Here is a new chapter. It will be dealing with Rick's first few days back to fleet and what he will be forced to do.
It was a couple days after his return to the fleet that Rick was in his office going over a mountain of paperwork he needed to sign off on. Archer as acting CAG could have sign off most all the squadron commanders reports and the Maintenace reports. There were just a few of the reports he would have to sign off on plus all the training reports. All the reports on the building of new Alphas went straight to Rick so that he could keep the numbers unknown to his squadron commanders. His plan was to get enough built to replace all the Valkryie's at one time.
After Skull got theirs, he started to hear complaints from other squadrons. So, he contacted Dr. Lang and informed Commander Martinez of his decision. Roy was sent an e-mail about what was decided since he was the fleet's air commander but didn't really have a say in how Rick ran his airwing. Commander Martinez was told since he was the SDF-1's XO.
Rick sat down the report he was reading in frustration. Archer had not done a damn thing while Rick was gone.
He decided to go over the airwing schedules for the next 2 weeks. He went to where he had the schedule on his computer. When he pulled it up, he went from mad to furious. When he looked at the CAP schedule he noticed that the squadrons that had been at the SDF-1 before Rick got there did not have as many rotations on CAP. With the exception of Skull.
When he went to the tab that had training schedule, he saw that all the sim training dealing with all 3 modes of the fighter's transformations in combat that Rick had scheduled had been canceled. It had been replaced with target practice for fighter mode only and take-off and landing.
Rick checked the schedule to see if Archer was on duty at the moment. When he saw he was on CAP for the first time since day before Rick left. The last day that Rick had his squadron scheduled of before he went on deep patrol. He then checked how many days off his squadron had. Rick, notice they had 2 days more than the other squadrons.
Rick picked up his phone and called the bridge flight control phone.
"Commander Hayes."
"Lisa this is Rick I need to recall Wolf-1. Tell Archer he has 15 minutes to be in my office in his duty uniform. Let him know if he is not, he will not like the repercussions. Also, this is not to go over a private channel. I want the whole CAP to hear this." said a visible angary, Rick.
"OK, but I want an explanation for this later, understood."
"You will get one. I will be letting a few others in on this later today."
R/L
Lisa hung up with Rick and looked at her friend, "I don't think I have ever heard Rick that angary." Lisa turned to Captain O'Conner. "Sir, Commander Hunter wants Commander Archer recalled and in his office in 15 minutes."
O'Conner looked up and at his flight control officer. "Did he say why?"
"No sir but he sounder angry. He did say he will be letting others know why later."
"OK, recall Wolf-1." O'Conner didn't know what set Rick off, but he was sure he would find out later today.
"Wolf-1 this is command."
"Go ahead Command."
"Wolf-1 you are being recalled. You are to report to Commander Hunter's office in less than 15 minutes in duty uniform. He said you would not like the repercussions if you were not on time. So, I suggest you get back here right now."
Lisa saw that Archer didn't really care when he replied. "On my way command."
Lisa and O'Conner watched as Wolf-1 made a lazy turn to head for the starboard landing bays. Lisa turned back to the captain. Both knowing this was not going to go over with Rick.
R/L
30 minutes after he got the call Jack Archer walked in Rick's office, still in his flight suit. Jack did not look around he just glared at Rick.
"You wanted to see me, Rick."
Rick couldn't believe what he was seeing. He had only seen one other act like this and that was T.R. Edwards while part of the expedition. Before Rick could reply another did. While Rick was waiting Admiral Gloval had dropped by to speak with Rick.
The tall Russian stood up which caught the attention of Jack, "Lt. Commander Archer, you will show Commander Hunter the respect he is due. Not only as a superior officer but your immediate commander. Do I make myself clear. So, I suggest you stand at attention right this second."
"Yes Sir."
"Lt Commander Archer, you are hereby relieved of your command and your flight status is revoked. I left you in command of this airwing while I was away. My hope was that you would show you could do the job so when the next CAG position opened up you could get it.
What you have shown me is that you are spiteful and arrogant. I went over everything that would need to be done while I was on patrol. You did none of it.
The only thing you did was change the airwing's schedule when I had to head back to Earth and when you did that you just showed you were not fit to command.
You are confined to quarters as such time a disciplinary hearing can be arranged. I hope you follow those instructions, unlike the ones you were given, when told to report to my office. Now get out of my office."
Jack Archer left angry. He headed to his quarters. Rick sat back in his chair and rubbed his face.
"I know Jack never liked me. He has made that perfectly clear over time, but I never thought he would do something so stupid as this."
"What happen to between you and Archer."
Rick told him about their first meeting. He also told the Admiral that Jack was the most vocal about the training Rick set up for the airwing when he arrived.
"Archer has always been arrogant. Worse than your brother. Even I never thought he would do something like this. You will need to contact the Captain about bringing Archer up on charges. Also let Captain Fokker know as well. Even if he has no say with anything going on with your airwing. You don't want him hearing about this from someone else. He and Archer are close friends."
"He is my call after the Captain. I need a meeting with them both, along with Commander Martinez and Hayes."
"Call your brother I will bring the Captain up to speed and we can have the meeting in 4 hours my private briefing room. We can talk about what I came for later."
"Yes Sir."
Gloval stood and said his goodbye before leaving. Rick stood also and grabbed his tablet so he could show Roy everything. He then let his yeoman know where he was going.
R/L
Rick had informed his brother of what happen in his office not more then 10 minutes ago. When Roy said he had trouble believing him Rick told him the Admiral was in the office at the time and could back him up. Roy told his little brother he didn't drought what Rick said, it was just hard to believe.
Rick then told him about all the reports and showed him the airwings schedules. Roy was up pacing now.
"What are you planning on doing?"
"I already relieved him of his command and grounded him. He is restricted to quarters till is dictionary hearing. I plan on promoting Lt Wolf to Lt. Commander and giving him Wolf squadron."
Roy just looked at Rick, like really. Rick just shrugged his shoulders.
"OK, What else?"
"The Admiral is notifying the Captain and setting up a meeting with him, Martinaz and Lisa. He said 4 hours in his private briefing room."
"You might want to look at a transfer also. It might be better to get him out of here before he can try to cause trouble by spreading his own version."
"Back to Earth would be the best bet. I will need to check when we are due supplies and send him back with the transports when they return to Earth."
"So do you got anything else for me today, please some type of good news."
"Yea I say Aunt Sally, Aunt Judy and Mary while I was Earth side. They were visiting Rebecca.
Aunt Judy got a divorce and is moving back home. Mary will be working for the air circus, while Aunt Judy works at the hospital."
"Divorce, what happen?"
"Dan was cheating on her. Probably a good thing Pop is dead."
"Yea, how was Rebecca doing."
Rick told him about what the doctor said. Rick told Roy he was trying not to get his hopes up but was hard. Roy told him, he knew what he meant. The two brothers talked for a little longer before they both had to get back to work. They both still had a meeting later that they both wished that did not need to happen.
R/L
The meeting happen as planned. When it was over everyone sat there in silence. Rick was looking at Captains mass, but the captain said no that this warranted a full court marshal. No one could say anything against it. Rick's airwing came under his command and if they did not take the actions of a court martial then others might do the same as Archer.
They were in a state of war and a lot of lives were at stake. The airwing was the first line of defense. He did say, even though Archers actions in a time of war could warrant the death penalty he would not ask for it.
After the meeting it came to Rick to inform Archer of what was to come and let him know a lawyer with JAG will be assigned to his defense.
Informing Archer did not go smoothly. When he was informed of the captain's decision, he blamed Rick and try to hit him. A marine guard stop the attack and Rick left for his office.
He now had a lot more paperwork added to his already large stack. He was never going to get caught up.
R/L
The next day Rick arranged for all his pilots to be in the ships main briefing room. Roy had another squadron from one of the cruisers cover their patrol duties for a few hours.
Once they were all there Rick walked on the stage. Everyone quieted down as the rummers were running wild after Lisa had ordered Archer back to the ship yesterday.
"I know you all have questions. I cannot give you all your answers due to legal matters. I will say that Jack Archer has been relieved of his command and grounded. The captain as called for a full court marshal.
No, I didn't request it. The captain felt that the complaints I brough forward and the actions Admiral Gloval witnessed in my office warranted the court marshal.
will be meeting with Wolf squadron after this meeting. Does anyone have any questions?"
Lt. Wolf raised his hand, "Commander, can you tell us the charges and who will take his place?"
"I will inform your squadron after this meeting on your second question. As for the charges. I received an e-mail from the captain this morning.
He will be asking for charges of dereliction of duty in a time of war, disrespect to a commanding officer in a time of war and attacking a superior officer in a time of war. The last one was added after he tried to strike me when I informed him of what the captain decided."
Everyone was silent. Those who knew a little about the MCJ that the RDF operated understood that any of those charges could warrant a death sentence.
Someone else asked "Sir, will the Captain or you be asking for the max sentence?"
Some of Archers friends were worried. While they did not know the whole story, they could only guess the charges were warranted or Hunter would not bring it up to the captain. Rick Hunter was known for being tuff but was one of the fairest commanders any of them ever had. One that was willing to help out were ever he was needed.
"After the meeting we had yesterday afternoon the captain told me he was not pushing for the max sentence but after he was briefed on the attack, I don't know. Listen a lot of things will depend on how Jack acts during the trial. If he is remorseful and accepts that his actions have brought this on himself then I will push for a lite sentence. If he keeps acting like he did yesterday, then there will be nothing I can do. It will be unto the courts."
No one had any more questions and all those who had to report to duty did so. Wolf squadron and Rick were the only ones left. Rick stepped off the stage and waved the pilots forward.
"Sir, we can all guess on what brought this on. We all noticed the changes made while you were gone. None of us liked it and a few of us that were friends with Jack warned him you would not like the changes, and he should leave them as you had them. He wouldn't listen."
"Thank you all for trying to do the right thing. I was hoping to see Jack get his own airwing when a CAG slot came open but that will not be happening now.
OK, as for who will be taking over. Lt. Wolf, you will be taking command. I will have your promotion papers filed as soon as I can get through all the paperwork I have. It might be a while, but your promotion is coming. I have already informed the Captain. He said as soon I can get him the papers; he will sign off on them."
"Thank you, sir. Not how I pictured getting a squadron."
"No but it is deserved. If it had not been this one, it would have been after we formed a new squadron once the next training class graduated. You all have the day off except you Lt. Wolf, you need to head to your office and try to see what Jack left you."
Everyone left after that. Rick just sat there for he doesn't know how long when Lisa sat down beside him.
I know a lot of drama in this chapter, but it goes to in some cases that people don't always think straight when it comes to people they don't like. In this case Jack Archer decide to take a chance Rick would not come back and change things how he saw fit. Well, it didn't work out for him No I am not planning on doing a chapter with the trial. I don't know enough to write it and I want to get back to the main part of the story.