THE LAST SHIP

DAMAGE REPORT

Mike was on the bridge early in the morning having a steaming cup of coffee while gazing out onto the ocean. It was smoother than usual and the sky was clear blue with not a cloud in the sky. He was talking on coms to the engine room. "Engineering bridge, what's our status on damages?"

"Nothing sir. And she's still purring like a kitten. She handled that storm pretty well."

"That news is music to my ears. Thank you." Mike put down the receiver and sat back in his chair. Julia was manning her station too along with Kara and Danny as well as the navigator and the helmsman.

Julia noticed the blinking on the radar in front of her and then looked on her binoculars to see what it was. "Captain, we have another ship on our radar."

Mike immediately took his binoculars to have a look at the ship. Kara followed along with Danny who also looked at the ship. "Confirmed sir," Kara said still keeping an eye on the ship.

"It's another warship. What's the speed on that ship?"

"It's not moving captain," Julia replied.

"Set general quarters," Mike commanded Danny.

Danny immediately did as Mike said and walked over to the intercom system to alert the crew. "General quarters, general quarters. All hands set general quarters and return to your stations."

Just then Mike received a message on his ham radio. "Mayday, mayday. This is captain Brandon Smith of the SAS Good Hope. We require assistance. Over."

"It's a South African ship," Kara confirmed.

Mike took the receiver of the ham radio and pressed the button to talk. "Good morning SAS Good Hope. This is Captain Mike Slattery of the USS Chandler. What's your status? Over?"

"Markings on the bow suggests it's a valour-class guided missile frigate," Kara confirmed.

"We have been hit by lightning. We have fire damage to our ship and we are stranded with a group of refugees on our ship. We were heading from Canada back to South Africa."

"Interesting,"Mike replied and looked at Danny and Kara concerned. "What do you think?"

"I'll take my chances sir," Danny replied.

**********

The USS Chandler soon reached the SAS Good Hope. Most of the crew was sitting on the decks along with five refugee families. Mike greeted the captain of the South African ship with a firm handshake. "Captain Mike Slattery."

"Captain Brandon Smith, pleased to meet you Captain Slattery." The captain of the SAS Good Hope was slightly shorter and smaller in built than Mike who stood well over 6 ft 4 in his socks, and had a dark complexion.

"You have fire damage to your ship?" Mike asked while scrutinizing him. 

"The lightning strike caused a bunch of fuses to catch fire and blow the engine room. The blast rendered my ship unseaworthy, captain."

"Damn..."

"It's a surprise our radar still works. Where are you heading captain?"

"Back to Norfolk. We've just been on a three week training mission. If I may ask, how did you manage not getting sunk. Your ship's a little top heavy in front."

"We barely made it, but thank God we did." Brandon looked around and then looked Mike in the eyes. "If it's not too much to ask. Could you please take us back to Norfolk with you and help me get hold of the former US ambassador to South Africa. If she is still alive."