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Book: Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 1 - Alien Flight by David Buck
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Authors: David Buck
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after another four years of hectic naval life with little leave, it was all he could do to ease to the ongoing sense of weariness he was experiencing.
The first message was a brief note authorizing the return of HMAS Perth to Fleet West at the naval base for a refit and extended leave. Steve knew that the Perth needed extensive dockside work, as the missile targeting system had problems, and the portside turbine was still a cause for concern. The orders to return were pursuant to the demands of the second message, and Steve summoned a rating to organize yet another meeting of officers in the ward room. As the rating chased down the senior officers, Steve quickly brought up a map of Malaysia, and an un-accustomed, but well hidden knot of both concern and fear spread through his features.
***
Lieutenant Samantha Edwards led her medical team along the goat track that passed as a road in this remote Malaysian village. She further calculated her options as one of the Malaysian guides turned back to her from further up the path. Three days previously Samantha had led her team from the refugee camp, and then along a mountain scarp. This occurred just as reports came in of a large force of militants attacking the refugee camp were her medical team had been providing humanitarian aid.
Fortunately the selfless efforts of her team had ensured that they had been warned in advance. She knew that dozens of lightly armed refugees had attacked the militants in an effort to ensure that the Australian aid team could escape. Samantha was heading for the coast and then to Kerteh, a small city were her team had provided emergency medical aid three years earlier. The city was home to an influential Chinese Malaysian family that was exceedingly grateful for the efforts of the medical team during their last deployment.
Samantha wondered if Steve and HMAS Perth were still nearby in Indonesian waters. During their last conversation a few months ago, Steve had mentioned he was leading a goodwill visit to assist the Indonesian navy that was only now getting back to full capability. Samantha then chided herself about staying focused on getting her team to safety as she went forward to talk to the Malaysian guide.
***
Commander Steve Greene quietly spoke to his assembled officers in the boardroom about the contents of the second message they had received this morning. As he looked around the ward room he noted the tired and care worn look of his officers, even if they did look spotless in their camouflaged operational uniforms. As the commander finished, Lieutenant Peterson, lifted a sheath of maps to the wardroom table and unfurled a detailed map of the central Malaysian coast. Steve expressed his thanks and pointed to the small coastal city as his officers crowded around to listen.
‘Now Kerteh is the nearest deep water port to the medical team’s last known location. Also we have friends here from our last visit two years ago….’
The watch changed at midday as HMAS Perth steamed at flank speed for the Malaysian coast, and all business, the commander continued his briefing. Steve would pause frequently and the junior officers added their bits of additional information to the briefing. The operational status of the ship, especially the missiles, was a prime concern. As the officers left the briefing they each privately considered that after many months of routine aid work, they were now facing hostile action. They knew that they needed to go the urgent aid of fellow Australians that they both like and respected, including the possible future wife of their captain.
The first message was a brief note authorizing the return of HMAS Perth to Fleet West at the naval base for a refit and extended leave. Steve knew that the Perth needed extensive dockside work, as the missile targeting system had problems, and the portside turbine was still a cause for concern. The orders to return were pursuant to the demands of the second message, and Steve summoned a rating to organize yet another meeting of officers in the ward room. As the rating chased down the senior officers, Steve quickly brought up a map of Malaysia, and an un-accustomed, but well hidden knot of both concern and fear spread through his features.
***
Lieutenant Samantha Edwards led her medical team along the goat track that passed as a road in this remote Malaysian village. She further calculated her options as one of the Malaysian guides turned back to her from further up the path. Three days previously Samantha had led her team from the refugee camp, and then along a mountain scarp. This occurred just as reports came in of a large force of militants attacking the refugee camp were her medical team had been providing humanitarian aid.
Fortunately the selfless efforts of her team had ensured that they had been warned in advance. She knew that dozens of lightly armed refugees had attacked the militants in an effort to ensure that the Australian aid team could escape. Samantha was heading for the coast and then to Kerteh, a small city were her team had provided emergency medical aid three years earlier. The city was home to an influential Chinese Malaysian family that was exceedingly grateful for the efforts of the medical team during their last deployment.
Samantha wondered if Steve and HMAS Perth were still nearby in Indonesian waters. During their last conversation a few months ago, Steve had mentioned he was leading a goodwill visit to assist the Indonesian navy that was only now getting back to full capability. Samantha then chided herself about staying focused on getting her team to safety as she went forward to talk to the Malaysian guide.
***
Commander Steve Greene quietly spoke to his assembled officers in the boardroom about the contents of the second message they had received this morning. As he looked around the ward room he noted the tired and care worn look of his officers, even if they did look spotless in their camouflaged operational uniforms. As the commander finished, Lieutenant Peterson, lifted a sheath of maps to the wardroom table and unfurled a detailed map of the central Malaysian coast. Steve expressed his thanks and pointed to the small coastal city as his officers crowded around to listen.
‘Now Kerteh is the nearest deep water port to the medical team’s last known location. Also we have friends here from our last visit two years ago….’
The watch changed at midday as HMAS Perth steamed at flank speed for the Malaysian coast, and all business, the commander continued his briefing. Steve would pause frequently and the junior officers added their bits of additional information to the briefing. The operational status of the ship, especially the missiles, was a prime concern. As the officers left the briefing they each privately considered that after many months of routine aid work, they were now facing hostile action. They knew that they needed to go the urgent aid of fellow Australians that they both like and respected, including the possible future wife of their captain.
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