Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:43:04 +0000
From: Robert Me <winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: M/V Lady Jean Peterson/39

"ANDREW!" Flares on the port side!" George called out. "They have got her
back guys!"

"Full speed ahead and make for her starboard side Freddy please." The
whole crew could now relax and there was a lot of hugs going on and
handshakes, none so much as with Andrew and Tommy.

Back on the O6's bridge there was a lot of chatter between Bob Taylor's
ship and HMS Edward who would be with them in three hours time. Meanwhile
Scott was on his phone talking to William, he filled him in about the
whole operation but most of it was what to do with the pirates.
"Bob wont want them on his ship neither do I. If they are transferred to
the Edward and taken back to the UK they will get prison time and after
that they will apply and most probably get asylum and who the fuck wants
that? I can take them to within 100 miles of the Somalian coast and put
them into my pirate boat and get shot of them. Dad would you find out
what the legal side to all this and any risk to us, we all know that we
have to do everything by the letter or get charged ourselves."

Paul and two other crew had rounded up the pirates and they were now
handcuffed together just inside the main deck.

Scott was still on the bridge when the radio came on. "This is the Lady
Jean Peterson calling the Ocean Six. Are you receiving!"

The sun was up by now and both crews of the O6 and LJP watched as the
pirates were transferred to the Jean's pirate boat and released. It had
been agreed to release the pirates at 100 miles from the coast which
Scott promptly ignored. " They managed to take the O6 over 200 miles away
from the coast and I'm fucking sure they can get back. I bet they get a
good reception when they do!"  All of them had been issued with life
jackets, plenty of fuel, food, water, a compass, chart and first aid kit.
The final insult was they had to have a radio, but at least they would be
rid of them. Taking them back to the UK saved millions it would cost
prosecuting them.

Scott and Paul stood together as the boat went further away.
"Scott, I have a confession."
"What have you done?" Paul didn't say anything but instead showed Scott
the battery from the radio. He threw it over board. "Opps!"
"Ah well we have, almost, conformed to the human rights of murderers and
would be murderers if we had not taken the O6 back." They watched as the
pirates went further away.
"Paul, thanks for this, we could never have done it without you and what
makes it even better we did it without a shot fired. Now Bob has been
stitched up we can all get back to some sort of normality and I cant wait
to get back, but now we are able to defend our ships properly, I am
bloody sure there will be no repeat of this. I can now send you over
to the ship we are escorting to defend her if we have to go off for
search and rescue. I could not be happier."
"Me neither Skip, me neither."

Nobody had even talked about the weapons taken from the pirates and Scott
had them transferred to his ship, leaving one and four magazines with Bob
Taylor and by the time HMS Edward had left they now had the GPMG and 200
rounds as well.

There were even more discussions regarding the LJP's seaworthiness as she
should be taken to the nearest port for repairs but Scott eventually got
his way and eventually he was told he could sail back to the UK escorted
by the O6 now the radio was back up.

"ME escorting YOU Scott! Now that's different!" They all said goodbye and
then Scott and Paul transferred back to the Jean where there was a hell
of a reception waiting for them. Bob agreed that Scott would lay off the
South African coast and wait for the O6 to come back out.

After all the hugs and everyone talking at the same time, Andrew bought
it to an end.
"I have nominated myself to remain in command of the Jean until you come
back to your chair Skip, you two are to go off and sleep." Neither of
them argued and did as they were told and with one last cuddle to their
partners they left the bridge.

They were still in pirate waters and going at the O6's maximum speed of
20 knots. Goodness knows where he got them from but the chief engineer
fiddled an extra two knots from somewhere and Bob was pleased to have
them.

Andrew had organized two watches, four on, four off.
Reggie, Freddy, Marcel and Jon on the first watch with Jan, Paulina,
Jerry and Tommy on the second.  George would also be on the first watch
as extra lookout but to go off to cook and Colin doing the same on the
second watch. That left Andrew and Neil who would look after the engine
room and all the on going sea maintenance. Although they seemed to have
come through the Cyclone without any mechanical problems showing up they
were concerned that some would.

Andrew had two of the AK47's on the bridge with two magazines each and
the rest, including the new GPMG and ammunition he had put in the weapons
store. They had the rest of this night and all the next day before they
knew they were out of the pirate area. Despite the fact that they were
still in a danger area and as the sea was so calm Colin thought the
conditions were good enough to take George to the winch and give him
training. Bob Taylor agreed that they could practise "transfer's" to his
ship with an empty basket. They would start at day break the following
day but meanwhile the two of them went and the training began by taking
the basket out over the side and George trying to keep the basket just 3
to 4 feet above the water.
There was another reason why Colin wanted to get George familiar with the
winch and how to operate it. He, Neil, Reggie and Freddy had decided to
leave the LJP after they had transferred to the O6 and fly home from
South Africa.

Andrew took a break and quietly opened the cabin door and went to the
bunk and looked down at the sleeping Scott and thanked his luck once
again for going on holiday to Iceland. He knelt down with his face just
inches away from Scott's. His mind went back to that first meeting when
Scott had come to his table and "told" him he was going for a walk and
once again wondered while the hell they did instead of staying in
Andrew's room and getting up to mischief. As it turned out it would be
months before they did and only because of what happened to Lady Jean on
the old O6. He thought again and wondered what they would be doing now if
that had never happened. They would be crewing one of William's ships he
guessed, but then if they could stop escorting convert back to Scott's
original idea of ocean research of which there was still much to learn
and discover.  He bent over and gently kissed his cheek and left the
cabin, he was still in command of the Jean and did not want to bend it.
He was more than relaxed as he knew there was not much further to go
before the O6 and the LJP were out of the danger area and they could all
relax even more and look forward to the return trip home and to get the
ship repaired and back to sea. He was about to go onto the bridge when
the alarm rang out and at the same time a huge explosion as an RPG hit
the already wreaked hangar and bullets hitting the bridge.

"Searchlights on! Find the bastards!" Andrew called out. "Cannons full
power!"

Without being told Marcel and Jon went to the weapons store and got the
GMPG and all the rounds and took them to the bridge. Jerry and George
grabbed an AK each and the four magazines and, again without being told
climbed to the bridge top. Scott and Paul arrived together.

They were being hit on the port side and at last one boat was picked up
in the light trained on it but not before another explosion on the port
bow which did considerable damage to the hull but did not penetrate.

Up on top Jerry and George opened up and fired at the pirate boat which
was now well and truly lit up and although all they hit was water, one of
them go close enough to make the boat turn away.

By now Bob Taylor had his ship going hard to port and then starboard in
an attempt to stop any boarding. He left the ship under the command of
his first officer  and went to the top of his bridge with the AK  and the
four magazines Scott had left with him. Bob's searchlights were on and
found a boat approaching him and firing at the same time. Bob did not
think twice and emptied all 30 rounds at the boat coming towards his
ship. Again nobody was hit but it caused the pirates to back off out of
range.

"Paul get ready to transfer to the O6 with your weapon, when you get to
her cover the opposite side to the one we are on . Colin go to the winch
I'm coming with you. Andrew you have the ship and call Bob to tell him
Paul's coming over on the starboard side and for him to cover his port
side until Paul is on board. Searchlights off."
This transfer would not be easy as both ships were at 20 knots but at
least it was calm. As soon as Paul was in the basket Colin lifted him and
literally dumped him on the O6's deck. Paul more or less fell out taking
his weapon and ammunition with him and the last thing Scott saw was Paul
running like the wind towards the tower. Bet he didn't think he would be
back this quick, Scott thought.

"Go to stern and port of the O6 and stand off 200 yards. I am going to
the top, someone bring all the magazines up, Jerry if you want, come up
with another AK. Neil give me a damage report please. Andrew have you
sent out an emergency call?"
"Yes Skip we have a US Naval ship 170 miles away and she is sending her
helicopter."
"Ok. Radio Bob and tell I am going to look for that pirate. Full ahead
and hard to port."
"Skip, you do realise we only have stern lights." Andrew said.
"And they cant see us either, but they will when I turn about and have
them switched on. Go to 3 miles and turn back, I know exactly where the
O6 will be to catch her up. I just want a crack at those shits."

At three miles Andrew told Scott they were turning, Scott gave him the
course and once again they all felt the incredible movement as the Jean,
still at full speed heaved over and within half a minute she was on her
new course. "Lights on! Sweep slowly and cover the whole light area. FIND
THEM! Andrew, radio the O6 and ask Bob to turn his lights on as well."

Scott would not get his wish in hoping to engage the pirates again and it
would take him sometime to come to terms with it after the success they
had had in taking the O6 back, but very nearly lost both ships because of
no radar or the cover of the helicopters. He of course was relieved there
had been no casualties, just some damage to his ship and at least he knew
she was more than able to take hits and survive them, but It was a very
hard lesson to learn nevertheless. The US helicopter did find one of the
pirate boats but by the time the Marines got to them there were no
weapons or anything else to show they were in fact pirates, just
fishermen with no nets! They were released.

They finally sailed into safe waters and were just two days away from
Port Elizabeth but instead of waiting out at sea for the O6 to come back
out they had to go in for a seaworthiness survey so she could sail back
home.

Scott was in his office listening to Reggie, Freddy, Neil and Colin and
learnt they would all be flying back home when they arrived in South
Africa. "We have all spoken and think it best that we leave when we get
into Port Scott. Its going to be very hard for us and we guess the whole
crew and the sailing back to the UK will be very difficult anyway but as
we are going into port we thought it best to leave sooner than later and
Skip, we don't want any fuss, just go as quietly as we arrived, hope you
understand."

"Of course I understand and you are doing what I would have done as well.
You wont want speeches, but if I were to say anything you will know
exactly what it would be, just a "thank you" is all I can come up with
right now and from my dad and the crew as well. We are going to miss you
all so much, but I am beginning to make a speech, so I will shut up!"

As soon as the Jean was moored up, officials came on board and took all
weapons away including the machine gun which Scott would get back when
she was able to go back to sea. The survey was due to begin the following
day and once the customs people had left they were able to spend a short
time with those who were about to leave the ship for the last time.
The four friends had packed and the mini bus  was waiting at the dock
side. Very little was said, just hugs, handshakes and "thanks and good
luck."

They all went out to the top of the gang way and watched as they went off
the ship for the last time and not a dry eye either.  They stopped at the
door of the mini bus and waved back, then they were gone. The Lady Jean
Peterson had changed for ever and would never be the same, but that did
not mean she would not continue her work and be just as effective. She
would continue with her escorts for sometime to come and eventually
become what Scott had intended in the first place, an Oceanic research
ship, but before that happened there would be a few more "adventures" for
the Lady Jean Peterson and her Captain and crew to experience.


*******************************

A week later the ship cleared the harbour and as soon as she was clear
Scott took her to 18 knots and they settled down to the 10 day voyage
home. A new radar had been installed which made her legal to sail and a
better communications system that would allow Scott to speak to William
and by the time they got back everything that needed to be done had been
arranged.

The O6 had sailed long before the Jean could and every crew member of
crew from the Jean and all those that could be on the O6 were out on deck
to wave goodbye. Bob Taylor was waving to the LJP and did the most
UnBritish thing! He came to attention and SALUTED!?
Scott in return blew a kiss back and Bob creased up!

It would take some time for them all to come to terms with the four guys
leaving and so Scott arranged a full programme of training exercises and
emergency drills leaving it to Paul to organise all of it including the
practice firing of the GPMG. After many of these practices, Jerry would
take the second machine gun when they were fully armed on their next
sailing.

They were just two days away from home and Scott and Andrew were laying
on their bunk with just shorts on both of which were at full tent as they
kissed and fondled one another's magnificent bodies.
"Love me?"
"Yes, do you?" Andrew did not answer as there was a knock on the door.
They kissed once more and got up taking the "tents" with them. Marcel and
Jon took one look at them and smiled as Scott and Andrew looked at two
more "tents!"

They closed the door and cuddled in close kissing all together. A minute
later four beautiful men laid naked together on the bunk for a short
while until Scott took Marcel to the couch. Both pairs were totally
focussed on one another.........then the intercom clicked on :)

"FIRE FIRE FIRE! ENGINE ROOM! Andrew, Marcel and Jon respond!" There was
a mad rush to get dressed and with no "tents" to get in the way, they
flew out of the cabin.

The intercom clicked back on.............. OPPS, SORRY SKIP!"

				  THE END
____________________________________________________________________________

winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks for all the contacts and best wishes. Bobby