CH 30
At the end of November At fleet command they were going through list of names of officers and junior sailors on who to send to Iran. They were going through the list of officers who almost finish there project Anzac course at Watson bay.
From what they read they wrote down the ones who would go over to Iran on the HMAS Darwin and HMAS Anzac next year. They will be getting there transferred orders before Christmas.
When the course finish every one got together at a restaurant for a fair well dinner and drinks. Even the instructors were invited which they excepted including mike.
Three days later both mike and Kate received letter from the navy. When they open them up and read what it says they were shock "mike, Kate what wrong" Paul asked
"I've been transferred to HMAS Anzac from next month for training before" she look up at Paul
"We go to Persian gulf for tour"
"you going to Iran"
"Yes, leave end of next month for my tour" then she turn to mike.
He look at her "I'm transferred to HMAS Darwin I'm also sent to Iran, we leave in march" Mike said looking at Kate
"that means we won't be seeing each other for over six months" Kate said. Mike pulled Kate into his arms
"i know Kate. We can do it"
"I hope so Mike, we going to miss out on our kids growing up"
"True"
When the family showed up for Christmas, mike and Kate told them the news they were shock but knew that some thing like this would happen to them since they are in the navy.
On there fifth wedding anniversary mike took Kate out to a restaurant for dinner then to the hotel for the night since he pack and over night bag for him and Kate and put it in Kate car with out her knowing about it. They both enjoyed there night away knowing then in three weeks that HMAS Anzac would be leaving for it first tour over seas.
Two days later Kate walk on to the HMAS Anzac at the same time mike walk on to the HMAS Darwin. "Lieutenant mighty mike Flynn it good to see you again"
"commander Johnson sir it good to see you again sir" they shook hands
"How that wife of yours" Commander asked
"Kate she great she on HMAS Anzac"
"Really it going to be hard on you both over the next few months"
"We know. We can handle it"
"Got any kids" mike smiled
"twenty one month old quads" commander raise his eye brows
"Quads"
"Yes sir, my parents are looking after them while Kate and I are busy with training and while we are away on tour sir"
"that good of them"
"Yes sir it is" they talk some more before going separate directions.
Three hours later mike watch as the HMAS Anzac left port and headed to the bridge knowing that Kate going to be away for two weeks training then the crew got a week shore leave before leaving to head to Iran.
The day that HMAS Anzac was leaving Kate hug and kiss mike, then she hug Paul, Alice and the kids. "I'm going to miss you all"
"We going to miss you to Kate" Alice said Kate crouch down to her kids
"You kids be good for grand ma and grand dad ok" they nodded
"I love you very much and I'm going to miss you"
"miss you mummy" Grace said They all hug Kate as she kiss them once again.
Then she stood up and hug Mike once more "I'll miss you mike"
"I'll miss you to Kate, love you"
"i love you to" they kiss once more when the horn sounded
"Write to me" Kate said
"I will so long as you do to"
"I will" they kiss once more before Kate turn and walk to the gangway following the other sailors on board.
Kate turn once she was on board waving to her family one last time before she walk to one of the hatches and then walk up and onto the bridge. She walk over to her area and waited for the captain to give out his orders for departure.
Mike and his family watch like other families of the crew that is on board as the HMAS Anzac left port heading towards the bridge with number of pleasure craft and boats giving them a fair well send off. Once HMAS Anzac was out of site families started leaving to return home or back to there jobs. Mike return back to his parents place with the kids.
Three weeks later when mike walk into his parents house after being away for a week training Alice walk up to him holding a letter in her hand.
"Mike this came for you, it from Kate"
Mike put his bag on the floor then he took the letter from his mother hand and open it He read what Kate wrote to him about
"Kate said she doing great, she wrote this during her gut watch. Nothing much has been happening but every one who on duty on alert and they been keep up to date about what happening with the other navy ship in the area. She misses us and wounder how kids are"
"That good to know that she ok"
"Yes it is" Mike finish reading Kate letter then he pass it to his mum
"Here she said you and dad can read it"
"thanks mike" Mike pick up his bag and took it up stairs to his room.
Mike and his family been watching the news so they keep up to date on what been happening over seas. In March when HMAS Darwin left Sydney to heard to the Persian gulf on the way there they all heard that HMAS Anzac fired it weapons for the navel gun fire support during the battle of Al Faw which lasted for three days.
When mike heard the news about it, he was worried about Kate wondering how she handling a situation like that since it is her first time since the training that they fired on land and not out at sea.
When they arrived in the Persian Gulf HMAS Anzac left two days later to return back to Sydney. Kate relies that she won't be back in time for the quads second birthday but she knows that Mike won't be on the wharf with the rest of the family when she returns.
The day HMAS Anzac return, they received a welcoming party from hundreds of boats who greeted then out at sea all they way into port. On the wharf there was hundreds of family members waiting for there loves ones. Once the frigate was dock and every thing else done the junior sailors left first, when they walk down the gangway plank and onto the wharf they were greeted by there families. All the officers were busy finishing there duties before leaving. Kate walk pass the captain cabin his door was open so she stop and look in
"sir" he turn to Kate
"Lieutenant is every thing alright"
"Yes sir I was about to ask the same thing"
"Just tired, it been along few months"
"Yes sir it has been, enjoy your shore leave sir"
"You to lieutenant and thank you for your help during those ruff few days your navigation skills were spot on"
"thank you sir" Kate said smiling then she turn and walk away.
When she walk to the back of the ship where the gangway is she stop and look around to see every one happy plus the media was also there recording the return of the crew after there tour from over seas.
Kate smile when she saw who waiting on the wharf so she walk down the gangway and onto the wharf she step ford and bend down to put her bag on the ground then she was almost knock over by the quads
"mummy" they all said giving Kate a hugs and kisses
"I miss you all so much"
"We miss you mummy" Mary said Kate got tears in her eyes and she hug them
"Have you been good"
"Yes mummy we have"
"that great" She kiss them once more then she stood up just as Paul and Alice step ford Kate hug them both
"It's good to be home"
"Welcome home Kate" Alice said with tears in her eyes.
When she pulled back she crouch down and hug the kids once more then she saw some one she recognised from a photo. So she stood up and look at Alice and Paul
"I'll be right back... kids stay with your grand parents"
"Are you leaving us" Connor asked
"I'm just going over there where that women is"
"Ok" Patrick said.
Kate stood up and walk over to the women when she saw a younger couple with the women and a baby in the women arms
"Mrs Thomson"
"Yes, how do you know me"
"I'm lieutenant McGregor ma'am I serve with your husband. I saw frame photo of you on his desk in his cabin ma'am" They shook hands
"I saw you walk off the ship. Do you know where Tom is"
"Yes ma'am he in his cabin, if you like I can show you and your family where he is"
"thank you lieutenant"
"This way ma'am, sir" They follow Kate onto the ship and through one of the hatch doors.
"How old is your son ma'am" Kate asked
"Three months lieutenant... dad doesn't know about him"
"What do you mean if you don't mind me asking ma'am"
"That I was pregnant to have him, he our miracle child"
"Sally had four miscarriages before having him" Mrs Thompson said
"sorry about that ma'am as you said he your miracle child"
"Yes he is" When they were close to the cabin cabin Kate stop and knock on the door, captain turn to see who knock on the door
"Lieutenant is every thing alright"
"Yes sir, I brought some one with me who want to see you sir"
"I hope they not civilians lieutenant"
"they are sir, your family" Kate step a side then Mrs Thompson walk in
"Beth"
"Hi Tom" he stood up from his chair as she step ford so they could hug and kiss.
"I got some wonderful news to share Tom"
"what news"
"hi dad" he turn to see his daughter walking in the room carrying her son in her arms
"surprise" she said smiling
"what" then the husband walk in behind her. Kate watches as the women step ford putting her son in her father arms
"What how"
"Dad I'm sure we don't have to tell you about facts of life" Mrs Thompson laugh
"Very funny, you telling me"
"He our miracle child your grand son dad"
"what his name?"
"Micheal Thomas Taylor" He look down at Micheal who looking up at him
"He goriest"
"Yes he is" then he look up to see Kate still there
"thank you lieutenant you may leave"
"Yes sir, Would you like for me to close your door sir"
"Please"
"Yes sir and congratulation" Kate close the door then return back the way she came.
When she step on the wharf she walk over to her family "Kate who was those people you took on board" Paul asked
"Captain Thompson family. He received a double surprise"
"double surprise" Alice asked
"Yes captain wife, daughter and son in law the first surprise the second is being a grand father"
"He didn't know" Paul asked
"no he didn't know that his daughter was pregnant... she suffered four miscarriages before giving birth to her son."
"Well it sure was a surprise alright" Alice said
"Yes it is, shall we go home" Kate said smiling
"sure" Kate pick up her bag while Paul and Alice hold onto the quads hands as they slowly walk to where the car park is while talking.
When they arrived home Kate walk up stairs to her and mike bedroom. She went and got change then she sorted out her two sea bags before joining the rest of the family in the living room since it started to rain out side.
During the first week of Kate leave she spend a lot of time with the kids when they were at home since they started going to the play center in the mornings. When Kate drop them off at the play center she would go into town to do some shopping before returning to pick kids up then taken them home for lunch and there afternoon nap.
On the second week Kate received a phone call from commodore Newman. He ask if she can help out for couple of weeks since he short staff. Kate accepted which commodore was happy about. So on Monday morning after dropping kids of at play center she drove to work. Kate spent the next two weeks helping out. Most of the staff knew her and please to see her again.
When two weeks were up she decided to fly up to Cairns to check on mike place so she spent three days there before returning back to Sydney.
When Kate shore leave was over HMAS Anzac was leaving for two month patrol Kate hug and kiss her kids before she left home since it was a Saturday that they were leaving. Kate and family received two letters from Mike, Kate wrote back to him letting him know how things are and that she misses him.
When HMAS Anzac return the crew looking ford to some time off. Three days on to Kate shore leave she received a phone call from commodore Newman so she went and got change into her uniform and left to go and see what he wanted. When she arrived in his office Kate notice two other officers there.
"Sir want wanted to see me"
"Yes lieutenant please close the door and sit down" Kate close the office door and walk over and sat down.
"Lieutenant McGregor this is captain Jones and commander Wilson of the HMAS Norman" "Huon ship sir"
"Yes your right" Captain said.
"Lieutenant you been transferred to Norman for the next two patrols. There lieutenant before you was discharge from the navy... I can't tell you what for"
"I under stand sir, when dose HMAS Norman leave sir"
"In two days you filling in till a replacement lieutenant can be found and it will be good expediences for you also since the Norman will be doing training during the two patrols"
"Thank you sir... sir that means I won't here next week with the Anzac crew to received my metal from the governor general"
"We know that lieutenant" commodore said.
He open his draw and pulled out an envelope and three boxes and pass them to Kate. Kate open the letter it was from admiral of the fleet. She read what it said and was shock with what she receiving. Plus the apology letter from the governor general and the admiral of the fleet them selves. When she finish reading the two letters.
Kate open the first box it was the Australian active service metal. She close the box and open the second one it was Iran metal since she did her tour over in Iran. She close that box and open the last one It was the conspicuous service cross for the out standing devotion of duty and for out standing achievement in the application of exceptional skills and judgment.
"congratulation lieutenant" the captain said when he saw the metal
"thank you sir" They talk for another ten minutes before Kate walk out of the commodore office.
When she return home she was still shock with what happen. When she walk in side Paul saw Kate "Kate are you ok"
"Yes, no"
"what wrong"
"I've been transferred to mining ship, I leave in two days"
"What"
"It only for two patrols till they can find another lieutenant. The once before me got dishonor discharge for what reasons I don't know"
"what about Anzac?"
"In dry dock for repairs, there was a fire on board in the engine room"
"Ok. Kate you sure don't have much of a shore leave"
"I know but good news is that HMAS Norman will be back in port two days before HMAS Darwin returns" Kate said smiling
"that is good news, what in those boxes"
Kate open them and put the on the bench for Paul to see what they are. When he saw the last metal he smile and pulled her into a hug
"I'm prod of you Kate"
"thanks Paul" then she showed him the letter to read. He smile when he read them then look at Kate
"Mike and Ed will be very prod of you"
"I know they will be"
The next day Kate walk along the wharf till she stop and look at HMAS Norman. She walk up the gang way and onto the ship. She look around as she walk towards open hatch door. She walk in and down to where the cabins are till she stop at one door and knock
"Come in" Kate open the door
"sir" he turn to Kate then stood up
"Lieutenant McGregor I wasn't expecting you till tomorrow" they shook hands
"I'm here to find out where my sleeping cabin is and get settle in since tomorrow a busy day sir"
"that it is, here let me show you"
"thank you sir" He walk out of his cabin and down the corridor while talking to Kate.
"sir how many are suppose to be on watch?"
"Ten why"
"I haven't seen a single crew member on the wharf or when I came aboard. I could be a teariest walk on board plant bombs and walk of the ship and no one would of even known that I was on board"
"I'll find out who on and where they are. Thanks for telling me Lieutenant"
He showed Kate to her cabin then he went to find where the crew is who suppose to be on duty watch. When Kate finish sorting out her bags she went to check out the ship since she did some research about the ship the design of the ship, every thing.
She was walking pass the ward room when she stop when she heard giggling and moaning. Then she heard male and female voices. So she step ford and quietly turn the door handle then she open it and walk into the room
"what are you two doing" Kate said in a command tone which cause the two sailors jump in shock as they turn to Kate.
"Who the hell are you" the guy said
"I'm lieutenant McGregor, now you two get dress and report to the captain cabin at once" Kate said in command tone
"You can't tell us what to do"
"Oh yes I can I'm the new navigator now get dress, I'll be waiting out side"
Kate walk out closing the door behind her. She waited for few minutes when the door open and the two sailors walk out and into the corridor
"Go on and don't try to go the long way, I know my way around a ship" Kate follow the two sailors to the captain cabin.
Kate step ford and knock on the door "come in" Kate open the door
"Go on" Kate said to the two sailors. They walk into the captain cabin.
Captain turn to see two of junior sailors and not happy Kate behind them
"Lieutenant what going on"
"Captain I caught these two junior sailors in compromising perception sir"
"compromising perception" He raise his eye brows
"they were having sexual intercourse in the ward room sir"
"i see, thank you lieutenant I'll take care of this matter"
"Yes sir"
Kate walk out of the captain cabin closing the door then she took two steps away when she heard the captain yelling at the two junior sailors.
The next morning Kate showed up an hour early she went and got change and walk down to the galley to get her self a drink. She interduce her self to some of the crew who either showed up or on duty. When she finish her brew she went to see the captain about her duties since he arrived at the same time as she did.
Soon as she knew what her jobs are she went and start doing them plus she also founds out from the captain that the two junior sailors from the day before are being sent to the captain table for what they did and doing it while on duty.
Few hours later Kate was on the bridge when the HMAS Norman left port and headed to the Sydney bridge and headed out to sea for the next nineteen days where they would be doing number of training which Kate will also be doing.
During that time Kate filled in her report about the two sailors and left the report in captain cabin, on his desk. Kate watch and learn from other sailors before she did her duties. The captain and XO was impress with Kate navigation skills and training.