A/N:  I know this part is a bit short, I've been fighting my muse for every word—I don't know why it's been so hard to write.  The upside is I have a good portion of the next written, but I still have to get it typed into the computer.  Please read the A/N at the end of this part regarding updates.  Thanks again for reading.

Secrets and Sacrifices

Part 26

            "Attention on deck," someone orders, seeing the door open.

            "At ease," AJ's voice follows so quickly even those already on their feet don't have time to snap to attention.  He follows Mac into the bullpen and waits until she joins the rest of his staff. 

            AJ lets his gaze roam over the officers and enlisted personnel gathered.  Some have been at this duty station for years, others are newcomers.  The judiciary staff is in the back of the room, most of the enlisted personnel are gathered around their desks and his lawyers and other officers are scattered throughout the room.  Just inside the double doors he spots Bud and Harriet, both in civvies, standing with several of the Marine guards—the entire staff is indeed gathered.  At the front, on opposite sides of the room, DePalma and Dunston have their tape recorders in hand. 

            "I have two announcements to make and then I'll let you get back to work."  AJ informs them.  He composes his thoughts, quickly running through the facts he's been authorized to present.  "As most of you are aware, I was aboard the Reprisal yesterday for a meeting.  It turns out a request I made some time back has been answered.  I am pleased to announce that the SecNav has appointed Captain Harmon Rabb as the first FleetJAG."

            A quiet murmur of voices begins with the announcement and quickly crescendos in volume as the 'newbies' ask their more knowledgeable 'old-timer' coworkers for the scoop.  AJ waits for a few minutes until the ruckus dies down a bit; while he's waiting, he observes the reactions of the two reporters:  Stuart Dunston looks mildly shell-shocked—of all the names he might have expected to hear, Harm was the last on the list; Chuck DePalma is as impassive as ever—he is calmly dictating comments into his tape recorder.  Once the roar has finally settled to a controllable level, AJ once again asks for quiet.

            "The second announcement," he reminds them, "is that shortly after the meeting Captain Rabb was asked to fill in for the CAG of the Reprisal on a mission.  I am sorry to have to report Captain Rabb is the pilot you've been hearing about on ZNN.  I have been authorized to tell you he did make it out of the Tomcat before it was destroyed.  He is currently listed as MIA." 

            This time there is absolute silence following the announcement.  "MacKenzie, Turner, Roberts, Sims, Tiner, Coates; my office," AJ orders into the silence before turning to retreat into his sanctuary. 

            "Admiral, I'd like to ask you a few questions for clarification," DePalma requests, the first other than those who already knew to get his mind wrapped around the announcement. 

            "I need to meet with these officers," AJ states firmly.  "If the two of you would like to wait until we are finished, I will provide you with whatever answers I can," he says, including Dunston in the offer.

            "We'll be here," DePalma agrees resolutely, letting AJ know he won't be getting out of his offer.  Both DePalma and Dunston are supposed to leave for their next assignments soon; neither cares at this point that they might miss their flight.

            "Fine," AJ acknowledges.  "Just don't antagonize my staff."  He ducks into his office and closes the door behind him.

            ***

            Sadik is the first in the room for breakfast.  Harm is dumped in a corner as the guards take up their positions around the room.  They're just in time; no sooner are they settled than Fasal enters with DeLong and Meg.  The two women are uncertain as to what's going on, Fasal didn't say much when he came to get them, but he also didn't give them any choice in the matter.

            Sadik plays the perfect gentleman; he serves them, is attentive to their needs and keeps a light conversation during the meal.  Both Meg and DeLong will admit they never expected him to be so 'civilized'.  It's not until the last of the food has been eaten that Sadik gets down to business.

            "The computer we found yesterday belongs to one of you," he states matter-of-factly on the heels of some inane comment, startling both ladies with the abrupt topic change.

            Neither woman answers, but both are thinking along the same lines, 'what harm would it really do for him to know who owns the computer?'

            "We will know soon; why don't you tell me?" he cajoles, standing to pace around the small room.  Up until that moment, Sadik has been inadvertently blocking their view of the corner of the room where Harm has been slowly warming up; he begins to stir at the same moment Sadik stands, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

            "What did you do to him?" DeLong exclaims.

            "The room we were in last night was just a bit cold," Sadik replies innocently, a small smile of satisfaction on his face.  "He may be even more stubborn than the two of you, but I haven't harmed him…yet."

            Meg is by Harm's side, helping him to sit up; her concern unvoiced, but palpable all the same.  "I'm sure the cold was deliberate, but he's not stretching the truth too much," Harm tells her, his voice raspy with the night of cold and disuse.  "He just questioned me all night," he assures her responding to the dubious expression on her face.

            Abruptly Meg remembers he was taken from the barracks before dinner was brought the night before.  "When was the last time you ate anything?"

            "Breakfast."

            "That was yesterday!" Meg exclaims.  "He needs food," she says forcefully to Sadik.

            "You ate his share along with yours," Fasal says smugly, the first words he's spoken since they arrived in the room.

            "That's cruel, you haven't given him anything to eat since yesterday morning," Meg objects.

            "I told you he is not being held under the same terms you are," Sadik reminds her.  "He will not receive food until he is cooperative in answering my questions."

            "Meg, don't push it.  I doubt I could eat anything anyway," Harm interjects.

            "But…" Meg begins again—something is wrong here.

            "Drop it Meg," Harm warns.

            A note of authority rings in his voice; Meg can hear the implied order.  "Aye sir," she acquiesces reluctantly.

            Sadik watches the exchange between the two officers with interest—he senses they are more than just officers who have recently met.  "You are acquainted?" he asks.

            "We've served together," Harm replies vaguely.

            Sadik scrutinizes Meg closely for a minute.  "You are a lawyer?" he asks finally.  "What is a lawyer doing here?"

            "I was helping one of the Marines with a problem."   It's Meg's turn to be vague.

            Sadik laughs.  "Very good.  You lawyers are full of surprises.  I have things I need to do; Fasal, make sure they get back to the barracks safely.  I would hate to have anything happen to these two lawyers."  He's looking at Harm as he gives the instructions to his son; his eyes are cold and dark with hidden meaning.  Harm begins to wonder if he knows something about Mac—either being a lawyer or in the military—either way, it could make things even more complicated than they are now.

A/N:  Despite the possibility of being snowed in again, it may be late next week before I am able to update either this story of Honor's Loss.  My great-grandmother is in the hospital and not doing well, I have volunteered to help my grandmother out in any way she needs, and there is a possibility I may be going out of town to run a three-day training session early next week—let's just say my store manager who's supposed to be doing the training would much rather send me because if she goes, I'll be spending a lot of time on the phone trying to talk her through various things—it all depends on whether or not our district manager will want to send an hourly employee who will require a hotel as opposed to a salaried employee who is an hour closer to the store in question.