The Yankee pub is a large pub, catering to American sailors and marines. This evening dozens of people are in the pub having beer or harder liquor, most of them American servicemen. The bartender, a Pakistani immigrant, had gotten to know a few of the Americans on a first name basis, particularly some pilots from a joint British/American acrobatic team.
"It was a great memorial service," says Lieutenant Tim Walters, sipping his beer. "We're all going to miss him."
"Bill was a great guy," says Lieutenant j.g. Herbert Jameson. He and the rest of the pilots here ordered domestic brands of beer, although American brands like Budweiser and Coors are available in the pub.
"Hi, there," says a woman with shoulder length brown hair.
"You must be from the base," says Walters. "you speak with a British accent."
"Lieutenant Commander Faith Coleman, U.S. Navy," says the woman. "A friend recommended this place."
"Great place, ma'am," says Jameson. "See that American flag draped on the wall over there. Lieutenant j.g. Herbert Jameson. Pleasure to meet you, Commander."
"Call me Faith," says Coleman. "You only have to address me as commander when I'm on duty. So what's the occasion?"
"We just came from Lieutenant Tarleton's memorial service," says Walters. "He was a British pilot. He was in that crash at the air show."
"I know about it," says Coleman. "It was on every channel. The flags are flying at half-mast, you know."
"Call me Tim. Lieutenant Tim Walters, U.S. Navy, in case we meet on base."
"Let me buy you a drink. I can afford it; I'm in a higher pay grade."
"Do you take flight pay into account?" asks Jameson.
"Get us something British," says Walters. "Something local."
And so she does, ordering another round of drinks for the U.S. Navy pilots. Pretty soon she tells the pilots a bit about herself.
"I transferred here about a year ago," she says, sipping the dark beer. "England's a nice place. I can use the change in scenery."
"Where were you from, Faith?" asks Walters.
"New Jersey," replies Commander Coleman. "I still can't get used to people driving on the left hand side. So tell me about this Lieutenant Tarleton."
"It was his plane that crashed into the crowd. We'd been practicing manuevers for so long."
"Did he have a drug problem or something?"
"No. He definitely wasn't into that stuff." Walters takes another sip of beer.
"What exactly happened? Come on, baby, I'm sure you want to talk about it."
"We flew towards each other. We were, we were supposed to roll and pass each other with our wings perpendicular to the ground. But Tarleton went into a dive."
"Wht did you do that maneuver? Did your commanding officers do that."
"No. Tarleton and I came up with it ourselves. We told a few of the other pilots. It was supposed to be the start of this complex maneuver. You see, Bill and I had this sort of competition going on, who can be the better stunt pilot. I also knew Admiral Siegel would be watching and I wanted to make a good impression. Too bad he was killed."
"What maneuver was that? Could you describe it?"
"After we made that pass, we would climb up and make this figure eight," says Walters, taking a sip of cold beer. "We practiced a couple of times in the sims, and we tested the limits on our planes."
"Interesting," says Coleman. "I'd better be going now." She takes some cash out of her wallet to pay for the drinks.
oooooooooooooo
DAY 4
0940 ZULU
LONDON, ENGLAND
"That is my report, sirs," says Commander Coleman.
"So you claim that Lieutenant Walters and Lieutenant Tarleton were attemoting a very dangerous maneuver," says Captain Harmon Rabb.
"Yes, sir."
"I believe that Lieutenant Walters should be court-martialed for his role," says one of the British lawyers.
"Oh please," says Commander Meg Austin. "All we have is some bragging from some drunk pilots."
"Are you trying to cover up for one of your own for being reckless? You want to cover this up and blame it all on Lieutenant Tarleton."
"Enough of this," says Captain Geoffrey Hunter. "I believe this matter requires further investigation."
"With all due respect, I don't think we'll find any basis for criminal charges," says Meg.
"We should follow this lead," says Harm. "But Commander Austin is right about one thing. If this goes nowhere, there won't be any formal charges filed against anyone."
ooooooooooooo
1255 ZULU
"Are you Lieutenant Herbert Jameson?" asks Commander Sturgis Turner, speaking to a man eating a steak sandwich.
"Yes, sir," replies the man eating the sandwich. "How may I help you, Commander?"
"I want to ask you again about that day. Were you trying to practice any dangerous maneuvers?"
"DFangerous maneuvers, sir?"
"Was Lieutenant Tarleton attempting any dangerous maneuvers?"
"No more dangerous than the rest of us."
"Was he following the manuevers planned for that day."
"We were all flying according to what we trained for, sir."
"Excuse me," says Captain Crispin Sudborough. "What is going on?"
"I'm just gathering more information about that day, Captain," replies Sturgis. "We believe two of the pilots in the team were performing unauthorized and unnecessarily dangerous manuevers."
"We're an acrobatic team," says Sudborough. "We train to minimize the danger, but the danger can never be completely eliminated. I lost one of my best pilots that day, and so many people were left grieving. We trained and trained each day. I even cut one of the pilots- a Lieutenant Brown- from flying in that air show because he reported symptoms and was still waiting for tests from the doctors. Both we and the Yanks gave this team our complete dedication."
"To answer your question, sir," says Jameson, "Lieutent Tarleton knew of the risks. He would not do anything reckless, anything he felt he could not do safely. Do you have any other questions?"
"No, Lieutenant," says Sturgis.
oooooooooooooo
1620 ZULU
OFFICE OF CAPTAIN HARMON RABB
HEADQUARTERS, NAVAL FORCES, EUROPE
"Well, says Harm, looking at Sturgis and Meg, "it looks like this investigation is wrapped up. We've summarized our findings on this matter and we recommended that no further legal action be taken. I'll call General Cresswell and tell him you two will be back this weekend. We are grateful for your assistance in this matter."
"It was good to work with you again, Harm," says Sturgis.
"I was wondering if we could see Mattie one last time before we go," says Meg.
"I don't think she'll have a problem with that," says the Navy captain. "I'm really impressed by what you've become over the past ten years."
"Thank you, sir."
"I think I'll pick up Mattie from the hospital and then edit my final report at home. I'm sure you'll have a lot to say to Bud."
"He'll look forward to hearing from you," says Sturgis.
ooooooooooooo
DAY 5
1000 ZULU
Sturgis and Meg walk into Harm's office in the Headquarters of the U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. An aide from Harm's office had told them that they were to report to his office. The petty officer that spoke to them said that it was an urgent matter.
"You wanted to see us?' asks meg after one of the aides closes the door.
"I just got word from the SecNav's office," says Harm. "It seems he has a second opinion. Against my recommendation, he's decided to convene a general court-martial to try Lieutenant Tim Walters for negligent homicide."
"A court-martial?" asks Sturgis. "There isn't much of a case."
"This is clearly a political decision," says Meg.
"Like it or not, there is going to be an Article 32 hearing on this matter at least," says the captain. "You two will be TAD a little longer. Sturgis, you'll prosecute. Meg, you'll defend. I've already told General Cresswell about the situation."
"And he agreed to it?" asks Sturgis.
"Yes. He said there are no two people in his office more qualified to be trail counsel in this case.. The hearing starts on Monday. Dismissed."
"Aye aye, sir," they say, standing at attention.
"By the way, Harm," says Sturgis, "I have something to brief you on."
"Make it quick," replies Harm.
"You will not be participating in any post-trial review of the proceedings. I'm calling you as an expert witness in this case."
"So noted," says Harm.
Aftwer Sturgis and Meg leave, Harm sits down behind his desk. Already doubting the wisdom of the SecNav's decision, he wonders how much more problems this will cause.
ooooooooooo
1207 ZULU
"Say what?" asks Lieutenant Tim Walters upon hearing the news.
"SecNav has decided to convene a general court-martial to try uyou for negligent homicide in relation to the crash," says Meg. "Pretrial hearings will start Monday."
"That's unfair, ma'am!" exclaims the Navy pilot. "They just want someone to blame."
"I agree with you totally, Lieutenant. I'm your defense counsel."
Two Navy masters-at-arms handcuff the lieutenant for transport to a U.S. Navy brig.
"After you get processed," says Meg, "I want to meet with you. Terll me everything."
"Just make this go away, ma'am," says Walters.
ooooooooooo
DAY 6
PICCADILLY CIRCUS
LONDON, ENGLAND
"So you mean you're staying longer?" asks Mattie, sitting in her wheelchair.
"That's right," replies Meg. "Something unexpected came up that Sturgis and I have to take care of. We don't know how long this will be. We could be here up until Christmas."
Mattie is neing strolled around Piccadilly Circus along with Harm, Sturgis, and Meg. The place is a fashionable shopping area, anchored by a small traffic circle. Buses and cars circle around the circle.
"You gom out a lot?' askjs Sturgis.
"No," replies ther girl. "Usualy I'm studying or in thge hospital for therapy."
"I've taken the time to show her around London," says Harm. I try to make a goal of going out on the town with her at least twice a month."
"How about we go get some tea," says Meg.
Sturgis and Meg make sure to enjoy this little outing. Soon they will have to work on their respective cases.
ooooooooooo
DAY 8
1000 ZULU
HEADQUARTERS, U.S. NAVAL FORCES, EUROPE
LONDON, ENGLAND
The arraignment of Lieutenant Timothy Daniel Walters is held in a courtroom in the headquarters for the U.S. Navy's European forces. Reporters from the BBC, the Satellite News Network, the London Telegraph, and the Guardian all attend. A United States Navy captain presides over the arraignment as masters-at-arms keep order.
Lieutenant Walters stands behind one of the tables with his attorney, Commander Meg Austin. Commander Sturgis Turner stands behind another table.
"Lieutenant Timothy Walters," says the judge, dressed in a Navy dress uniform, "you have been charged with eighty counts of Article 119, section b, subsection 1, involutary manslaughter. How do you plead?"
"I plead not guilty, your Honor," replies Walters.
"Sir, defense requests an Article 32 hearing," says Meg.
"Request granted. Article 32 hearing starts at 1000 tomorrow. This hearing is adjourned."