Title: Back at the Beginning – Part 2
Author: Nan
Rating: R
Classification: vignette, Harm/Mac, AJ
Spoilers: All episodes up to but not including Fortunate Son from Season 8
Summary: AJ and Mac worry about Harm and his latest TAD
Harm was just starting to feel human again. The rigor of the carrier flight qualifications of the past weekend had felt like playing the offensive line against the Redskins. He was bruised and sore after the arrested landings and catapult take-offs that were part of an aviator's life on a carrier.
But like a football player, he knew that this beaten feeling would slowly go away. He reached down and grabbed some Tylenol out of the second drawer. No court time this week, for which he was thankful. He could hibernate in his office and tackle the mountain of paperwork on his desk. He was looking forward to a couple of good night's sleep in his own loft in his own bed. Racks on a carrier were about as good as the name implied, short and unrelentingly uncomfortable.
"The admiral is looking for you, commander. A meeting in his office in ten minutes." Tiner popped his head in the door of Harm's office.
Shit. A meeting with Chegwidden usually meant something new. And for once, Harm wasn't looking forward to any more work. "Thanks, Tiner."
Eleven minutes later found Harm sitting in the leather chair across from Admiral Chegwidden.
"I need you to leave for Hawaii ASAP then on to Okinawa. You are aware of the incident between four of the North Korean MIG fighters and our aircraft over international waters? Because of that, we have suspended surveillance flights off the coastline of North Korea. Unfortunately, recent threats by the North Korean government mean that these surveillance operations are more imperative than ever. To make things more complicated, we are on the eve of war in Iraq. The intelligence community is afraid that North Korea will take advantage of this distraction and begin reprocessing uranium out of their Yongbyon complex. After that it wouldn't be long until enough would be available for four or five nuclear weapons."
" We will be resuming this critical information gathering function but before that happens, the Pentagon has refined the Rules of Engagement for aircraft in that area. Our senior brass and state department officials are debating the wisdom of providing fighter escort for the RC-135S. If they do approve, we need to have our fighter pilots ready for a possible confrontation with North Korean MIGs. The SecNav wants you over to the Pentagon today for a briefing on the changes to the ROE's. Then you are to deliver them to our carrier group stationed in the Sea of Japan as well as the flight crews on Okinawa. The SecNav wants complete assurances that everyone understand what they can and can't do before they start flying near the North Korean coastline."
"Yes, sir."
"You will also report to his office personally, your assessment of the aviation crews and their ability to carry out the new orders. No hotshot pilot is going unilaterally start a war against North Korea. But don't think it ends there or it is that easy. We also have an obligation to protect American surveillance aircraft from any real threats from the North Korean fighters."
"Yes, sir."
AJ sat back in his leather chair and studied Harm for a minute. He was on the lookout for the cocky, know-it-all aviator pilot. Talking to Rabb the lawyer was different than talking to Rabb the fighter pilot and AJ was prepared to switch in a minute. Instead, the commander sat in the chair studying the briefing document.
AJ started again. "To that end, SecNav believes a couple of flights with both the fighter squadrons and the surveillance crews would be helpful. So you will be ordered to accompany any ongoing flight operations if the opportunity presents itself. The Pentagon could use any and all feedback on the new changes."
That finally got a reaction out of the commander. He slowly looked up, quirked one eyebrow and smiled.
"Well, now you've got me looking forward to this," Harm said.
"Just do this right. Both the CNO's office and the SecNav feel that you are the right person for this job. They are counting on you. We are looking for compliance to the new orders sprinkled with common sense. It is important to get those surveillance flights back and keep them flying."
"I understand, sir"
"Good. Tiner is working on your flight arrangements. You are expected at the Pentagon in an hour. Stick to the mission plan and fly smart, Harm."
"That is always the idea, sir."
"Before you go, there is one more thing." The admiral grabbed a separate note from his desk. "Tiner informs me that you are a little behind regarding last weeks time sheets, your monthly report and two legal briefs. Is there any reason that there might be a further delay to this?"
"No sir."
"Well, then you are dismissed. I believe the CNO's office wants you back in DC by Monday to report. The decision to recommence surveillance will depend to some extent on your assessment of our readiness."
Harm walked out of the Admiral's office. For some reason, the prospect of this new assignment combined with some combat flying wasn't helping him to get over his current funk. He still had that potload of paper pushing to dig out of. Shit, he had promised Sturgis a statement for the Ellis case.
"Anything I can do for you, sir?" Harriet knew Harm was about to go TDY.
"I wish you could help me, Harriet. Care to write up a couple of time sheets for me?"
"Sorry, sir. Anything else?"
"Where's Colonel Mackenzie?" Harm was thinking about their pre-arranged dinner.
"Norfolk, sir."
"Tell her what happened and apologize. We were supposed to get together for dinner tonight."
"Yes, sir"
Harm walked to his office and started to prepare for his trip.
#
Harm landed at Okinawa after a day and half of travel. Knowing that it was hard for his six foot four frame to get much sleep on commercial aircraft, he used the flight time to prepare for his presentations. The CNO's office had spent almost two hours briefing him. Harm summarized his notes from that meeting and spent time studying the details of the surveillance flights in this area. He also studied the intelligence reports on the strength and habits of the North Korean air fleet.
Within hours of landing, Harm was carrying out his orders. He repeated his presentation on the new ROEs more than once at Okinawa and on the carrier. Although his main focus was the flight crews of the fighter and surveillance air wings stationed at Okinawa and on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the Sea of Japan, Harm spent time with the senior command officers and the JAG office. He knew their understanding would support the local pilots.
Harm's reputation as both an experienced pilot and a JAG lawyer helped to ease the tension of the flight crews. His easy manner, and clear presentation style created a productive atmosphere where they could openly discuss different confrontation scenarios with the North Koreans. Harm switched easily from the super hype of the fighter pilots to the more studious dialogue of the technicians and controllers on the surveillance aircraft. As requested by the CNO, he also caught an extended surveillance flight on an E-2C Hawkeye off of the Vinson.
"I hear you are on the next COD back to Pearl, Commander," Captain Josh Brooks looked at the man at attention in front of him. Harm was reporting into the CAG as his final duty before leaving the Vinson.
"Yes, sir. I'm aiming to be in DC on Sunday night. I need to be at the Pentagon on Monday. I plan to make a recommendation on a few modifications to the ROE's. After that, the Pentagon plans to resume surveillance."
"With fighter escort?"
"Maybe but somehow I think the State Department will prevent it."
"It is going to be hard to send out unarmed flights. You did good work here, Commander. Smart interpretation of orders comes slowly for younger officers. I find most shipboard JAGs do little more than confound and confuse our people."
"Thank you, sir."
"When we do resume flight surveillance over North Korea, do you think we will encounter any trouble?"
"We can only influence one half of that equation, sir. The other half is up to the North Koreans. But, even so we are prepared."
"If someone does get into trouble over the ROEs?" the CAG asked.
"I'll support them sir. If they have followed the guidelines outlined, I'll be the first to come to bat for them."
"Wish I had you around more often, commander. Want to rejoin a carrier and get back to the seafaring life?"
"As a shipboard JAG? No thanks," Harm smiled. "As much as I hate to admit I like DC, I'm looking forward to a full night's sleep on a bed I can stretch out in."
"From what I saw, you didn't have much time to sleep whether it was a short rack or not." The CAG started to dismiss Harm and walk back to his console.
"Good bye Captain." Harm left the bridge and made his way towards the flight deck.
#
Harm had an hour before his flight began boarding. He looked around the departure area of Honolulu airport for an Internet link. He had not had an opportunity to check his email traffic for the last day and half. He groaned internally. That meant there were probably over 50 emails waiting for a response in his inbox. Just because he was TDY didn't mean that the day-to-day work at JAG came to a halt.
Using his phone card, CAT5 wire and his laptop, he was quickly downloading email from the JAG server using a data port. Only forty-seven emails. His original estimate had been a little high, he thought wryly. Scanning the list, he looked for the ones from Mac. There were several. All but one were general delivery announcements to the office at large. But one was to his email only. He opened that one first.
Harm,
Are you still in Okinawa? Hope you have those Neanderthal pilots in line. The admiral tells me you have a 9am meeting with CNO's office tomorrow. Hate to pile on some additional work but I'm looking for your monthly reports.
Mac
The email was date stamped early Sunday morning. In fact, calculating the time change, he realized she must have just sent it.
He blasted a quick reply.
Mac
Waiting for next plane out in Honolulu, I will download the reports when I land in LA. If all goes well I'll be back in Dulles around 10 pm Sunday night.
Harm
Harm pressed the send button, then disconnected the link. He settled down on one of the chairs in the departure lounge and started to work on his inbox when his cell phone rang.
"Rabb."
"Harm, it's me." Mac's voice greeted him bridging the gap between DC and Honolulu.
"Hey."
"You sound funny. Are you okay?" Mac said.
"Just tired, I guess. My throat is a little sore from all that went on over the last two and half days."
"Lots of presentations?"
"Yeah, non-stop, pretty much."
"How are you getting to DC?" asked Mac.
"Commercial flight into Dulles. I should be in by midnight."
"I'll pick you up. That okay, Harm?"
That will be definitely the only bright spot in my entire week, thought Harm. "If I didn't want to see you so badly, I would take a taxi. But instead I'll just say thanks."
Mac paused and digested his last sentence. He must be tired. It wasn't often he let a sentence like that slip. "Harm, get some sleep. You are beginning to worry me."
"Airplane seats made for pygmies don't present much of an opportunity to sleep. And even if I could fall asleep, I'd wake up feeling like crap from the cramped position. I'm better off working on my backlog of emails and reports."
"Try anyway, Harm. See you." Mac ended the conversation.
"Bye, Mac."
Harm went back to his laptop to work. He kept one ear open for the boarding call. He sighed. This was going to be a long trip.
#
It was 0545 local time on Monday and Mac's sneakers were squeaking on the tile floor of the Dulles Airport main concourse. Because of delays out of Honolulu, Harm had missed his connecting flight out of LA and had taken the red eye to DC instead. She spotted him coming through the security gate on the arrivals level.
"Hey sailor, you look like you were on an all night bender," said Mac. "Will you have enough time to catch a few zzz's before your meeting?"
"Nice thought, but if I sleep now, I'll be fuzzy for my meeting with the CNO's office. Interested in an early breakfast with me? I need to bounce a few thoughts off of someone before the meeting. I have a few changes I want to make to the Pentagon's ROEs. Something to help the pilots."
"The Marriot's coffee shop is open. Let's go," said Mac.
#
Harm's meeting with the CNO's staff went nearly till noon. He was surprised at how readily they accepted his suggestions for change. The primary motivation in the room seemed to be agreement. There was a sense of urgency about resuming surveillance of North Korea. As Harm left the meeting room, the topic changed to the upcoming Iraq crisis. However serious the situation was in North Korea, the imminent attack on Iraq was still a primary focus for the senior Navy staff at the Pentagon.
Despite his present state of exhaustion, Harm felt pretty good. His assignment was over and he knew with a sense of satisfaction that is was a job well done. He could now concentrate on the more mundane tasks that had been plaguing him lately. He was actually looking forward to a couple of slow, uninteresting days of paper work. He made a resolution that he would spend a couple of hours at JAG and then leave by 1500. The rest of the week would be a breeze after a good night's sleep. He turned his Corvette onto the highway leading from the Pentagon and headed for Falls Church.
It was 1445 when Tiner buzzed Harm in his office and informed him that the admiral wished to speak with him. He went to Chegwidden's office a little puzzled. Harm had already fully debriefed the admiral earlier about his TDY. What did he want now that couldn't wait till tomorrow?
Mac was already sitting in the right hand chair when Harm entered the room. Without formality, the admiral waved him to an empty chair. Harm looked at both of them, raised his eyebrow in puzzlement and sat down beside her. AJ looked up from the file he was studying.
"Commander, the CNO's office just called. They will be announcing to the press tomorrow that the surveillance flights along the coast of North Korea will recommence on Wednesday."
"Not a minute too soon, sir."
"I think that is one thing we all can agree on. What do you think the response will be from North Korea?" He studied his junior officer.
"I believe the North Koreans are well motivated in their desire to keep us from knowing too much. They don't want our planes there for fear we may confirm what we already suspect. They are also counting on the fact that we will be very reluctant to engage in hostilities in this area when we have Iraq to deal with. It won't surprise me if our people will encounter the MIGs again."
"Do you agree with the Pentagon's decision not to provide a fighter escort?"
"Reluctantly, I have to agree with them. An aggressive show of force on our part might just give the North Koreans the leverage they need. And even some of our allies may also misconstrue this situation against us. But it makes me angry as a pilot that we would put an unarmed surveillance plane in a situation with four hostile MIG fighters." Harm looked grim as he quietly spoke the last sentence.
"You might be surprised to learn that the CNO and the SecNav agree with you more than you know. Although we will not be providing a fighter escort, we will be prepared for a confrontation. The Carl Vinson has been ordered to undergo a training operation that will mean at least three fighter squadrons in the air during the surveillance run."
"They will be close by and ready if the need arises. I thought we might do something like that."
"But those squadrons in the air still may be a problem. The SecNav is still worried that a hotheaded pilot could escalate the situation. Hostilities with North Korea are to be avoided unless absolutely warranted."
"I've spelled that out pretty clearly in Okinawa. I think we will be okay."
"The CNO has received a request from the Carl Vinson. They are asking that you return to the carrier and command one of the fighter squadrons in the air during the surveillance pass. Both the CNO and the SecNav have agreed to the request." The admiral's eyes never left Harm's face.
"What's that again?" Harm wasn't sure if he heard him right.
"You have orders to proceed back to Sea of Japan and join the Carl Vinson on temporary duty to the flight wing. If a situation arises they believe you will be the best able to react appropriately. We need to protect the surveillance craft without escalation," said AJ.
"Yes, sir." Harm was temporarily taken aback. It was hard to think clearly. He had stepped off the plane in Dulles less than 10 hours ago.
"Tiner is making the flight arrangements now. Colonel Mackenzie and you will be catching a flight west either through commercial airlines or MIL-AIR this evening."
"Colonel Mackenzie, sir?" Harm was puzzled. Why would Mac be going? He glanced over to where she was sitting and found her watching him.
"I am starting to think you might need a bit of help. She can take over any legal duties. It is important that you concentrate on flying, Harm."
He sat there for a moment trying to digest this turn of events. Usually flying didn't involve Mac as a minder. It was not like he was going to go off half-cocked in the cockpit. In fact, he was there to prevent that very scenario from happening.
But somehow he knew that Mac and the admiral had agreed to this before he entered the room. He was just there to go along for the ride. He knew he should protest but couldn't raise enough energy. There were worse things than having Mac along.
"This is not up for discussion, Commander. Colonel, is there anything you would like to add?"
"No, sir," said Mac.
"Commander? Anything? No? Then you are both dismissed. Good luck and keep safe, Harm." AJ watched as they both left the room. That went smoother than he had anticipated.
