CH 4
When Hammersley docked, both Maxine and Kate were called into Mike's office. Everyone in the ball pen could hear Maxine and Kate yelling at each other. Mike stepped in and yelled at them both just as commodore Marsh walked into the ball pen when he heard the yelling.
"commodore sir"
"Lieutenant, what the hell going on in there"
"Lieutenant McGregor was not happy with Commander white for withholding information and not letting her and the crew know that the boat they boarded was stolen and the owner's body was found by fishermen three days ago. Hammersley radio operator remembered the name of the boat and he went and checked to see if he was right then reported it to commander white. She did nothing, not even warn them. the radio operator did warn them. the boarding team manage to take the men down and arrest them then return towing the boat"
"How do you know this lieutenant"
"I was printing out the reports sir"
"I see, how did commander flynn handle himself as CO here"
"good sir, it took him awhile but only he can tell you sir"
"Very well you can return back to your duties"
"Yes sir and good luck in the office sir"
"thank you lieutenant." He walked towards Mike's office.
Mike saw him and he gave Kate eye movement. she turned to see who was at the door. She stood up just as Mike did "Commodore Marsh sir" Kate said saluting him which he did in return just as Maxine turned around in her seat then stood up and saluted him which he did once more since Mike saulted at the same time Kate did.
"Commander Flynn, commander White, lieutenant McGregor'' he said as he closed the door behind him.
The staff wondered what was going on in the office when they could hear Kate and Maxine raise voices and then Commodore raised his voice at them both. Some of the staff look over at Maxine office every now and then to see commodore or Mike doing the talking.
Fifteen minutes later Kate walked out of Maxine office and NAVCOM not saying a word to any one. Then Maxine walks out ten minutes later leaving Mike and the commodore alone to talk. In the office after Maxine walks out Mike looks at the commodore.
"Was Lieutenant McGregor always so hot headed when you two aruge over a boarding commander" Mike smile
"Yes sir, we have had a few ripping throat debates. half the time she is right cause she knows the rules and when i'm right i use old techniques like a grunch boarding couple years back. We argued about it but it did work and I got into trouble with her for it. but after we both cool down and talk about it, she relied it was the only way to deal with the mother ship"
"i remember that report you had no choice since your crew was in danger"
"Yes sir and lieutenant Mcgregor knows that"
"I hope she doesn't order it if she a captain"
"that her choice but only if the crew was in danger and as a last resort sir"
"That's true. Good news is I found the permit captain of Hammersley." He opened his briefcase and got a file out and passed it to Mike.
Mike opens it and reads what it says. "Lieutenant commander Grant Reader, served in Darwin, ANZAC, Stewart, Melbourne, Collins, Farncomb, new castle shore posting, instructor at watson bay. He hasn't been on patrol boat"
"No he hasn't it would be good experience not only for him but for lieutenant McGregor also"
"True sir." They talk for another five minutes before the commodore walks out of Mike's office.
That night Mike showed up at Kate place. He gave her a kiss. "Everything ok Mike"
"Yeah. you getting a new CO"
"Oh who"
"Lieutenant commander Grant Reader"
"Grant reader, i remember him on ANZAC we did tour overseas together"
"I know i read his profile and he hasn't been on patrol boat before"
"ok, so you want me to keep an eye on him"
"I'm sure you both will work well together"
"Thanks, what happen to knocker after i left"
"There is a marker placed on her file for what she did to you Kate and about the stolen boat. Because of what she done it will affect further promotions in years to come"
"Ok and will it affect my promotion"
"no it won't since you followed the rules and you did have to do that grunch boarding as a last resort to save the crew lives"
"thanks Mike"
Two days later Mike and Kate walk into NAVCOM together while talking. they saw lieutenant commander there talking to a lieutenant when he turn around to them "commander flynn, i'm lieutenant commander Reader" they saulted each other then shook each other hands
"Welcome to NAVCOM lieutenant commander."
"thank you sir"
"This is lieutenant Kate McGregor, you might remember her"
"It's good to see you again sir," Kate said shaking his hand.
"You to lieutenant, how do you know me"
"HMAS ANZAC in two thousand and two in iran sir" He thought about it
"Princess perfit ice queen McGregor"
"Yes sir"
"Now i remember you. you and lieutenant Taylor were arguing over rosters" Kate smile
"Yes we did, he changed the rosters around without the captain's knowledge or approval and i caught him changing them"
"Lieutenant here, boy you don't want to argue with her sir" Mike and Kate grin.
"i know what she like, she the XO on Hammersley, the ship i was captain of before my promotion" Grant look at them in shocked
"Your my XO"
"Yes sir and knowing commander Flynn here will give you tips on how to deal with me"
"You two aruge over some things like a boarding"
"Yes I call it ripping throat debates. so yes i do know what she like and capable of doing"
"I'll leave you two to talk while i'll get the papers from Daral and head to Hammersley"
"Ok we will be about half an hour" mike said
"Make it an hour sir, knowing the crew and we will be leaving on time"
Good idea"
"commander, sir" Kate walks over to where Darl is while Mike and Grant walk into Mike's office. An Hour later the crew was on the back of Hammersley when the car pulled up.
Kate saw Mike and Grant get out of the car. "Hammersley up," Kate said.
Every one stood at attention. Kate saluted Mike and Grant. "Hammersley crew, this is Lieutenant commander Grant Reader, your new captain. I'm sure you will make him feel welcome." mike said.
"thank you commander. I heard I'll be working with a great crew and looking forward to getting to know you all except for XO whom i already know" then he stepped forward and put his hand out to shake each of their hands as they said who they were. When finish he return back to Mike side
"XO dismiss the crew"
"Yes sir… company dismiss" they soon relax and start heading to the hatches. Kate turns to Mike and Grant. "sir i'll show you to your cabin"
"thank you X" then he turn and saluted Mike which he did in return
"good luck and fair winds." mike said
"Thank you sir" then he walked to where the hatch is with his briefcase and sea bag. Kate turn to mike
"See you in two week" Mike said
"See you then, where knocker i notice she wasn't in her office"
"she in camabra talking to the admiral of the fleet about what happen"
"Ok, see you when i return"
"yes you will and he knows a bit about the crew"
"Ok" they saluted each other before Mike walked back on the docks.
Kate walks over to the hatch to where Grant is "Mike told me about the two of you and commander white"
"I thought he might sir"
"shall we X"
"Yes sir" Kate shows Grant his cabin when she notices something odd about the pillow.
she walk over and pick it up "X why did…" she pick up a rubber duck and show him "Who would put that there X"
"Two dads sir. i'll deal with him"
"Let me" he said grinning
"i'll get you the toothbrushes sir"
"thank you X" Kate put the pillow back and put the duck on the bed then she walked past Grant and out the door closing it behind her.
she went and got changed then she went and got two toothbrushes then returned back to Grant cabin. just as he walked out the door with the duck in hand. "Here you go sir" she pass him the tooth brushes
"thank you X"
"This way sir" He followed Kate up and onto the bridge.
"Which one X"
"Two dads"
"Yes X" he turned to Kate. Grant step ford and pass him the duck and two toothbrushes to him
"Rubber duck two dads" he shook his head.
"Two dads, for your joke on the captain you are to scrub the astra and the bathroom with a toothbrush"
"Yes ma'am"
"Get to it now"
"Yes ma'am" he walked down the stairs.
"shall we X"
"Yes sir" Kate watches him as he gives out the orders and starts moving Hammersley away from the dock. Kate helped him out, which he was grateful for.
Once out at sea they headed north. Grant got to talk to the crew asking them different questions which they were able to answer and the crew share some funny stories as he did as the two weeks were up and Hammersley was heading back to home port when the phone rings
"Hammersley lieutenant McGregor"
"kate it Mike"
"Commander Flynn, how nice for you to call. But by the tone of your voice it not good news sir"
"I'm afraid not Kate you to go to Samaru island and pick up Madeline cruise"
"you gotta be joking, Childer closer since they are in the area, why can't they go and pick her up"
"she ask for Hammersley since somehow she knew you were returning back today"
"how the hell did she know that sir"
"I'm looking into it and you to also pick up Jim and his team also, i've sent a email about the orders"
"Ok thanks for calling, i'll let the captain know"
"Ok good luck and fair winds" then she hung up.
"RO there is a email coming in for the captain can you get it and give it to him" RO got up from his seat and left the bridge.
"what going on X" dutchy asked
"Taxi for Madeline cruise and the SAS. dutchy course to Samaru island" Dutchy check
"Turn one two zero"
"turning one two zero," Swain said.
Few minutes later RO and Grant walk up onto the bridge. "X plot in a course to Samaru island"
"Already did sir we will be there in five hours"
"You could waited till i give the order X"
"I know that you would made the order to change course cause that is what i'll would do"
"Have you done this before with commander Flynn being on here"
"Yes sir and when i tell him we already on our way and how long it will take. he give me his your in trouble look then say to me well done X you will make a great captain one day"
"Yes you will in the meantime wait till i'm on the bridge"
"Yes sir"
"RO mention about navy taxi service and crew doesn't like one of the passengers we picking up"
"Ms Madeline Cruise. Remember what i was like on ANZAC"
"Yeah i do is she like you"
"with an ice cold face and attitude rolled into one. when you met her you would understand" Kate said.
"Thanks for the heads up. Who is she?" Kate filled Grant in about Ms Cruise and the terrorist threat, everything. Grant was alarmed by what Kate told him.
When they reached Samaru island Grant sent a HRIB with Dutchy on board to go and pick up MS Cruise and the SAS then return to Hammersley. Kate and Grant was on the boat deck when the SAS and Madeline was on the boat deck
"Ms Cruise, captain Jim Roff this is lieutenant commander Grant reader, captain of Hammersley"
"nice you meet you lieutenant commander Reader"
"you to captain" they shook hands.
"ms Cruise" Grant put his hand out but Madeline ignore it
"Captain how long before we return to Cairns"
"eight hours." Kate said
"I want your radio operator to send this to ASCIO at once" she show Kate the pen drive
"I'll get RO and meet you at comcen Ms Cruise. Jim you know the way to austa"
"I do, Kate good to see you"
"you to jim. bird care to show Ms Cruise to my cabin please"
"Yes X" Then they walk towards the hatch
"X you weren't joking about Ms Cruise, but if i was a betting man, i know you will win any arguments against her." kate smile
"thank you sir" they walk towards the hatch
"Captain Roff he seems to like you"
"We used to date three years ago, it was for a couple of months till he broke up with me"
"Why was that" they stopped at the hatch. Kate turn to him
"Cause i was in love with mike. they both were wounded and i was more worried about Mike than jim. He knew for a while that my heart belong to Mike"
"i understand. Now you both can be together with no rules getting in the way"
"We know sir" She opens the door and walks in with the captain behind her.