Chapter 4
1300 Zulu Air Force Flight 2597 Somewhere Over Western Kansas
"These people must be ghosts or something. I mean, they wouldn't even give us there military dossier."
Mac smiled as she saw the frustration creep across Harm's face. "Oh Harm. Just because you aren't used to 'flying' into a situation without any information doesn't mean we have anything to fear. And the Admiral did say that the group we were being sent in to investigate is doing some sort of scientific research into Deep Space.something or other."
Harm smiled at Mac as she stumbled over the words. "It is Deep Space Radar Telemetry. My main question is 'What the hell is so top secret about that?' Of course I am sure it has something to do with spying on other countries with some advanced satellites or something of the like. Still Mac, I don't like going into something blind. I just wish they could have given us a heads up into what we are going to be investigating. Call me cautious, but I like to have a game plan before I hit the combat zone."
"Paranoid is more like it," the Colonel mumbled under her breath.
"Excuse me," Harm said with a wounded look.
Mac had to stifle a laugh as she wrapped her arm around the Commanders. "I am just kidding Harm. I apologize for making fun of you.but sometimes it is just so easy." It was about this time when she fell into a hearty laugh.
Harm pulled his arm from her grasp and stuck his bottom lip out in a pout. "Leave me alone. I think I have suffered enough of your ridicule today."
Mac attempted to repair his damaged pride. "Oh Harm, you know I am just kidding you. The truth is, I believe your feelings of uncertainty are well-founded. Unfortunately, one of us needs to adopt a more optimistic approach to this case and I suppose that someone is me." She could tell her words weren't quite getting through to him. She decided it was time for the last resort. She leaned in close and whispered softly into his ear, "Tell you what fly boy. I will stand behind you when we arrive so you can protect me, okay?"
Harm had to take a deep breathe to control the rising heat in his body. He turned slowly and looked deep into the chocolate eyes of his partner. "Now you are just trying to make me feel all manly and everything."
Mac let herself get lost in the blue orbs that were searching her soul at that very moment. For the most part, their conversation was running on autopilot as there was no way she could carry on a lucid conversation on her own right now. "Is it working," she asked, biting her bottom lip.
Harm noticed her biting her lip and said to himself, 'Man, how I wish I was the one biting that lip right now.' "Yes it is ma'am."
Mac smiled at the up front show of courtesy by Harm. He had called her Ma'am. It wasn't to show respect for her military rank but more to show her the respect he felt she deserved as a lady. He was quite the gentleman. Several moments passed as the two officers let themselves drift into each others eyes. The moment would have been perfect had it not been for the interruption of an airman clearing his throat. The Colonel immediately snapped to as she remembered where she was and that she and the Commander had an audience. "Yes Airman, what can we do for you?"
"Just wanted to advise the Commander and the Colonel that we will be landing at Petersen Air Force Base in 10 minutes. The pilot requested you buckle your seatbelts and prepare for landing."
Harm slowly slipped his arm from the Colonel's and turned politely to the airman. "Thank you Airman. Please advise the pilot that we are ready for landing. If possible, could you have the pilot notify our liaison officers on the ground that we are on final approach?"
"Yes Sir, I will notify the pilot immediately." Upon this statement the airman exited the cabin and returned to the flight deck.
Harm turned to Mac and could see that she was back in professional mode. "You know Mac, we still have a few minutes left if you would like to continue the whole staring contest?"
Mac shook her head. "I don't think so Commander. We are here to do a job and that is all. We must maintain an air of professionalism if we are to be taken seriously."
Harm looked on in disbelief of her statement. "An air of professionalism? What, do I look like a damn recruit that needs disciplined. I believe that you are just as guilty of lacking professionalism just a few moments ago."
"Commander, I do not wish to argue with you about this. And for that matter, when we land I want you to remember who is in charge of this investigation. I will not tolerate dissension in the ranks from you. Mind your tongue when we are in the presence of our liaison officers as well as anyone else. Understood?"
Harm's mouth dropped open in utter shock. If he hadn't been so taken aback by her cold shoulder and abrupt statement, he would most likely have been very pissed off right now. "Yes Ma'am," he said with a heavy hint of sarcasm. "Please forgive me for getting in your way as you climb to the top. So does this mean I will be getting you your tea and danishes when we land or will I be awarded with the privilege of actually assisting on this investigation?"
"You will do as I tell you Commander, is that understood?" Mac bit back rather loudly and with just a hint of authority.
"No problem, MA'AM!"
The rest of the flight into Petersen was very quiet and not very comfortable. The tension between the two officers was palpable and could have been cut through with a knife. Harm buried himself back in the limited paperwork they had regarding the subject of their investigation while Mac kicked herself silently for acting as she did towards the Commander. The truth was Harm would have probably been the lead investigator on this case had it not been for the fact that Mac was a Marine and therefore was there to investigate fellow Marines on the base. Even with his superb investigative skills, Commander Rabb would not have been on this case except for the fact that he was there with Mac.
Sarah knew she didn't mean to say the things to Harm that she did. The trouble with their relationship, if you could call it that, was that it had a solid foundation in competition. Commander Rabb had always been the Admiral's golden boy even after Harm's resignation and eventual reinstatement to the navy following the Paraguay incident. And even though her best friend was back, Mac had to admit that she was just a little jealous of Harmon when those around him sometimes deified him. What she had the most trouble admitting was that she did this herself. Although her reasons for placing the Commander on a pedestal were probably different from the reasons of the others. She was in love with the man. This man who annoyed her to no end yet at the same time made her realize that she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course, knowing this herself and admitting this out loud were to different things. And apparently something that she wasn't meant to think about right now.
"Excuse me, ma'am, sir.we have landed and are ready to disembark." The airman turned on his heels and exited the cabin yet again.
As they stood to exit the plane, Mac grabbed Harm's arm and turned him towards her, "Commander, about my statements before."
"Don't worry about it Colonel, I was out of line in assuming anything of a personal nature was on your mind. I should not have been so forward in my statements to you. I can assure you Colonel, it will not happen again." With this, Commander Rabb pushed his way passed the Colonel and descended the steps of the plane.
'Well damn, that didn't go quite like I wanted it to. I am going to have to fix this soon if we are going to complete this investigation without killing each other.' Mac did an about face and descended the steps of the plane and joined the Commander on the ground. As she looked up at him, she could see that his eyes her distant. This was his way of telling her to leave it on the plane. Before she could contemplate the next move, her thoughts were interrupted by two Air Force officers advancing on their position on the tarmac.
"Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Rabb.I am Colonel Jack O'Neill of the United Stated Air Force. I would like to introduce you to Major Samantha Carter, also of the United States Air Force. We will be your liaison officers for the remainder of your stay at our facility." O'Neill extended his hand to Colonel Mackenzie and then to Commander Rabb in a genuine diplomatic motion. Major Carter followed suit and greeted the two officers in her presence.
Colonel MacKenzie returned the greeting to Colonel O'Neill. "Thank you Colonel O'Neill, I am Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie of the United States Marine Corp and I too would also like to introduce you to my partner. This is Commander Harmon Rabb Jr., United States Navy. We are honored to be here at your facility and hope that we can complete this investigation in a timely fashion. I am sure we all have a lot of work to do so we don't want to take up too much of your time."
Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter glanced at each other briefly and each one could tell that the other was feeling just a little better about this investigation. Colonel MacKenzie had seemed very sincere in her assertion that they were not there to cause trouble and they were getting the same "vibe" from Commander Rabb.
Major Carter quickly jumped in and addressed the Commander as he was probably feeling a little left out as she was at this moment. "So Commander Rabb, I understand from you dossier you were a Naval Aviator in Bosnia and Afghanistan. What led you to be a lawyer for JAG?"
Commander Rabb threw the Major his patented fly boy grin that made most women go weak in the knees and responded, "Well ma'am, I still haven't decided if I am a lawyer in a pilot's body or visa versa." The Major smiled at the obvious deflection and nodded that she understood his need for being vague. "Actually Major, I had a ramp strike many years ago that brought my flying career to an abrupt end. Luckily, I was returned to active flight status and have been privileged to defend my country in several engagements since then."
'Man is he hot or what? And what is with that smile? I think I might to lean on the Colonel here to steady myself.' "Well Commander, it is a pleasure to meet a true American hero."
Colonel O'Neill just rolled his eyes, 'Oh please, American hero my."
"So Colonel O'Neill, not much information was included in the dossier reports for you and Major Carter." Mac interjected. She could see the Colonel was not happy with the Major's statements regarding the Commander and she had to say that she felt a twinge of jealousy when the Commander started smiling at that little tart, Major Carter.
O'Neill turned his attention to Colonel MacKenzie and quietly thanked her for changing the subject away from superboy over there. "I do apologize for that Colonel MacKenzie, but unfortunately we must operate here with an air of anonymity. Our work is highly classified and therefore any information about the Major and I is also considered top secret. We would be happy to debrief you on our areas of expertise however I suggest we do that one the way back to our base."
Mac looked at Harm with confusion as he returned her stare. Mac quickly responded to the Colonel's statement. "Excuse me Colonel O'Neill; I was under the impression that Petersen Air Force Base was your base."
O'Neill briefly glanced at Carter and they both held back the smiles that threatened to cover their faces. "I apologize for the ruse Colonel MacKenzie, but it is necessary for us to maintain the aforementioned anonymity. We are actually stationed at the USAF Cheyenne Mountain complex."
Harm chimed in at Colonel O'Neill's last statement, "Cheyenne Mountain.you are stationed at NORAD?"
'That is correct Commander Rabb," Major Carter added. "If you will follow us we have a car waiting for us over here."
Mac held up her hand and quickly interjected, "If you could give us just a moment, I need to call our CO and advise that we have arrived and about our change in final destination."
As Mac reached for her cell phone, Colonel O'Neill quickly cut in, "I am sorry Colonel MacKenzie, I cannot allow you to make that call. The moment you and the Commander touched down you were designated incommunicado with anyone outside of our facility. You are not allowed any contact with the outside world until you have completed this investigation. I am going to need to confiscate any cell phones, pagers, PDA's, laptops, or other communication devices you presently have with you. Those items will be returned to you upon your departure of our facility."
Harm stared at Colonel O'Neill with utter contempt. "You have got to be kidding me? You are saying that effective as of now, the outside world no longer exists to us? What the hell are you doing on that mountain Colonel that requires this level of anonymity?"
O'Neill could definitely feel his blood pressure on the rise, however before he could say anything, Colonel MacKenzie took charge of the situation, "No problem Colonel O'Neill, we will be happy to turn over any and all devices you feel is necessary for our stay at your facility. We only ask that we be issued computers upon arrival so that we will be able to keep our notes somewhere while we are present."
Colonel O'Neill turned his attention to the quick thinking Marine and smiled. "Not a problem Colonel MacKenzie. We will do our best to meet all of your accommodations upon arrival at the base."
Mac smiled politely at the Colonel as the four officers headed for the parking lot. She had a feeling that this investigation just got a lot more interesting. Unfortunately, she was beginning to think that Harm's earlier frustrations might just bear fruit. Oh well, they were going to be deep inside of a mountain, what could go wrong there?
1300 Zulu Air Force Flight 2597 Somewhere Over Western Kansas
"These people must be ghosts or something. I mean, they wouldn't even give us there military dossier."
Mac smiled as she saw the frustration creep across Harm's face. "Oh Harm. Just because you aren't used to 'flying' into a situation without any information doesn't mean we have anything to fear. And the Admiral did say that the group we were being sent in to investigate is doing some sort of scientific research into Deep Space.something or other."
Harm smiled at Mac as she stumbled over the words. "It is Deep Space Radar Telemetry. My main question is 'What the hell is so top secret about that?' Of course I am sure it has something to do with spying on other countries with some advanced satellites or something of the like. Still Mac, I don't like going into something blind. I just wish they could have given us a heads up into what we are going to be investigating. Call me cautious, but I like to have a game plan before I hit the combat zone."
"Paranoid is more like it," the Colonel mumbled under her breath.
"Excuse me," Harm said with a wounded look.
Mac had to stifle a laugh as she wrapped her arm around the Commanders. "I am just kidding Harm. I apologize for making fun of you.but sometimes it is just so easy." It was about this time when she fell into a hearty laugh.
Harm pulled his arm from her grasp and stuck his bottom lip out in a pout. "Leave me alone. I think I have suffered enough of your ridicule today."
Mac attempted to repair his damaged pride. "Oh Harm, you know I am just kidding you. The truth is, I believe your feelings of uncertainty are well-founded. Unfortunately, one of us needs to adopt a more optimistic approach to this case and I suppose that someone is me." She could tell her words weren't quite getting through to him. She decided it was time for the last resort. She leaned in close and whispered softly into his ear, "Tell you what fly boy. I will stand behind you when we arrive so you can protect me, okay?"
Harm had to take a deep breathe to control the rising heat in his body. He turned slowly and looked deep into the chocolate eyes of his partner. "Now you are just trying to make me feel all manly and everything."
Mac let herself get lost in the blue orbs that were searching her soul at that very moment. For the most part, their conversation was running on autopilot as there was no way she could carry on a lucid conversation on her own right now. "Is it working," she asked, biting her bottom lip.
Harm noticed her biting her lip and said to himself, 'Man, how I wish I was the one biting that lip right now.' "Yes it is ma'am."
Mac smiled at the up front show of courtesy by Harm. He had called her Ma'am. It wasn't to show respect for her military rank but more to show her the respect he felt she deserved as a lady. He was quite the gentleman. Several moments passed as the two officers let themselves drift into each others eyes. The moment would have been perfect had it not been for the interruption of an airman clearing his throat. The Colonel immediately snapped to as she remembered where she was and that she and the Commander had an audience. "Yes Airman, what can we do for you?"
"Just wanted to advise the Commander and the Colonel that we will be landing at Petersen Air Force Base in 10 minutes. The pilot requested you buckle your seatbelts and prepare for landing."
Harm slowly slipped his arm from the Colonel's and turned politely to the airman. "Thank you Airman. Please advise the pilot that we are ready for landing. If possible, could you have the pilot notify our liaison officers on the ground that we are on final approach?"
"Yes Sir, I will notify the pilot immediately." Upon this statement the airman exited the cabin and returned to the flight deck.
Harm turned to Mac and could see that she was back in professional mode. "You know Mac, we still have a few minutes left if you would like to continue the whole staring contest?"
Mac shook her head. "I don't think so Commander. We are here to do a job and that is all. We must maintain an air of professionalism if we are to be taken seriously."
Harm looked on in disbelief of her statement. "An air of professionalism? What, do I look like a damn recruit that needs disciplined. I believe that you are just as guilty of lacking professionalism just a few moments ago."
"Commander, I do not wish to argue with you about this. And for that matter, when we land I want you to remember who is in charge of this investigation. I will not tolerate dissension in the ranks from you. Mind your tongue when we are in the presence of our liaison officers as well as anyone else. Understood?"
Harm's mouth dropped open in utter shock. If he hadn't been so taken aback by her cold shoulder and abrupt statement, he would most likely have been very pissed off right now. "Yes Ma'am," he said with a heavy hint of sarcasm. "Please forgive me for getting in your way as you climb to the top. So does this mean I will be getting you your tea and danishes when we land or will I be awarded with the privilege of actually assisting on this investigation?"
"You will do as I tell you Commander, is that understood?" Mac bit back rather loudly and with just a hint of authority.
"No problem, MA'AM!"
The rest of the flight into Petersen was very quiet and not very comfortable. The tension between the two officers was palpable and could have been cut through with a knife. Harm buried himself back in the limited paperwork they had regarding the subject of their investigation while Mac kicked herself silently for acting as she did towards the Commander. The truth was Harm would have probably been the lead investigator on this case had it not been for the fact that Mac was a Marine and therefore was there to investigate fellow Marines on the base. Even with his superb investigative skills, Commander Rabb would not have been on this case except for the fact that he was there with Mac.
Sarah knew she didn't mean to say the things to Harm that she did. The trouble with their relationship, if you could call it that, was that it had a solid foundation in competition. Commander Rabb had always been the Admiral's golden boy even after Harm's resignation and eventual reinstatement to the navy following the Paraguay incident. And even though her best friend was back, Mac had to admit that she was just a little jealous of Harmon when those around him sometimes deified him. What she had the most trouble admitting was that she did this herself. Although her reasons for placing the Commander on a pedestal were probably different from the reasons of the others. She was in love with the man. This man who annoyed her to no end yet at the same time made her realize that she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course, knowing this herself and admitting this out loud were to different things. And apparently something that she wasn't meant to think about right now.
"Excuse me, ma'am, sir.we have landed and are ready to disembark." The airman turned on his heels and exited the cabin yet again.
As they stood to exit the plane, Mac grabbed Harm's arm and turned him towards her, "Commander, about my statements before."
"Don't worry about it Colonel, I was out of line in assuming anything of a personal nature was on your mind. I should not have been so forward in my statements to you. I can assure you Colonel, it will not happen again." With this, Commander Rabb pushed his way passed the Colonel and descended the steps of the plane.
'Well damn, that didn't go quite like I wanted it to. I am going to have to fix this soon if we are going to complete this investigation without killing each other.' Mac did an about face and descended the steps of the plane and joined the Commander on the ground. As she looked up at him, she could see that his eyes her distant. This was his way of telling her to leave it on the plane. Before she could contemplate the next move, her thoughts were interrupted by two Air Force officers advancing on their position on the tarmac.
"Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Rabb.I am Colonel Jack O'Neill of the United Stated Air Force. I would like to introduce you to Major Samantha Carter, also of the United States Air Force. We will be your liaison officers for the remainder of your stay at our facility." O'Neill extended his hand to Colonel Mackenzie and then to Commander Rabb in a genuine diplomatic motion. Major Carter followed suit and greeted the two officers in her presence.
Colonel MacKenzie returned the greeting to Colonel O'Neill. "Thank you Colonel O'Neill, I am Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie of the United States Marine Corp and I too would also like to introduce you to my partner. This is Commander Harmon Rabb Jr., United States Navy. We are honored to be here at your facility and hope that we can complete this investigation in a timely fashion. I am sure we all have a lot of work to do so we don't want to take up too much of your time."
Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter glanced at each other briefly and each one could tell that the other was feeling just a little better about this investigation. Colonel MacKenzie had seemed very sincere in her assertion that they were not there to cause trouble and they were getting the same "vibe" from Commander Rabb.
Major Carter quickly jumped in and addressed the Commander as he was probably feeling a little left out as she was at this moment. "So Commander Rabb, I understand from you dossier you were a Naval Aviator in Bosnia and Afghanistan. What led you to be a lawyer for JAG?"
Commander Rabb threw the Major his patented fly boy grin that made most women go weak in the knees and responded, "Well ma'am, I still haven't decided if I am a lawyer in a pilot's body or visa versa." The Major smiled at the obvious deflection and nodded that she understood his need for being vague. "Actually Major, I had a ramp strike many years ago that brought my flying career to an abrupt end. Luckily, I was returned to active flight status and have been privileged to defend my country in several engagements since then."
'Man is he hot or what? And what is with that smile? I think I might to lean on the Colonel here to steady myself.' "Well Commander, it is a pleasure to meet a true American hero."
Colonel O'Neill just rolled his eyes, 'Oh please, American hero my."
"So Colonel O'Neill, not much information was included in the dossier reports for you and Major Carter." Mac interjected. She could see the Colonel was not happy with the Major's statements regarding the Commander and she had to say that she felt a twinge of jealousy when the Commander started smiling at that little tart, Major Carter.
O'Neill turned his attention to Colonel MacKenzie and quietly thanked her for changing the subject away from superboy over there. "I do apologize for that Colonel MacKenzie, but unfortunately we must operate here with an air of anonymity. Our work is highly classified and therefore any information about the Major and I is also considered top secret. We would be happy to debrief you on our areas of expertise however I suggest we do that one the way back to our base."
Mac looked at Harm with confusion as he returned her stare. Mac quickly responded to the Colonel's statement. "Excuse me Colonel O'Neill; I was under the impression that Petersen Air Force Base was your base."
O'Neill briefly glanced at Carter and they both held back the smiles that threatened to cover their faces. "I apologize for the ruse Colonel MacKenzie, but it is necessary for us to maintain the aforementioned anonymity. We are actually stationed at the USAF Cheyenne Mountain complex."
Harm chimed in at Colonel O'Neill's last statement, "Cheyenne Mountain.you are stationed at NORAD?"
'That is correct Commander Rabb," Major Carter added. "If you will follow us we have a car waiting for us over here."
Mac held up her hand and quickly interjected, "If you could give us just a moment, I need to call our CO and advise that we have arrived and about our change in final destination."
As Mac reached for her cell phone, Colonel O'Neill quickly cut in, "I am sorry Colonel MacKenzie, I cannot allow you to make that call. The moment you and the Commander touched down you were designated incommunicado with anyone outside of our facility. You are not allowed any contact with the outside world until you have completed this investigation. I am going to need to confiscate any cell phones, pagers, PDA's, laptops, or other communication devices you presently have with you. Those items will be returned to you upon your departure of our facility."
Harm stared at Colonel O'Neill with utter contempt. "You have got to be kidding me? You are saying that effective as of now, the outside world no longer exists to us? What the hell are you doing on that mountain Colonel that requires this level of anonymity?"
O'Neill could definitely feel his blood pressure on the rise, however before he could say anything, Colonel MacKenzie took charge of the situation, "No problem Colonel O'Neill, we will be happy to turn over any and all devices you feel is necessary for our stay at your facility. We only ask that we be issued computers upon arrival so that we will be able to keep our notes somewhere while we are present."
Colonel O'Neill turned his attention to the quick thinking Marine and smiled. "Not a problem Colonel MacKenzie. We will do our best to meet all of your accommodations upon arrival at the base."
Mac smiled politely at the Colonel as the four officers headed for the parking lot. She had a feeling that this investigation just got a lot more interesting. Unfortunately, she was beginning to think that Harm's earlier frustrations might just bear fruit. Oh well, they were going to be deep inside of a mountain, what could go wrong there?