Change of life
They were pleased to get back home. It had been a great time, but the last two days had dragged for Scott. As soon as he could he was in his room sitting in front of his computer trying to sykpe Andrew. He was not on line, so he emailed him instead telling Andrew he was navigating the trip to Australia in two weeks and was scared and excited at the same time. I'm going to be at sea for six weeks, but I wont be far away from my computer. The following day whilst messing about in his room he heard the bleep which told him someone was on skype. It was Andrew."YOU navigating a ship all that way. Fucking glad i'm not there!" The smile was as broad as it could get. They talked for four hours until Andrew told him the time. It's 2am here Scott I don't want to go, but I have got to sleep. They looked at each other, finally Andrew spoke."Scott?""Yes?""Hope you don't mind me saying this, but I miss you like hell. I just wish we had met at the beginning of my time in Dalvik and hope we can sort something out and meet again soon.""I miss you too and want to see you again Andrew. Maybe you can come over and stay with us for a couple of years!" Andrew loved that. They said their goodbyes and made a skype date for the next day. They spoke every day for hours until it was time for Scott to report to his ship two days before they sailed.
He worked with his father for most of the time before the sailing, but finally packed up to join the ship. He had sailed with the Captain several times now and knew each other very well. Senior Captain Bob Taylor liked Scott a great deal and had taught him well. They settled on the bridge and he watched and listened as Scott planned the course to Cyprus. Of course in this modern age the ship could almost sail itself. Tap in the departure port and then the destination and the computer will plan the course for you, it will even sail the ship from outside the harbour until the entrance to the destination port. However, you also had to know how to navigate without all the aids and Scott was trained well enough to do just that. There was also the matter of weather conditions and that was always a concern of course. Captain Taylor was satisfied Scott in fact had got it all right. He had some news for Scott.
"Right my boy, here is something you don't know. Tomorrow Captain Morton will come on board and he is on board to assess you and report back to Sir William. You are not to engage with him, except answer any questions he may ask. Apart from that he does not exist. Do you know Morton?"
Did he! Who didn't! His reputation of being one of the toughest Captains afloat was known throughout the Merchant Navy. An uncompromising man who called a spade a spade and if you didn't like it, "fuck off"! It was also known that he was a brilliant Captain and what he did not know about all matters sailing was not worth knowing anyway.
"Yes Captain, I have heard of him, loads in fact." The worry on Scott's face was plain to see. Taylor laughed out loud. "You will be fine Scott and if your not I will personnaly throw you over board. Save Morton a job!"
Scott had a "good luck" call from his father the day before they sailed. He was already in Sweden and told Scott how pleased he was about the new ship.
"Have you heard from Andrew?" Now that WAS a surprise. Mum's been talking it would seem. "Yes Dad, he has sent a few emails. I have told him i'm going to be a bit tied up until we get to Cyprus, got lots on my mind!" They both laughed at that knowing his father knew he was referring to Captain Morton.
"I know it will be a bit stressful Scott, but I would not let him anywhere near you unless I was confident you can handle the trip. Don't worry son, Mum and I are very proud of you."
That could not have been a better confidence booster and Scott had just got a bucket full of it. He had four hours rest before his next watch, they may still be tied up, but there was still lots to do on his next one.
He checked his emails, two, but neither from Andrew. He got undressed and was about to go for a shower when the computer gave out a bleep. It was Andrew.
The connection came through and there he was, Andrew in all his naked beauty.
"You fucking tart, go and get some clothes on!" Scott dropped his towel and stood back to expose himself to Andrew.
"Oh fuck Scott come here, NOW!" They stopped being daft and each got close to their web cams and talked for an hour. But Scott had to go soon."Andrew are we still ok? I mean I know I am, but I understand if all this long distance stuff may not be what you want.""I know what I want and it's to stay in touch. I don't know how you feel, but i'm guessing you feel like I do other wise we would not have talked so much and just got on doing other things." Andrew said."You mean like dating other guys? My trouble is you. You are so fucking handsome, so fucking beautiful, so fucking available and so fucking far away!""Don't you think I feel the same? I'm shit scared that you will say one day you have met another guy.""The only place i'm going to is Cyprus and then on to Australia. No place else and certainly no other guy. Andrew lets give both of us time, please."Andrew's smile told Scott all that he needed to know. Both said goodbye and good luck and signed off. Neither said, "I love you," each was waiting for the other to say it. For sure they both were in fact in love.Ah, life can be so complicated at times. Of course the ships appointed Navigator was on board, but as this was a qualifying voyage Scott was nominated as the Navigator for this trip and he would not be allowed any contact with him. The resident Navigator would only be on watch when Scott was "off watch" and never would the "twain" meet.
The voyage was as stressful as Scott imagined it would be, but despite it Scott was confident even though he was so young. He had been navigating for years now and knew his subject inside out. Captain Morton did try his best to knock the confidence out of the him though. He questioned every thing as though he was wrong and would suggest alternative actions in an attempt to put Scott off. One entire day Morton kept Scott on the bridge and had the GPS and backup systems turned off which meant Scott had to navigate by the old methods of dead reckoning and the use of the sextant and giro compass. When the systems were turned back on, he was right on course.Morton had Scott plot courses from one point of the globe to another in which he had to estimate the time of arrival given a certain speed and assumed rough weather conditions so that Scot would have to alter course to avoid the storm and then get back on the original course. He had to complete five of these exersices as well as write them all up. Scott always thought that to qualify it would be because of just one good example of his skills and initiative and he managed to impress even Morton with this one. He was sent off watch for two hours and when in his cabin he took out the compass which had belonged to his grandfather. Scott had a hunch. He opened the compass and laid it on a cupboard and would check it every so often. He went to his computer and wrote an email to Andrew and after he sent it off he went back to the compass and smiled to himself, they were going off course! Not by much, just two points, but nevertheless, off course. When he went back to the bridge he checked the course."Captain Taylor, if we keep on this course we will miss Cyprus by 200 miles. I need to bring us back on course. "Thankyou Mr Peterson, carry on."Morton made one last attempt to pressure Scott when he continued to critisized just about every thing he did or said and even though Scott came back with answers Morton seemed not to be impressed and showed it when he told him that he was a danger to the ship and crew. Morton just stared at Scott waiting for his reaction. Scott scored many points from everyone on the bridge when he replied. "Captain Morton, sir. If I thought I was a danger to the ship or crew, I would not be standing here now". Scott was so confident he was not about let Morton ride him any more, fuck the assessment. He turned to Captain Taylor. "Do you want me to leave the bridge Captain as it seems I am a danger to your ship?" Taylor smiled at Scott. "Please remain on watch Mr Peterson." And then the biggest surprise of all to those who heard it. Morton put his hand on Scott's shoulder and said. "Well done lad, well done." He turned and left the bridge. There was utter silence on the bridge, every one looking at each other, except Captain Taylor, he knew what this was all about. Scott bought the whole situation back to normal when he called out. "Does any fucker know where we are?!"
Scott's responsibilities ended with the ship under the control of the Cypriot pilot and Captain Taylor. They docked and as the last rope was put in place Scott breathed out as though he had been holding it since leaving England. He was asked to report to Captain's Taylor's cabin in an hour.Back in his cabin, Scott wrote a long email to Andrew telling him about the trip including Captain Morton's efforts to put him off. "Christ Andrew he is one SOB, but I guess I have learnt a huge amount and i'm grateful that he was on board. I'm just glad it's all over." He finished off by saying he wished Andrew was with him now. "Andrew i'm so fucking horny for you, but even more important I miss you so much!" He went to shower and change into a clean uniform ready to report to Captain Taylor. He was glad he did as when he knocked on the Captain's door, his father opened it. He shook his fathers hand and gave his mother a hug and nodded to Captain's Taylor and Morton. Morton had a grin on his face and looked almost human. He approached Scott with a glass and offered it to him. Scott looked at Captain Taylor who nodded his permission. Morton cleared his throat. "Congratulations Mr Peterson, you now have your Navigators ticket." Lots of handshakes and well wishes. His mother of course went a little out of tradition and kissed her son instead. It would be the last time she ever did. Two days later they cast off for Australia. Scott would not see much of his parents as he would be on watch most of the time. He was able to talk to his father who gave him some really good news and could not wait to tell Andrew on Skype. Scott had emailed Andrew to tell him he had some news, but only when they were on skype. They greeted one another with huge smiles. "Hi you handsome bugger." Scott saw Andrews smile broaden at that remark. "Hi to you lovely man and CONGRATULATIONS Mr Navigator!"They talked a while about all that, but Scott could not wait to give Andrew his news,"Andrew i'm flying to the US from Australia, Dad has given me two weeks off. Can you get free?" Andrew was beside himself and jigged all over his room."Fucking AWESOME Scott, course I can get time away. Oh Christ the best news EVER!""We will get there in three weeks, then i'm free.""I am tracking you on the marine traffic site so I will know if you misbehave ok?""Andrew we switch it off when we leave the Red Sea, south of there is pirate territory.""Ok fuck, stay safe Scott, please." They talked for another hour and then Scott had to go back on watch. They said goodbye and made a date for two days time. The passage through the Suez Canal brings about it's own demands for concentration and good seamanship. Fuck up and your in a lot of trouble. Into the Red Sea and you know you are being watched and not always by the nice guys. Captain Taylor ordered anti pirate precautions which meant putting razor wire over the rails and testing water cannons. The watches were altered so more crew were on duty which meant every one working longer. Two crew were stationed on the fly bridge as additional look outs.When the ship passed Binim Island in the south of the Red Sea all the crew knew they were entering the Gulf of Aden and possible threat from pirates. Turning east after clearing the Red Sea, Captain Taylor ordered 10 knots. He could get another 5 and that was the maximum speed the ship had. He ordered all ports and hatch ways closed and secured and the only way out on deck would be via the bridge. And that was it, the ship was as secure as it could to be.Scott plotted a course that would take them to the north of Suqatra Island in the Arabian Sea and once they had passed it a new course south towards the Indian Ocean. 460 miles of tense sailing that should see them clear of danger. Scott was Officer of the Watch when his mother and father came on the bridge on their way to the Fly to get some fresh air. They did not say anything to their son, he was too busy. Scott saw them and smiled. "Don't stay too long." They smiled back and went out to climb the ladder to the Fly. Scott had his binoculars stuck to his eyes scanning the sea. All clear. He then went to the back of the bridge to look astern and thats when he saw them, two boats at full speed coming straight at his ship. FUCK they are close! He rushed to the front of the bridge yelling out that they were under attack. He reached out and banged on a large red button which automatically sent out a distress call and also the ships position, course and speed. It also sounded the ships alarm and at the same time fired off two distress rockets. Scott rammed the throttle through the gate to get those 5 extra knots and then had the course altered to put the ship dead ahead of the on coming boats in an attempt to make a smaller target. He then turned on the water cannons which would automatically sweep jets either side of the hull. Captain Taylor arrived on the bridge and took command, but just as he did there was an hell of an explostion above them and all hell broke out. "Fuck, the lookouts are up there!" Taylor shouted."And my parents Bob!" Bob Taylor picked up the microphone."All crew, all crew to the safety cell, to the safety cell.""Scott go below!""No sir, my parents!" And with that he left and climbed to the Fly Bridge. "First Officer take command and secure the cell, I am staying on the bridge. I am switching all services to the safety cell." and with that he pulled a hidden lever which disengaged the stearing, throttle and all other services from the bridge to the secure cell below decks. He then followed Scott to the Fly. The sight that greeted him was one of utter horror. It was plain that Lady Peterson was dead and so he thought was Sir William. Jean laid in a massive pool of blood, but then so was William. He lay still with his right arm over his wife. Scott was leaning over both of them. Remarkably both lookouts although injured were alive."Can you guys get below?" They nodded, but it was obvious they needed help. Bob Taylor was in a dilema, but Scott shouted at him."Help them Bob, i'm staying here." Taylor managed to get both lookouts down to the bridge, but not before realizing the pirates were now firing at them. You could not hear a thing above the noise of the exhausts belching out under full power and the first they knew they were being fired at was the bullets hitting the bridge. Bob Taylor got to the microphone again and told the crew now in the safety cell he was bringing the lookouts down. Scott knew his mother had been killed and was bent over his father trying to find out if he too had died. He found a pulse and all he could do was stay with them and pray. He looked out over the bridge and saw them about 200 yards away. He went back to his father. "Dad keep going, help is coming Dad, please keep going." He went back down to the bridge and found the flare gun and grabbing a hand full of cartridges he climbed back to the Fly. It was pointless and he already knew they would have no effect, but it was something to do. "Stay with me dad. Help will be here soon." He had to say something in the hope it would help his dad to hang onto life. He fired all the flares off then threw the gun down. Thats all he could do except try to comfort his father. Despite the horror of what was happening around him and knowing his mother was dead and his father near to it, Scott was remarkably calm. He kept talking to his father, but had to go to the rail to see what the situation was with the pirates. He could not see either boats and guessed they were now out of sight at the hull ready to board. He was just about to turn back when he heard the helicopter and gun fire. At first he thought it was the pirates again, but it was in fact a Dutch helicopter firing at THEM. With one pass the whole lot in that boat were killed. The other? They were on the other side of the ship and sped off knowing they were not likely to be persued. Bob Taylor came back and waved to the helicopter indicating the mayhem on the Fly. Marines came down lines and soon took over. They were safe now. Bob led Scott below."Come on son there is nothing we can do here, it's up to these guys now. Scott looked once more at his mother and father and said goodbye and went below. Once the crew were back on stations and after he had instructed the first officer, he took Scott to his cabin. He wanted the boy out of the way, there was a lot of unpleasent things to do up there. Bob rang the bridge and got Chris Barker to come to his cabin. When Chris arrived he was told not to leave Scott and went back to the bridge to take over. The Dutch flew the body of Scott's mother and his badly injured father to their ship and once there they worked to save his life. The fact that the Dutch had been at the right place at the right time was a huge slice of luck. Had they not been the outcome would have been very different, but they were and Scott would be recalling that sometime in the future. Scott was completely unaware of what was going on, but he eventually found out that after a lot of diplomatic chat the Dutch were given permission to land in Aden were the Saudi Arabian's would be waiting to fly Scott, his mother and father back to the UK in a fully equipt hospital aircraft. He would get round to thanking everyone some time later.He was also completely unaware of the breaking news all over the world and thats when Andrew heard of what had happened. Andrew was devistated and suffered as much as his friend did. Andrew sank to his knees and prayed as never before. It was three months before the funeral could take place. Scott refused to allow it to go ahead until his father was strong enough to attend.It was a very cold November day when father and son watched as wife and mother was laid to rest. Scott standing and supporting his wheel chair bound father. His spine had been severed and would never walk again. Both men were torn apart with grief, but also with a lot of hatred and loathing towards those that had taken her away and for what?
winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk Bobby