"Enter." Sturgis called as Jen knocked on the door. "Jen how did your little investigation go?"

"Sir, I just spent the past thirty minutes on the phone with Commander Rabb."

"Harm? Why?"

The Colonel called him for me, because I need an unbiased expert to answer some questions for me. Sir you need to see this." Jen put her notes on the table in front of her.

"What is 'this'?" Sturgis asked.

"As you know Colonel Mackenzie to talk to the plane captains, check fuel levels and such."

"Yes?" Sturgis said not sure where she was going with it.

"When an F-14 goes it there is a typical weight of fuel it goes up with, and when it comes down it should have at least 2000lbs."

"And what did you find?"

"One F-14 went up with the right weight of fuel and came down with the level it should have for the amount of time it was up. Two had just under the recommend fuel levels and came down with the right fuel levels in relation to that. One went up with the right fuel level but lost too much fuel. One came back with too much fuel and the one that cause me major concern. One went up with just 4000lbs of fuel and came back with a lot less than 2000lbs."

"Only 4000lbs did you double check that?"

"I read the gage myself, double checked the records. It was the last one up and the first one down. Sir, I don't think it was refuelled, Commander Rabb says it should never have gone up with that fuel level."

"Who should never have gone with what level of fuel?" Mac asked as she entered the room.

"Explain it to her, while I sit in disbelief."

Jen explained her finds to Mac.

"Okay, Sturgis lets file charges against the whole damn crew. I think it's going to be easier that way. At the moment it looks like were filing charges against the Captain, XO, now the Air Boss, possibly the CAG, several of the plane captains, the refuellers, a couple of pilots, maintenance crews and the list keeps growing." Mac yawned.

"Ma'am, Commander Rabb wanted me to suggest you get some rest. He says it will be easier to think clearly if you've at least had a few hours sleep." Jen said.

"Did he now?" Mac questioned and yawned.

"Mac, they're both right. Go sleep even if it's just for an hour, I'll keep investigating."

"You'll deal with all the calls too?" Mac asked.

"Sure why not, the CNO and I haven't had a nice little chat, I think ever."

"Thanks Sturgis. Jen, you should probably take a break too."

"I'll go and grab some lunch ma'am."

"Good. Call me if any command decisions need to be made and if the new Captain gets here early."

"Aye aye ma'am." Sturgis said.

~

"Colonel Mackenzie. It's nice to meet you." The new Captain greeted.

"You too Captain Danson. I have to brief you on the situation and your orders from the CNO and then she's all yours."

"Of course Colonel."

"Good. Let's start with the situation and the discoveries we've made since you were given your orders to come out here...." Mac proceeded to explain about the F-14 and Jen's findings.

"So you're basically bringing charges against most of my crew?"

"The CNO is taking over as the convening authority in this case. When Commander Turner, Petty Officer Coates and I have finished investigating, we'll go to the Pentagon to give him a full report and our recommendations on whom to file charges against. But for now here are a list of personnel who have been relieved of duty, pending the outcome of our investigation. This list includes the former Captain and XO, who are presently confined to quarters."

"Are they to remain there?" Danson asked.

"For the time being. We've conducted initial interviews with them, but we'll need to go over everything step by step. I have your orders here and they have been confirmed." She handed the orders to him. "You are to bring the USS Harry Truman into dock at the prearranged location; all movement of any aircraft has been suspended. We have several of the aircraft cordoned off awaiting a team of engineers of who will be coming out on a COD in six hours from now to find out what problems if any are with the F-14's. The only aircraft allowed to land on the deck are pre-arranged COD transports. Authorisation for these COD's must come from the CNO, who is about to become your new best friend."

"Looks like I picked a bad day to ask for a new assignment." He joked.

"Welcome to hell Captain. She's all yours."

"Thank you Colonel."

TBC