CH 3
When Hammersley return back to Cairns are there two week patrol the crew started leaving to enjoy there week shore leave. Kate and Nav was in there cabin. Kate could tell that Nav was worried about what Mike would tell her and buffer.
"Come on Nav" they pick there sea bags up and walk out of there cabin to see Buffer walking towards them then they stop.
"No matter what captains Say, remember I love you and remember what we talk about" Buffer said
"I know, I love you to Pete" He turn around and walk towards Mike cabin with Kate and Nikki behind him.
When they stop out side his door, they let Kate go in first. "Come in you two, buffer close the door" they walk in with buffer closing the door behind him.
"I've been thinking about the situation very carefully. I under stand where you two are coming from. I know it hard for you both to keep it a secret not just from X and me but from the crew and navy. So I called commander Marshal and told him"
"what" Nav and buffer was shock
"Calm down Nav. I talk to him about the two of you and explain the situation. He wasn't happy that you Nav didn't have in your profile that Nick father is in the navy. But after I told him what you both told X and me and about your mum buffer. He said he will let me know after talking to fleet command"
"Fleet command" Nav said in shock
"Yes. I'm waiting for him to call me back" then his phone rings so he pick it up
"Mike Flynn...Yes Steve... yes they here with me now...sure give us fifteen minutes... sure I'll tell them... ok then" then he hung up and turn to buffer and Nav
"What did commander Marshal say" Kate asked
"He want to see the five of us in his office"
"Five?" Kate asked
"Yes, he want to met Nick. Nav is there any way you can get him to NAVCOM?"
"Yes sir I'll call my sister in law"
"do it and get change in to your whites, car will be here in fifteen minutes"
"Yes sir" Buffer and Nav walk out of mike cabin.
He look at Kate "Sir, did commander Marshal give you any idea what going to happen to Nav and buffer?"
"No"
"They been through so much together, I hope the navy doesn't pull them apart again"
"Just like with us"
"Yeah"
twenty minutes later Mike, Nav, Kate and buffer walk into the ball pen of NAVCOM. They followed Mike into Steve office.
"Mike, lieutenant Caetano, Petty officer Tomaszewski, lieutenant"
"sir, Steve" they all said.
"Mike called me couple days ago and told me about the two of you" he look at buffer and Nav.
"I did some checking out before calling fleet command about this. You both know you could end up at the captain table for having a relationship don't you"
"Yes sir" they both said.
"Lieutenant where is your son?"
"My sister in law is bring him here sir, they will be another five minutes"
"Alright, why we are waiting, mike your reports" Mike got his reports out of his brief case and pass them to Steve.
"Sir you said you did some checking out, may I ask what was it?" Nav asked
"Both your and petty officer story that you told mike here" buffer and Nav was shock
"Sir what...buffer and I told the captain and the X is the truth sir" Nav said
"I had to check it out before calling fleet command." Kate could see that Nav was getting up set.
"Nav" she turn to Kate
"I'm sorry X I can't let the navy pull my family apart again. I lost Pete once I don't want the Navy do it again"
Pete put his hand on Nav shoulder, she turn to look at him. They look at each other with out saying a thing then he put his hand on the side of her face
"ok" He said
"i will be, thanks"
Buffer drop his hand then smile as he gave Nav eye movement which Steve notice. Then Nav turn to look out the window and smile her self. Steve, Mike and Kate turn to see who Nav and buffer was looking at. They saw three people walking in the room, one was in wheel chair. Nick saw his parents so he smile as he ran over and into Steve office
"mum, dad"
"Hey there buddy, been a good boy" Buffer said as he and Nav crouch down to give Nick a hug
"Yes dad" Nick said smiling
"Nick there people who we want you to met" Nav said as she and buffer stood up and turn Nick around.
"Nick this is lieutenant commander Mike Flynn, he captain of Hammersley"
"Hello sir it good to met you" Nick said putting his hand out which mike took and shook hands then they let go
"You to Nick" Mike said smiling
"This is my cabin room mate lieutenant Kate McGregor, we call her X"
"Hello ma'am"
"Hello Nick" Kate said as they shook hands.
"And this is commander Marshal, he commandeering officer of this base" Nick walk around the desk
"Hello sir" they shook hand
"Hello nick it nice to met you" Steve said smiling.
"Sir, Captain, X this is Tom and Heidi Caetano. Nav brother and sister in Law. Tom ex navy" Buffer said when Steve wave them into his office.
"commander Marshal sir" Tom said
"Don't call me sir, your not in the navy any more"
"sorry false of habit" Tom said smiling
"I under stand"
"sir is mum and dad in trouble, if so I know that there plenty of tooth brushes in mum bathroom" Nick said making every one including Steve smile
"Nick, shh" He turn and look up at her
"but why mum, aren't you and dad in trouble, isn't that why your in here like when Tommy has to go to the prince able office cause he got into trouble" Nav crouch down
"Your right, your dad and I are in trouble"
"Is it cause you had me?"
"I'll explain to you later ok"
"ok" Nav stood up
"sorry sir"
"I've spoken to fleet command and told them every thing including what I lean. .. After some serous talks and I also pointed out to them about number of things, one is how many navigators the captain of Hammersley went through till you lieutenant Caetano join the crew on mike and lieutenant McGregor recommendation. Which to say the least fleet command is please that every thing working out and the same with the boson since I lost count on how many you gone through Mike"
"Twelve boson, twenty three navigators and nineteen XO in five and half years" Kate said.
They look at Kate "what Mike tells me every thing" she look at mike who was grinning then turn to Steve
"She right" mike said
"I know, that is one of the things I pointed out to them which they agree. But when I told them that you two are in a relationship and about Nick. They weren't happy with the two of you till I told them that you both weren't on the same ship when you both had your first relationship and that you petty officer didn't know about Nick and the lost mail you two told Mike and lieutenant. I check that out and you two weren't the only ones who had mail return back to the senders. There was others as well. As for not forwarding mail on to the ones who was transferred that also happen to number of navy personal." He look at them
"As for your new relationship you both sure keep it a secret long as you did. But you should of known that one day you both would be founded out"
"We know sir" Nav said
"Petty officer Tomaszewski, with regarding your mother ill health, I had that check out. I know it hard on you being here while she in Sydney by her self"
"Sir my parents go around and help her out" Nav said
"they do"
"Yes sir and when Vicky, has her chemo, she stay with them till she able to go home her self"
"that good of them" Steve said
"Mum said we are family, we help each other out" Nav said.
"That another thing i check out. Petty officer I had your bank account check out and you are telling the truth about helping your mother out, she must be prod of you"
"Yes sir, she is and she up set at first when I wanted to help her out when she had to give up work. She said no at first till her health insurance prices went up when she started chemo and things needed done to the house. So I started automatic payments into her account so she could carry on paying for her health insurance as well save up to get things done to the house that needed fixing. She tells me off every time she see me but she thank me for helping her out"
"It good that families can do that to help each other out." Mike said
"Yes it is" Kate said.
"Now after the talk with fleet command and mike here. We all come to a decision which mike doesn't know about. You both will stay on Hammersley till it decommission so long as you both keep it off the ship till then and since you both getting married in September. When you both return from your honey moon, lieutenant you will be working here at NAVCOM and petty officer you will be staying on Hammersley since you both planing on starting a family soon as you return from your honeymoon. Fleet command agree to this cause you both know about Mike and lieutenant here and you keep it a secret" Steve said smiling.
Buffer and Nav relax "thank you sir" Nav and buffer said at the same time.
"Sir are they leaving the navy?" Nick asked" Buffer crouch down to Nick level
"No mate, we not but we still got to stick to the same rules as we have before"
"cool then you can move in with us"
"After Nikki and I are married"
"Oh, ok" Buffer stood up.
"there one more thing that will needed to be done" Steve pass Nav a file. She open it up and look at it then show it to Pete, then he look at Nav
"We might as well do it now" Pete said
"Ok" Nav put the file on the desk and Steve pass her a pen
"thanks sir" then she fill out the papers then pass it to Buffer who fill out the papers.
"Nikki what are the papers?" tom asked
"Pete navy will and Nick birth certificate. We talk about it, Pete decided to chance before he got his sister down to get his pension and life insurance if he was killed in the line of duty. Now it all goes to Nick and any other children we have once we married"
"What about you your in title to the money" Heidi said.
Nav smile "Pete knows I don't want any of it and our son and any other children we have future is important than our own" Pete pass the file back to Steve, who look it over before closing it.
"This will take a couple of days to processes. You may go and enjoy your shore leave"
"Yes sir, thank you sir" Nav and buffer said as they saulted Steve which he did in return before they walk out out of Steve office with Nick, Tom and Heidi.
"Now Mike I check out the three barges names that you and your crew came across. They all Australians and they all check out"
"Is that including the owners Steve"
"Yes, what is it that your not telling me"
"One of the barges, the pacific Mariner, Swain recognised it from Dr Homes description and the captain on board Rick Gallagher"
"Are you sure of this mike?"
"Yes, here is video footage buffer took" mike past Steve a pen drive
"Give that to the fed and see if Dr homes will look at it and see if it is the ship and the captain"
"Ok if it is them Mike, it federal problem"
"I know"
"enjoy your shore leave"
"thanks Steve" then he and Kate walk out of Steve office and headed home looking forward to the five day shore leave.
The next day Nav went shopping for her wedding dress while Pete went to do some shopping him self. Then he went to a cafe where he was meeting up with Nav. He sat down with his bags, and coffee when he notice a guy looking at him.
Pete was wondering who he is, when he walk over to Pete "hi ya you look down, loss your job mate" the guy said as he sat down
"Why do you asked, do you know some one who looking for worker?" Pete look at the guy there was some thing about him, he couldn't put his finger on it
"Some hired help, money good, no questions ask, interested?"
"what is it that you do?"
"i said no questions asked?"
"i know what you said, what are you a tourist operator?" the guy laugh
"Na I own boat, I ship things like containers, from here to other islands"
"Ok that sounds interesting, can I see what my job will be and where your ship is"
"sure how about now"
"ok" Pete finish his drink then pick up his shopping bags then follow the guy.
He then remember who the guy is so he got his cell phone out and send a text to Nav. He got his wallet out and got his navy ID and picture of him, Nav and Nick out and put it in one of the bags then he put his wallet in his back pocket.
Buffer follow the guy down to where his boat is and they got onto the boat. Buffer follow the guy up to the wheel house then down below deck. The guy showed Pete around as they talk.
When they were back on the wharf. Pete turn to the guy "well what do you think"
"Sounds good plus the bonus as well sounds good. As you said no questions asked... just one question"
"what that?"
"when do I start" the guy smile
"Tomorrow to soon"
"sounds good to me, what your name, I can't call you captain?" the guy laugh
"Gallagher, rick Gallagher, you"
"Pete Tomaszewski" they shook hands
"Ok see you at six then"
"Great, thanks for the job. My girl firend would be happy that I got a job"
"Your welcome" Pete turn and walk away with his shopping.
Rick turn and walk back on this ship when his mate showed up "Well"
"He not a cop"
"what about Navy?"
"Nothing, all he got is his drivers license, credit and bank cards and hundred dollars in cash, and photo oh him and some women, I looks like his mum in his wallet"
"Ok well he starts tomorrow, keep an eye on him"
"will do"
When Pete walk along the walk way he got his phone out of his pocket. He knew that the other guy remove his wallet and put it back after cheeking it out. He please he removed his navy ID and photo and put it in one of the bags.
He dial a number "Buffer"
"sir Rick Gallagher offer me a job on his barge"
"what" mike was shock
"Yeah where shall we meet"
"NAVCOM, you need to tell Steve and me every thing"
"Ok I'll be in my civilian clothing, I don't want to risk walking around in my uniform just in case sir"
"i under stand I'll met you there"
"Yes sir" then he hung up and called Nav
"Pete where the hell are you, what going on"
"Nikki calm down, meet me in NAVCOM wear civilian clothing, I'll explains then"
"Ok it better be good reason sailor or tooth brush duties" Buffer smile
"It is, love you"
"love you to" then they hung up.
When Pete arrived at NAVCOM he walk in side and waited in one area when he saw Nikki walk in and over to him.
"Pete what going on"
"Remember that barge that captain is interested in and Rick Gallagher?"
"Yeah what about it?"
"He offer me a job on his boat no questions asked" Nikki was shock
"Your joking?"
"no I'm not. Nikki this is the guy and if I can get evidence for the feds"
"no not the feds"
"what do you mean?"
"you know how captain always hated the feds?"
"Yeah"
"Remember about four years ago it got in the papers about that Multi million dollar drug bust on one of the islands"
"that eight hundred million dollar bust, the one the feds did"
"Yeah that one. I founds out from X that it wasn't the feds, it Was Mike and Hammersley crew that took the guys down and did the drug bust them selves. Three of the crew was wounded during the fire fight. When it was over and the feds were called in, they took over and took all the glory" Pete look shock
"so Hammersley crew got nothing for what they did?"
"nothing but orders from the top to keep it quiet"
"I under stand, here captain now" they turn to see Mike walking in to the lobby and over to where they are
"Buffer, Nav"
"sir" they both said
"Steve waiting for us"
"Ok sir" he put his hand in one of them and got out what he was after then pass the bags to Nav.
"I'll explain later" He said to Nikki
"ok, meet you at your place"
"sure and check out what I brought" Pete said smiling to her
"I will... sir, Pete"
"Nav" Nikki turn and walk towards the doors while Pete and Mike walk towards the elevators
"buffer why was you navy id in one of those bags"
"I'll tell you when I tell commander marshal."
"Ok"
"sir Nav told me why you hate the feds"
"you know about it"
"Drug bust, how the feds took all the glory, yeah I know. Don't worry sir, this time Hammersley will take the glory and the feds get nothing" mike smile
"that would be great buffer"
"Navy deserve it sir, especially Hammersley crew"
"Yes they do"
when they walk into Steve office, Pete told Steve and mike every thing that happen about what he did to his navy ID, photo and reason why. When he finish telling them every thing. Mike was smiling.
"Petty officer you should of talk to me before excepting the offer" Steve said
"all due respect sir. This is an open opportunity and from what I was told and seen sir, Rick Gallagher is the man that the feds are after sir"
"Steve, buffer right it one way to get the prof that is needed"
"I'll let the feds know about this"
"Yes sir... that means I won't be on Hammersley till Rick Gallagher is caught and you need a boson to replace me"
"don't worry buffer we will sort some thing out" Mike said
"Yes sir"
"Mike I'll let you know soon as I talk to the feds"
"Thanks Steve" Then he and buffer walk out of Steve office.
"sir I just relies some thing"
"what that buffer?"
"With me not being on Hammersley, Nikki and I aren't braking the rules" mike grin
"your right about that"
"Sir I'm going to get two phones, one I'll give to Nikki, I can send photos and text messages to her."
"Why not use your own"
"Sir it got Hammersley and crew phone numbers on them. If Rick mate check out the list, then he would know that I'm navy"
"Good point" They talk till they walk out side and went there separate ways.
