Oh my God! How cute!", she exclaimed.
Mike turned off the cooking plates and approached her, "This little fellow has something to tell you", he said as he picked up the velvet box and flipped it open.
Kate stared at the ring set with a diamond, "Oh God, darling!", she repeated as tears welled up in her eyes.
"You see honey, I keep my promises. Now, it's for real, soon to be Mrs Flynn", he said and they kissed.
He slipped the ring on her finger .
Kate looked at her hand, "It's beautiful darling. Thank you!".
She sniffed and irritated wiped away the tears, "Damn hormones!"
Mike picked up the bear and held it in front of her, "He will have to wait long enough for his big buddy", he said.
"Oh Mike!", Kate mumbled and her eyes watered again. "Oh Jeez, here we go again!", she muttered, wiping her face with both hands.
"Just give it a name, right?".
She nodded, "Yes, it's Buffer because he has to watch someone's back".
"Right! Welcome home Buffer", Mike said, patting the bear's head.
"And now we are going to celebrate! I have a fresh orange juice for you!", he said, offering her a glass".
She smiled broadly, "Thank you darling!"
To be continued