Skeleton Crew part 2 ("A Consequence of Choices")
Note: This story was originally written for the Spring 2007 FicRecon/HBX "Ficathon" based on the prompt "what if Mac had been assigned to defend Harm at his Article 32 hearing after he was charged with LT Diane Schonke's murder.
EPILOGUE
Friday, 3 January 1997
White House Rose Garden
"Rabb!" RADM Chegwidden's bellow was reminiscent of a Seal instructor…or a Marine D.I. ….or an angry SECNAV. "C'mom, time to leave your admiring fandom and get going. We have a new case …. Roberts! With us!"
"Yes, Sir." Two voices responded crisply and the tall Lieutenant Commander and shorter Ensign turned to accompany their CO back to the car.
"I wonder what kind of new case," Bud's voice was eager. The assignment as law clerk to the legendary LCDR Harmon Rabb while going to law school four nights a week was a dream come true. "Do you think he's sending us TAD somewhere? The new semester doesn't start for nearly a month."
"Dunno, but I'll be glad to get out of the dress blues and get back to work," Harm shrugged, "and if it's TAD I hope it's to somewhere warm."
"Someone's waiting at the car," Bud observed, as the government vehicle and duty driver came into view.
"H-m-m-m …" .Harm wasn't really listening, but his eyes naturally focused on the vehicle as they approached it …..and on the Marine in dress uniform standing next to it. Once again, he was unprepared. He stumbled and nearly fell against Bud, sending both men staggering.
Frantically gathering his wits, he barely heard his commanding officer. "Major, thank you for meeting us here. You remember LCDR Rabb I'm sure – the two of you will work as partners. And this is Ensign Bud Roberts, a JAG Corps wanna-be who'll be your law clerk for the foreseeable future. He's in GW's night program."
Mac stood still. It had been six months since she'd left JAG Headquarters and the enigma that was Harmon Rabb and the memory of the lieutenant he hadn't killed – the friend she'd proven he hadn't killed. Now what?
Flashback.
Office of the Commandant
USMC HQ
Earlier that morning
"Major, at ease. The Commandant wanted to speak to you himself but the SECNAV called." The Commandant's SJA indicated a seat and took the chair next to it, smiling affably. He'd proposed other candidates for this duty, not wanting to give up the Corps' rising star judge advocate to the Navy, but the Commandant hadn't even discussed it, simply indicated that Major Mackenzie was going. Whatever. She'd do the Corps proud.
"The Commandant and the Judge Advocate General have agreed to an exchange program, so to speak. Navy judge advocates'll be assigned to our law centers at Lejeune, Pendleton and Okinawa, and one to JAM, here at HQ. Marines'll go to NLSOs Norfolk, San Diego and Bremerton, and one to JAG HQ. That's you."
End Flashback.
Those incredible, unusual blue-green eyes met her dark ones. There was a wariness, but there was something else, something she couldn't identify and didn't know if she wanted to try.
RADM Chegwidden's impatient voice intruded. "Well? Commander, Major, meet your new partner. But don't get too close. You two have to work together."
"Major, optimally, I'd of liked for you to have a week or two to settle in before sending you TAD. But, SECNAV called me at 0600," the three officers looked up alertly at the flag officer's "odd" tone of voice, "even before I had your name from the Commandant's office, wanting me to send you TAD with Rabb and Roberts here to Arizona."
"An investigation or a case Sir?" Bud's excited young voice interrupted.
"Clearly an investigation, Lieutenant – SECNAV said that SECDEF was sending someone from the State Department to brief us ….drat …. where the devil is he, if this is such an 'op immediate.'" If there was one thing A.J. Chegwidden hated, it was to be behind the 8-ball, not knowing what was going on.
Conscious that the major's ramrod "attention" had suddenly stiffened even more rigidly, if that was possible, Harm queried "State, sir?" Grimacing slightly, he recalled his unfortunate trip to Cuba with the State Department's Blair and CDR Krennick.
"Admiral ….sorry to be late ….." Sounding anything but, the group turned as a non-descript man of medium height approached, his wingtips peeking out from beneath his long trenchcoat.
"Clayton Webb, Deputy Under Secretary of State," he held out his hand to the admiral, momentarily ignoring the three junior officers.
Indicating each in turn, AJ hastened to introduce the waiting officers, his voice trailing off as he focused on Major MacKenzie, seeing her face darkened with fury as she stared at the government official.
"No." Her voice was cold and flat as she uttered the monosyllable.
"The Commandant assured me – he gave me his word – no more loaning me to 'other government agencies.' Admiral, you should be aware that Mister Webb's operations do not run smoothly or well." Harm and Bud glanced uneasily at each other, sensing something dark and unsaid in the sneering tone that dripped disdain.
"Sarah, you're" Webb's protest was rudely cut off.
"Don't call me that. My friends call me 'Mac' and the rest call me 'Major Mackenzie.' You, Webb," she spat the name viciously, "you can call me neither."
"Major," AJ attempted to re-gain control, "I don't know what this is about yet, but the SECNAV told me the Commandant was providing a uniquely qualified officer – apparently you."
"And did he tell you that the last time I was 'loaned' to the 'State Department,'" the Marine's tone was scathing as she glared at Webb, "I was shot, raped and tortured, thanks to this excuse-for-an-agent's poor planning and lack of back-up?" Ignoring Bud's strangled gasp, she continued,
"I'm a Marine and I understand and obey orders, but my obligated service's up. I've paid back double for law school with what I've done. I swear, I'll resign my commission before I'll be used again by this diplomat who isn't a 'diplomat' and always has his own agenda."
Mac was breathing hard, trying to control herself in front of the admiral and the two junior Naval officers. "I'm going back to Marine Headquarters to see the Commandant."
Executing an 'about face' to walk away, Mac stopped abruptly at Webb's harsh whisper. "Sar…Major, I'm sorry …your uncle's stolen the Declaration of Independence."
The End.
Authors' Note:
The impetus for this particular ending – (1) A long-held belief that Mac and Webb's paths had crossed before "We the People," and not happily (2) The Don never provided a clear "Mac timeline." One of the two most likely has 3 missing years – this fills in most of them (3) A feeling that there was a "dark" untold backstory – Mac's childhood/young adulthood was too long ago to be the entire reason she acted as she did.