Vanguard

"Heads up, McGee!"

Tim glanced up from his keyboard just in time to catch a plastic pill bottle that Gibbs had thrown across the bull pen. He knew what was in it even before he read the label, and his heart sank.

"When do we leave Boss?"

"You and Tony fly out at 13.00, pack a toothbrush; you're going to be gone a few days."

Tony was grinning at Tim's discomfort, he'd have the customary bet with Ziva later about how long it would be before Tim threw up, but right now he figured he'd better pay attention to Gibbs.

"You'll be flying out to the Nimitz, she's due east of Trindade."

"Couldn't the investigation wait until they're back in port Boss?"

Tony's grin got even wider. "Come on McBarfbag, you can't seriously want to miss out on some Caribbean sunshine."

Tim was tapping furiously at his keyboard. "He didn't say Trinidad Tony, Trindade is here."

Tim clicked the remote, and a map of the South Atlantic Ocean filled the screen, he clicked several times. "See it? Not the Caribbean Tony, it's the middle of nowhere. Boss, they're sure this can't be done from here?" Tim knew it was useless, but he had to ask.

"No; they've been having problems with their navigation systems…even lost the air traffic control system yesterday, just for a minute; but a minute is all it takes to lose an aircraft."

Tony was doing a good job at hiding his disappointment about their destination; but he was puzzled and he paused in the act of picking up his back pack. "Sounds more like a job for their own technicians Boss."

"They've run every test they have, as far as they can tell everything should be working fine…informed thinking is it looks more like sabotage and Frank Hyland, the Agent Afloat has requested some expert help."

They all looked over at Tim; he was still staring at the pack of Dramamine. "Don't suppose I could run a check on their systems from MTAC?"

"Can't be done, so they tell me, you have to be on board. Tony, you work with Hyland, interview anyone with access to the ship's computers. Tim, see if there's anything hinky. We'll work from this end, look at the terrorist angle…okay you two, if you want to get home and pack some clothes, you'd better hustle!"

"On it Boss." Tony and Tim responded in unison, although Tim's response was less than enthusiastic. As he passed Ziva's desk Tony whispered. "Thirty minutes before he hurls."

She smiled. "He is getting better I think, two hours; twenty dollars, yes?"

Barely breaking his stride he nodded, and started whistling Anchors Aweigh.

Tim grimaced. This was going to be a long trip…

Two Days Later

"He's where?" Gibbs' voice echoed round the squad room.

"In the brig Boss."

"How the hell did he end up there DiNozzo?"

"Honestly Boss, it came out of nowhere, Tim was doing...whatever it is he does, and Hyland arrested him."

"You let the Agent Afloat just stroll in and put your team mate in jail?"

"Didn't have much choice, he had two armed guards with him, and he was acting on orders from the Captain."

Gibbs could see Ziva, watching and trying to listen. He put the phone on speaker. "What are the charges Tony?"

Tony took a deep breath. "Murder."

"If this is your idea of a joke Tony…"

"I wish it was Boss, one of the ship's techs was found dead this morning. Tim's gun was found at the scene, looks like it's the murder weapon, only prints on it are Tim's…"

"And…" Gibbs knew Tony was holding something back.

"There was an argument, Tim and Ian Rowe, the dead sailor; last night…witnesses said they were really going at it."

"What were they arguing over?"

"Geek stuff, most people couldn't understand what they were shouting about, but it was loud, and Tim was angry, everyone agreed on that."

"McGee would not shoot a man in cold blood, it is not possible."

"You think I don't know that Ziva? Heck, the way the weather's been, I'm amazed he's been able to stay upright, let alone shoot a gun straight. But I'm a lone voice out here, Rowe was a popular member of the crew, we're strangers…the evidence…"

"Can be falsified, you know that better than anyone Tony. I'll call Leon, we're coming out there, and Tony…"

"I'm on his six Boss."

(HMS Vanguard: iron-hulled frigate accidentally rammed and sunk by her sister ship HMS Iron Duke in 1875.)