Tears for Allah – Prologue – Part IV
A/N 1: Thanks to my trio of editors [Mary Ann, Janlaw and Karen] for their usual fine job. Kudos also to
AeroGirl, Mkim, Soleil, TZ, Janlaw for providing their help and technical expertise. Also thanks to Lisa Griffon
[Yahoo Shipper Group] for her continuing support.
A/N 2: See Part One for notes on this Prologue.
"So, buddy, what did he say to you two that was so private?" Sturgis asked
knowing all along he probably wasn't going to pry the real answer out of his old
Naval Academy buddy.
Harm gave his old friend that smile that said 'I wouldn't tell you if you boiled
me in oil'. "That he had pulled some strings to get us a C-130 flight back to
Baghdad and then a C-17 flight back to Washington, Sturgis."
"Hey," Bud said pointing. "Here it comes now."
The four looked to the north and saw the unmistakable shape of a Navy C-130
preparing to touch down at the airfield.
xxivxx
As Colonel Baxter and Sergeant Jenkins watched, the C-130 rolled down the runway
and gathered speed for its takeoff. Major Lyle Kelly, commander of GATORFORCE's
Bravo company, came up to where they were standing and saluted. As the three stood
there, Kelly chuckled as he handed the Colonel a stack of the completed after
action reports. "I'll bet you're glad to see those legal weenies leave…."
Andrew Baxter cut an irritated glance toward Lyle Kelly. "Major, those 'legal
weenies' as you call them, are as good as any Marines I've ever fought
alongside." The Colonel watched the Hercules lift off, set off his flares and then
wheel around and turn north. "I'd be more than glad to share a foxhole with them
anytime, anywhere."
Major Kelly was suitably chastised for his rash comment. "Aye Sir."
"Major, you are an up and comer, but like all of us, you will one day find yourself answering to
JAGs, and when you do, you'll thank your lucky stars if your JAGs are from Admiral Chegwidden's
command."
Lyle Kelly couldn't believe that would ever happen but he didn't want further anger his new CO. "Understood, sir."
The trio watched as the big plane winged its way northward.
Raptor Ready Room
USS Patrick Henry
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Supergirl sat with Lieutenant Sandy 'Dust Storm' Ribkins and two other recently
recovered patients, Undertaker aka LT Commander Jason 'Johnny' Cintrelle, and LT
Commander Elizabeth 'Skates' Hawkes.
Commander Cintrelle took another sip of his soft drink, and then looked over at his
Executive Officer. "So tell me again, what did you see?"
Nicole sighed. Since the first time she had relayed her verbal report to
Captain Ingles, the story had spread like wildfire through the whole ship. Sailors
at sea are desperate for any news or any diversion, and this qualified as both.
There was an immediate spirited debate that dominated the ready rooms all over
the carrier. Attendance at religious services of various faiths went up. There
was even an unofficial lottery on whether or not a ghost had really appeared in
Hammer's doomed plane. The bets were split 50/50.
She began her story yet again. "Hammer and Clyde had just ejected from their
Tomcat, I was keeping my eye on them because we saw that shrapnel from the SAM
had shredded their restraints. That's when I noticed it… it looked like someone
else was in the plane…"
"Someone else?" The doubt in Sandy's voice was still there, even though this
was about the twentieth time she had the story.
Supergirl turned to her RIO. "As God is my witness, Sandy, I swear to you there
was someone else in that plane. Pitcher saw it too." Unfortunately Pitcher
wasn't there to corroborate her story. After the assault on Objective India,
Jeff 'Pitcher' Rodriguez had been transferred to the Henry's Marine Hornet
squadron when Dust Storm was cleared to fly.
Commander Cintrelle though, was less dismissive. He had been in the Navy long
enough to never take anything for granted. "Never mind her. You say the 'Cat
righted itself?"
Nicole took another pull on her soft drink, she wished it was beer. "Uh huh…it was
like someone had taken control of her, and then she nose-dived toward that
Gaskin battery…."
"What about the pilot, could you still see him?" This was the first time Skates
had joined the conversation. Unlike Sandy, she seemed to be interested in what
Nicole had to say.
Bolstered by this sudden surge of interest, Nicole continued. "Sort of.
Honestly, it was getting really hard with all that smoke was pouring from that
cockpit. Then he or it dived away from me…."
Jason seemed to know what happened next and this was his first time to hear it.
"…then he augered in – took out the Gaskin truck…." But it wasn't a sense for the
supernatural. He knew that a dive like that only ended one way.
Supergirl nodded. "Yeah, direct hit; nothing left but a burning pile of
scrap…." She looked down at the root beer foam drifting down the inside of the glass
she was cradling in both hands.
It was if she was looking for answers in the suds.
"What did he look like?" Elizabeth said softly. That got her attention. Nicole
looked up to Undertaker's RIO and saw encouragement.
"Well, he sort of looked like Hammer, but then again, he didn't…" Nicole didn't
know what else to say.
"Facial hair?" Elizabeth prompted.
Supergirl nodded. "Yeah, how did you-"
Elizabeth pulled a picture from the breast pocket of her flight suit. "-Harm
showed me a picture of his Dad once. Looked like his spitting image…except for
the mustache. Got my husband to fax over a copy of the squadron Rabb senior was
in."
Nicole's startled eyes fell on the image and she sucked in her breath. "That's
him," she said in a whisper. "That's the guy I saw."
Sandy took the photo from Elizabeth and looked at it. Then she handed it back
to her. "That is just too weird…." she mumbled as she pushed away from the
table and started to get up.
Jason didn't need to see the photo. He knew what was there without even seeing
it. "Stranger things have happened, Dust Storm," he said quietly to her.
Sandy stopped and looked back at the group. "Yeah, well, no offense, Supergirl,
but I'd have to see it with my own eyes to believe something like that…."
Nicole understood her RIO's seemingly unfeeling comments. "I don't blame you,
Dust Storm. I would have had trouble believing it too, had I not seen it
myself…."
"Skates, what do you think?" Sandy said to her, hoping that the fellow Radar
Intercept Officer would support her.
But Elizabeth Hawkes had brushed up against the unusual once before…in the cold
waters of the stormy Atlantic in May of 2001. "I think he was there, Sandy,
giving Hammer what protection he could…."
1904 Local_2304 Zulu
McMurphy's Pub and Grill
Tuesday, 22 July 2003
Albert Jethro Chegwidden perused the menu selection with a sigh. It was better than
Benzingers' used to have, but a part of him still longed to go to the bar and grill that JAG
Corps personnel had made their 'hang out spot' since JAG Headquarters had moved to
Falls Church in the winter of 1997. He glanced at his watch and wondered where Tiner
was. After all, the Petty Officer had requested this meeting.
Petty Officer 1st Class [PO1] and Chegwidden's Yeoman Jason Tiner appeared at the door
as if he had been telepathically signaled. He quickly walked over and sat down in the booth
seat opposite the Admiral.
"Sorry I'm late Admiral," Tiner began when AJ put up his hand.
He gave his Yeoman a paternal smile. "It's okay Tiner. I know you have a lot to get
in order before you leave for Naval Justice School. I figured that's what had
delayed you."
"Yes sir," Tiner said tentatively as the waitress placed a glass of water in
front of him and left again. The JAG noted his Yeoman's hesitancy and knew
there was something else he wanted to say. Well, he'll spit it out in time.
AJ thought.
AJ looked over his half glasses at the Petty Officer looking more like a kindly
old gentleman than the Navy Marine Corps JAG as he handed Jason a drink menu.
"So what are you going to have?"
The 1st Class Petty Officer quickly scanned the list. "I'll just have a beer,
sir."
AJ looked momentarily disappointed and then nodded his head. "Beer it is."
He motioned to the waitress who quickly came back to their table. "Two drafts,
please."
The waitress nodded while making a note on the Admiral's tab and then left.
They sat in silence for a moment. Jason shifted in his seat as if he was about
to get up.
AJ sighed and took off his reading glasses. "Son, are you going to make me pull
this out of you?"
Jason swallowed involuntarily and took a quick sip of his water.
"Sir, I have a problem…." he began.
"What kind of problem?" AJ was trying his best not to let a gruff tone enter
his voice. After all, Jason had come to him.
Jason looked helplessly at the JAG. "It involves Petty Officer Coates, sir," he
said finally.
AJ put down his drink a little harder than he meant to. The bang of his glass
hitting the table made the Yeoman flinch as did the Admiral's growl. "It
does?"
Jason shrank back in his seat. "Uh, yes sir…" he said quietly.
AJ took a deep breath. He was never any good at this-his track record with
Francesca in these kinds of talks hadn't been that good. He sighed and worked
hard to keep the growl out of his voice. "Go on, Petty Officer, what's the
problem?"
Jason took his own deep breath. "Well sir, I think…I think I love her…"
"You do." That came out more as a statement than a question. The JAG had not
been oblivious to all the time these two had spent together lately. Not to
mention the 'competition between her and Sergeant Givers, although that seemed to
have died down after the attack.
"And how does she feel about you?" he asked point blank.
The waitress came back with two frosted mugs full of beer and set them down on coasters
in front of the two Navy men. Seeing that they were involved in a private, and possibly painful,
conversation she murmured, "I'll be back in few minutes for your food order…." and then left.
Jason turned to acknowledge her while he thought about what the Admiral had said. After a moment
he said quietly, "I think…I think she loves me too, Admiral."
To AJ 'thinking' and 'knowing' were two different things. Especially when it came to matters of the
heart. "You think? You're not sure?"
The Admiral's questioning brought out the nervousness in Jason Tiner that AJ
Chegwidden was oh so familiar with. The words tumbled out of his mouth like
falling bricks. "Uh, as sure, as I can be, Admiral, without asking her. She
told me so – just not in so many words, sir."
AJ chewed on this for a moment. To Jason, the silence was deafening.
"Sir?"
"So you're as sure as you can be?" the JAG replied evenly.
Jason nodded. "Yes sir, Admiral."
Now the irritated JAG took over. "Well then what is the problem, Petty Officer?"
"Sir?"
AJ couldn't understand why his Yeoman was confused. To him it was clear as day what he had to do.
"You love her, she loves you; I don't see where there is a problem here, son…."
Jason was quick to make his point. He didn't want the Admiral to think he was wasting his time. "I'm
going to be commissioned, Admiral. Then I'll be at OIS and then at NJS. I'll be an officer, sir, and it'll
be fraternization if we stay together…."
"I see…." AJ wondered at first why his Petty Officer hadn't really thought this through
– like a certain someone else, he seemed to be hesitant to take that leap. Well,
he wasn't going to let another person under his command blow an opportunity at
happiness. AJ knew all too well that these opportunities should be grabbed when
they appear.
"Yes sir. Admiral, I have to break it off with her, but I really don't want
to." Tiner continued, oblivious to the plan forming in the JAG's mind.
"You don't." Again more of statement than a question. Truthfully, AJ hadn't
heard the last part. He already knew what the Petty Officer was going to say.
"No sir, I really do love her…." Jason answered honestly.
AJ nodded. "I see. Well…I can only think of one thing that you can do then,
Petty Officer."
"Yes Admiral?"
"You've graduated from law school and passed the bar exam…correct?"
"Yes sir, I have…" Tiner couldn't see where he was going with this or how that
would help.
"Then you are hereby discharged from active duty. Effective immediately.
Coates and Sergeant Givers can handle your duties – along with Lieutenant Sims.
Have the paperwork on my desk in the morning."
Tiner simply nodded. Discharged from service. He hadn't expected that.
"Then you'll have to marry to her, the sooner the better." AJ was blunt with the young
Petty Officer.
"Marry, Sir?" Now Jason was stunned and confused. He had just told the Admiral
he couldn't marry her and now he was saying that he should get married to
Jennifer Coates right now?
AJ smiled. "And because you graduated from law school and have already passed
your bar exam, you'll be commissioned a Lieutenant, junior grade. And as such, it
won't take effect until next Monday. I can delay the necessary paperwork that long.
Call it Admiral's privilege."
He loved it when he could move mountains for his people.
Tiner didn't know what to say. This was hitting him too fast.
AJ shook his head at his slow on the uptake response. He would have to do
better than this at his next posting if he was going to advance within the JAG
Corps. "Tiner, if you're married to her when you go to OIS and NJS, it's not
fraternization," AJ said spelling it out for him.
"Really sir?" That had never occurred to him. He had been so worried about
trashing their careers he really hadn't considered what they could do.
"Did you not look this up, son?" the JAG said pointedly.
"Well, sir, I just figured-" Jason Tiner began haltingly.
"Well you figured wrong." The Admiral said brusquely, cutting him off. "Look.
I'm having a welcoming back party for Commander Rabb and the JAGMAN team
this weekend-"
Jason jumped in because wasn't he supposed to plan all these parties for him?
Was he bypassing him because he didn't think he could do the job? "Sir, I'm
supposed to help with these kinds of things-"
"Well, in this case you aren't," AJ said in a friendly but firm manner meaning
there would be no more discussion about this. "Sergeant Givers and Petty
Officer Coates are. This is also supposed to be a good luck party for you as
well."
Yeoman1 Tiner was flabbergasted…and pleased. "I—thank you sir."
AJ grunted. "Just be there on time and don't foul this up, Petty Officer. You
love her, she loves you. Don't make me regret getting personally involved with
my staff, understood?"
Now Jason smiled for the first time since they sat down. "Yes sir, Aye, aye sir
and thank you sir," he said effusively.
Now was AJ's turn to give him another paternal smile. "You're welcome, Tiner. And talk
to her about seeing me about one of the Enlisted Commissioning Programs. I've been
watching her – she's officer material too."
To say that Jason Tiner was floored would be an understatement. "Uh, y-yes, sir, I will sir,"
was all he could manage.
AJ grinned, glad that Tiner was finally getting it. He had his doubts about the Petty Officer in
personal relations department because of that fiasco with Meredith's engagement ring. But now
it looked as though he had his head screwed on straight. "Now, what do you say to getting
something to eat?"
2331 Local_0331 Zulu
Andrews Air Force Base
Camp Springs, Maryland
Wednesday, 23 July 2003
The Navy C-130 slowly rolled to a stop. Despite the lateness of the hour, Lieutenant Harriet Sims,
Petty Officers Jen Coates and Jason Tiner stood silently and resolutely with Admiral AJ Chegwidden. AJ
had expected his JAGMan team to come in on Air Force C-17 that had arrived earlier in the evening
from RAF Mildenhall, but the Commander informed him the team had made change of transport and
the reason why.
The Air Force ground crew hurried to attach ramps to the lowering tailgate. As they worked on their project,
a third team stood by with an assembled honor guard composed of Marines and sailors.
The third crew and honor guard moved silently to the side of the plane where they waited by the open ramp.
Bud came down the ramp first, followed by Sturgis and then Mac and then Harm, bringing up the rear. Harriet
worked hard to keep from beaming.
The Navy Marine JAG, Harriet, Coates and Tiner saluted the JAGMan team. "Welcome back, Lieutenant. Job well
done."
"Thank you, sir," Bud said solemnly as he returned his salute.
AJ turned to the former Dolphin. "Commander, I heard you from some Marines that you would make a good
anti-tank squadron commander," he quipped dryly.
"I'm only as good as my men, Admiral," Sturgis returned in the same dry manner.
AJ chuckled at his witty response. "And I also heard from Judge Blakely that you and Lieutenant Roberts did an
excellent job."
"Thank you sir," both men said quickly. Considering that the Marine judge rarely if ever said anything one way or
another about the JAG attorneys that stood before him [other than what could be found in his judicial contact reports],
this was high praise. Especially in light of those tense moments after the JAGMan team found out about the terrorist
attack on JAG Headquarters.
"Though you ultimately lost the case," AJ was quick to add. He noticed that Harriet, Coates, and Tiner momentarily
stiffened.
"I believe the extenuating circumstances of the case should be taken into account, Admiral." Mac said speaking up for
her friends.
Still looking out for Bud, eh Mac? And Sturgis too – when did you start doing that? AJ turned to the Light Colonel. "A
loss is still a loss, Colonel."
"Yes sir," Mac said properly chastened.
AJ wanted to show he was still in charge, but he knew she was right. This case had been far from normal so he would
give them a little leeway for that. "But, you're right Colonel. In light of the fact that both Lieutenants Lukens and Buell
were set-up to take the fall for a murder they didn't commit, I would call this case a wash."
AJ turned to tall Naval Commander looking at him. "Wouldn't you agree, Commander?"
"Yes sir, Admiral," Harm looked at Sturgis and Bud. "It was a wash."
"Commander, I didn't say so before, but glad to see you made it back,"
"Welcome back sir." Coates added.
Harm gave both of them a weary smile. "Thank you, Sir. And thank you Legalman."
"Albeit not in one piece, I see," he added dryly as he looked at Harm and Mac's bandaged hand.
The words were out of aviator/lawyer's mouth before he knew he had said them. "The Colonel kept it from being worse
than it is, Sir."
The Navy-Marine Corps JAG gave the Marine Staff Judge Advocate a piercing look. "Is that true, Colonel? Just how did
you do that?"
Mac colored though it was difficult to tell in the darkness. "I think that Queen Alexandria's surgical team had more to do
with keeping the Commander's injuries from being worse than they were. I just got the Commander to a Battalion Aid
Station in a timely manner," Mac replied deftly. Or so she thought.
Oops. "The Romanian Queen? The one you guarded?" AJ repeated as his focus returned to the banged-up Commander.
Now he was on the receiving end of the piercing look.
"Romania has a medical unit stationed in Iraq, Admiral," Harm said adroitly. "They happened to be supporting the
Marine operation when I was shot down."
He wasn't buying it. "Uh huh," AJ snorted.
Inwardly, the Admiral groaned. The last thing he needed was the media getting wind of the reigning Queen of Romania
rescuing her former bodyguard. It would have been better if Mac really had been Harm's source of medical attention.
"Admiral, from what Colonel Baxter told me, it was a joint Romanian-Marine surgical operation. The Commander's hand
had been shattered by the malfunction of his ejection seat and their chief surgeon was only one able under field combat
conditions to perform such a delicate operation to repair the extensive damage to his hand."
The former Bubblehead's adept and timely explanation saved Harm and Mac from themselves.
"I see." The Admiral said slowly. He had rarely known the Preacher's Son to lie.
"We'll talk more about this later, Commander, Colonel. In the meantime, good job…on both the case and your operations."
"Yes sir, thank you Sir," they both said quickly, not wanting to give him time to say anything else.
AJ Chegwidden nodded his approval. Then he turned to Harriet. "I believe you have something to say to Lieutenant Roberts."
Harriet moved forward and embraced her husband. "Welcome home sweetie," Harriet said hugging him tightly.
Bud returned the hug, but not as tightly. It wasn't because Harriet was six months pregnant or that he didn't love her
anymore. He turned and looked back at the honor guard that was retrieving the casket now being brought down the ramp.
"Bud?" Concern crossed the blonde woman's pretty features. "Who is that?"
Bud looked back at his wife and cupped her left cheek reassuringly. "I have to keep a promise to someone, honey."
"Bud had been with Colonel Briggs' staff when an insurgent mortar shell made a direct hit on their tactical operations
center, Lieutenant, and killed one his staff," Sturgis explained gently. "Bud promised he'd see her home."
Bud looked into his wife blue eyes. "I'm sorry Harriet, but I hope you understand."
Harriet Sims eyes filled as she looked back at Bud. This is why she loved him so. "I do, sweetie, and I want to come with
you, please?"
Time froze as senior JAGC officers waited for Bud's response. Bud had been with Corporal Danielle Weitz when she died
and had not really talked about what happened with anyone other than Faith Coleman.
After his discussion with her, Faith had been uncharacteristically emotional when she told them that Bud was a 'remarkable
man'.
Still witnessing a death can change a person, especially a seemingly senseless death, and because Harm and others
hadn't been able to get the Junior JAGC attorney to talk about the incident, they had no idea how he would handle
what he had experienced.
Tears had formed in the corners of Bud's eyes. "Thanks Harriet," he said quietly.
Mac's heart melted when she saw the glow on Bud's face. She had expected him to refuse her help, but in typical Bud
fashion, he welcomed it instead.
AJ cleared his throat, catching the attention of everyone present. "We need to get over to the honor guard and explain
what you need to do, Lieutenant." AJ explained, his voice having an uncharacteristic hoarseness to it.
The group silently moved toward the honor guard holding the casket.
Highway Nine
Six Miles_Nine Point Seven Kilometers outside of Baghdad city limits
Sergeant Dick Brewer hated hunting through these abandoned improved positions that they found all up and
down the 'Baghdad Highway'. They had been the Republican Guards' last line of defense and were built when
they were going to fight to the death against the American infidels defiling their land. That was before PSYOPS
units convinced them they were fighting for the wrong team.
Now they were just another reminder of how most of the Iraqi Army just vanished. A large number had joined the
growing insurgency against the nascent Iraqi democracy, but substantial number switched sides, leaving these
bunkers and improved positions for Brewer, and other ad-hoc EOD squads like his, to check out.
They all dreaded the infamous improvised explosive devices the media was blaring about. Truth be known, IED's
had been around since explosives were invented, but you wouldn't know that hearing the way ZNN and other media
outlets howled about 'IED's killing thousands of soldiers'.
This latest camouflaged bunker was found about six miles southeast of Baghdad on the road the US Marine columns
had raced up just months before.
"Corporal! What have you found?"
"No IED's Sergeant!" the Corporal called back to his NCO, "but Vinders found something…."
Brewer grimaced. The last time the Corporal said this, PFC Vinders had found a half starved kitten, another time it
was rat being kept in a cage by some Iraqi soldier for amusement. Nothing ever good came from the Corporal's
'Vinders found something' remark.
"Vinders!" Brewer barked, "Tell me it's not another half-starved kitten!"
"Nope Sergeant, looks like we got us a Marine who discorporated." Brewer was stumped at first and then he
remembered that Vinders was a big sci-fi nut.
That got Brewer's immediate interest. "A Marine? You mean one of ours?!"
"Uh huh," came back laconic reply. Brewer seethed. Vinders would rue making that sloppy reply to him….
Sergeant Anton Brewer's anger momentarily evaporated when he saw the young PFC carrying a Marine's combat
battle dress uniform towards him.
xxivxx
"Captain! Sir! You need to see this!"
Captain Ulysses Tranch got out of his up-armored HMMWV "What is it Sergeant?" he asked as he walked towards
Brewer. The Sergeant wordlessly handed the Captain the empty uniform blouse and pants along with the USMC
identification card and other personal information found in the bunker.
Captain Tranch only scanned what he was handed for only a moment before turning back to the open door of his
HMMWV.
"Kittel!" he snapped to his radioman.
Corporal Dwayne Kittel quickly sat up in the truck. "Aye sir!" He had been trying unsuccessfully to get 'American Idol'
on his web TV receiver.
"Get over here," Tranch said tersely
"Aye sir!" Kittel got out of the truck and hustled over to the senior officer.
Tranch handed him the uniform and ID card. "Send a flash message to base and tell them what we've found!"
Kittel nodded as he looked at the ID. 'Master Gunnery Sergeant Rudy Wilbane' United States Marine Corps' it read
along with picture of the Master Guns as well as some other personal information about the Master Gunnery Sergeant.
"Briar Patch, Briar Patch, this is Jackrabbit Seven! Flash traffic…have found Marine uniform and identification card in
bunker nine point six five clicks from Baghdad proper…"
1750 Local_2150 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Thursday 24 July 2003
"Hey," Mac said as she tapped on his office door jamb.
"Hey yourself," Harm said with a smile as he put aside the deposition he was reading. "What have you got there?"
His eyes focused on the thick stapled document in the Light Colonel's hands.
Mac put it on the desk as she sat down in the chair next to it. "Final report from Commander Coleman and Special
Agent Gibbs on the JAG-NCIS joint investigation into the terrorist attack on JAG Corps Headquarters."
The aviator/lawyer's eyes widened. "Ouch! It looks like a book."
Mac gave her partner a rueful grin. "There was a lot to include. The original JAGMan team report and the subsequent
compromising and discrediting of that team, the death of 1st Lieutenant Phillip M. Dodge and our JAGMan investigation,
of course the terrorist attack on JAG Corps Headquarters itself, the rocket attack on the 36th MEU DFAC, the shooting
down of one of the unit's C-130's, the battle at 21st Easting, and finally the destruction of Iraqi Battalion Defensive
Position being used by the terrorists."
Harm whistled in exclamation as he opened the report. "You left out the part about Force Recon Colonel Darcy Livingston
and her death squads commanded by Captain Jacques Lewis formerly of the DSD."
"Oh believe me, it's in there," Mac quipped as she got up and turned her chair around so they could read through the
report together.
Faith Coleman's report was like everything else she did – precise and factual. And, it showed why she was such a good
investigator.
"The Colonel really had her hands into a little of everything," Harm remarked as he continued to read.
Mac cataloged the list of illegal acts Darcy and her cohorts had been involved in. "Assassination, gunrunning, smuggling,
drug manufacture and redistribution, murder for hire, receiving and transferring stolen property…"
"You left out looting in general and plundering of national treasures," Harm murmured as he scanned down the list of
Marines and Sailors who plead guilty to being directly involved. So many careers trashed, so many souls lost, taken in
by the false promises of riches and glory – all they had to do was follow her.
"I was getting to that," Mac said somewhat petulantly. Her petulance though, was tied to what she was thinking about -
her last conversation with Colonel Livingston as she laid on her deathbed. She had seemed so sad, so lonely, so
remorseful. Was it all just a sham, one last ploy, did she even really realize she was dying?
Harm could tell there was something weighing on her mind but rather than wheedle it out of her, he'd let her be the one
to broach it. Instead, his mind went back to all the lives snuffed out by Darcy Livingston and Jacques Lewis. By
comparison, Samir al-Sahood -, the terrorist who masterminded the attack on JAG Headquarters - was a minor league
player, dangerous one, nevertheless.
At least that is what they initially thought. Both attorneys' eyes widened when they saw what was written about
al-Sahood. He had personally recruited Darcy Livingston while she was still in college and Naval Reserve Officer
Training. She was one of a score of Americans he recruited for the terrorist group 'al-Jihad' better known as
Jama'at al Jihad al-Islami.
Sahood was part of al-Jihad. That shook both of them. They continued reading.
"Mac, look at this. Kabir and Mustafa Atif were members of that group-" Harm began.
The Marine attorney nodded. "-Yeah, I saw that, Harm, and so is Sadik Fahd."
Harm glanced at his partner. "Do you think Webb knew this?"
"'This' meaning everything that's in this report? That Sadik, Kabir and Sahood were members of the same organization?"
"Yeah," Was all the aviator/lawyer could say. The implications of what he was thinking were staggering enough.
"I'd be surprised if he didn't," Mac said blandly, though she too was thinking that they all had seriously underestimated
their foes not only in Afghanistan but also in Iraq. It was fortunate that al Sahood was as disorganized as he was. She
shuddered inwardly at the thought of what this group could have accomplished if they had not been already under
pressure from US operations in both countries.
"Yeah, me too." Harm though, was more concerned about Mac and how now more than ever it was apparent that Webb
had gone into the Chaco with a serious intelligence deficiency. If Sadik had not been playing 'Lone Wolf' probably none
of them - Mac, Webb, Gunny, even himself - would have never gotten out of there alive.
"Harm, look." Mac pointed to the section of the page she was referring to.
Harm pulled the report closer so he could see what she was referring to. He began reading aloud. "At this time, the
whereabouts of Master Gunnery Sergeant Rudy Wilbane are unknown. The Master Gunnery Sergeant's personal
effects, military uniform and military identity card still haven't been found. Samir al Sahood was discovered and arrested
by NCIS Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo. Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilbane, also known as Rafid al-Wahib, has been
charged in abstentia with desertion and unauthorized absence from his unit…."
Harm glanced over at Mac. He could tell she was unnerved by what he just read. "Colonel Livingston's and Captain
Lewis's right hand man. He was also with you, right Mac?"
Mac tried to appear nonplussed. But the aviator/lawyer knew better. Wilbane aka al-Wahib had been considered a very
minor player in all this at the time. "He was, until Gunny arrived in country to take his place." If Mac and Gunny had
only known what a viper they were dealing with…
Harm shuddered inwardly when he thought what Wilbane could have done if he had known who Mac really was. "He
must've figured out that Gunny wasn't who he said he was and made contact with al Sahood."
By the look on her face, he could tell Mac was thinking about that too. "…and then when things fell apart, he fled, no
telling where…."
Harm looked at his partner with concern. "That's a hell of a loose cannon to be rolling about, Mac."
Mac sighed. There wasn't anything that they could do about it right now. But at least now everyone was looking for
the renegade Master Gunnery Sergeant. "I know, Harm. Our only hope is that members of Shark Two that were
part of the Colonel's contingent and the crew of Rover One can help locate him."
She looked down list of potential witnesses for the prosecution. "Looks like Lance Corporals Strong, Private Stallings
and Lance Corporal Peters will be possible witnesses for the Prosecution."
Harm nodded. "Along with Sergeant Cienfuentes and Corporal Gonzales. I heard they gave you a lot help when you
were trying to track down Colonel Livingston."
Mac was still reading the list of potential witnesses. "Uh huh, and Lance Corporal Pogue and 2nd Lieutenant Skinner
will be treated as hostile witnesses."
"I see they aren't even bothering with asking Lance Corporal Rayden to testify," the aviator/lawyer observed.
Mac shook her head. "No sense in it. He can't tell them anything that Pogue can't tell them. After all, the crew of
Rover One was just another one of Darcy's pawns. Rayden didn't have any special knowledge that Pogue didn't
have, and besides, he's being more cooperative."
Mac flipped the page and scanned down the list of charges against Colonel Livingston's cohorts.
Most, if not all, would end up in Leavenworth or Miramar if not Guantanamo. As Bud as said, he was glad they didn't
have to be involved other than as witnesses for the prosecution.
"His loss. Hope he likes Gitmo." Harm noted about Rayden as he got up. "Hey are you about ready to secure for the
day?"
Mac closed the report and walk around to her side of the desk. "Yup. I've done all the damage I can to these piles
today," she said motioning at the stack of files in her in-box.
Harm chuckled ruefully. They may be Chegwidden's top troubleshooting lawyers, but there was always a backlog of
routine work waiting for them when they got back. "I know what you mean. I'm going to take some things home to
work on. I just need to go back to my office and double-check that I have everything."
Mac flipped open a folder to scan a memo Harriet had just dropped off. "Sure. I'll wait for you and we can walk out
together."
Harm walked back down the hall to his office. When he got there he gave his desk the once over looking for anything
else he wanted to work on tonight and then grabbed his cover. As he started to leave, the Commander looked over
at a folder that had been placed on his desk earlier in the day. It was the name on the neatly typed header that made
him stop and look at it.
'Lieutenant Loren Singer'
He didn't remember who had dropped it in his in-box. It was too thin to be her Officer Qualification Record (OQR) or
any files related to her death. He started to ignore it and head out, but curiosity got the best of him. He closed the
door and went back to his desk.
Opening his briefcase, he picked it up and dropped the folder in and then snapped it shut again. He'd look at it later.
As he was turning off his lights, Mac came out of her office. "You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go," he said as pulled his office door shut.
1820 Local_2220 Zulu
A.J. Chegwidden's House
McLean, Virginia
Friday 25 July 2003
AJ watched as Marla Givers and Jennifer Coates worked with quiet efficiency to
finish placing the table settings and putting out an array of hors d'oeuvres.
"Everything is just about ready, Admiral," Jennifer announced as Marla Givers
walked over and turned on the stereo, keying up some soft jazz instrumentals on
the combination Stereo-Turntable-Cassette-CD player.
AJ nodded his approval. "Very good, Petty Officer. Sergeant, will you turn on
the lights on the porch?"
Marla nodded and headed to the French doors at the back of the living room.
"Yes sir."
As Marla left to do this, AJ pulled Jennifer to one side. "I hope you-"
Jennifer finished his thought for him. She had learned it was good to
anticipate the Admiral's thoughts and intentions. "-brought my civilian clothes? I did
sir, but I thought I was supposed to be helping Sergeant Givers-"
AJ finished for her. Some would find what she did annoying. But not him, in
fact, he kind of liked that she could do that, because he could do the same to
her. "-Sergeant Givers can handle the party from this point on. In fact, I
told her that would be the case."
PO2 Coates was stumped about the Admirals intentions on this one. "But why sir?"
AJ smiled his all knowing smile. "Because Petty Officer Tiner is receiving
commission to Lieutenant, junior grade tonight."
"Oh…."
Jen's heart sank –she had thought he would be made Chief Petty Officer, that
would make talking about solidifying their relationship a little bumpy, but they
could handle that – but not him being promoted to Lieutenant. He'd be an
officer and any future plans they had would mean she or he would have to leave
the service. That difference in status couldn't be overcome. AJ detected the tone of
disappointment in her voice.
AJ Chegwidden feigned concern. He knew exactly what she was thinking – Tiner
was right. She had been thinking about marriage. "What's the matter, Petty
Officer, aren't you happy for him?"
"Happy? Oh yes sir!" She exclaimed immediately brightening and nodding
enthusiastically. "Absolutely, it's just that-"
AJ cut her off. A little cruel, but he thought the night would make up for
that. "What, Petty Officer?"
Her senior officer's brusque manner told her it wasn't a good idea to bring up
any girlish fantasies with him. "Oh…nothing, sir."
The JAG was momentarily disappointed that Coates didn't fight this more. Since
day one she showed everyone in the office that she was a scrapper and didn't
back down easily from a challenge. He admired that in her, so seeing her collapse
this easily left him a little worried about the plan for this evening. "Don't
worry Coates. It will all work out in the end. Now go on and get changed out of that
uniform and put on your civilian clothes. You can use my bedroom."
She didn't know what he meant by that obtuse remark 'work out in the end', but
the Petty Officer put on her best smile. "Yes sir."
As she headed toward the bedroom, AJ couldn't help smiling to himself. He
really did enjoy this kind of subterfuge.
xxivxx
Jason Tiner was dressed in his brand new Service Dress Whites as directed by the
Admiral. He hoped that they stayed that way at least through the ceremony. It was
an unusual dress code for a gathering of this nature, but it was the Admiral's party
so-
The door opened before he had a chance to ring the bell. There stood Marla
Givers in a waiter's uniform. "Petty Officer Tiner, good to see you." she said
smiling.
It took Tiner a moment to gather a coherent thought as they walked into the
living room. "Marla, are you doing this by yourself this evening?" Normally the
Admiral had Tiner oversee hired the caterers serving as wait staff but right now
he only saw Marla.
Always the gentleman – bet he would volunteer to help if I said yes, but I know
better than to do that, she thought. Her smile got wider. "No, Jen helped set
up most of it. My assistants will be arriving shortly," As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
"Will you excuse me, I need to go answer the door…."
Jason nodded absently as he wandered into the dining room and saw the
beautifully set table. "They even have a better centerpiece than I did-"
"Excuse me?" Jennifer said in response to his mumbled comment as she came out
of the bedroom, smoothing her shirt and making sure everything was in place.
Jason turned around to see Jennifer in red polo shirt and jeans. For some reason she
looked even more gorgeous even though it was just nice dress jeans and a red shirt.
"Jen!" he blurted out as he looked at her. Seeing the look of happy shock on
her face at his comment he blushed as he corrected himself. " I uh, mean, Petty
Officer, how are you this evening?"
Jennifer fought the urge to giggle at him. Sometimes he was so cute. "I'm um,
fine, Tiner. Thanks for asking."
"Why aren't you helping Marla?" He couldn't help it, but his voice did sound a
tiny bit accusatory.
"The Admiral asked me to wear civilian clothes and to join the party," she said a
little brusquely. She didn't like the fact he was insinuating that she had left
Marla holding the bag.
Tiner's color got deeper Boy, you sure stuck your foot in it, Jason. Let's see
if you can get out of this one… "Uh, I'm sorry, Coates, I didn't mean to
sound…for that to come out the way it did. I'm sorry. It's just the Admiral
usually has me organizing these things and I-"
He sounded sincere, but Jennifer wasn't going to let him off that easily. "Next
time leave the rank off when you ask me something like that. I can see where
you might have thought something else, but Marla and I are past that, okay?"
"Okay," he said sheepishly. He hoped he didn't do anything else dumb like that
tonight. He wanted this to all go right.
xxivxx
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Pete said as he came in the back door of the kitchen.
"What do I need to do?"
Marla gave Corporal Bauer a quick smile as she handed him a tray of hors-d'oeuvres.
"Here, take these and set them on the table. When you get back, we'll get the caterers
to begin serving drinks…"
xxivxx
Marla opened the door to see Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez supporting a still
injured but definitely on the mend Cassie Ramirez. Victor's class A uniform
seem to be bursting with ribbons - what he called 'the fruit salad'. She was
surprised that Sergeant Ramirez had worn hers, but then Cassie was known for
being a stickler for protocol. If the Admiral said for her to wear her uniform,
she wore her uniform – injuries or not.
"Gunny! Sergeant! Good to see you!" she said opening the door wider to
accommodate them.
"It's good to see you too, Sergeant," Victor said graciously as he helped Cassie
walk in. Cassie didn't seem to mind the extra attention.
Marla noted a momentarily grimace cross her face. The tale-tell sign she was
still having some pains. "Cassie, how are you doing?" Marla asked
sympathetically.
Cassie did her best to hide her pain and smiled at the Sergeant who was
obviously worried about her. "Taking it one day at time, Marla."
Marla nodded soberly and then led both of them over to couch where Cassie could
sit. It was apparent that Cassie was far from fully recovered.
xxivxx
The red Corvette pulled in behind Jason Tiner's Dodge Durango. Mac got out of
the car and walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.
Harm and Mac would have come separately, but Mac insisted on driving Harm whose
arm was still in a cast. The doctor had told him it would come off three weeks from now.
Harm was embarrassed that he couldn't be the usual gentleman that he liked
being. "Mac, I could've gotten Sturgis to drive me…"
Mac scoffed at his attempt to wave her off. "And you two would have never made
it over here…" she quipped. It was fun being the 'gentleman' in this particular
case. Besides it was rare when she could make the Commander feel ill at ease in a
good way.
Harm couldn't let that slide. "As it was, I didn't think I was going to make it
here tonight, Mac."
She gave him a cutting look as they continued up the walkway. "Are you criticizing my driving, Flyboy?"
Sure her fingers were still bandaged together and the stitches holding together her glancing gunshot wound wouldn't come out for another couple of weeks, but at least she wasn't trying to drive with a cast on her arm, like Harm had tried to several times earlier this week
and failed miserably. The aviator/lawyer had ended up asking Mac if she wouldn't mind driving him around. Though she complained outwardly, secretly she was pleased he would let her do this for him.
"I'm just saying you could have slowed down when we came to that last curve, Marine." He couldn't help it and besides, she had been rather lead-footed on the way over here.
Mac laughed off his comment. "You're just miffed because you didn't get to drive
and because Dr. Timas wouldn't take off your cast until six weekends from now…."
That was true.
"That's not true," he lied. "Look, Mac; I didn't mind the act of
you driving me," he said by way of elaboration, hoping to soften the blow.
She wasn't going to let him get off that easy. "Then why the crack about me
driving fast?" She hoped she put the right amount of 'miffed' in her voice.
Harm tried lawyer semantics on his partner. "I minded how you drove me. You
were driving fast, Mac." He hoped she got the point without getting mad.
Nope. "Oh really-"
Marla opened the door on the two bickering officers. "Colonel! Commander!
Please come in, the Admiral is waiting for you…"
"We'll finish this later, Navy," she replied in a low voice that held a note of
retribution as Marla led them into the living room.
"Looking forward to it, Marine," Harm said smiling. He loved verbally sparring
with her.
xxivxx
Pete Bauer opened the door. "Lieutenant Sims, Lieutenant Roberts, please come
in. I'll tell the Admiral you're here."
Harriet Sims smiled graciously even though she felt like an elephant lumbering
into the entryway. She leaned over to her husband as Pete turned his back to
them.
"Now Bud, please don't get this uniform messed up. It's the last clean one you
have right now…." Though it was a different circumstance and different outfit,
she was still worried about Bud's perchance for party mishaps.
Bud Roberts patted his wife reassuringly on her arm. "Don't worry Harriet, I've
got it covered…."
xxivxx
John Burford put his Mustang into park just as a Nissan Pathfinder pulled in
behind him and parked.
As the Lieutenant Commander got out of his car, he noticed Carly Clemons getting
out of the Pathfinder.
John smiled.
"Would you like an escort to the door?" the Marine Major asked as she closed her
SUV's door and began walking toward him.
John closed the door and stood by his convertible. "Are you offering?"
She smiled back. "Well, yes, I am."
"Then I'm accepting," he replied with a smile.
xxivxx
Jason and Jennifer stood on the porch which was bathed in the soft glow of white
Christmas lights as muted jazz drifted out of the living room.
Jason couldn't get over how pretty Jennifer Coates looked. He had to work hard not to
stare at her.
They stood at the porch railing looking out at the starlit night sky.
Jason stole a look at her. "You uh, look very nice tonight," he said lamely.
Jennifer dipped her head and smirked. "In this?" she asked, the dubiousness
evident in her voice.
"Yes, you do." he said with sudden conviction. He wanted her to believe that.
That took her by surprise. "Oh."
Jason took her hands in his. "Would you like to sit for a moment?"
She felt her heartbeat quicken as the warmth from his hands spread up her arms.
"Sure."
They sat down on the bench next to the railing.
"The Admiral told me this party is part of my going away present from him…."
Jason said, then immediately regretting it because it sounded so stupid!
But if Jennifer Coates found his comment dumb, she didn't admit it. In fact,
she seemed very interested in the fact. Jennifer looked around and then back at
him. "Yeah, that's what he told me too. So, how long will you be, um, gone?"
Jason did some mental math. "Two to three months…" When he saw her expression
falter, he grasped at something, anything that would make her feel better. "Hey,
you know, Newport isn't that far away…."
But Jennifer was a realist. Her hard life before meeting Commander Rabb and
coming to JAG had taught her to accept bad news as inevitable. "But you're not
coming back here, to JAG Headquarters, are you?"
"No, probably not," he admitted.
She nodded. "So, where will you be?" Party over. It was fun while it lasted.
Jason thought about that for a moment. "Probably with a carrier group or a TAD
with Naval Intelligence or Naval Criminal Investigative Services-"
Jennifer felt the disappointment and sadness growing within her. Alone again…
Jason noticed the sad faraway look on her face. "Hey, it's not the end of the
world, Jen?" She looked back at him with watery eyes.
She smiled trying to put on a brave face. "It's all right, Jason. You've got
your job to do, and the Admiral has given me mine…." Her voice, though,
faltered as she bit her lower lip to keep the tears from falling.
Jason couldn't stand to see her that way. "Jen, come on now, don't act that
way…."
She shook her head. "I'm not mad Jason, honest. I'm happy for you…really."
She tried another smile.
Jason looked at her, not sure what to do. "Really? You're not just saying
that?" The uncertainty in his voice made her lower lip tremble.
Jennifer took a deep shaky breath and then nodded. "Sure, I'll be okay. Look, I get to
take your place here at JAG. What could be better…." As she finished a tear ran
down her cheek and another and another and soon her shoulders began to shake as
she began to softly cry.
Jason didn't know what to do at all now. He couldn't stand seeing her like this
and it was all his fault. What he and the Admiral had planned was imploding
right in front of him. He had to stop it. He had to get her to listen to him.
"Jennifer, oh hey, Jen, please…"
"I'll be fine, really. Don't worry about me all right? I'll be okay…." she said
hoarsely and he didn't believe a word of it. He also couldn't believe this was
going so terribly.
Jason took her hands again. He had to stop her before it was too late. "Jen,
listen to me, please."
She couldn't imagine what he could say to make this better or why she had
collapsed so. Part of her was embarrassed and mad that she fallen apart like
this. She had faced worse situations than this, so why did this hurt so much?
Still, he had worked with her since Christmas 2002, so maybe she should listen
to him….
He gave her a tissue from a pack he was carrying. His sinuses had been
bothering him earlier. She nodded.
"Okay, I'm listening…." she said as she dried her eyes with the tissue he had
produced.
"I'm going away, for a short while, but it's not forever." Did she understand
what he was saying?
Jennifer was trying her best to comprehend what he was saying but she also
wanted to let him know it was all right. That she understood. "I-"
But Jason Tiner wasn't done yet. "I'm not finished yet. Hear me out, okay?"
"All right," she said nodding.
"It's not forever, and I'm not giving up my apartment here in DC. Not yet
anyway. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" Please understand what
I'm saying, Jen.
Jennifer Coates wasn't sure at all what he was saying to her. "I'm not sure-"
"Jen, you're a great lady and I don't want to lose you." he continued. "Promise
me I won't."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe she misunderstood him. "What
are you saying Jason?"
He took his high school ring and placed it on her finger. "Just promise me,
okay?"
She couldn't dare let herself think what this might mean. "Is this what I think it
is?" she said quietly. Sure it was a high school ring, but it was what it meant that
was far more important.
He nodded. "It's the only ring I have right now." Regret filling his voice. "I
just want to know…will you wait for me? Until we can do this proper, I mean. I
want to marry you, tomorrow, if you'll have me."
It was probably the worst proposal in the world that she had ever heard. And the
sweetest. She looked at the ring for a moment then fell into his arms and gripped
him in a crushing hug.
-TBC...