Chapter 3:
In a cottage in rural Virginia Jacques Lafayette, former GIGN commando looked at his band of mercenaries as he said, "Today is the day my brothers. Today we make the kafir realize it is pointless to do battle with Allah's chosen warriors."
They all cheered as Lafayette pulled out a laser pointer and began to explain their very multi layered plan that he had formulated with AQAP. When he was done explaining the plan Sheik Ali Zabeya; AQAP's top commander in Iraq said, "These attacks will cripple the Kafir."
Again the men cheered as Zabeya continued, "Already our men in California, Virginia, New York and Washington DC make ready to strike their blows simultaneously."
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When their plane touched down they deplaned and were met by Coates. She saluted when she saw Jack walk up. He casually threw her a salute as they climbed into the government issue Dodge Charger. Once Claudia was buckled in he said, "Let's get this dog an pony show on the road Chief."
She replied as she put the car into gear and pulled out into traffic, "Aye, aye sir."
Then she asked, "How's the COL?"
Jack replied, "She's good. She'll be coming back from Afghanistan in a week."
Coates looked back at Claudia as she said, "I bet Claudia can't wait."
Jack glanced sidelong at Coates as he replied, "Nope and I can't either."
Coates cracked a grin as Gunny said good naturedly, "Yea he'll be in a better mood."
Jack looked back and fixed Gunny with a look of faux outrage as he growled in voice full of false anger, "Watch it Gunnery Sergeant."
The he winked at Claudia as he said, "Or I'll sic mini Mac on ya."
Claudia fixed him with an identical Sarah Mackenzie glare and said in a very Mackenzie like growl, "Lock it up Marine."
Then she dissolved into a fit of giggles as Gunny smirked and said, "Aye aye ma'am."
Then he affectionately ruffled her hair and gave her a peck on the cheek. Coates watched how the stoic taciturn Gunnery sergeant interacted with the child. She remarked to herself that Claudia was the spitting image of the COL. Jack broke her train of thought as he asked, "How does Harm like bein back in DC?"
Harm and Kate had just recently been transferred back to DC. He first been transferred to London around the same time Mac had been transferred to North Carolina, then he had become JAG afloat on the Patrick Henry, then he had been sent to Iraq to act as JAG to the the 3rd Marine Division. Then he had accompanied them to Afghanistan. Finally 4 months ago he and his wife LTCMDR Rabb had returned to JAG HQ. She replied, "He likes it a lot sir."
Jack nodded as they pulled into the parking lot. As Coates pulled into her parking space Jack asked Claudia, "Are you ready to see all of your aunts and uncles?"
Claudia began bouncing up and down in the seat as said, "Yaaaay. I've really missed them Daddy."
He grinned as he climbed out of the car then unbuckled her and balanced her on his hip as he watched Coates and Gunny get their bags from the trunk. He asked as Coates carried Claudia's pink suitcase, "Want me to get that Chief?"
She replied, "No sir. I got it."
He nodded as they walked into JAG HQ. As soon as they entered the bullpen she called, "General on deck."
Everyone snapped the position of attention. He said as he set Claudia down, "As you were."
Claudia spotted Harm first and took off running as she screamed, "Uncle Haaarm."
Harm saw her coming and squatted down. He had a huge smile on his face as she launched herself into his arms, He hugged her tightly as he straightened up and spun her around. He asked, "Did you miss me squirt?"
She replied as she latched onto his neck, "Of course I did Flyboy."
As soon as she used her mother's nickname for him he gave a hearty laugh. He saw Jack walking toward him and attempted to snap to attention but failed as he had a squirming 4 year old on his right hip. Jack grinned as he said, "At ease CPT. How's Kate?"
Harm replied as placed a kiss on top of Claudia's head, "She's doing good sr. Glad we're back in DC."
Jack nodded as he said, "Yea I think Sarah wishes she were back in DC as well."
Harm nodded. He had known Jack over 20 years. He had first met him when he was shot down in Gulf War I. he and his RIO had just recovered from a hard ejection and landing when suddenly they were surrounded by Jack and his Delta Force team. They had successfully got both Harm and his injured RIO back to friendly lines. They had lost touch after that. They met again 6 years later when Jack was serving as XO of Delta and Sarah was made Harm's partner. At first he was apprehensive. He had checked up on LTCMDR Harmon Rabb JR. and was unsettled by what he had heard. Harm was a very competent and capable lawyer but he also had a penchant for getting into some very tight spots. Harm said, "I hope the hearing goes good."
He nodded as Kate said as she walked up and joined them, "Me too."
Then she turned her attention to Claudia who eagerly leapt into Kate's arms. She asked, "Would you like to come to my office with me Miss Claudia?"
She replied as she clung to Kate, "Yes ma'am."
Kate said, "I'll watch her while you go talk to the Admiral."
Jack asked, "Are you sure Kate?"
She replied, "Yes sir. I love spending time with Claudia. It reminds me of when the kids were little."
He thanked her. Then he kissed Claudia on her forehead as he said, "You be a good girl for Aunt Kate. Ya hear?"
Claudia replied as she gave him a kiss, "Yes sir."
Jack ruffled her hair as he gave her another kiss and walked away. He walked over to Coates and he said, "I'd like to see the Admiral please."
She replied as she snatched up the phone, "Of course sir."
Five minutes later she said as she hung up the phone, "You can go on in."
He nodded s he spotted Gunny talking to Harm and motioned for him to come with him. When they entered AJ greeted them warmly. AJ asked, "Gunny how ya been?"
Gunny replied, "Fine sir."
AJ nodded as he said, "I think we should discuss possible strategies."
Jack nodded as he asked, "What time d'we haveta be there?"
AJ replied, "We're supposed to be there at 2 PM sharp."
Jack looked at his watch and saw that it was a quarter past 1. He said, "We can do it in the car we need ta get goin."
AJ nodded as he said, "Yes sir."
And with that they left.
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Jacques Lafayette was sitting at a laptop computer studying the layout of both the New York subway system and DC commuter railway when Sheik Mahmud Bin Yasin, AQAP's top tactician as well as well as his father walked in. He smiled at the former French commando as he asked, "Are our men ready for the simultaneous attacks on the military bases in California and here in Virginia?"
Lafayette replied, "Yes Father. They are also ready to carry out the attacks on New York and Washington DC."
The Sheik nodded as he said sagely, "Remember my son they must attack at precisely the same time."
Lafayette nodded as he said, "I know Father. The bases in California and Virginia will be attacked by men in speedboats laden with explosives."
Yasin nodded as he said, "Very good my son."
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They had been sitting in the hearing room for thirty-five minutes when Chairwoman Dianne Reston, the senior Democrat senator from California said, "We now call GEN Jack Boudreaux."
Jack, AJ and Gunny all stood up and took their seats in front of the committee. Senator Bobbi Latham-Turner said, "Please state your name and rank for the record."
Jack leaned forward and spoke loudly and clearly, "GEN Jack Boudreaux."
Chairwoman Reston asked,, "How long have you been in the Army GEN?"
Jack replied, "35 Years."
Then she asked, "And how many years have you been in special operations?"
He replied, "Madam Chairwoman I've been in SPEC-OPS my entire career."
She had a wicked smile on her face as she asked, "Then do you care to explain to this committee's satisfaction about your most recent failure to rescue the hostage in Yemen; not to mention the countless hostages that ISIS has taken and executed live on the internet."
Jack's dark brown eyes locked onto her light blues as he replied, "Ma'am my record more than speaks for itself."
Her grin grew more sinister as she challenged, "Oh really please elaborate. This committee is all ears."
He gave a curt nod as he told them about bring down Mustafa Atiff and bringing him back to face a military tribunal, then he told them about the hunt for Kabir Atiff, then he told them about the Chaco Boreal, and about helping Clayton Webb bring down the notorious hawk. When he was finished AJ spoke up, "That is just a small portion of how he's defended this country. For over 35 years GEN Boudreaux has dedicated his life to the protection of this great nation."
Chairwoman Reston asked, "Does that include the numerous human rights violations he's had leveled at him over the years."
Jack replied in a flat emotionless tone, "Madam Chairwoman every of those those charges were thoroughly investigated and proven to be false allegations by our enemies."
She fired back in a venom laced voice, "I would hardly call the investigation impartial or unbiased, same could be said for the investigators."
That comment made all the men bristle. AJ asked in a slightly edged voice, "What's that supposed to mean Madam Chairwoman?"
She gave him a sickly sweet smile as she replied, "It means councilor that when the wife of the accused is the chief of staff to the commanding officer of the investigating unit; not to mention everyone in the unit is friends with the accused and the commanding officer is godfather to the accused's two year old daughters then said commanding officer is the accused's attorney it looks rather suspicious. Wouldn't you agree ADM?"
How will the ADM respond and should Bobbi jump in and save Jack