CH 10
Twenty minutes later they caught up with the pacific mariner Mike, Kate and Dutchy were on the look out deck, buffer was on the big guns. Nav was down in communication room with RO and radio
"Nav any word yet"
"no sir"
"The boat they meeting up with is over the line in our waters"
"copy that sir, how far"
"they about two hundred meters"
"Copy that sir" then the phone rings, RO answer it then pass it to Nav
"sir this is lieutenant Caetano captain waiting for your call... yes they close to the line... yes sir the boat is there it two hundred meters over the line... yes sir, have we got a go" then she pick up her radio
"sir you got a go, take out both boats"
"both Nav"
"Yes sir orders came from fleet command"
"thanks Nav" then Nav spoke to commander marshal when they heard the loud boom twice
"sorry what was that sir... Yes sir" then she got on the radio
"sir commander marshal want a sip rep"
"We taken out pacific mariner engines, we going after the boat, we going to need help towing both boat back to cairns"
"sir did you get that" Nav said over the phone
"Yes sir" then she move the phone away
"sir HMAS Childers is two hours away top of the green"
"thanks Nav, engage fire" Nav heard over the radio then they heard boom twice
"Nav tell commander marshal that the boat has been disabled"
"Yes sir" then she put the phone to her ear
"did you get that sir... yes sir I'll tell him... yes sir" then she hung up and walk out of the communication room and walk till she was on look out deck where mike, Kate and Dutchy is.
"Nav"
"sir word from fleet command, job well done"
"how?"
"they were listening in to what was happening sir and looking forward to your and buffer report"
"i bet they are" they turn to see both boat smoking.
Then Nav look down to where buffer is, he was looking at her with a smile on his face "What away to go out with a bang sir" Nav said
"that so true"
"but the feds going to take all the glory"
"what" Mike said turning to Nav
"Feds are on Childers sir, commander marshal told me"
"Bloody great"
"may be not sir" Nav said smiling
"Meaning"
"Permission to make a phone call to my sister in law"
"Why" Kate asked
"Her cousin works for channel nine news"
"what are you thinking" Dutchy asked
"Well I could ask her to call her cousin to give him a tip off that way the feds can't take the glory"
"Let her sir or it will be like the drug bust all over again" Kate said. Mike and Kate look at each other then he turn to Nav
"You got my permission, do it"
"Yes sir" Nav said smiling as she turn around and walk to to step then stop and turn to mike
"front page news head lines HMAS Hammersley ends final patrol with a bang" then she turn and walk off the deck.
Nav went and call her cousin who wrote down every thing Nav said then she called her cousin up
"Hey tony still working for channel nine news... you are boy have I got scoop for you... it true, you know my sister in law Nikki, yes the navy chic she call me and ask me to call you... yes picture front page head lines...HMAS Hammersley ends final patrol with a bang... you think it funny... listen. It true, Hammersley being decommission this weekend...yes they were returning back to cairns... listen what Nikki told me shock me, it will you... ok got pen and paper... ok write this down..." then she read out what Nav ask her to write down.
Tony was shock with what his cousin was saying. When he finish writing it all down "Are you joking"
"nope, Nikki said if you want proof get in helicopter and fly up to cairns as I said to you that Hammersley and Childers are towing the wanted boat and the barge back to Cains"
"how long?"
"tomorrow morning."
"Why would Nikki call you to call me"
"i ask her that she said she and crew doesn't want the feds to take all the glory again"
"what is that suppose to mean"
"Remember few years ago about a big drug bust that the feds took down"
"Yeah the whole county knows about that"
"it wasn't the feeds, it was navy, but the feds took all the glory and the ship and crew who took the drug dealers and makers down got nothing"
"that is interesting since the lab was on an island and there was no mention on how the feds got there"
"now you know"
"thanks I'll check it out"
"Ok" then they hung up.
When Childers showed up Hammersley crew had already tow both pacific mariner and the boat further away from the line since the currant was moving both boats towards the line and Hammersley crew got all the men including Jerry and Rick on the ship.
They watch as Childers crew took the feds over and onto the two boats. Then they went to the boat first since they were hooking the tow rope to it, then they went back to Childers to get the other feds and took them to the barge. Once the feds were on board, the dingy return back to Childers. Twenty minutes later both Childers and Hammersley tow both boats back to Cairns.
Early the next morning it was starting to get light. Nav was on look out deck while a leader was on the bridge. She heard a noise and smile when she saw ho walk up to the top
"Morning Nav"
"morning buffer" he walk and stood next to her and he reach out and held onto her hand just as the sun starting to rise
"another beautiful day" Nav said
"Yes it is"
"Heidi called me last night"
"Oh"
"Yes she spoke to her cousin and we made the news" Pete smile
"Really"
"Yep she warn me to warn captain and you that it a media frenzy at Canberra fleet command at at NAVCOM. Rear admiral Thomas told the media about how we the Hammersley crew stop a teariest attack"
"Teariest attack" buffer said in shock
"Yep that man who own the boat, he got links to teariest groups in Iran"
"what, your joking"
"nope get this it seams that the American CIA and FBI teariest team lost the wear about of the guy a year ago till our governments contacted the American government...talk about embarrassment"
"sounds like it"
"The guys is on the wanted list and couldn't believe that we caught him and of course the feds try to take the credit of catching him"
"There plan didn't work"
"nope now the whole country knows that we are the true hero's"
"That is good news"
"there more" He look at her
"More"
"Yes it will make captains morning" then they heard foot steps so buffer let go of Nav hand and step away when they saw mike and Kate walk up top.
"morning sir, X"
"Morning nav lovely morning isn't it" Kate said
"Yes it is" mike said.
"sir I was telling buffer that I spoke to my sister in law last night"
"Really is this the one you ask for my permission"
"Yes sir, the feds are piss off that we taking all the glory before they could give out a press statement" Mike and Kate grin
"I bet they not happy"
"Oh that not the half of it sir" buffer said
"It not"
"no sir that owner of the boat, he on the American most wanted teariest list the FBI and CIA lost track of him over a year ago. He got connections to teariest over in Iran" mike and Kate were shock
"your joking" Kate said
"no and our government contacted the American government about who we caught, they were please but the feds weren't"
"Well it serve them right" mike said
"True but Heidi warn me that it a media frenzy at Canberra fleet command and at NAVCOM, rear admiral Thomas told the media that we the Hammersley crew stop the teariest attack from happening" Mike smile
"that is great news"
"Yes sir it is"
"Nav was telling me there more good news before you and the X show up"
"More Nav?" Nav smile
"yes Heidi cousin did some investigation about that big drug bust from few years ago. He was in Canberra last night with the other reporters, he asked the rear admiral about it he ask if it was true that the navy was the ones responsible to take down the drug lords and dealers that was on the island and not the feds as it was first reported. He said it was true and even name the boat the HMAS Hammersley" Kate turn to mike
"now every one knows the truth Mike"
"Yeah"
"sir you were the captain" buffer asked
"Yes buffer, I was, it was on the third patrol when it happen"
"You sounds like your famous sir" Nav and Kate laugh
"Very funny" They turn to watch the sun rise together for an hour before going down to get some breakfast.
Three hours later both Hammersley crew and Childers crew were greeted by number of pleasure crafts, some of them got reporters on them. Plus the helicopters that been with both boats for the past half hour.
When they reach the area for navy ships only the pleasure craft stop but still recording about what was happening with the two boats that Hammersley and Childers were towing. Once the two boats were taking care of, both Hammersley and Childers went to dock at the navy wharf.
Once every thing was done, and mike spoke to the crew before they left the ship with all of there things. Mike, Kate, Nav and buffer went to see Steve and to give him there reports about what happen in the past few days, as well talk about the media and what happen. When they finish they all left to go home.
Over the next few days it was still big news about what happen. They crew return to finish packing up all there things before Saturday decommission ceremony.
On Saturday morning all of the Hammersley crew were on board Hammersley for the last time. They look over the old ship. Mike was on the bridge sitting in the captain chair one last time when Kate walk onto the bridge. They smile at each other as she step close to him putting her hand into his while still looking at each other for couple of minutes when mike stood up and step foward and pick the microphone up for the last time.
He turn to Kate as he said his speech. While he was saying it Nav was with buffer when he put Thor in the box and closing the lid. Nav put her left hand on top of his. He look down and smile when he saw her wearing the engagement ring. Then he turn to look at her to see her smiling at him.
The others were looking around where they were till mike finish his speech. When they all walk off Hammersley there was number of guests there for the decommission of Hammersley including Dutchy. They walk down to the starting point is since the band is there. They waited till it was time. The band started and walk down the wharf till they shop and turn around then Hammersley crew march down till they stop in front of Hammersley.
There was couple of speeches then the lowing of the flag and it was handed over to the govern general. Then rear admiral step forward to say his speech.
When finish he said "To lieutenant commander Flynn and petty officer Tomaszewski for the acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril you are rewarded the commendation for Gallantry"
Every one clap as the governor general step ford and pin the metals on both mike and Pete then shook there hands. Then he return back to his spot.
"The crew of the HMAS Hammersley and petty officer Tomaszewski have been rewarded the unit citation for Gallantry for extraordinary gallanty in action for the stopping of bio weapon leaving international waters and into enemy hands. And for the capture of one of the American most wanted teariest. You all done the navy and country prod" Rear admiral said
the governor general and two sailors step ford pinning the green green insignia on each of the crew member and shake there hands once again. Then he return back to his spot once again. Then Mike step forward to say his little speech. When done he return to his spot and look over at Kate while smiling. Then Pete gave the orders then the crew turn and march down the wharf while the band was playing.
Couple minutes later the crew return back to where every one is. They all talk and laugh for few minutes not knowing that Kate, Mike, buffer and Nav manage to get onto Hammersley and up onto the look out deck.
"Lets see who will spot us first" Nav said smiling
"Lets do it" they took there hats off and put them on the seat then they walk over and look down to the group then to each other where they hug and kiss.
Dutchy was hugging his wife when he look up and grin Then he started wolf whistling "What a to reveal your secerts" he yelled out
then every one look at him as he point up on Hammersley then the whole crew look shock when the two couple parted and turn to the shock crew then they return back to what they were doing. The whole crew wolf whistling, and yelling and cheering them on
"Unbelievable they keep it a secret form all of us" spider said
"Yes they sure did but what a way to tell us" charge said
Then they saw the four walk down and onto the bridge. When they walk towards the gang plank the crew cheer them on till they are on the wharf.
"Oh that enough" mike said
"sir why didn't you tell us and you and X being married"
"Orders spider"
"buffer mate you and Nav" charge said
"Yep that reminds me" he undid his jacket buttons and put his hand in then pulled out number of envelopes then he look at the names and pass them around
"what this" spider asked
"Wedding innovation" Nav said as she raise her left hand
"We been engage for few months while saving up for the wedding out selves" Nav said
"Hey wedding next weekend in Sydney" Swain said
"Yes swain"
"you know what buffer we will have to give you a buck party" the guys cheered
"Can we join in on the buck party" they turn to new voices
"mum dad, tom, Heidi" Nav said
"Well" Tom ask while grinning"
"You are sir" ET asked
"I'm tom, Nikki brother and since you know about them getting married, we planing on bucks night tonight"
"no don't tell me" Nav asked
"Yes Nikki the whole family here" Heidi said
"Are we missing some thing here?" charge asked
"We plan on giving Pete here a buck night to remember isn't that right Pete" Tom asked
"Well hopefully it won't be bad as chefo bucks night" the guys laugh
"We seen the video footage of what happen, so who was pretending to be Nikki"
"me" ET said
"Gee and you still alive" tom said in shock making them all laugh, Nikki hit Tom arm
"you know what happen when I found out about it" tom laugh
"Yeah I know sis"
"Is there any more surprises any one want to share" mike asked every one
"We do" Pete said they look at Pete. He turn and wiggle his finger at a little boy, he ran over to Pete and gave him a hug then he hug Nav.
"Every one this is Nickolas, Nick Peter Cateano Tomaszewski, He our seven year old son" the crew look at the three of them in shock
"your a father buffer"
"Yes charge"
"I'm sure you going to tell us about it" swain asked
"Yes, we will meet you all at boss and X place and we can share our story then"
"ok"
then photographer showed up to take photos of the crew before they all left to go home and got change then they all meet up at Mike and Kate place since they all got there address.