Title: History repeated itself
Author: Winnie Bear
Rating: PG (For language)
Classification: Story, Romance ((H/M) and Others)
Spoiler(s): It's a little bit here and there
Disclaimers: All characters of JAG belong to Bellasarius Productions and Paramount Pictures; no copyright infringement intended.
AN: For the sake of this story, pretend that Admiral Boone actually had a family. As the story continues, I will put more notes as necessary.
22nd December 2027
Chief of Naval Operations' Office
The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
It was the last day of work before the Christmas break began. Today, everyone seemed to be more interested in the Christmas tree than in their work. It was already 1427 when a young naval officer dashed into the CNO's office, annoying him greatly. "Lt. Gilbert! Do I have to remind you that you are in US Navy?"
"No, Sir. Sorry, Sir." The Lieutenant quickly stood at attention.
"At ease, Lieutenant. What's wrong? It'd better be good, or this incident will be reflected in your next annual review."
"Sir, there's something you should see on ZNN."
With a sigh, the CNO grabbed his remote and turned on his TV.
"This is a ZNN live Special Report. Four US F-14s have been shot down by the Chinese near Taiwan. Three of Tomcats are from the USS John F. Kennedy and one is from the USS Harry Truman. No names will be released until the immediate families of the pilots have been contacted. The only question now is whether this incident will spark a war between the United States and China. This is only the latest in a series of..."
The reporter kept talking, but Admiral Harmon Rabb, Jr., the CNO, didn't hear any more. "My God!"
He sat back and rubbed his eyes wearily. He seemed about to address the Lieutenant, when his yeoman interrupted. "Sir, I have Secretary of Defense on the line 2 for you."
"Pass it through."
"Aye, aye, Sir"
He grabbed the phone. "Yes, Mr. Secretary?...Yes, sir...I understand, sir...Certainly, sir...Yes, sir...Merry Christmas, Sir."
He hung up slowly and began to think hard, but Lieutenant Gilbert spoke up. "Are we going on the war, Admiral?"
"I don't know, son. The president hasn't said anything, but the Secretary of Defense hinted that the president is definitely planning something."
"Sir…"
"Go on home, son. You were planning on going home to Arizona, weren't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then take the rest afternoon off. Dismissed."
"Aye, aye, sir. Thank you. Merry Christmas, sir."
"Merry Christmas, Lieutenant."
As soon as Gilbert was gone, Harm quickly contacted his yeoman. "Richards, get me the CIA's director."
"Aye, aye, sir."
--------------
At the same time
USS John F. Kennedy
Pacific Ocean
"How bad is it, Lieutenant?" The CAG paced restlessly.
"Angel got back two of the RIOs, sir. They're in bad shape. The other two are confirmed dead."
"The pilots?"
"Only one returned, sir. One's confirmed dead. Two are listed MIA."
"Get me the list, Lieutenant. ASAP."
"Aye, Aye, sir" The Lieutenant snapped to attention and hurried out.
The CAG kept pacing, morbid thoughts running through his mind. Finally, twenty minutes later, the Lieutenant returned. "Sir, here it is."
Glancing through the list, the CAG swallowed hard then snapped at her. "Give it to the skipper."
Slightly confused by his reaction, she nevertheless did what he told her, too. The CAG took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his well-groomed hair. How was he supposed to write this letter? It was only his second year as CAG on the USS Kennedy. When he had decided to become a naval aviator like his father, Retired Admiral Thomas Boone, he had never expected this day to come. Pulling himself together, he strode to the bridge.
"Skipper…"
Captain Marcus Phillips interrupted him. "I know, CAG. I saw the list. I can spare you for two days."
"Thank you, skipper."
Boone headed topside, trying to keep his mind off his task as he went to meet his ride to Washington, D.C.
-----
1500 EST
CNO's office
The Pentagon
"Clay, did you hear what happened?" Harm demanded of his old "spook" friend, Clayton Webb, who was now the Director of the CIA.
"Of course, I heard. What are you going to do, Harm?"
"Follow orders. I have a feeling that Secretary of Defense will wait till after Christmas to announce what he's going to have us do." He sighed.
"Harm, are you ok? You sound a little off."
"I don't know, Clay. I just had this eerie feeling when they reported the incident."
"I heard two of the pilots are MIA."
"Yeah. Did you get a hold off the list? I know I'm supposed to be the first to get it, but, as I recall, you spooks actually get the first look."
"I'll take that as compliment." Webb sounded a bit irritated. "The list is actually coming through my fax right now."
"See, I told you. I bet they're all young lads. I hope they didn't die for nothing."
"Yeah." Clay agreed distractly, while scanning through the list. The color drained from his face as he read the very last name.
KIA: Lt. Eugene D. Wayne (Pilot, USS Truman)
Ensign Bryan Y. Price (RIO, USS Kennedy)
Ensign Jennifer F. Lambert (RIO, USS Kennedy)
MIA: Lt. Rafael H. Richards (Pilot, USS Kennedy)
Lt. Harmon D. Rabb, III (Pilot, USS Kennedy)
TBC