Saturday, March 25th, 2017
Britannia Royal Naval College
Dartmouth, England
Up on the top table, Keira was feeling very full.
It had been a long day, but she knew that was a lot more to happen as the afternoon wore into the evening and beyond. However, considering what she had gained, she would put up with any hardship.
"You okay, honey?" Blake asked his wife.
"Feeling a little bloated."
"I wasn't going to say anything."
Keira laughed as Blake gave her a kiss.
The Speeches
Keira had no father to embarrass her, much to her chagrin.
However, while she was expecting Richard to step in, she was surprised and pleased to see her Uncle Arthur stand up.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First, let us start with some family genealogy. I am known to Keira as Uncle Arthur. My wife, Aunt Beatrice here, is sister to Kimberley who married Ian Sharp in January of 1991. Then, some nine months later, Keira Sharp was born. She was incredibly noisy, but Ian and Kimberley were immensely proud of their new daughter. Keira loved to dance and read books. She swiftly mastered every challenge put before her. Indeed, there were times she was bored at school and resorted to bullying older boys!"
Keira laughed at the memory and cringed as she wondered what else might be forthcoming. Harper was intrigued as this was all long before she was born, and she knew extraordinarily little abought her big sister's early years. Uncle Arthur continued his speech.
"Keira grew up with a love of water. She would swim whenever she could. That love of the water soon extended to the love of the sea. However, two and a half years prior to her venturing seaward, fifteen-year-old Keira gained an extremely sweet, but very noisy little sister. Again, Ian and Kimberley were enormously proud of their second daughter and equally proud of them both."
Harper grimaced as laughter rippled around the room.
"In 2009 a young Keira Sharp set foot within these illustrious walls for the very first time. The early days were a little rocky, but Ian and Kimberly were immensely proud of their daughter who soon passed out as a Midshipman. Very quickly, Keira rose through the ranks, gaining her first stripe as a novice pilot and then her second. Like everything which was pushed under Keira's nose, she excelled at it. Keira has served as a navigator aboard a Type 22 frigate, a Lynx co-pilot aboard a Type 42 destroyer, and as a co-pilot for the Merlin helicopter aboard a Type 23 frigate – each task swiftly mastered. I am sorry to say that I lost touch with Keira when her parents and little Harper vanished. Now, I think I have rambled on enough, and now would you all stand as we toast the bride and groom."
"The bride and groom!" everyone responded loudly as they all stood up, raising the glasses of Champagne which had appeared throughout the room and taking a sip before they then sat back down again.
..._...
Once Uncle Arthur had also sat back down, Harry Steed stood up and he grinned down at Keira.
"Not all that long ago, around early November last year it was, a particularly good friend of mine invited me out for a drink. We met up in Oxford Street and found a place to have a quiet pint or four. Over our steak and chips, my friend told me that he had had a bad month. He had been dealing with an influx of injured children. One had lost both legs in a car crash and was recovering but needed constant attention due to infections. Another had lost a hand in a traumatic incident which my friend did not go into. Then he explained about a young nine-year-old girl who had suffered horrible injuries which he did not explain. Whatever the injuries, they had had a bad effect on my friend. However, he went on to explain about a ray of light in amongst the horror. The sister of that nine-year-old girl was an amazing woman, apparently. I thought that he was mad going after a patient's family member, but over the next few weeks, my friend would speak of nothing else other than this amazing woman."
Keira was feeling decidedly uncomfortable, as was Blake, and they both held hands out of sight. Harry grinned mischievously.
"Then I met my friend's bird. Bugger me if he wasn't kidding! His bird was more than amazing; she was red hot and bloody stunning!"
Keira's eyes almost bugged out at the comment as there was much laughter and some cheering. Keira could feel her entire face getting ridiculously hot.
"Without Keira, my friend could not have battled through looking after those injured children and come out the same man. Actually, he isn't the same man at all. Since getting together with Keira, I have never seen him so happy. In all the years I have known Blake Schneider, I never thought he would ever settle down. Medicine and the sea were his life. As for that nine-year-old girl – well, I met her in January, and she had nothing but good things to say about Blake and how he had ensured that she would continue to lead a full life with all of her appendages in full working order. Harper is an amazing child and just as amazing as her big sister. However, Keira and Blake did not just stop with Harper – no, neither of them ever does anything by halves! I also met a wonderful child called Diana who also had nothing but good things to say about Blake and Keira. I am truly thankful that my friend has found a loving woman and two delightful children to annoy the hell out of him. Ladies and gentlemen, I am Harry Steed and I would like to present to you all, Blake and Keira: Mr and Mrs Schneider!"
The entire room erupted in cheering. "Mr and Mrs Schneider!" everyone called out loudly as they all stood up, raising the glasses of Champagne for another sip before they all sat back down again.
..._...
Once the noise had died down, Blake stood up.
"Thank you, Harry," Blake said. "I do agree, Keira is an extremely hot bird!"
"I am not a bird!" Keira piped up.
"But you do fly," Black responded with a twinkle in his eye.
"Get out of that one!" Harper called over causing much laughter.
Keira just waved and grinned, opting to remain silent and not taking up the challenge.
"As Harry explained, I met Keira at an exceptionally low part of her life. The most important person in her life at that point was lying in a hospital bed, badly hurt. Luckily, Harper is extremely obstinate..." laughter and jeers rang out as Harper grinned and blushed "...and she refused to succumb to her wounds. Keira spent many sleepless nights alongside her sister and my personal involvement with Harper's case grew as I also needed to spend less time with young Diana who seemed to be spending most of her time in Harper's room, instead of her own!"
Diana blushed as everyone looked in her direction. Indeed, Scarlett exchanged a look with Harper as both had been frequent recipients of Diana's unscheduled visits.
"Meeting Keira changed my life. When we started to spend time together, I felt different. I think I had an affect on Keira as well, as she definitely perked up when we were alone."
"Oh, yes," Harper chirped up. "She was very happy the next morning, I can tell you!"
Wolf whistles followed as Keira blushed violently and she glared at Harper who smiled mischievously.
"Thank you, Harper!" Blake grinned. "Yes, Harper demanded to know if I was 'boning' her sister, but I think Harper was just pleased to see her big sister happy. It was after Harper was released from hospital and back home that I asked her permission to marry her big sister. I was worried that Harper might say no, but thankfully she said yes otherwise today might never have happened. I know that I have taken on three opinionated females, but I would not have it any other way. I enjoy the time spent arguing with Harper who often thinks she knows better – and sometimes she does, I will admit. Even Diana can put forward her views in a forcible manner causing significant debating and argument. Barely a day goes by without Harper and Diana arguing intensely about something non-trivial."
There was laughter and some more good-natured jeering for Harper.
"Now, enough from me, as I am sure that you all want to hear from the blushing bride. Thank you all for coming and thank you to all that helped to make our day so special. Now, as promised, my wife, Keira."
There was cheering as Blake sat down and Keira stood up.
..._...
Keira put on her best 'officer' expression and she glared around at her guests until she focussed on her sister.
"For your information, Harps!" Harper scowled. "I was not 'boned' by Blake; it was good old-fashioned, exhilarating, no holds barred, sex. Yes, s – e – x, sex! Deal with it!"
Harper cringed as Keira was cheered and the Predators wolf whistled. Diana blushed as she processed what Keira had just said. Even Natasha was surprised by the comment.
"Naval officers always say what they mean without sugar-coating the facts," Keira said. "You should know that by now Harper!"
Harper sank down in her chair grinning and it was a while before everyone calmed down.
"Thank you, all of you, for being here today. Thank you, Uncle Arthur, for your kind words which meant a lot to me and brought back some happy memories – except maybe not remembering about Harper when she was tiny – the noise was biblical!"
"No real difference now!" Blake commented and everyone laughed as Harper tried to hide.
"Seriously, it was good to hear from someone who knew me in my younger years – Uncle Arthur no telling Harper or Diana any embarrassing stories!"
"No promises!" Uncle Arthur called out.
"Today has been the most amazing day of my life. Thank you to all my bridesmaids and ushers, especially my flower girl, Harper, who was simply amazing."
Harper and the other girls and the boys all received applause.
"Now, if Diana could come up here please, I have an incredibly special presentation to make."
Diana looked worried as she stood up and walked towards the top table.
"Whatever it was, it wasn't me . . . it was Harper!" she said defensively.
"Whaaaaat!" Harper exclaimed. "I did nothing!"
"Harper, it's time," Keira said pointedly.
"Oh!" Harper responded as she jumped up and she grinned enormously as she almost ran up to the top table.
Harper took a large white A4 envelope from Keira and she handed it to a confused Diana.
"From us all, Diana," Harper said.
Diana was more than a little confused as she looked down at the plain white envelope which bore her name – only, it was not her name: Miss Diana Amelia Schneider.
"Open it, doofus!" Harper hissed.
Diana did so, her hands shaking. Inside the unsealed envelope was a single sheet of paper. Not just any sheet of paper but an official document bearing her name, typed in the box at section 3.
...+...
CERTIFIED COPY OF AN ENTRY
1. No, of entry 31864
2. Date Fourth October 2005
and place Luton
and country of birth of child England
3. Name and surname of child Diana Amelia SCHNEIDER
4. Sex of child Female
5. Name and surname Blake SCHNEIDER and Keira SCHNEIDER
address 26 East Mayfield Edinburgh
and occupation of the parent(s) of the adopted child Royal Navy Doctor and Royal Navy Pilot
6. Date of adoption order or date on which the adoption was effected
Twenty-fifth March 2017
...+...
Section six hit her hard.
For a few moments, the girl's mouth simply flapped as she was unable to form any words. Then came the tears and Diana almost folded and she would have collapsed if it were not for Harry Steed who had seen the young girl's reactions and moved to be close. There were a lot of concerned comments from around the room but then Diana pushed Harry away and she turned to face everyone. The eleven-year-old struggled to say anything but she simply held up the sheet of paper for everyone to see as tears ran down her cheeks and Harper grinned broadly as she supported the older girl. Keira and Blake came around the top table to be with Diana and Harper. Diana sagged into Keira and she sobbed into Keira's wedding dress. The contents of the sheet of paper had spread like wildfire around the room and the Predators in the room who had gone through a remarkably similar experience just two months or so previously could understand Diana's reaction.
Very soon there was cheering for Diana as she emerged from hugging Keira and she moved onto Blake.
..._...
Once the cheering for Diana had ceased and Diana had sat down with her new parents at the top table, along with Harper, Chief Petty Officer David Montgomery stood.
"A few of the children have asked the same question, so I thought I should explain it, so all understand. Young Mackenzie, your question, please."
Nine-year-old Mackenzie Morley stood up at Table 8 and she cringed as every face turned to look in her direction.
"I wanted to know why Keira and Blake came out under those swords," she said, her strong American accent obvious to all, before swiftly sitting back down again.
"Thank you, Mackenzie, a very good question," David said. "Well, I am pleased to say that the Royal Navy is believed to have originated the custom of the wedding arch. It is detailed in Queen's Regulations complete with correct drill which we followed this afternoon. The tradition is believed to be a form of salute to the new couple and the inference of support and protection by the military service, in this case the Royal Navy – with the assistance of the Army Air Corps and our resident bootneck!"
Trevor nodded with a grin as Sinead waved.
"Does that answer your question, Mackenzie?"
"Yes, thank you, Chief."
There was clapping for Mackenzie.
..._...
On Table 1, Lieutenant Sarah Perrin stood up. She still wore her white officers cap – it was pinned in place – and she stepped forward, the young officer marching smartly up to the top table and stopping directly before Blake who stood up and donned his cap. The junior officer dutifully saluted and Blake returned the salute. Sarah grinned as she handed a surprised Blake a pair of gold and scarlet epaulettes.
"By order of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Blake Schneider Royal Navy is to take upon himself the rank of Surgeon Commander forthwith! Congratulations, commander!"
Sarah saluted, waited for the return salute, and then she turned smartly to her right and marched back to her seat as everybody cheered and clapped.
Blake grinned down at his wife.
"I seem to outrank you, dear," he said once the cheering and clapping had died down.
"Oh, I have no problems being under you, commander, sir!" Keira grinned mischievously.
"I did not hear that. I did not hear that. I did not hear that," a cringing Harper repeated with her hands over her ears.
"More tea, vicar...," Blake commented as everybody laughed.
There was one final part of the official reception remaining.
The Cake
As everyone chatted, a large trolley was wheeled in upon which sat a three-tier circular wedding cake.
Neither Keira nor Blake had seen the cake, and both were stunned at the attention to detail. Natasha, Sarah, and Cassie had overseen the cake and they had not missed a trick. The base tier was a deep navy blue upon which three gold stripes alternating with two scarlet stripes wrapped around the full circumference – they signified Blake's surgeon commander rank. The second tier was pure white and bore a Royal Navy White Ensign at the front. The final tier was battleship grey and was topped off with a plastic model of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter sitting on a mocked-up flight deck. Keira was amazed by the detail and she loved the design, as did Blake.
Both stood back, initially, to allow photos to be taken of the cake before it was cut. Then, Blake drew his sword which had been cleaned earlier that day, and he rested the end of the blade atop the base tier. Keira wrapped her hands around those of her husband and they both pushed down on the sword which bit into the thick icing and decoration, pushing through, and sinking to the base board upon which the cake sat. There was a resounding cheer as the sword stopped and Keira grinned as she enjoyed the flashing of the cameras and smartphones which recorded the event for posterity.
It was done, she was married, and the formalities were all but over.
Interlude
It was time for those who were not staying for the evening's activities to leave while for everyone else, it was a time for a well-deserved break.
"Thank you," Keira said as she hugged her Uncle Arthur. "Let's all stay in touch, okay?"
"We will," Aunt Beatrice said. "I agree with everything Arthur said about you, dear. I..."
"Let's leave the past in the past, Auntie," Keira said pointedly before she gave her cousins a hug. "You guys be good, okay."
"We will, Keira," Dominic said.
"It's been amazing," Dominique admitted.
"You stay safe, young Harper," Aunt Beatrice suggested. "You have that same wild streak as your sister which will probably get you in to trouble."
"You have no idea!" Harper grinned.
"You walk well for a double amputee, Diana."
"How?" Diana asked Aunt Beatrice.
"I've spent over twenty years as a nurse, young lady, not to mention that Harry spoke about you in his speech."
"Oh."
"Continue being amazing, Keira – I mean that."
"I will, Aunt Beatrice."
"Oh, for goodness sake!" Keira exclaimed as she heard the sound of steel against steel and she glanced down to the parade ground below.
Everyone turned to see that the naval officers were being, well, naval officers; give grown men real swords and the results were predictable! Down on the parade ground there appeared to be a sword fight underway – and it was not just the junior officers either. Captain Perrin was parrying a strike from Commander Collins while Lieutenant Perrin was sparring with Captain McFadden. Commander Lawrence was also waving the tip of his sword dangerously close that of Lieutenant Commander Steed.
"Honestly!" Cassie exclaimed as she took in the scene – her own father, the senior officer present, fighting with his sword! "Boys with their toys!"
"Sarah is down there too," Andrew pointed out.
"She always had a tomboy streak."
"Pot, kettle, black," Keira pointed out and Cassie laughed.
"Excuse me!" Keira called out in her command voice, but she was completely ignored.
"Bloody officers!" Chief Petty Officer Montgomery muttered as he passed Keira.
"That will be all chief!"
"Aye, aye, ma'am!"
"I'd have brought my own bloody swords if I'd known," Mindy scowled.
"Here," Blake said as he drew his own sword and handed it hilt first to Mindy.
"Oh, for goodness sake!" Keira said for the second time in almost as many minutes.
"Is that Mum?" Stephanie asked as she watched Mindy brandish the appropriated blade in the correct manner her left hand to her left hip.
"On guard!" Mindy was heard to say as she faced off against Sarah.
"To the death!" Sarah responded.
"This can only end in tears," Dave commented with a resigned sigh.
After a few minutes more, and before anybody was hurt, Captain Perrin called a halt to the impromptu sparring session and all blades were returned to scabbards by the grinning naval officers.
..._...
There was one final task to be accomplished before the group made their way down to the river.
At 18:30, all those remaining gathered on the parade ground and faced the soaring mast bearing the White Ensign. A sailor, a marine bugler, and the officer of the day – all in their Number 1 uniforms – were already present. The bugler stood at ease to the right of the mast while the seaman stood at ease to the left of the mast and the officer was stood twenty feet ahead of the mast. At 18:36, everything began as the sailor saluted.
"Sunset, sir!" he announced clearly.
"Sound the Alert!" the officer responded.
The bugler raised his bugle and he began to sound colours. Every person present came to attention and faced the main mast. Those wearing a cap saluted smartly. Over a period of approximately fifty seconds, the White Ensign was slowly lowered down the mast and gathered by the sailor.
"Prep Down, sir!"
"Sound the Carry On!"
The bugler sounded the Carry On as two notes. Everyone saluting, dropped their salute but all remained at attention.
"Sunset party, turning right, dismiss!"
At that point, everyone dismissed and made their way towards the river.
The Entertainment
Sometime later that evening...
The River Dart
CALEDONIA
The 132-foot megayacht was lit from stem to stern.
It was dark outside, but every light burned from the masthead to the main deck and from the bow to the stern. A new blue ensign had flown from the flagstaff at the stern for the entire day but had been struck at sunset as had the pilot jack at the bow. In the main salon, everyone was gathering for drinks and a buffet supper. Dress was formal, which for the military personnel meant formal mess dress – Number 2A for officers in the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. Caps were not required. Keira had changed into her own Royal Navy uniform for the evening and she gazed longingly at her new husband as he adjusted his cummerbund and then pulled on his jacket. Unbeknownst to him, his rank had already been altered and his sleeves bore the three broad stripes of a full commander with the twin scarlet stripes in between each gold stripe. As for Blake, his wife looked stunning in her long evening skirt. Both wore black bow ties upon their white Marcella shirts as was required for their uniforms. Each also wore miniatures of their medals upon the left breasts of their jackets. For Keira, it was the very first time that she had worn her Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lieutenant Commander Keira Schneider was not alone as it was the first time for a couple of years for Chief Petty Officer Montgomery for his own mess dress and medals of which he had two rows. As did Captain Perrin who was pleased to be able to wear his official mess dress once in a while and to display his medals. Captain McFadden wore her mess dress which was a red jacket and long black skirt. Captain Lai also wore mess dress which was a red mess jacket with medals. The non-military women all wore evening gowns while the men wore tuxedos. Craig also wore a tuxedo although the younger boys did not, just wearing a shirt and tie. The girls all wore dresses except for Kate, Dakota, Mary, Olivia, Saoirse, and Morgan who wore evening gowns. The gathering consisted of all those already privy to Vengeance and Fusion which allowed everyone to relax from a security point of view.
However, to start the evening off, there was the first dance.
..._...
Keira had no idea why she felt so scared.
As she stepped towards her husband, she could see so many supportive faces, and they were all her friends. Above all, her husband smiled down upon her and she felt complete, she felt safe, she felt loved and she felt wanted. As she looked up at Blake, Keira found herself grinning and blushing like she was doing something naughty – well, she hoped to be in a few hours' time...!
Joshua, in his own tuxedo pressed play on the CALEDONIA's advanced sound system. Out came the immortal words of Rod Stewart:
I am sailing
I am sailing
Home again
'Cross the sea
I am sailing
Stormy waters
To be near you
To be free
Keira felt Blake gently swaying, like they were at sea. She closed her eyes and she visualised the pair of them at sea, alone, with no other vessel visible. She had never felt so at peace. It was like a chapter of her life had just closed. That chapter had been horrible and full of darkness and death. The new chapter promised to be full of light and life – at least it was staring out that way.
I am flying
I am flying
Like a bird
'Cross the sky
I am flying
Passing high clouds
To be near you
To be free
Around her, she could hear others singing the same words quietly to themselves. As she and Blake swayed, she could feel the warmth of his body against her and most of what was going on around her vanished. The happiness within her was threatening to explode. The only thing which made her as happy was when she was flying a helicopter or an aircraft. Up in the air, she was free and when she was able to just fly without worrying about being shot at or a mission, she felt uniquely carefree.
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
Through the dark night, far away
I am dying, forever crying
To be with you, who can say
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
Through the dark night, far away
I am dying, forever crying
To be with you, who can say?
We are sailing, we are...
As the song tailed off, Rod was pushed out by Madonna with Cherish.
..._...
That brought others onto the dance floor.
Andrew pulled a reluctant Cassie to her feet while Olivia dragged up a similarly reluctant Craig. That kind of broke the ice and other couples merged in with Keira and Blake who appeared to be in their own little world. Stephanie frowned as she noticed Jamie and Abigail moving onto the dance floor. Not to be outdone, Stephanie walked over to where Rylee, Tanya, and Simon were chatting.
"Can I borrow Simon?"
"Feel free," Rylee said with a wave of her hand.
"I don't belong to her, you know," Simon said as Stephanie pulled him onto the dance floor.
"I just want to keep an eye on my brother."
"Oh, I'm part of your cover, am I?"
"That's it, now shut up and dance!" Stephanie ordered.
"What are up to?" Joshua asked as he spied Stephanie dancing with Simon.
"Never you mind!"
"Just asking," Joshua chuckled as he danced with Natasha.
"I just try to ignore them," Natasha said.
"So do I," Joshua grinned.
Stephanie kept several others between her and her targets who just appeared to be dancing together all innocent like. Why was she worried? She was not really worried; she was more curious about what they might be getting up to, and she was at a loose end. Normally, she would have been with Abigail, but Abigail apparently had Jamie on her mind right at that moment. Was she jealous? Maybe, it was just that she was not used to being left alone.
Joshua watched Stephanie and considered that it seemed more like she was missing having Tommy around, he figured.
..._...
Considering it was cold outside, everyone stayed inside the capacious quarters of the main deck and the upper deck with some overflow onto the bridge.
The upper decks were devoid of life which made things a little more cramped but probably more intimate. While some danced, others moved onto the massive buffet which was arranged on the dining table on the main deck. The children enjoyed cramming down food and fizzy drinks while the adults chatted amongst themselves in a more civilised manner – mostly. Alcohol ensured that there was plenty of salty conversation as the naval officers swapped sea stories with their brethren and the single Royal Marine and Army Air Corps pilot. Naturally, there was some conversation over medals and what they had been for which brought out many tall tales. Dave and Mindy enjoyed hearing about events in the British armed forces having heard plenty from the American side of things, so it was good to hear some contrasting stories. Unsurprisingly, the rescue of the ATLANTIC STORM at the beginning of the previous year had featured and Richard Perrin had enjoyed regaling everyone about his rescue of Fusion from fast boats. Mindy had been quick to reassure everyone that she had only needed the tiniest amount of help to escape.
Elsewhere, Georgia was studying young Isaac. It had occurred to her that he was awfully young to be aware of Vengeance and Fusion. Not that she knew all that much, to be honest. Therefore, she had sought out the American girl, Megan, who seemed to know everything.
"Isaac knows about Vengeance and Fusion?" Georgia asked.
"Oh, yes – big drama!" Megan explained. "Isaac got hold of a pass and found his way into a supersecret part of Mindy's safehouse. I understand you know about Vengeance – well, some – but not much about Fusion, right?"
"I received a briefing not all that long ago about my bestfriend, Rylee."
"Well, you see Mindy over there?"
"The young woman in the purple dress talking with Rylee's mum?"
"Yes."
"Mindy's someone special from what I've heard," Georgia said.
"You could say that – she's Hit Girl and I'm Wildcat," Megan said.
"You're the famous Wildcat," Georgia said, her tone full of derision.
"Hard to believe isn't it?" Stephanie threw in as she walked past.
"Really? You're Wildcat."
"Yes, she is Wildcat," a voice confirmed.
"And you're Hit Girl."
"Yes, I am Hit Girl, Georgia."
"You're really beautiful, although I thought Hit Girl would be taller."
"I thought she'd be taller too," Dave chuckled.
"You armed?" Georgia asked.
"Of course!" Mindy growled as she glared up at the unrepentant Dave.
"Prove it!" Georgia challenged.
Mindy sighed as she pulled up the right side of her purple ballgown, revealing a lot of leg.
"Woah! Awesome!" Jake announced as he watched, and Mindy felt herself blushing as she revealed a small pistol in a holster on the outside of her right thigh.
"Are you armed, Megan?" Georgia asked.
Megan produced some more leg for Jake to ogle over and she revealed two small throwing knives.
..._...
In the galley, Cameron and Sarah were showing Sinead, Richard, and Lara around CALEDONIA.
"She got her teeth, this time around?" Richard asked.
"Oh, yes," Cameron confirmed. "She's fresh from fitting out. Watch."
Cameron reached under the edge of the counter and fumbled a bit before a section of marble surface rose up eight inches to reveal the butt assemblies of four Glock 17 pistols. He then turned and pressed a hidden button and what looked suspiciously like the butt of a P90 appeared out the side of a cupboard. Cameron pushed the weapons back into their hidden enclosures.
"There are fifty-three weapons hidden throughout the vessel, just like these. The bridge has eight P90s within easy reach and the gangway at the stern has a secret stowage for six P90s and eight Glock 17s. All just in case, you know."
"What about the big stuff?" Richard asked.
"We have eighteen Sea Spear missiles aboard right now as well as the Narwhal mount forward with a full magazine of rounds," Cameron conceded.
"Sounds like you're ready to repel boarders," Lara chuckled.
"Last time we were out, we had no weapons aboard and that kind of caused a lot of problems," Cameron said. "Now we can dissuade anybody who wants to do us harm."
"Impressive," Richard commented.
..._..
As the evening wore on, everyone relaxed further.
The men shed their jackets as they drank and spoke loudly and crudely. The women generally ignored the men and spoke amongst themselves – often loudly and crudely. As for those legally classified as children, they descended into the depravity associated with their age group and their upbringing. For Olivia and Craig, they sank into a corner of a couch and were not heard from again for the rest of the evening. Megan, Stephanie, Abigail, Saoirse, Morgan, and Shannon were playing a very loud and very crude-sounding card game which appeared to have its crude origins within Urban Predator. Jamie was off with Jake, Danny, Simon, and Owen on the upper deck where the five boys were playing rowdily upon an Xbox One. Georgia, Rylee, Tanya, and Charlotte were with Lily annoying the boys as they awaited their own turn on the Xbox. Dakota and Kate were just back from below decks where Isaac had been put to bed – the poor boy was knackered – and the two friends went in search of more food. As for Isaac's sister, Mackenzie, she had been recruited by Anne-Marie, Naomi, Kaitlin, and Harper. The five girls were skulking around the food, stuffing their faces, but they soon wandered off to see what Diana, Mary, and Amber were getting up to. The older girls were on the bridge chatting happily as they gazed out upon the darkened River Dart and the other moored craft. That just left Scarlett, Electra, Yvette, and Jordan unaccounted for.
"Ewww!" Electra exclaimed as she walked into the small pantry on the upper deck to find Scarlett and Jordan on the deck, 'snogging'.
"That's disgusting," Yvette pointed out.
Neither Scarlett nor Jordan paused in their activities, but a metallic fist was raised followed by a single finger.
"That was totally uncalled for!" Electra stated before she and Yvette fled, passing Kaitlin, Harper, Naomi, and Anne-Marie.
"Don't go in the pantry," Yvette warned the troop.
Kaitlin being Kaitlin peeked in and then rapidly reappeared.
"Yuk!"
"Warned you," Yvette grinned.
"Who would programme a prosthetic hand to stick up a middle finger anyway?" Kaitlin groused.
"You guys are nuts!" Mackenzie commented.
"We are what we are," Harper said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"But, it's really cool," Mackenzie clarified. "I mean it's bad what you guys went through, but it's cool that you know how to have fun."
"From a Yank, I'll take that as a compliment," Harper grinned.
"We aim to please," Anne-Marie grinned. "Let's go annoy Steph and Abigail."
"Not a bad idea," Kaitlin considered. "We'll get good results off them."
Thus, Diana, Mary, and Amber were spared a night attack on the bridge.
..._...
Shannon was an awesome card player and swiftly put Megan and Saoirse in their places, proving to them that she was virtually unstoppable.
Actually, Morgan was a much better card player than Shannon, but she was biding her time ready to pounce, and Saoirse knew it. Morgan had her own ideas as to strategy which were not all that far off the mark.
"Hah! Full fucking house!" Megan proclaimed happily as she placed down her cards. "Fuck you all!"
On the table were five cards: Ace – Eight – Eight – Eight – Ace. A difficult hand to beat. There was also a Six and a Four.
"Shit!" Stephanie hissed dejectedly as she threw down her cards which would have made just a pair.
Then Shannon turned over her two cards and Saoirse laughed as Megan scowled.
"Ace and a Six – a fucking higher full house than your fucking weak attempt, kitty-cat!" Shannon grinned as Megan muttered unmentionables under her breath which would have had her grounded if her mother had been there to hear the words.
Saoirse was already out which just left Morgan.
"Give it up, bird girl!" Shannon teased. "You got fucking nothing!"
On the table was a new row of five cards: Ace – Ace – Six – Six – Ace. A difficult hand to beat. There was also an Eight and a Four.
Morgan's facial expression was unreadable as she just stared at the five cards. She nodded forlornly as she slid her cards across the table before she then flipped them over and spread them apart.
"Oooh!" Stephanie grinned as she read the cards. "A storm is brewing!"
Shannon's expression had soured significantly from one of extreme pleasure and bravado to one of extreme anger as she saw the cards revealed: Five - Seven.
"A straight fuckin' flush!" Stephanie laughed as Morgan grinned happily.
"Well played, Red Raven," Shannon conceded.
"You, too, Stormtide," Morgan replied.
Stephanie was having so much fun that she never actually noticed that Abigail had slunk off.
..._...
Ever curious, Stephanie went in search of her friend.
She was not all that far away and engaged in something extremely inappropriate – at least it was inappropriate in Stephanie's mind. In truth, she was horrified at what she found.
"Abigail Samantha Murphy, what the bloody hell do you think you are doing?!" Stephanie demanded.
"Making out with your brother, what the fuck does it look like, doofus?!" Abigail shot back before she went back to kissing said brother.
Stephanie was appalled, to say the very least. Abigail's right hand was down the front of her brother's trousers while his hands were split between Abigail's knickers which were blatantly visible as her dress was up above her waist and her chest.
"You find anything interesting up there, Jamie?"
"Enough for now," Jamie responded. "Fuck off will you, sis."
Stephanie's mouth dropped open at the crude brush off and then she turned on her heel and stalked off down a deck to the bar.
"Gimme a Coke!" she growled to Rachel who was washing up.
"Ice?" Rachel chuckled, seeing Stephanie's annoyed expression.
"Do I look like I give a damn?"
"A problem, young Stephanie?" Rachel asked, sensing a problem.
"Apart from my brother making out with my closest friend, everything's great!"
"What's so wrong about that?
"He's my baby brother – it's just creepy."
"And what does your baby brother think about his big sister having Tommy's hands all over her body?"
Stephanie felt her cheeks glowing bright red and extremely hot.
"That isn't the point."
"So, what is the point?"
"I have to look after him."
"It's not like he's picked someone who you don't like?"
"True."
"Do they care about each other?"
"Yes, they do."
"So, what's the problem beyond you not liking catching them 'playing'?"
"Nothing – I'm just being stupid. Thanks."
"Any time, Stephanie. Growing up isn't easy, but you're doing well."
Stephanie took her Coke and headed off to find Electra.
..._...
Mindy was not expecting to be cornered by Jake and Charlotte.
"What's up, guys?"
Charlotte pointed at Jake who grinned nervously before he hugged Mindy.
"Thank you for my life, HG," he whispered loudly enough only for Mindy and Charlotte to hear.
"I . . . okay, Jake," Mindy said, unsure of what else to say.
"I was a little shit – still am, according to Cassie and Andrew, but I have never been happier."
"Me too – I know I had a rocky start, but everything I endured was worthwhile and I love where I am now. I have amazing parents and relatives. I have my best friend not too far away, and I have all me needs taken care of," Charlotte said, before she too gave Mindy a hug.
"I am very pleased to see that the pair of you are happy," Mindy said as the two youngsters grinned up at her. "Keep going the way you're going, okay?"
"We will – thanks," they both responded before running off.
"What was that about?" Dave asked.
"I seem to have succeeded with those two beyond all my expectations," Mindy replied.
"You're surprised?"
"Not really; I'm perfect."
"Oh, yes," Dave agreed as he kissed his wife.
"Not you two as well!" a voice growled.
"Hello, my little pit viper," Dave chuckled.
Stephanie grinned.
"You okay, pal?" Dave asked.
"Now I'm with you guys, yes I am."
Mindy felt like she could not be happier.
..._...
Harper and Diana were sitting with Blake and Keira as everything was winding down.
"Where are you going for your week of sex?" Harper asked.
"Ewww!" Diana cringed.
Keira laughed.
"Blake and I will be making use of a small cottage down near Porthleven on the coast. But first, we will sail Caledonia to Falmouth, just around the coast. Would you both like to join the crew? If not, you can head home with Cassie, Andrew, Jake and the girls."
"Who else is aboard?"
"Richard will be in command while Sarah and David will be crew. Charlotte and Kate will be aboard as well," Blake told the two girls.
Harper and Diana looked at one another and then they both grinned.
"We'll come!"
"Drat!" Keira said in mock horror.
Blake chuckled.
He knew that Keira was genuinely concerned about leaving Harper and Diana, however, they would only be a dozen miles away in their cottage, thus keeping the children at arm's length, but keeping them close at the same time.
The following morning...
Sunday, March 26th
Dartmouth, England
CALEDONIA
Everyone was awake by nine for breakfast which was a large buffet of breakfast rolls.
"I did not sleep a fucking wink!"
"What's wrong, Harper?" Mindy grinned.
"Directly above us in the bow is the main cabin – it was horrifying how long they went on for last night," Harper explained.
"I thought sex was just something quick," Diana commented.
Mindy and Rachel had a good laugh at the two youngster's expense. Then the wedding couple appeared.
"Morning all!" Blake announced.
"Sleep well?" Mindy asked with a sly look at Harper.
"Slept really well," Keira grinned as she saw Harper scowling. "Was totally exhausted."
"Eventually," Harper growled.
"Sorry about keeping you awake, Harper," Keira grinned with no hint of an actual apology.
"I ask you," Stephanie hissed to Abigail. "Who in their right mind has loud sex when the walls are just sodding plastic?"
"Did we keep you awake?" Mindy asked without a hint of guilt.
"You know you bloody did!" Stephanie complained. "Bad enough that Abigail decided to wank off thinking about Jamie on the bunk below me – honestly!"
Abigail went a very deep shade of red as everybody laughed – except for Stephanie and a very embarrassed Jamie.
Later that morning...
At just before noon, everyone was ashore who was not departing on the seventy nautical-mile journey.
Captain Perrin was on the bridge preparing to get under way while Sarah was on the wheel. David was monitoring the engines leaving Charlotte, Kate, and Harper to sort out the mooring lines under the guidance of Keira. Diana was at the stern on the upper deck with the ensign while Blake assisted on the bow. As the ship's chronometer clicked over to noon, the final two lines securing the vessel, fore and aft, were released while the ensign broke to the stiff breeze blowing offshore. The Blue Ensign at the stern indicated the vessel's nationality and her ownership. With a single blast from her siren, the forty-metre vessel drifted off the jetty and then the fore and aft thrusters powered up and pushed the yacht out into the river and then spun her to starboard one-eighty degrees to aim the bow down river towards the sea some 1.8 nautical-miles distant. First, though, they had to negotiate the upper ferry which involved bringing the twin diesel engines online once the thrusters were powered down. With a steady roar the thirsty diesels sucked in gallons of air through the air intakes mounted aft as they turned the twin shafts through gearboxes and the 260-ton vessel began making way, rapidly working up to four knots.
On the high-tech bridge, Captain Perrin and his daughter kept an eye open for the random watercraft which dotted the River Dart. Some were at anchor while others were moving under their own power up and down the river. Their massive vessel hugged the right-side of the river before slowing to allow them to pass aft of the lower ferry near Kingswear on the port side. It was a matter of pride that Captain Perrin could thread the megayacht through the river traffic safely and efficiently. Admittedly, he was more used to guiding something many times the size – his HMS DRAGON – but instead, he put his full concentration in not denting the Vengeance flagship. With great relief, they negotiated the dogleg and then passed the final buoy to starboard and then the English Channel beckoned. There was a noticeable swell running which was countered with an increase in speed to eight knots before they altered course to starboard onto a south-westerly heading.
While the newly-weds enjoyed the cruise, getting up to what ever pleased them, the lower deck crew (Harper, Diana, Charlotte, and Kate) were put to work on their seamanship and navigation. Kate and Charlotte were with Sarah on the bridge learning how to navigate while Harper and Diana were aft with David going over moorings and knots. Richard sat in the captain's chair keeping a weather eye open for any issues as they pushed through the waves. The transit to Falmouth was to take approximately six hours and they would arrive well before sunset – thanks to the clock having gone forward an hour that very morning. Navigating into an unfamiliar port at night in an unfamiliar craft with an inexperienced crew was a recipe for disaster and not one which Richard was willing to allow. At one stage, Charlotte nipped down to the galley to gather some premade sandwiches for them all. The girl dutifully returned with a plate of sandwiches and several cans of drink but with a horrified look on her face.
"What's up, Charlie?" Kate asked.
"Those two are fucking."
"What makes you think that?" Sarah asked.
"I found Keira's bra and knickers, along with the rest of her clothing on the floor outside the galley."
"Ewww," Kate muttered.
"Let's make things a little more enjoyable," Richard chuckled. "Helm! Ahead full!"
"Ahead full," Kate responded from the helm. "Aye, aye, sir!"
Kate pushed the twin throttles fully forward and the twin 51.7-litre 3,460-bhp marine diesels exploded into life. The stern sank as the twin screws cut into the water and the log reported them passing twelve knots, sixteen knots, eighteen knots. They rapidly began to overhaul other vessels as the log indicated twenty-four knots and still accelerating. Off the port bow they could see a grey-painted warship.
"Charlie," Sarah said. "What is that warship?"
Kate turned to respond – she knew exactly what it was – but Sarah held up a finger and Kate forlornly turned back to the wheel. Charlotte checked the vessel with a set of binoculars before entering the vessels pennant number – F235 – which was painted on her hull into the computer on the bridge.
"HMS Monmouth – a Type 23 frigate," Charlotte reported.
"I could have told you that!" Kate growled.
"Well done, Charlie," Sarah said.
They were very rapidly overhauling the five-thousand-ton frigate, passing the Royal Navy vessel to starboard. However, HMS MONMOUTH did not appear to like being overhauled by a mere yacht and she began to increase speed as her twin Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C turbines increased speed and the frigate surged forwards, rapidly increasing speed to match CALEDONIA which had just hit twenty-eight knots and was holding that speed through the waves. The larger vessel coped much better with the waves as she powered through them, white spray cascading from her flared bows but CALEDONIA held her own. Officers and sailors aboard waved at those aboard CALEDONIA who dutifully waved back. After a few miles, with neither vessel getting a nose ahead of the other, MONMOUTH sounded her siren and she turned south, making for the Atlantic Ocean, and reducing speed to eighteen knots.
Aboard CALEDONIA, Richard ordered Kate to ease back on the throttles while they still had some diesel fuel left.
That evening...
Falmouth, England
The small Cornish town on the south coast, noted as the launching point for the commando raid on St Nazaire during World War II.
The CALEDONIA was moored alongside a concrete dock just a stone's throw from the A&P Falmouth facility and the Queen Elizabeth Dock where the 201-metre, 37,000-ton newest Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA TIDESPRING had just arrived from the builders in Taiwan. Aboard the megayacht, it was time to say goodbye. Keira had very rarely seen her little sister cry and that had mostly been due to pain in the hospital, but Harper was now a basket case as the moment had arrived for her and Blake to head off to their cottage for the week.
"I am going to miss you, Kei."
"I know, and I am going to miss you very much, Harps. But I need you to be with Diana to look after her."
"I don't want you to go either," the other basket case said.
"You both look after each other, okay?" Keira pressed, doing her best to will down her own tears and not to break down.
She would miss her two girls immensely, even if it was only for a week. However, she knew that they would be looked after in the interim, so she also knew that was just being stupid. The last time she had been separated from Harper had been when... No, she did not even want to think about that.
"Behave, understand me."
"I will – I'm ten years old, what could I possibly get up to?" Harper responded as she wiped away her tears.
"I don't buy that for even a second, Harper."
"They will be good," Kate said. "Me and Sarah have some lovely activities planned for them both, plus a list of punishments should either one step out of line."
"That's harsh," Harper stated.
"I'm always good," Diana complained.
"Not always," Blake commented knowingly.
"That was an accident."
"It always is," Keira sighed.
It was time to go have a week of fun with her new husband – they had an awful lot planned together.
..._...
Harper followed Keira and Blake with her eyes until they climbed into their rented Land Rover Discovery and then vanished from sight.
Then she promptly went to pieces and hugged Kate very tightly. Kate was a little unsure of what to do, so simply guided Harper inside, out of the cold, and onto a couch. Diana followed and she sat down next to Harper and both cuddled as they cried. Sarah had vanished forty minutes earlier, soon after they had come alongside. She returned at that moment, vanishing into the galley for a few minutes before reappearing with two plates which she pushed onto the laps of the two girls. Immediately, both cheered up considerably, especially Harper. Kate and Charlotte laughed as both girls dug into the pile of KFC chicken and ripped into the corn-on-the-cob sides. Sarah reappeared with plates for the older girls and then further plates for herself, David, and Richard. It was the perfect comfort food. Richard nodded at his eldest daughter – he also enjoyed KFC; not that his wife allowed such an indulgence due to his age.
Very soon, the tears were gone, and everyone was chatting as they put away the truly gargantuan amount of food which Sarah had acquired. Despite the cold outside, they were cosy and warm inside as the CALEDONIA was equipped with an integrated central heating system. Not surprisingly, Harper, Charlotte, and Kate demonstrated why it was impossible to take Predators out to eat in a public setting which had Diana almost choking on sweet corn as she laughed at their antics. Sarah was not overly amused, but even Richard and David allowed the fun as it took the departure of Keira and Blake from the minds of Harper and Diana – if just for a few hours. David had long given up trying to get his daughter to act like a fairly normal human being – much as he had left his son to his dubious behaviour.
By the time it was time to clear up, the three younger girls were very tired after two exhausting days. Indeed, Harper was the first to fall asleep on a couch with Diana not too far behind. Charlotte had managed to make it to her cabin where she had collapsed onto the bunk without even getting undressed. Therefore, David, Richard, Sarah, and Kate were left to have a drink before bed in relative peace and quiet.
"To the newlyweds and may they have a fucking good time!" Richard announced as everyone raised their glasses of genuine 54.5% Pusser's Rum.
"To the newlyweds!" everyone intoned.
Kate almost spluttered as she took a sip of the fiery substance which had the others – all seasoned rum drinkers – laughing at her. That simply led to some more drinking which led to some very salty sea jokes which had even Sarah blushing and Kate giggling her head off. By ten o'clock that night, Sarah had decided that she had had enough of listening to her father's sea stories and she encouraged a rather drunk Kate to head down to her bunk. That just left David and Richard to discuss further sea stories as the night wore on and the bottle of rum emptied.
Kate was not being all that cooperative as she attempted to undress in her cabin. Pulling off her jeans caused her to fall over which she thought was incredibly funny as she giggled away before then trying to remove her knickers and falling over again, ultimately waking up a really tired Charlotte who simply glared at the half naked teenager as the girl struggled to pull off her polo shirt. Sarah had tried to help but Kate had other ideas as she struggled to strip. Finally, before she could pull on a T-shirt and climb into bed, the girl bolted for the bathroom and Sarah had to watch as a naked Kate threw up several times before then pissing for two full minutes while singing.
Sarah finally got the seventeen-year-old into bed before she too retired for the night once Kate was snoring and Charlotte had promised not to kill the older girl.
Author's Note: There will be three further Forsaken chapters: Chapter 391: Lecture, Chapter 392: Introduction, and Chapter 393: Birthday Wishes which will then take Forsaken, Fusion: Los Angeles, and Vengeance into hiatus for a while as we move onto the latest story for the Forsaken Universe: Vigilante Fallout which launches on August 1st, 2020. Vigilante Fallout brings together every part of my Forsaken Universe into one giant fast-moving, action-filled story.