CH 55
During the week they went to the three islands and drop off supplies then left to go to the next island. When the last of the supplies were drop off Hammersley return back to Cairns.
When Hammersley was dock every one left to go home or to the pub. When buffer arrived home he went to have a shower and then gotten dress when Nikki walk int to the bedroom
"Got every thing" Pete asked
"Yes, taxi will be here in a minute, I'll carry Vicky bag down stairs"
"Ok I'll carry ours"
Once Pete was dress he pick up the two bags then he follow Nikki down stairs just as the taxi showed up.
Hour later Pete, Nikki and Vicky were on plane flying to Sydney. Vicky was between them sleeping.
"Mum said she would look after Vicky while we are there"
"Are you sure, aren't you... breast feeding still"
"no she having milk formula now and I got none to give to her"
"Ok" Nikki reach over and put her hand in to his while looking at him.
He turn to her "We finally going"
"Yes. Commander Flynn got a temporary replacement on stand by just in case Hammersley has to crash sail and Swain temporary replace also on stand by just in case"
"I know he told me" Nikki said smiling. They look down at Vicky who made a noise while sleeping.
Few hours later they were greeted at the air port by Nikki parents "Oh my she growing up so fast" Nichole said as Nikki pass Vicky to her
"Yes she is, hi mum" Nikki said as they hug while Pete and Andrew shook hands.
"Pete keeping Nikki happy"
"I try to Andrew"
"what do you mean try to"
"Nikki and I are lucky to spent four nights together in the past five months"
"We know, Nikki told us about what was happening. At lest you got a few days left on your shore leave"
"Yeah" then buffer cell phone rings so he got it out of his pocket to see who it from then saw the text message
"Pete what is it" Nikki asked
"Crew going to be piss off, crash sail message"
"Your joking, Hammersley suppose to be in dry dock"
"Looks like it not going to happen, I'll call commander Flynn"
"Pete no"
"Nikki I wasn't suppose to get crash sail message"
"Ok" Pete called Mike to find out what was going on. They talk for couple of minutes before hanging up.
"Hammersley gone to tow Kingston back to Cairns" Nikki grin
"Oh Kingston not going to be happy when they find out who towing them back to port"
"no they not and we know what the crew it like"
"True what happen"
"they ran over a ghost net"
"Oh man we know what they are like"
"True, come on" Pete pick up Vicky car seat then they walk over to where they pick up their and Vicky bags before walking out of the air port together.
Andrew and Nichole drop Nikki and Pete off at the hotel that Nikki was able to rebook. Then both her and Pete gave Vicky a kiss before getting out of Andrew car and picking up there bags.
"Enjoy your vacation you two" Nichole said
"We will mum" Nikki said.
Then she and Pete walk towards the entrance with them hold there bags in one hand and there arms around each other while Andrew got back in the car then drove home where he and Nichole looking ford to spend few days with Vicky there youngest grand child.
The next day Nikki and Pete went to a florist to to buys some flowers then they took a taxi to the cemetery where the driver drop them off after Pete paid for the fair. They walk together hand in hand to where Pete parents are. When they stop at the resting place they saw some a lot of the dead flowers from when she was buried.
So they started cleaning up around the grave getting rid of the dead flowers till Nikki stop at the round wreath, the flowers still there and so was the Hammersley ribbon. Nikki brush off the dirt then she felt one of the roses and relies it was artificial. She stood up with it in her hand when Pete return from throwing the dead flowers into a bin that was near by
"what you got there" He ask.
She turn it around when he was close. He stop when he saw what it was then he look up at Nikki "I thought they were real"
"so did I Pete"
They look at the wreath then finish clean up around the grave before Pete put new flowers in flowers holder next to the head stone while Nikki put the wreath in front of the head stone. When done they stood back with there arms around each other waist
"that looks much better" Nikki said
"Yes it dose"
"From the flowers we removed, it looks like you sisters haven't been here since she past away"
"I've notice that also" The Pete cell phone rings so he got it out of his pocket to see who it from
"it from charge" he open the text message.
And show Nikki the message 'Crew giving Kingston crew hard time. Back in port but leaving to take over Kingston patrol once stock and gas up. Your replacement, well crew want you back. Swain replacement she ok and knows swain. So much for shore leave, crew not happy, charge'
"sounds like your replacement rub the crew the wrong way" Nikki said
"Yeah" then he called Charge
"charge got your text... how bad is Kingston... where they blind... no wounder you guys aren't happy...ok you said crew want me back, what happen... he did what... what did she do... yeah..." Pete grin
"and the X... she didn't... no wounder you want me back... well you guys do the best you can... I know it two months...sure...fair winds" then he hung up
"Kingston damage the propeller that was replace three months ago. They going to be in dry dock getting replace again"
"Again wasn't any one on watch"
"there was two of them charge said when they reach Kingston they saw the ghost net and saw how big it was and Hammersley avoided the net. He said that it took both Hammersley and Kingston to pull it onto the the ships, it had to be cut up to pieces but lucky there was no fish in it"
"the storm that you guys went through four days ago"
"Yes. Charge said it was the biggest net he ever seen it took up over three quaters back of Hammersley, same with Kingston. Lucky the buoys got numbers on them so NAVCOM can track down it owner"
"Ok what about your temporary replacement"
"He try to flirt with bomber, she told him to back off, he pull rank on her so she grab two eggs and smash them on his head and told him to get out of the galley"
"Sounds like bomber"
"True, X saw the whole them she had words with him and report the incident to the captain. He had words with the guy in front of the whole crew who was on the bridge. After that word got around till spider put his foot in his mouth, the guy punish him and gave him a black eye. X, swain temporary replacement and charge saw what happen."
"Captain table"
"Charge doesn't know but he been confided below decks unless he on duty watch, bomber gone to take care of spider black eye"
"no wounder they want you back" They look at the grave one more before they turn around and walk back the way they came
"We should come up here more often Pete"
"I agree, what shall we do today"
"Shopping" Nikki said smiling
"for what"
"Our growing family Pete"
"Oh yeah"
The next day Nikki, Vicky and Pete flew back to Cairns since they planing on taking Nick fishing the next day since it would be Nikki last day off before returning back to work.
The next morning Nikki, Vicky, Nick and Pete went fishing for the day. While in Sydney they brought Vicky her own life jacket since Nick got his own. Pete and Vicky was up at the wheel house while Nick, and Nikki was sitting on the back watching where they were going while smiling and they enjoy being out on a boat.
"How Vicky" Nikki yell out
"loving it" Pete said smiling back at Nikki then turn to see where he was going.
When they reach a good spot Pete turn the engines off while Nikki took care of the anchor. Then Pete and Vicky join Nikki and Nick on the back of the boat.
Vicky was stand up and walking around while holding onto some thing. They talk about different thing and when Vicky needed her diaper change Pete took her down below deck to change her diaper then return with drinks and contain that got some food in it. Vicky was crawling behind Pete and up the steps while giggling.
"Vicky enjoying her self" Pete said
"Yes she is, she must be hungry"
"she saw me with her bottle"
"Ah"
Pete pass Nikki and Nick there drinks then he sat down putting container on top of chilli bin when Vicky crawl he way over to Pete and manage to stand up looking up at him.
"Thirsty Vicky" he pass her, her bottle which she grab it and put it in her mouth so he pick her up and put her on his lap while she was still drinking then Pete started drinking his drink and manage to remove the lid from the container to see what Nikki pack for every one.
"Yoghurt Nikki"
"for Vicky"
"Ah" Nikki and Nick got them selves a sandwich since it was lunch time while Pete feed Vicky.
She kick her legs about every time Pete feed her. "she loves her yogurts" Nikki said
"I know" After most of the food was gone they return back to fishing for couple more hours.
"Some one due to have her nap" Nikki said picking up Vicky who was on Pete lap
"Enjoy your nap sweetie" Pete said. Vicky look at Pete the out so sea, then she pointed out to sea
"Yes that the ocean, a big ocean come on" then Vicky started kicking
"Hey what wrong, I know your tired" Vicky turn her head around and pointed out to sea while Nikki carry her to the step, then she start to hit Nikki and screaming
"Hey what wrong with you, you never hit mummy before" Pete stood up and step ford
"Here let me" she pass Vicky to Pete and she quieten down. He look at her then turn around look out at sea then he notice Vicky was doing the same.
"Vicky" She look at Pete then out to sea then she pointed to the same spot again.
"Pete"
"Vicky saw some thing out there"
"there nothing" Nikki said looking out to sea
"dad why not got up top you might see what it is"
"Good idea Nick" then he turn around and carry Vicky up to the top where he look out to sea again when he saw something long and dark that part of it pop up out of the water then down again.
He pick up the binoculars and look through them "Pete what is it"
"not sure, pull up the anchor, I want to take a closer look"
"Ok"
Nikki went and pull up the anchor then Pete started the engine and turn the boat around and slowly head towards what ever it was. Then he stop meters from it then climb down the steps and pass Vicky to Nikki then he started taking his shirt, shoes, socks, and jeans off then he open a box that on the back of the boat and got flippers goggles and snorkel out he walk to the back of the boat and put them on then he jump into the sea and swam closer to it then he turn around and swam back to the boat and got on the back of the boat
"Pete what is it?"
"Nikki better call pan pan, it a massive ghost net"
"Vicky saw it" Pete was on back on the boat by then
"Yes and it just under water I saw part of it pop up out of the water then it went down again. That what she must of saw"
"Well she did better than Kingston crew" Nikki said
"That true, I'll see who I can get on radio" then he walk up to the top again and use the radio to call any navy boats in the area.
"Pan, Pan, Pan this is Ocean Raider calling any navy patrol boats" then he waited
"Ocean Raider this is Australian warship Hammersley what is your Pan, Pan call" Pete turn and look at Nikki while smiling
"Australian warship Hammersley my family and I come across a large ghost net eight miles north east of cairns copy over" Nikki raise her eye brows then smile when she heard the ship name.
"Do you request assistance"
"Just some one to come and take care of this ghost net before you or any other ships or pleasure crafts run over it"
"Pete we in shipping lane" Nikki said.
"Copy that we got you on radar and would be there in half an hour, Hammersley out" Pete turn around and walk down the steps while.
"Crew going to be shock" Nikki said
"Yes they will be alright"
Few minutes later Vicky pointed out to sea "what is it Vicky" Nikki asked then they turn to see something on the horizon. Nick went up top and pick up the binoculars to see what it is
"Dad it must be Hammersley"
"could be" Pete said.
When Hammersley stop not far from where Ocean raider is the crew look over the side of the ship to see how big it is "Blood hell that huge" Charge said
"come on lets get it beacons on it so New Castle can take care of it"
Pete, Nikki, Nick and Vicky watch what was happening then they saw some of the crew leave to get gear up. Kate send a text message to Nikki phone. So when Nikki received it she show Pete then she smile as she send a text message back 'tell the crew to pretend that they don't know us, trust us' then she sent it.
They watch what was happening till the HRIB stop at the back of the boat then they watch as the boarding team got on the boat "You called the pan pan call sir" Kate asked
"Yes I did, Vicky spotted it and pointed it out to us"
"Really" Kate said
"Yes she did"
"Is Vicky your wife sir" Buffer temporary replacement ask, while the crew try not to burst out laughing.
"No Nikki here is my wife"
"Then where is Vicky, is she blow decks"
"no she sitting at your feet" he look down to see Vicky looking up at him.
He look up at Pete "sir who spotted the ghost net"
"Vicky did" Vicky move then craw over to where Kate is and she grab onto Kate pants and pulled her self up. Kate smile as she remove her helmet and put it on the seat behind her then pick Vicky up in her arms
"Hello Vicky" then she saw Vicky pointing to Hammersley
"Hammersley" Kate said.
They all look at Kate. "X"
"What the problem Dusty"
"Are you going to ask these people any questions about the ghost net"
"no"
"Why not"
"Cause I know them"
"You know them"
"Yes, petty officer Miller, this is lieutenant and Petty officer Tomaszewski, Buffer and Nav. There son Nick and my god daughter Vicky" Kate said smiling as she did baby talk to Vicky
"Getting clunky there Kate" Nikki said while Dusty look shock then turn to grinning boarding team
"Very funny, I haven't seen Vicky in months"
"I know, so why are you guys returning so soon"
"Five FFV, the Astarte is full" spider said
"There must be an ice boat out there"
"There is but it was over the line but we stop the five FFV before they went over the line" ET said
"That great and there boats"
"sunk, they weren't sea worthy" Spider said
"Buffer when can you come back"
"Do you miss me that much charge" causing the crew to laugh.
Kate pass Vicky to Pete since she was almost asleep "She almost asleep"
"Good she was suppose to an hour ago" Nikki said. Kate pick her helmet up
"See you tonight at the pub buffer" Charge asked
"sure but don't get drunk"
"We know"spider said
"If you and the others do" He smile at them. They know that look.
Then he turn to dusty "I watch what you did when you got on here. You got a lot to learn dusty"
"what is that suppose to mean buffer"
"Nick what do you think dusty did wrong"
"He didn't get on here first like he suppose to do"
"that right, see my son knows that and he eight years old" Vicky started to whimper so Pete rub her back Kate wave the HRIB to them.
Then they all got back on the HRIB "See you guys later" Nikki said
"Ok"
"enjoy your fishing" Kate said
"We didn't caught a thing and we know why" Pete said smiling.
"buffer we thought you did caught a fish" Spider said as he got into the HRIB while smiling
"and what fish is that spider"
"Your wife"
"spider" Nikki and Kate said at the same time while the other laugh
"Well spider, it better than catching crabs" Buffer said grinning cause the others laugh except for Dusty
"Funny buffer" spider said.
Buffer, Nikki and Nick wave good bye to the crew as the HRIB turn around and headed back to Hammersley.