"Good morning." Brett said. "You must be Captain Krennick, I'm Lieutenant Commander McPhalin. Admiral Chegwidden assigned me to represent you."

"Commander." Krennick said.

"Why don't you take a seat ma'am?" He suggested. "And we'll go over what I know so far and maybe you can help me fill in a few of the blanks."

"That's fine Commander." Krennick said.

"Good. So as far as I understand it you're being charged under article 133 Conduct Unbecoming for your behaviour towards several of the men who have served under you in the last ten years. Their wives have each file a complaint against you for your conduct then withdrawn them as the prosecution alleges under duress from their husbands who were under pressure from you. Major Williams has yet to add any charges for sexual harassment because she has been unable to find one of the men involved who is willing to testify to it. Is there anything I've missed out?"

"That Mackenzie is behind this." Krennick said.

"Colonel Mackenzie?" Brett questioned.

"Yes."

"There is no mention of Colonel Mackenzie in this file."

"Oh she's behind it. She's the one who had me issued a restraining order against Commander Rabb."

"Do you mean Captain Rabb ma'am?" Brett asked.

"They promoted him?"

"He was introduced to me as Captain Rabb yesterday ma'am. Why would the Colonel have a restraining order issued to you?"

"I don't know. I was just inviting an old friend to dinner so we could catch up as we haven't seen each other for a few years when she arrives with a server and a restraining order from a civilian judge." Krennick said.

"I'm going to need to see that order. How long have you known Captain Rabb?"

"We worked together when I was stationed here about eight, nine years ago."

"And you were friends?"

"I was a Commander at the time and he was a Lieutenant Commander. But yes we were friends."

"And you had a good working relationship?" Brett questioned.

"Yes."

"Were there any incidents where your behaviour in your opinion could have been misconstrued as conduct unbecoming or sexual harassment?" Brett asked.

"No. We'd flirt a bit but the Captain is a good looking man. It never went further than anything that would be deemed inappropriate."

"Would anyone have a differing opinion to that assessment?"

"Possibly Lieutenant (J.G.) Meg Austin, I don't know what rank she is now or where she is stationed if she's still in Navy." Krennick said.

"Could you give me a reason why you think the Lieutenant would have a differing opinion to the situation?" Brett asked.

"I always believed she thought herself half in love with him." Krennick said.

"I see. Well I'll see if I can have someone locate her and I'll talk to her and the Colonel but they're not included in the file I was given. As far as I can tell Petty Officer First Class Jennifer Coates-Tiner and Lieutenant Harriet Sims-Roberts were the ones who talked to every woman on the list of women who filed complaints against you and a few other that they mention in their conversations. The information they uncovered was placed in sealed dated envelopes which weren't opened until after they were handed over to Major Williams who then determined they had a case against you."

"But it was Colonel Mackenzie who prompted their little interviews. Besides why are a clerk of court and the office manager conducting interviews in the first place?" Krennick asked.

"That's a very good question for which I'm sure we'll find answers. But for now let's go over the complaints from each of the woman and you can tell me what you remember."

"Very well." Krennick said.

#

"Petty Officer." Brett said when he got Jen's desk at lunch that day.

"Yes Commander?"

"I need to talk to Colonel Mackenzie if she has some time."

"She's eating lunch right now sir and is due back in court in forty-seven minutes, but I'll see if she can see you." Jen got up from her desk and knocked on Mac's door and entered. She returned a minute or two later. "She says you can go in."

"Thank you Petty Officer, I'll need to talk to you over the next few days too."

"You know where I am sir." Jen replied. Brett nodded and entered Mac's office.

"Colonel Mackenzie..." He said.

"Come in and take a seat Commander." Mac said. "Sorry about the lack of protocol but I have sore feet today so I'm resting them."

"That's okay ma'am. I need to ask you some questions regarding Captain Krennick."

"Well I didn't think this was a social call. But wait a minute. Jen?" Mac yelled.

"Yes ma'am?" Jen came in.

"Do you have any crackers left in your desk I ate mine?"

"No ma'am, but I'll go and see if Lieutenant Sims has some or the Captain."

"Thanks Jen. Can you take the blue file on my desk to Jason as well?"

"Yes ma'am." Jen took the file and left.

"Now you had some questions?"

TBC