Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:22:49 +0000
From: Robert Me <winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: M/V Lady Jean Peterson/2

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M/V Lady Jean Peterson/2

By BobbyG

Captain's Mason and Taylor and Charlie Broadbent were at the chart table
and Scott looking at their faces trying to work out by the expressions if
they were happy with his work, nothing. He looked back at the charts
checking them again himself and could find nothing wrong. He looked at
Mason and noticed a very slight smile. Mason must have realised he had
that very slight smile and quickly wiped it off.

"Well at least we wont run aground. Give me the weather forecast for the
next 48 hours." Scott reeled it off in detail and added, "I'm expecting
very rough sea conditions in the Bay (Biscay) and that's why I have taken
us further out into the Atlantic to avoid the storm, but as we all know
it may not happen and I will alter course accordingly." As soon as he
said that he cussed himself thinking Mason would think Scott
was elevating himself up to their level rather too quickly. He turned to
Scott. "Thank you Mr Peterson, but we all fuck up from time to time and
of course you have now." Scott's bowels tightened and he had to squeeze
his cute bum cheeks hard together. "Personally I would have plotted the
course without taking us half way to America first and use very expensive
fuel on a forecast that may not turn up. Sir William would most
definitely not be impressed with using so much extra fuel for no
definite reason either. PERHAPS Mr Peterson it would have been best to
plot the course direct and then IF it becomes obvious the storm is going
to make an appearance, BINGO! Alter course! How complicated is
that?" Mason smiled at Scott and Scott lowered himself back down to his
level and learnt a very valuable lesson at the same time. "Anyway, leave
it as it is, you never know you may get lucky."
"Yes Captain and thank you." Mason turned his head so Scott would not
see him grin, again.

The whole trip would be a very busy time for Scott what with his
navigation qualifying and reading the contents of all the boxes his
father had dumped on him, although he had to admit because of his new
status in the company he actually enjoyed it. "I must be getting old." As
he was qualifying he was relieved of watch duty for this trip, or so he
thought and therefore had time to read, carry out his daily exercise
routine and talk to Andrew, which went very well and the more they talked
the closer they were becoming.

That then was his routine all the way to Gibraltar. The storm that was
forecast for the Bay of Biscay duly turned up, the worse one of the year
so far and Scott was able to keep to the course he had planned before
they had left Southampton. "You lucky bugger." Mason said and cussed
himself for tapping Scott on the shoulder.

However, his routine was about to change and just after they moored up in
Gibraltar the First Officer Jerry O'Brian and the Second Officer David
Hammond were called to Captain Taylor's cabin and told they would be
flying to Cyprus and meet the O6 there. As an excuse they both had a
problem at home and had to fly back and sort them out.  "Don't have a
problem with it guys, both Sir William and I know you are more than
capable, its just that he wants to see how Scott handles it." They had no
choice but to accept it, even so they were furious and when Scott found
out about it, he too had a lot of sympathy for them. It was not the best
thought out plan, but Scott was oblivious to it but that did not stop
their anger being directed at him.
"For fucks sake what are they running here, little boys rapid rise
to three rings? I bet that shit gets the new O6 as First Officer and we
get shoved onto another ship, we may even be split up. Come on Dave fuck
them and I want to fuck you." They went to Jerry's cabin and did just
that. They had been doing it since Dave joined the ship just over a ago.

"Feel better now Jerry?" They laid together cuddled up.
"Lots, but I'm still pissed off. I like Scott a lot, but this is wrong,
fucking wrong, still, like you I would fuck him, I bet he's gay as well,
I have never heard about girlfriends. Ah well lets have a good time in
Limassol, there must be a lot of Cypriot's gagging for a couple of Brit
guys." They were very partial to mixing and matching and would often go
to a sauna and not see one another until it was time to go.

Scott was now acting First Officer and enjoying it immensely even though
he was still not aware of how it had come about. They were midway between
Malta and Greece and Mason had already made his mind up. He had watched
every move Scott made and was more than satisfied. It was not just
observing him but listening as he was questioned about his subject and
went over the five navigational exercises Scott had handed in and showed
them to Bob Taylor.
"What do you think Bob?"
"I don't have to, he is one of the best men I ever had as crew. He does
not need his father's influence, he would be as good even if he was not
the bosses son."
"It cant do him any harm either Bob. So you would pass him?"
"Put it this way. I told Scott I would chuck him overboard if he didn't
pass, now I'm saying I will chuck you over if you fail him."
"Lousy choice Bob, thanks, but there wont be any need to throw either of
us over the side."
"Good for you."
"But I want one more crack at him."
"What's that?"

Scott was in his cabin on the final leg to Cyprus and had just got out of
the shower and now naked emailed Andrew before going back on watch not
knowing Captain Mason was making an attempt to mess things up a bit by
the time he got to the bridge in an hours time. What no one knew was
Scott always carried his grandfathers old pocket compass with him every
time he sailed. As usual it was resting on top of a chest of drawers and
every now and then he would look at it to check the ships course. After
he had finished writing to Andrew he went to the chest to get
clean briefs and checked the compass at the same time and stood there
for a couple of minutes. "You bugger!"

He went to the bridge and both Captains Taylor and Mason were there
standing about looking a bit spare. Scott ignored both of them and the
navigation systems and instead picked up a set of binoculars and looked
straight ahead at nothing for two minutes. He put them down and looked at
Bob Taylor.
"Captain Taylor sir, if we keep to this course we will miss Cyprus by
fifty miles, I need to bring us back onto my original course please."
"Carry on Mr Peterson and thank you." Bob Taylor replied.
"You bugger!" Captain Mason said out loud. He put his hand in a pocket
and handed Bob Taylor a five pound note.

At last they docked in Limassol and it was all done. Scott carried on
working as the ships first officer and then went off watch and was told
to wait to be called to Captain Taylor's cabin. He showered and got into
a clean uniform, then sent a long email to Andrew.

"...........Andrew one of the reasons I was so confident was because of
you, knowing I could relax and wind down from the pressure and write to
you but mostly when we met on line, I cant tell you enough how much that
helped. Ok, I still don't know yet, but I do know if I haven't passed I
hope Captain Mason can swim!
We are getting closer to when we will meet and really start to get to
know one another properly. Lots of people would say we are stupid
relating like this and I hope you don't agree with them, I certainly
don't. I love you and know there is a great future and I'm crossing every
thing hoping you feel the same.
I will email the result, it wont be long now.
Love from Cyprus and me. (lots of kisses)


He knocked on Bob Taylor's door and his father opened it and after hand
shakes all round and hugging his mother Captain Mason came over with a
drink and handed it to Scott. "Congratulations Scott and very well done."
It was over and Scott ticked one more box.

William came clean and told Scott why he and Bob sent Jerry O'Brian and
David Hammond away and promoted him to acting first officer for the
remainder of the trip.
"Neither Bob or I had any doubts about your ability Scott, it just looks
good on paper that you were acting first officer and that will be helpful
when you actually get a ship as one. You know it wont be the new O6, but
I will be sending you on the O9 to train alongside Tom Bradshaw and you
will be with her until the "Hauksson" is ready for sea trials. I would
give you the new O6, but Jerry will be offered and David as well, that's
only right."

Scott came across Jerry and Dave the next day and got a bit of a cold
shoulder. "Congratulations on your ticket Scott, we just wish we had a
dad who owned a shipping company, First Officer of the Ocean 6 next stop
then?"
"Shut up Jerry, you know only Bob Taylor has been appointed and will
skipper her, I assume my dad and Bob will appoint the other officers when
they are ready, all I know I it wont be me. Take a pill and get over it.
Oh, and for what its worth I would have been pissed off as well and if I
had been told I would have tried to stop it. Believe me or not I don't
give a shit." He wished he could tell them about their new ship, but it
was not his place.

As they sailed down the Red Sea Jerry and Dave were called to a meeting
with William and Bob Taylor and came out pleasantly surprised. They had
not only been offered the same posts on the new O6, but a generous pay
increase as well as some compensation as there were no other openings in
a higher position. "Look both of you we do have plans for another ship in
about a year from now and will be looking for her Captain and First
Officer. No promises of course, but you need to know my son will NOT be
applying for First Officer."

Scott was now a bit spare, but took a regular watch. He spent a lot of
time with his parents but especially with his father going over the
businesses and Scott trying to come to terms with finances and
struggling, but by the time they had sailed down the Suez Canal and the
Red Sea he was getting the hang of it and felt more confident. He also
spent time with his mother and the conversation was mostly about him and
Andrew.

"You two still as strong as ever Scott?"
"I know I am and Andrew says he is and I have no reason to think
differently. I just wish he wasn't so far away. Still it wont be long now
and you never know, if the "Hauksson" is still going to happen he says he
would like to sail with me."
"You know its going to happen and if Andrew is serious about you, he will
jump at the chance and I have no doubt whatsoever he will be dying to be
with you and what a perfect way for both of you to be together. I just
hope the rest of the crew will be ok with a gay captain and his boy
friend. Maybe you should get an all gay crew? Now that would be
fantastic! By the way you need to come up with a name for her, any
ideas?"
"Got one, but all three of us need to talk about it."

In fact Andrew was having problems and the last video call he had had
with Scott was 50% acting. After they ended the call Andrew sat on his
bed hoping Scott had not noticed he was not really into the call and
worried out of his skin about the meeting he had had with Tom, his
ex, the day before in the local coffee bar which he went to most days.
When he and Tom were together they would both go there and that's where
Tom knew he would be. On this day he was parked opposite the bar waiting
for Andrew to go in.

"Hi Andrew, you look as good as always. How are you?" Andrew had not seen
him come in and got the shock of his life.
"Oh, hi I'm fine, you?" Tom sat down opposite Andrew and smiled at him.
"Missing you and cuss myself every day for fucking us up. When I said
sorry about all that stuff, I really meant it Andy and just want to
repeat it."
"I have already gotten over it. Why are you here Tom? You know we are
finished and it was you who did it and now it was the best thing that
happened."
"You found another guy then?"
"That's my business. You had a few guys when we were together so don't
ask me about my life and who I maybe seeing. Still, for what its worth,
yes I have met someone but we are taking it slow and see where it goes."
"Does he make you happy like we were?"
"What we had turned out to be a big mistake and you hurt me so badly,
but, as I say, I have gotten over it and you."
"I am so sorry Andy, I......I just need a friend right now and I had
hoped you would forgive my mistakes and at least hear me out. My mom has
been diagnosed with breast cancer and it does not look good. Its hell for
all the family and I have no one to lean on. At least lets be friends,
you cant forget the good times and there were lots of them." Tom was
relying on Andrew's wonderful nature and a guy who only saw the good
side in people.
"I'm sorry about your mom and hope she gets well soon, give her my best
wishes, but....."
"So you will let me phone you and maybe meet up here or anywhere you
want. I REALLY do need someone I can lean on, someone I know has a heart.
Please Andy I would not have bothered you if mom was not so ill. She and
dad are down in Florida and will be there for at least two months for
specialist treatment. We will know in about a mouth and find out if she
has to have a full mastectomy. She is so ill Andy."

Tom Linderman got back to his car a little happier. He would be phoning
Andrew a lot over the next few weeks and he was using his very sick
mother to help him get him back with Andrew as just about everyone else
had rejected him. He was not used to being dumped, only he did that.

Andrew had no idea how long he had sat there and asking himself if he
should have told Scott about TL as he was always called. They were
developing their relationship and already he was hiding something from
Scott, but only hiding it because he was so scared that Scott would call
it all off if he had. He was taken out of his thoughts when his mom
called to say dinner was ready. He went down to the dining room and
joined the rest of the family. He sat down and continued to worry and not
eat much. The TV was on in the lounge and it could only just be heard,
nobody was listening anyway and Janice Bushman was about to ask Andrew if
he was alright.
"Honey, is there........"

"Here is some Breaking News." Like most people in the US, the Bushman
family automatically listened to hear what it was and since 9/11 just
about the whole country held their breath at the same time.

"REPORTS ARE COMING IN FROM THE LONDON NEWS AGENCY WHO HAVE JUST
ANNOUNCED THAT A BRITISH CARGO SHIP, THE OCEAN SIX, HAS BEEN ATTACKED BY
PIRATES IN THE ARABIAN SEA. THE SHIPS CREW WERE ABLE TO BEAT THE
ATTACKERS OFF, BUT IT IS REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE CREW MAY HAVE BEEN
KILLED AND ALSO ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED. We will keep you informed with the
latest news."

In fact it wasn't a crew member, it was Jean who had been
killed and William very badly injured and only just alive.

Nobody said a word. Andrew was the first to get up and go to the lounge.
He would be there all night glued to the television and his mother would
be with him the whole time holding his hand and stroking the back of it
with her other one.
"Do you know how many crew there are on Scott's ship Andrew?"
"I think Scott said 30. Mom he maybe safe, but I do know if they beat the
pirates off, Scott would the first to get involved."

Scott was sat in his parents cabin ready to go on watch in half an hour
talking to his mum. William had gone down to the engine room to chat to a
long standing friend, Matt Wright the Chief Engineer of the O6. Matt had
been with the company for 25 years and this was his last trip before
retiring and William wanted to spend some time with him. A party had
already been arranged for him when they got to Australia and his family
would be flown over to be a part of it, which was another reason for
William and Jean to be on this last trip to say goodbye to the Ocean
Six and Matt.

"Oh sweetheart, I'm sure nothing is wrong. Don't forget Andrew has got a
lot on his mind as well as you and maybe he was a little tired and also
darling it must be very stressful for both of you not being able to be
together. Still, not long to go now and you can talk your heads off for
days on end and do other things that I'm sure you have already done!"
Jean was never short of saying it as it was even though this time she was
100% wrong and Scott was not about to tell her that nothing had happened
between them, she would not believe him anyway.
"I suppose your right, you usually are, its just something was different
this time. It was as though he had to concentrate on what I was saying
and seemed to be thinking about something else. Mum, I'm going to think
the worse and if the worse happens I maybe more prepared for it. Bloody
hell, being in love really does bring about problems you have no idea
about until it happens." Jean looked at her son and wished she could make
everything right for him, what mother wouldn't.

Scott had just come on watch and after the hand over sat in the Captain's
chair and swivelled slowly around 360 degrees with his binoculars, but
for much of it nothing could be seen as the sun was dropping towards the
horizon and what with that and the glare coming off the almost flat sea,
he would be blind. He would get out of the chair and go to the aft
windows and try to shade his eyes to get better vision, but knew the
distance he could see was very short. The two pirate boats coming at them
knew that as well. Six men in each boat and all armed with AK47's and
each boat with a loaded RPG.

"Anything on radar?"
"Got ten on Scott, the nearest 5 miles and the rest between 10 and 15
miles. No threat." Famous last words.

The Ocean Six was a 20,000 ton cargo ship that had spent her entire life
with William's company sailing from the UK and back to Canada, several
west coast ports in the US, Norway, Sweden and Russia. She had never
sailed through pirate waters and therefore had no reason to be defended
against them, but now in 2005 she would pass through the Arabian Sea into
the Indian Ocean on her way to Australia and both of those areas had
become very dangerous and several ships had been attacked and taken
hostage for ransom.

Before leaving Southampton and in accordance with the insurers minimal
demands, the O6 had been fitted with two powerful water hoses on each
side of the ship, but had to be manually operated and razor wire attached
to areas that could be boarded, and a pirate attack alarm system. The
ships hatches leading from inboard to outboard had to be secured during
sailing through dangerous areas and a designated hatch would be given as
the only exit onto the cargo deck and back into the ship. The ships
Captain and senior officers were required to undergo training in defence
of attack from pirates and expected to feed the training on to their
individual ships company and also come up with ideas to make their ship
safer.

Bob Taylor had carried out all that had been expected and at the same
time asked his crew for any other suggestions of which there were plenty
and some really good ones which he adopted.

"Carry extra Ikaros distress flares to fire on the bastards?"

These flares were very powerful and used in the right circumstances would
reach a height of 300 feet and therefore, it was assumed, have a good
range firing at an attacking boat and guessed at least 100 yards
horizontal flight before the thing fell into the sea and fizzed out. The
flare itself could do enormous damage to a pirate boat and indeed the
pirates themselves as it was impossible to put them out and would burn
for three minutes. Flares, pirates and fuel do not mix that well. It
would be a lucky shot though and they knew it, but it would at least give
the attackers something to think about and hopefully put them off
boarding and fuck off.

"Have 10 buckets secured down on each side full of ball bearings, bolts
or anything heavy to dump overboard."

The pirates weakest point was when they got to a ships side or stern and
could only fire upward and very little chance of hitting anyone and then
of course climbing up onto the ship and actually getting on board whereby
there would be a time when their hands and head would not be protected
and so therefore Bob agreed to have baseball bats at the designated
exit/entrance hatch for crew to "arm" themselves if they were to go on
deck to confront pirates. But, Bob Taylor knew full well that not many
would agree to do that after all why should they? They were merchant men,
not naval men. Bob would have to rely on a few who he thought would
defend his ship, but he also knew that if they got onto the cargo deck it
would only be a matter of time before they smashed their way in and AK
47's versus baseball bats was a bit uneven.

Captain Taylor also had his own contribution towards defending his ship
and that was good seamanship as well as knowing what the 06 was capable
of and that was her maneuverability and it would allow him to throw the
ship from port to starboard and create a massive wave that would prevent
a stern boarding and also give the pirates a huge problem boarding from
the sides of the ship as well.
But........, with their weapons they could fire on a ship all day long
and be safe themselves.

Scott had to go on watch feeling much better after talking to his mother
and as always she had said the right thing that would give him the
encouragement that he had come to rely on.
"Nothing is certain in life Scott, but I know you and Andrew have the
same love as your father and I do.  When you arrived it made Dad's and my
life complete and do you know something? You and Andrew will also be
blessed as we are."

Scott kissed and cuddled his mother not knowing it would be the last time
he ever would.

Scott smiled as he saw his parents strolling along the starboard side of
the cargo deck but had to get back to looking aft and trying to see
through the setting sun. He was uneasy and only because he could not see
that well and only his eyes would tell him that all was clear.

A new radar had been developed that was capable of picking up the
smallest of craft at a range of five miles and was being installed on
some ships that sailed through pirate waters, but the O6 did not have
one. Normal radar could not pick up small boats and two of them were just
two minutes away and closing at 50 knots and would pass either side
of the ship at about 100 yards and open fire with both AK's and the
RPG's. This tactic had worked before and some ships had surrendered after
the first pass and crew and ship taken hostage. A number of crew had been
killed and many treated with a lot of violence after they had
been boarded and only released after thousands of US dollars had been
handed over many months later. 2005 was just the start of these pirate
attacks and it would get much worse.

Scott had often wondered how he would react in an emergency and since he
knew he would be sailing to Australia thought about how he would perform
against attack. He was about to find out as he saw the boats that had now
come either side of the ship and were already firing at them.

PIRATES! HARD TO PORT, FULL AHEAD! He ran to the front of the bridge and
slammed the large red alarm button and the Claxtons rang out all over the
ship. He went back aft of the bridge and saw a sight that would never
leave him as both his mother and father were hit and fell to the deck. He
grabbed a rack of 10 flares and literally flew down the gangways to get
on deck. He passed Bob Taylor running up. "Pirates and the bastards have
shot my parents." As he went out of the hatchway he pulled a baseball bat
off its clips and ran towards his mother and father, not even noticing
the bullets that were zipping past him.

When he got to them he stood looking down and he could see straight
away his mother had gone and by the look of him, his father as well. He
looked out to sea and saw the boat had slowed to their speed and still
firing, it was then he realised he too could be hit. He crouched low and
made for the nearest water hose and turned it on and as soon as it was
blasting out he pointed it in the direction of the boat and then laid on
the deck and took the first flare out.

He knew it would be guess work and sent the flare off. It missed by a
mile, but the next four got much closer, but by now the boat was coming
at them and he stood up and turned the hose on them, but they were still
out of range. He looked around and saw two crewmen at the hose on the
port side and two more firing off flares. He looked back at his boat and
got lucky, his fifth flare hit the boat a glancing blow, but still it
came at them and Scott realised the hose was not that powerful and the
pirates just ignored it.

The boat was now at the side and a ladder was being raised to hook onto
the deck. It was now that they were at their most vulnerable. Scott
looked over the side and saw enough before they fired up at him. He went
to the nearest scrap metal bucket, unlatched it and poured the lot over
the side and scored a direct hit. He had no idea that several of them had
been hit by scrap iron and one pirate with blood pouring out of a head
wound. He grabbed another bucket and that also got another hit. What with
that and now the boat filling up with water they abandoned any attempt to
get on board and went away followed by several more flares fired by other
crew

Scott ran to the port side and saw Jerry throwing buckets over the side
and screaming his head off at the boat. David was firing off flares and
got a lucky hit which ended any hope of the pirates getting on board and
they went away followed by the water hose belching out. Scott could now
get to his parents but was stopped by the Doc. "Scott don't go there, its
very bad, but your father is still alive and I need to work on him."
Scott ignored him and went to them and got to his knees looking at the
horrific sight before him.

He had no idea how long he was there but became aware that Bob Taylor was
gently pulling him to his feet with Jerry and David not far away wishing
they could be of more use. "Jerry take the bridge, come on son there is
nothing we can do, let the Doc do his work. There is a Danish helicopter
on its way and at least will give your father a fighting chance."

Scott looked back at them, said goodbye and allowed Bob to take him away.
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