It has been a couple of months since then and I am currently making sure I have the medical supplies ready for our latest goodwill visit. We are just over an hour away from the Samjung Islands. I am hoping that we get the chance to have some shore leave as a part of me needs a break from my duties as a ship's doctor. As if on cue a chime rings through the boat.
"Hear this. This is the captain speaking we'll be in port within the hour. Once alongside those not on watch, you will be free to enjoy some R&R," Mike announces as if reading my mind. The thought makes me smile as I know for a fact that I won't be on watch as mine was this morning. After a couple of minutes, Kosov-Meyer pokes his head in.
"Hey Doc a few of us are hitting the bars tonight. Are you in?" He asks.
"Sure. Someone has to make sure you're behaving," I respond. Even if I wasn't invited I would find a way to tag along.
It has been an hour since we landed at the port and I am keeping an eye on Kosov-Meyer who seems to be having a bit too much fun. I find myself laughing at the drunken chaos. After some comments from Kosov-Meyer Kate decides that she's had enough.
"What will we drink to?" Kate asks.
"How about your impending promotion?" I offer. It might bring Kate the luck that she needs.
"That could jinx it," Kate protests.
"Come on it's a done deal," Dutchy counters. Charge quickly toasts to the idea of Kate getting the promotion. After thirty minutes Kosov-Meyer has roped Charge and me into people-watching. After profiling a few people Kosov-Meyer makes it to a lonely-looking woman. Before Kosov-Meyer has a chance to say anything Dutchy speaks up.
"Boys, we're gonna head down to bar sixty-six. You coming?" Hopefully, they take one look at him and decide to cut him off. Charge excuses himself.
"I'm going to stay. Someone has to make sure Leo keeps his pants on," I respond to Kosov-Meyer's disappointment. As soon as the others leave Kosov-Meyer excuses himself. I watch as he begins to work his so-called magic. There is just one problem. The woman looks like she is concentrating on something rather than looking sad. Unfortunately for Kosov-Meyer, the woman leaves before he has the chance to grab her a drink. As she leaves I notice one of the men from before stand up. As soon as I notice the man reach for something in his pocket I dash Kosov-Meyer.
The next thing I know the force of an explosion is throwing me to the ground. I soon black out. After what feels like an eternity I finally come too. I try to get up but a sharp pain shoots through my arm. I choose to ignore it as I have to find Kosov-Meyer. I fight through the pain as I head over to where I last saw Kosov-Meyer.
"LEO?" I yell his name to see if that works. No response.
"2 DADS?" It's Charge.
"Over here Charge. I don't know where Leo went. I need help finding him," I said, calling back.
"Wait Hoppo I need your help," Kate counters.
"Hoppo I've got this. You're no good with one arm. Besides you should get checked out. The cuts to your face don't look too good," Swain overrides Kate's call for help. She is right. It doesn't take long for me to find a way out. As soon as I leave the building I am met by a paramedic.
"I'm fine. Focus on the more serious cases," I snap. Triage should be simple. I walked out therefore I don't need to be tended to right away. Thankfully it doesn't take long for the gash on my arm to be patched up. I will have to check it later but right now I have a more important issue to deal with. I soon notice the rest of the crew.
"Commander over here," I grab his attention.
"What happened?" Mike asks as he joins me.
"Well, the others had left to go to a different bar. A few seconds later a suicide bomber blew this place to bits. Leo is still in there. I didn't see what happened to him," I give my report. Once Kate confirms my story Mike confirms his plan.
"Ok, I want everyone working in pairs to help clear debris. Grab a torch from Robert. 2 Dads is still missing. Keep an eye out for him but make sure you help everyone you can," Mike orders.
"Boss, does that include me?" I ask.
"No. You are better off helping the paramedics," Mike responds.
"Bird give Hoppo any assistance that she requires," Swain remarks before joining the others in the building. I soon get myself set up in the triage area. As I helped with the triage I realised that I was one of the lucky ones. I chalk my luck up to the fact that I wasn't bothered about the festivities going on. After a few minutes, the others return with Kosov-Meyer. Before I have the chance to act I am summoned by Kate.
"Leo, are you ok?" I ask as I get to work on assessing the injuries.
"I'm fine. There is some ringing in my ears," Kosov-Meyer responds. The good thing is the cuts to his face are all superficial and the Tinnitus should hopefully clear up in a few hours. After making sure Kosov-Meyer is ok I am about to join the others but disaster strikes. I clutch my head as a wave of pain hits me like a brick wall.
It has been a few hours since then and I am getting some fresh air on the boat deck. Despite my best efforts I could not get to sleep. The events at the bar a weighing heavily on my mind. The good thing is it gave me time to clean up the gash on my arm.
"Nobody bothered to ask how you are doing," Mike pulls me out of my thoughts.
"That's fine. Aside from a mild concussion, I'm fine. Umm…do you mind if I take the afternoon watch instead of the morning watch? I don't think I'm going to get much sleep and I want to be rested before I go on watch," I ask.
"Of course. I'll let Kate know not to wake you up when the wake-up call sounds," Mike confirms. After making sure I'm alright Mike leaves. After a couple of minutes, I am back in the quarters I share with Kate. After some careful manoeuvring, I am finally comfortable.
It is the morning after and unfortunately, I am awake before the morning call. I am currently reading a book so I don't disturb Kate. The morning call seems to be taking forever. As soon as the thought crosses my mind the wake-up call finally sounds. As soon as I know Kate is awake I get ready for the day. Of course, I get ready for the day in record time.
"Hey X I'm sorry if I disturbed you last night," I find myself apologising.
"Don't worry about it. You didn't disturb me at all," Kate reassures me as we leave. I soon join the others in the queue for breakfast. As I wait I find myself listening to Robert explain to Bird what exactly happened. Well, I would be however my thoughts are occupied by something else. It doesn't take long for Swain to speak up.
"Well listen I spoke to Fleet Medical and teed counselling sessions for those that need it,"
"Or you could talk to me if you would prefer," I add as well. I know counselling can be a bit daunting especially when the person leading it is a stranger. Before anyone has the chance to respond Kate barges past. She has a smartly dressed woman in tow which can only mean one thing. The ASIO is involved. After grabbing my food I head to the radio room so I can make a phone call using the satellite phone. Before I have a chance to dial the number the phone rings.
"This is the Hammersley," I answer it using the standard response.
"I am glad to hear your voice. I got word from NAVCOM about the bombing," It's my Dad.
"Yeah it was horrible," I confirm.
"Please tell me you weren't at the bar," Dad responds.
"Unfortunately I was caught in the blast. You don't need to worry. The only injury I have to worry about is a minor gash on my arm," I try my best to reassure my dad but it doesn't work. I put it down to the fact that he can't see me.
"Anyway, Dad I need you to confirm something for me. Has the ASIO sent anyone to look into this?"
"Yes, and that is all I can tell you at the moment. Look just stay safe," My Dad answers rather cryptically which is weird. I put it down to the fact that we are dealing with terrorists.
"I will try my best," I reply. After a drawn-out goodbye, my Dad finally hangs I leave Mike walks past. I can feel the annoyance oozing from his body. That can only mean one thing. We have to help the newcomer. It has been thirty minutes since then and I am watching Kosov-Meyer. It looks like he has gotten some bad news. Before I have the chance to ask we are joined by the newcomer who happens to be named Madeline.
"Hopper, Kosov-Meyer is this the man you saw detonating the bomb at the Luga Bar?" She asks before showing us a photo. I find myself straining. I vaguely remember some comments that Kosov-Meyer made but not much else. After explaining the comments to Madeline both Kosov-Meyer and I confess to not really remembering much.
"Look I need you two to think," After straining to think Kosov-Meyer gets up to leave. Before he does he speaks up. It was at that moment that I noticed a look on his face.
"He had dark hair. Caucasian, not local. Maybe late thirties. Maybe," Kosov-Meyer responds emphasising the maybe. After asking one last question Kosov-Meyer leaves. For some reason, I follow him. I put it down to the fact Madeline was harsh. He soon comes to a stop.
"You know you only need to watch me when we hit the bars right?" Kosov-Meyer speaks up.
"Yeah, nah. The look on your face says that might not be the case at the moment," I counter. I have seen that look a few more times than I should have.
"What do you want me to say? I have a million different thoughts running through my mind and talking isn't going to help," Kosov-Meyer snaps.
"But it is a start," I reply. The thing is I know I can't force him to but he seems to be struggling.
"What about you? You seem to be handling the situation well," Kosov-Meyer turns the conversation back to me.
"Believe me the only reason why I seem normal is because I have a job to do," I reply. That is the thing about being a commissioned officer. Even if it is quiet you have a lot to do. After some back and forth I am finally satisfied that Kosov-Meyer will be ok.
"Can I ask you something?" Kosov-Meyer says.
"Sure," I reply.
"Why are you dead set on helping me?" Kosov-Meyer says as he looks at me with puppy dog eyes.
"First of all, I wouldn't be doing my job and second of all, with a crew this small you are basically family," I reply. Sure Kosov-Meyer may be the annoying little brother but I would do anything to protect him and the rest of my crew. After triple-checking that Kosov-Meyer is actually fine I head back to the wardroom. Something tells me that I am going to have a long afternoon. After an hour of sailing, we finally made it to the destination. I find myself listening to the radio chatter as the RHIBs move to pick up the SAS crew. As the SAS crew are aboard the RHIBs I get a radio message that I did not want to hear.
"Hoppo be advised one of the guys got tangled in his chute. He needs medical attention," Swain radio's in.
"Copy that. I will be waiting," I confirm. After a few minutes, the man has arrived in the wardroom. I spot what is going on immediately. I quickly pass him a small hand towel to bite down on. The soldier flashes me a confused look.
"It's to muffle the screams when I relocate your shoulder," I explain. With that, the man reluctantly bites down. With a crunch and a muffled wail, I have the soldier's arm relocated. I am soon joined by Madeline.
"Is he fit for duty?" She gets straight to the point.
"Unfortunately not. There is a strong chance that he will dislocate his shoulder again," I respond as I grab some painkillers for the soldier.
It is the day after and we are back at the main port of the Sanjuang islands. I am currently waiting for the doctor from the hospital to arrive. I am a little annoyed as he is late. There is not much that I can do other than hope that he has a good explanation.
"Excuse me are you Doctor Eden Hopper?" A man asks.
"Yes. How can I help you?" I ask. The nasty feeling that I have seen the man somewhere before. I can't place it. After shaking the feeling off I turn my attention to getting the patients comfortable in Austere. As I get to work I realise where I saw the man. He was at the bar. It must be a coincidence.
"Excuse me do you mind if I double check your credentials again?" I ask grabbing his attention. I am probably being paranoid but with everything that has gone on, I'd rather trust my gut. After clumsyly showing me his ID card my suspicion only grows.
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to this environment. Now if you will excuse me I need some fresh air," The doctor excuses himself. A part of me wants to follow him however I have more important things to do. The next thing I know is that Kosov-Meyer comes bursting in.
"Where is he?" Kosov-Meyer asks as he frantically searches through the area.
"The Doc said he needed some air. I think that was an excuse," I respond before Kosov-Meyer dashes off again. I quickly take off after him. Swain should have everything under control. Luckily for me, I am able to catch up to him really quickly. Kosov-Meyer gestures for me to be quiet as we reach the hatch that leads to the fuel tanks. Now it makes sense. He wants to take out the Hammersley. Kosov-Meyer carefully lowers himself down. My heart sinks as I can only hear what is going on.
"Hoppo I need a sit rep," Mike orders.
"Well, 2 Dads is currently engaging the phoney doc. I don't really know much other than that," I respond.
"Ok. Go help Swain with the evacuation," Mike orders. With that, I head back to Austere. After what feels like an eternity the evacuation is complete. I am watching on with the others. After some comments about how surprising Kosov-Meyer's behaviour was, I find my eyes glued to the bow of the ship.
"There he is," I call out as I phoney doctor is shoved out by Dutchy. The look on his face says it all. He triumphantly holds up the vest as we celebrate his victory. Of course, the only one who is unhappy is Madeline. But it doesn't matter. We need a victory at this point.
It has been a few hours since then and we are back at our home port. I am about to leave the base but I am stopped by a familiar face.
"Dad I'm ok," I remark as I join him.
"Well I had to make sure for myself," He responds.
"I can tell you over dinner later. Right now I am going to go celebrate a successful patrol with my crew," I respond as we leave.
"Is that a promise?" My Dad asks.
"I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise," I say. The truth is I know my Dad will want the full story. After excusing myself I head over to the others. Right now I want to let loose before the big one comes.