Chapter 6
Meanwhile, on the Hammersley, RO received a call from Navcom intended for Mike. He got up and walked over to Mike : "Navcom for you on the phone sir".
"Okay, thank you", he said as he picked up the phone, "Mike Flynn speaking".
Maxine answered, "Mike, it's Maxine. I've got some good news. I asked Darwin if they had an asset near Panawina Island and they do. Tomorrow morning they're going to pick up your two people. You can let them know".
"Aha, that's great news, but I can't get hold of them because they're turning their radio off to save batteries", answered Mike.
"Well, they'll have a surprise in the morning", Maxine answered dryly.
"So you know you can go straight back to base after the Fed's operation".
"Yes, indeed", said Mike.
"Good, that's settled. See you in Cairns", she said, ending the call.
He took the microphone, "Do you hear there, this is the captain speaking. Our XO and buffer are going to be picked up by an asset from Darwin. After the Fed's operation, we'll head back to base", he announced, putting down the microphone.
On the island.
They had spent their second night, but this time only sleeping.
The sun caressed Kate's face and she began to fidget until she blinked. At first she seemed a little confused as to where she was, but soon realised where she was.
She looked at the palm leaves waving in the deep blue sky with and a wave of different feelings began to play on her mood. On the one hand she was happy to be on this amazing place with the man she loved. On the other hand she was disappointed with the turn of her career. Nowhere! Her younger friend and former student had passed her on the promotion round and she had the coveted function of commanding a ship. Moreover, Lieutenant McGregor wasn't all that important to be picked up on a desert island and taken on an operation. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the sound of the wind and the sea, the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze. All innocent. After a few minutes she calmed down and said to herself : "What will be will be".
Kate opened her eyes again, propped herself up on one elbow and looked at Dylan, who was still asleep next to her.
She shook him gently, "Hey, wakey wakey, sleepyhead!"
"Hmm?", he mumbled, slowly emerging.
"Breakfast at Tiffanny's?", she asked, smiling.
He chuckled, "Great! That's the Kate I know. Passionate with a touch of irony. Yes, please, a Norwegian breakfast with smoked salmon!".
"I'm sorry sir, but the cat ate the salmon. How about a Jacob's Cream dry cracker with papaya chutney?", she answered.
He grinned, "Lovely! And served by a beautiful waitress!".
"The only difference is that you have to lift your ass out of the sand", she answered jokingly.
He stood up and watched her take off her DPNU jacket. She had slept fully dressed, except for the boots.
"Did you sleep well?", he asked.
"Given the circumstances, yes, but my skin is glowing", she answered.
"It was to be expected with yesterday's sunshine".
"Yeah, but how about a nice bath to refresh your skin before having breakfast?"
Kate raised her eyebrows, "Hmm, not a bad idea at all! The last one in the water makes the coffee!", she said, quickly beginning to undress.
They both ran naked towards the sea, laughing.
They swam back and forth several times, stopping where the water reached their shoulders.
"Have I ever said good morning to you?", he asked.
"No, I don't remember", Kate answered, smiling.
He moved closer and kissed her.
"Just one?", she teased him.
They kissed even more passionately while worshiping each other when something made him look up at the horizon.
"We have company ", he said, spotting a grey patrol boat in the distance.
"What?", she asked.
"They are coming to pick us up", he added.
"WHAT?", asked a startled Kate, looking in the same direction.
"The Hammersley?", she asked.
He looked closer, "No, that's not our call sign. It's one of Darwin's".
"Let's get out of here! They can see us with the EOD and I don't want to be the subject of gossip. We're naked you know!", she said nervously, running quickly towards the shore.
Once on the beach they ran to the edge of the forest, grabbed their clothes and disappeared between the bushes to get dressed.
Kate grumbled, trying to slip her underwear and uniform on over her dripping body which wasn't easy.
"Don't forget your weapon!", she yelled nervously.
"No, no", he answered.
"A RHIB is on its way", he added.
"Thank you for the information", she replied sarcastically.
"Fuck! My boots!", she grumbled as she realised she hadn't taken them.
Kate straightened her back, left the bushes and quickly stuffed her bare feet into her boots.
It would be useless trying to put socks on wet, sandy feet.
Relieved, she saw Dylan dressed, the belt with his gun around his waist, handing her her belt with the gun.
"Thank you", she said.
They looked at the approaching RHIB.
"Just in time.", he said.
"Indeed. I would have liked towels", she said.
"Yes, that might have been useful", he agreed.
"Now I feel uncomfortable. Wet underwear you see, and I hate it", she whispered.
"Don't think about it. Just smile and wave", he replied and began to wave.
"Moron!", she gritted through her teeth.
"In a few moments you can have a nice breakfast and shower", he said.
"I hope so".
Meanwhile, the RHIB reached the beach and a lieutenant jumped ashore, followed by an NCO and two sailors.
"Hi, I'm Lieutenant Nicholson. We've been ordered to pick up two colleagues on a desert island. I suppose that's you?", he said.
"Yes indeed, we are Lieutenant McGregor and Chief Petty Officer Mulholland from the HMAS Hammersley", she said.
"The Hammersley? Aha, our CO will be delighted to hear that. By the way, I'm Dave, the XO", he said.
"Nice to meet you Dave", she replied and they shook hands.
"Have you got any barang?", Dave asked.
"Yeah, over there sir", Dylan answered, gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb.
"Okay, we'll take it".
"Come on lads, gather the lieutenant's and the chief's things and we'll be off. Breakfast is waiting for us", he ordered his men.
"The CO will be delighted to see us?", Dylan repeated softly to her.
Kate shrugged, "I have no idea. Has the Hammersley become notorious?", she answered.
"Was the water good?", asked Dave with a wink.
A shiver ran down Kate's spine at Dave's delicate question.
Of course they saw us with the EOD, even with binoculars. Let's hope they didn't notice we were naked. This could become very nasty. Luckily they are from Darwin, far enough away to avoid gossip. However…. Nah, don't think about it.
"Yeah, you should try it too!", Kate answered frankly.
He laughed, "I do believe you. I'll suggest it our CO and I'll be delighted to hear the reaction!".
She looked at him, satisfied.
Case closed!
The team petty officer reported to Dave, "Sir, their entire barang is loaded".
Dave clapped his hands, "Splendid! Then we can leave."
"Back to the RHIB lads!", he ordered.
Dave made contact with his CO, "X-Ray-85 to Charlie-85. Mission completed. Passengers are in a good condition. We're back . Over".
When they returned to the patrol boat Kate and Dylan sat next to each other, feeling a bit weird to be the passengers this time.
They looked at the growing patrol boat, the P85, HMAS Bathurst II.
Kate wondered whether there had ever been a Bathurst I. She made a mental note to do some research . Perhaps it was a vessel from World War II.
They reached the ship and Dave went up the gangway first, followed by Kate and Dylan.
When she reached the deck, Kate got a shock.
To be continued