Title: JAG: A scene from a 'Ripped from the Headlines' episode.
Author: TnJAGAz aka TxJAG_b
Rating: PG suggestive comments, adult language
Spoilers: Any season from 1 to 10 for JAG.
Classification: A JAG 'Ripped from the Headlines' Vignette
Summary: Despite the tenseness of the current situation in the skies over Iraq and Syria, there are, believe me, some lighter moments. I am not detracting from what is going on over there. I just wanted to show our favorite heroes in situation they might actually face. This is one of them that takes place on a US carrier in the Persian Gulf.
We'll also see our heroes in action, as only our two lawyers can be. :) Enjoy!
Disclaimers:
The JAG characters in this story are the property of Donald Bellisario, Belisarius Productions, Paramount Pictures and Columbia Broadcasting Service Entertainment – this story is for non-profit entertainment of JAG fans only. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.
? Local_? Zulu
USS Ronald Reagan
Persian Gulf
"Admiral on the bridge!" barked the officer of the deck. Everyone on the bridge of US carrier came to attention. Tom Cameron, the Captain stood and saluted the tall one star headed toward him.
"Admiral, this is a surprise-" he said as he walked over to the one star JAG officer.
"Why is that Captain?" Rear Admiral Harmon Rabb asked with a wry smile.
The carrier's skipper started to fumble for an answer. "Because sir, it's um, highly unusual for the DJAG to-"
Actually the aviator/lawyer well understood why it was 'highly unusual' for him to be there. He was about to say something when the Marine Brigadier General with mille rhinds who had been standing next to the Gipper's skipper spoke up. "I apologize for the surprise, Captain, but I requested the Admiral because we need these immediate changes to the Rules of Engagement to be approved ASAP."
Harm continued with the explanation BGEN (McKenzie)Rabb had begun. "We've been given a green light to hit ISIS positions around Irbil and Mosul, but time is of the essence, Captain, and we needed to cut through the red tape as quickly as possible to get this operation underway."
xxixx
The Captain and the CAG were quickly briefed on the bombardment plan and subsequent 'Rules of Engagement' that would be used for the operation. The additional 'fly in the ointment' was the presence of large numbers of Iranian troops and equipment near the Forward Area of Battle with the Iraqi forces. This also included a sizable number of anti-aircraft batteries.
"Why the hell do they need anti-air?" grumped the CAG, looking at the disposition of the Iranian units.
Mac and Harm traded wary glances. "Unknown at this point CAG," Harm replied. "So we're going to give them as wide a berth as we can."
The CAG hissed disgustedly. "That'll mean the strike teams will need to be refueled by tanker before they head back to the Gulf."
"Already arranged, CAG," Mac stated to the Commander of the carrier's Air Group. "Now all we have to do is hope and pray no one gets shot down."
"That's what we have the TRAP teams for, General," the CAG returned.
"Then let's hope we don't have to use them," Harm replied.
xxixx
After arrangements had been made to brief the air crews on the upcoming mission, Harm noticed the carrier's skipper was watching the One Star with some concern as he talked with some of the pilots gathered for the briefing. When Harm finished talking to one young pilot, the Captain quietly stole up to his side as the pilots and RIOs settled down for the mission briefing.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Captain?"
There was a definite tone of pleading in his voice. "Just promise me you won't take one of my birds up, sir."
RADM Harmon Rabb pulled himself up to his full height. "Reason Captain?" he intoned quietly.
Captain Cameron did not back down. "Carrier skipper's intuition, sir."
Mac worked hard to suppress her smile.
xxixx
Now that they were alone, BGEN Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie sighed and gave her husband a soft warm smile. "It's good to see you again, Admiral," she said. "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."
Harm returned her smile but understood exactly what she meant. "Me too, General. By the way, it's, ah, good to see you too," he said in a husky voice that could liquefy butter.
Had they been at home, Mac would have melted into his arms when he said that. But they weren't at home, they were onboard a Navy carrier in the Persian Gulf which was getting ready to launch airstrikes against the rampaging ISIS troops. It took all of her willpower to focus on the matter at hand. Still, since she hadn't been home since May, she couldn't resist asking about the other woman in his life.
"How's our little Marine?" she said with a teasing smile as she walked over to her desk.
Harm chuckled. "You mean our little Sailor or if you had talked to her lately, our little SEAL?" He said with a quick grin. Talking about their 'Little 4% Miracle' got his mind off his other daughter flying combat missions against ISIS.
xxixx
Mac turned to make sure they were alone and then gave her husband an unusually shy look. "Sorry, but as you can see things are really hopping around here."
The one star nodded as he stared down at map showing the ISIS positions and Iranian/Iraqi positions. "Yeah."
The Marine one star studied him for a moment and then sighed. "You wish you were going with them, don't you?"
Harm nodded again . "Yeah, I do."
Mac's face grew stony. "You step one foot toward one of those planes, Admiral, and I will kick your six all over this carrier's deck."
Harm held up his hands in mock surrender. "Understood, General. Now let's take a look at those Rules of Engagement one more time to make sure we didn't miss anything…."
xxixx
"Rabb, I want you to fly out over the refueling area and make sure everything is running smoothly," the Admiral in overall charge of this operation intoned. "I want you to use your Mark One Eyeball and make sure everything is going as it should.
Harm inwardly groaned. Mac wouldn't like it, but at least he wasn't flying. "I'll hitch a ride on one of the birds headed out, sir," he replied to the stern looking Admiral on the television monitor.
Harm saw the Admiral's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "You're qualified on F-18s of every stripe, aren't you, Rabb?"
Oh boy.
"Yes, sir," the Deputy JAG replied.
"Well, then take one of the birds up yourself. My orders,"
H'boy.
The Admiral sensed Harm's hesitation and he didn't like it one bit. "Is that a problem for you, Rabb?"
Good Lord, where to begin?
Harm knew this could be a career ender but better that than a marriage ender. "Sir, no offense to you, but if it's between you and my wife on what I do, I'm much more afraid of her than I am of you."
The Admiral sat back. "I see," he said after moment. "Is she qualified to be a back-seater?" Obviously he knew about all about SJA Brigadier General McKenzie.
"Yes, sir."
The Admiral cleared his throat, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Well, I can't see terminating your career over this especially since she'd probably have me brought up on charges. Have her fly the RIO's position, my orders. God help me if you get shot down or have an aircraft emergency."
The DJAG stoically nodded. "Aye, aye, sir," Inwardly though, Harm was grinning. Butch and Sundance ride again…he thought, Wait till I tell Mac….
-TBC...