Here's the second chapter. I am very, very happy to have a response on the story! Good and not so good.
For those of you who read the first version of the first chapter, it's edited too. I hope I got rid of most of the confusion. Thanks for telling me, folks! I really want to make it better ^^
Thanks to Leyte for the military details. I am taking those (and the mishap Harm had in '91) into consideration, even if I admit I'm a bit stuck. I remember the difference mattering/having an effect on him, so I don't really know what to do.
And if you'd leave some lil' note at the end, again, I'd be honored.
(Harm)
2007 Zulu – 2207 local
USS Patrick Henry
Officer's wardroom
Keeter enters the room, and I almost choke.
He was right, I didn't have my adrenaline high today. Sturgis and Diane. For a millisecond, it's like we all went back in time. She looks like her, anyway. Sturgis is outranking us? Since when? Promotions are twice a year. So… yeah. Since when?
I try not to stare as I enter, closing the hatch behind me. I know she's not Diane. Diane is gone. I'm at peace with that. But I still stare.
Green. Marine. Silver oaks. Lieutenant Colonel. She is younger than us, maybe two or three years. And she's outranking us, too? So not fair. What a pair of JAGs they got to question us. I really need to quit staring.
"Commander. Commander. Commander Rabb. Harm." Yes. Me. It's me. Sturgis' voice is calling me. I straighten immediately. There is a superior officer in the room.
"Commanders Keeter and Rabb reporting as ordered, sir." I'm sure Keeter already said it but I can't help myself.
"We already know that. At ease." It comes from another voice. No way it's male. No way it's Diane. She was a New Yorker, born and raised. This voice comes from the west. Arizona. New Mexico, maybe? Finally, I'm looking again. Staring is over. For the better. My eyes don't change direction, though. Sorry Colonel, I can't help it.
Commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. Keeter, you sit here. Harm, you'll sit there." Sturgis's voice again. I'm sure he used my name to be sure I'll register. And wake me up.
Okay, Sturgis, I am woken up. I look and go where I was told. Turning my back from Keeter, on the opposite side of the room. I sit, looking straight. She is sitting right in front of me. You're sure you want answers, Sturg'? I can almost hear them 'sorry buddy, and good luck'. Thanks, guys.
"So, Commander, why don't you tell me what happened?"
I really like her voice.
(Keeter)
2019 Zulu – 2219 local
"Commander, sir"
"Don't 'Commander, sir' me, Keet. You see anyone else here?"
I answered sarcastically. "Yeah, Harm and Diane's twin." Then paused. My voice was back to normal when I continued. Well, almost normal. "When the hell did you have that third stripe filled? And why did you leave him with her? What the heck are you even doing here? I know you're a JAG, but didn't you have a special request approved by your C.O., submarine sea duty only or something? I can't believe you accepted to be above the water this time." I breathed again after my little tirade.
"Calm down, Keeter. First of all, I'm due for promotion next month, like you. I was requested here by my C.O. himself, with strict order to appear as a full Commander. After that, I'm back at my usual rank. It's my first assignment above the water in I don't know how long, and I admit it feels weird." He paused, too. I'm sure he knows it's better to breathe in between sentences. "I kind of expected you to understand why I let him with Mac – it's her nickname. Are the words 'three years and counting' mean anything to you? You have a normal deployment rate, a family and friends. When was the last time our buddy there," He said, pointing at Harm above his shoulder. "took more time than his mandatory leave? He's more like me, and I'm always gone. I have my dad and you two. Do I really have to continue?" No, not really.
"Point taken."
"You froze. Stopped, if you prefer. You were the first here, and you tried to warn him. Because that always works very well." it was his turn to be sarcastic.
"Never listens. He never listens. Especially if it's for his own good. You know, it's how we got our DFCs."
"Yeah, I know. You both got medals for saving the CAG's life when flying a plane with mechanical and electronics problems."
"Yeah. I got mine back in '93. Routine training at Miramar, and then all of the sudden part of my wings was gone. I told him it was no good, but when did craziness ever stop him before? He got his in '96 when most of his electronics fried. Same ship, same CAG, same medal. So yeah, I tried to warn him, you saw how well that worked."
"Keet, I suggest we go back to business. When this is over, we'll have our reunion. It's been way too much time."
"Tell me about it. Okay, let me tell you one last thing… This," It was my turn to designate our friend. I went more subtle, and just used my head. "is tricky waters. I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I. So, what did happen two days ago?"
(Mac)
2028 Zulu – 2228 local
That's my luck.
I'm sent overseas to unite forces with a true bubblehead who happens to know our witnesses. Let it be luck he doesn't know the two pilots involved, as well. And, apparently, I'm a ghost twin. I hope the Admiral didn't know that particular detail when he sent me, or I would have to seriously ask myself what he was on. All this isn't very ethical. More like borderline illegal. Sturgis' probably right, though. We'll have more chance to gather information. It's not like we have a lot of time to finish this. We rarely get cooperation from air crews. Maybe this time…
Right in front of me is a very handsome and highly decorated pilot who's been staring at me for the last twenty minutes. The only time he wasn't was when he got to his seat. Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Kuwait, Libya. A Gulf veteran. I did my homework. The pair is well known in the USN pilot-RIO world for being crazy, stubborn and amazingly lucky. How come they never lost a RIO? The two are born and bred pilots. Not really the type you'd expect to see with a wedding band. Well, the other squid has one. The one looking at me with his sea blue eyes doesn't. More true to the legend, I suppose. The squid with a girl in each port. Impressive service records tend to do that to you. But I'm getting seriously sidetracked.
Ten minutes ago, I asked the handsome sailor there what happened. The only response I got is an intensive stare that makes me feel weird. Not creepy-weird. Just weird. But I'm here to investigate and I fully intend to do my job to the fullest extent of my abilities.
"Earth to Sailor. Earth to Sailor." I'm highly non-formal but nothing else seems to work.
"What? Sorry, ma'am." I got through. Finally.
"What did happen three days ago?" Making sure he's really here.
"With all due respect, two." Yeah, he's back. Now, I can do my job.
"Now that you're here, answer my question." Am I that stupid? I know squids tend to get lost very easy. The one sitting here's a perfect example.
"My friend's mishap." Game…
"Elaborate, Commander" Set, and…
Match. "Yes, ma'am. We were flying a reconnaissance mission over the no fly zone. Keeter and I were assigned a perimeter east to the one assigned to Snake and Bear." That's a good thing I learned the call signs too. I just knew he wouldn't use their proper names. Pilots… "We were about to join them before going back to the carrier when we saw Bear having difficulties. Snake was just near her. They were both unreachable. We were too far. It was over before we could reach them."
"Anything else you want to add, Commander?"
"We were lead, but way too far. We should have done something."
Well, there isn't much any of us can do about that now. There is no use dwelling on it.
"Thank you, Commander. That'll be all. Usually you should be grounded and confined to your quarters before we finish this investigation. Unfortunately this is a war zone. CAG denied our request for grounding and the skipper the one of confinement. Commander Keeter will return to your quarters. Do you understand the charges if we found out that you all build up a story to cover up a deliberate fault?"
I sincerely hope it's not. I never understood service members trying to sabotage their own equipment. As much as I love to put cocky and arrogant servicemen back to their place, I have the feeling that finding out those two are the guilty ones would greatly disappoint me. And I can't seem to figure out why.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Fine. Consider yourself warned. That'll be all. Dismissed."
"Aye, ma'am"
He's back at attention before turning and leaving with his friend. They are tall. How come the even fit in a cockpit? Anyway, this is sketchy, at best. No details at all. Let's hope Sturgis had something better. After that, we'll think about the ones we want to interview next. I was thinking Bear and Snake's RIOs.
(Harm)
2045 Zulu – 2245 local
USS Patrick Henry
Just out of the officer's wardroom
"Done too, Keet'?" I ask him the second we're out of the room, and the door is closed back. Just after letting out a big sigh of relief.
"Yeah." He seemed relieved, too. But I'm sure, no more than me.
"When did Sturgis got promoted?" Was there anything I didn't know about? I'll kill Sturgis if there is.
"In two weeks, like us. He wears the full three stripes insignia upon order by the JAG himself. Don't spread it around. You don't wanna be pissing off a two star right now." Duh.
"Yeah, you're right. Good to have you back, bunkmate." I said, like I hadn't seen him in years.
"Go to hell, Harm. How'd it go?" All of the sudden it was his turn to be all serious.
"You know we can't talk about it."
"And you damn well know that's not what I'm talking about." I had a feeling about that. Well, at least I tried.
"Yeah, well, since you seem to know how to make me talk I strongly suggest we go see the CAG and back to our quarters before you even try anything." Delay, delay, delay.
"Fine by me. Come on, squid. Let's go see CAG before I make you talk." He's very sure of himself right now.
"Semper Fi, Jarhead."
"I swear I'll kick you six all the way back to San Diego!"
"Yeah, right." You don't scare me, squid.
