Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of Donald Bellisario, Belisaurius Productions, Paramount Pictures and Columbia Broadcasting Service Entertainment – this story is for non-profit entertainment of JAG fans only. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.

Notes:
A/N1: Military jargon: For those not as familiar with some of the vehicles and weapons mentioned in story, here’s a briefing:

LAV – wheeled reconnaissance, light armored vehicle used by the USMC.
AAV-7A1 – tracked amphibious armored personnel carrier used by the USMC.
RPG-7V – Standard Soviet/Russian rocket propelled grenade launcher called RPG.
HMMWV – Known in civilian circles as ‘Hummer’-military types call them ‘Hum-vees’
M2HB – Standard heavy machine gun used by military.
Beretta M9/ Model 92F – Sidearm of USMC officers.
C-5 – Standard USAF heavy transport.

A/N2: Thanks to JoshuaTree and ElfinKid for beta-ing this story. You guys are the best.

…For Meritorious Service
Chapter 1

0630 Hours Local
25 March 2003
Mirbullah, Iraq

Operation Iraqi Freedom, D Plus 6

A lone General Motors 8x8 Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) sat in the pre-dawn darkness on the edge of the village. In the commander’s hatch, Sergeant Thomas ‘Zeke’ Fuller used his night vision goggles to checkout the darkened buildings. Nothing moved. No cats, no dogs, “…not even a rat,” grunted Fuller. He keyed his radio mike.

“Rover prime to Rovers, sitrep.”

“Rover two, all clear here.”

“Rover three, all quiet -- no movement.”

“Rover four, this place is dead…man what I wouldn’t give--”

The LAV commander grimaced. That was Headrick, when was that jackass going to learn? He switched his radio to the local net, “Watch your commo discipline, Four, you’re in Indian country.”

“Sorry, Prime,” The reply was chastened, “It’s a go here, too.”

Fuller switched his radio to the company tactical net, “Alpha leader, this is Rover Prime, the area is quiet, move the turtles in.”

“Alpha leader to Rover Prime, thanks for the looking under the bed, we’re on our way-- out,”

“Roger Alpha, give a jingle if you need us.”

Alpha leader was the lead AAV-7A1 amphibious personnel carrier in the reinforced Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Fighting 3-2. They trundled their way into the outskirts of Mirbullah. The lead carrier maneuvered through the town square. It was still quiet - no movement - despite all the ruckus the armored unit was making as it began clattering through the square and headed out into the north side of the village. Alpha leader’s commander never saw the rocket propelled grenade round which blew his hatch and him to hell and gone. The burning carrier, its top peeled open where the commander’s hatch used to be, gave a sickening lurch and crunched into a stone wall, shattering its left track.

The second vehicle following, an armored HMMWV, was raked by heavy machine gun fire, shredding its tires and punching holes though its chassis. Soldiers tumbled out of both vehicles, firing blindly toward the source of the ambush.

“Alpha leader is down!” barked Gunnery Sergeant Albert Sanchez as he rallied the Marines from the armored HMMWV, which had now started to burn. They concentrated their fire on a two story stone municipal building. They could see another grenade round launched from the roof that streaked down and smashed into the dead truck, turning it into a blazing inferno.

“Corporal!” The Gunny pointed to the roof ledge, “RPG! Lay down suppressive fire on that roof!!”

Aye, aye Gunny! The Corporal looked at his two remaining squad members, “Suppressive fire on that ledge!”

“You got it Corp!”

As the Marines from the HMMWV began to return fire, the other personnel carriers and HMMWVs began to blunder into the crowded square. Having no place to go, they crowded around the two burning vehicles.

“No!” Shouted Sanchez waving his arms frantically, “Get back! It’s a trap!!”

Instead of retreating, the rear doors of the carriers began to open.

“Go, go, go!” barked a Sergeant to his squad as small arms fire whacked and pinged off the rear guard carrier. They had just cleared the rear ramp when an RPG round burrowed into its guts, causing flames to belch out of every opening. The concussion tossed the soldiers into the stone wall, knocking several of them out. Another HMMWV coughed flames brightening the dawn. While smoke from the other three vehicles leapt into the air, Marines began debussing from the remaining carriers and HMMWVs, seeking shelter.

The Gunny and his squad dove for cover.

“They’ve cut us off Gunny!!”

Sanchez swore and grabbed the phone from the portable radiotelephone carried by a nervous PFC.

“Rover prime this is Alpha two! We’ve been sucker punched!!”

“Hang in there Alpha two, the Cavalry’s on the way!!”

“Roger prime, out!”

The Gunny looked around. The burning carrier blocked the only other exit out of the square. His vehicle and Alpha leader’s blocked the other end. The gunfire from the rooftops was increasing in intensity. There was no other way out and in all likelihood they were probably going to die here.

“Keep firing!” He ordered, “As long as we keep firing, we’ve got a chance!!”

Mixed in with the rattle of small arms fire from both sides, the Gunny could now hear the steady thumping of a twenty-five millimeter auto cannon.

The PFC craned his neck toward the sound.

“They’re here Sir!” A cheer erupted from the trapped men. It was short lived as Gunny Sanchez watched an RPG immolate the lead LAV.

“Pull back!!” screamed the Gunnery Sergeant into the phone, “They’ve got your range!!”

The LAVs quickly maneuvered away from their stricken comrade and once back a safe distance, they resumed firing at the village rooftops around the square. Sanchez noticed the enemy gunfire slacken as 25 millimeter shells rained down dangerously close to Marine and Iraqi positions.

Hunkering down, the Gunny and the other squads of Marines were hoping and praying the rounds wouldn’t fall short. Miraculously, they didn’t. Pretty soon, the guns from enemy positions behind them fell silent.

Sanchez was about to give the order to assault the remaining ambush positions when a round passed through the PFC carrying the radiotelephone. All around him Marines began grunting and/or screaming while grabbing arms or legs. During the LAV barrage, snipers had moved into position on the rooftops and where now picking off the Marines of Alpha Company like so many fish in a barrel. The Gunnery Sergeant felt a round zip past his head--a few more inches to the left and he would have been dead. But looking around and judging from the number of wounded, it seemed that killing the Americans wasn’t the plan. The realization struck him like brick. They wanted hostages so they could suck others into the trap. Sanchez picked up the radiophone from the dead PFC.

He had to warn the others.

An explosion of crumbling mortar and stones to his left interrupted his call. Swirling through the mortar and stone dust, a lone AAV-7A1 clattered into the Gunnery Sergeant’s vision.

“Gunny!” One of the wounded Marines pointed, “It’s Lieutenant Dodge!”

Sanchez sat dumbfounded, his eyes refusing to believe what they were seeing. His attention was jarred from the scene when he heard the report of particularly close rifle and felt white-hot pain flash through his right arm. His hand refused to work; looking away from the carrier, he saw his upper arm was a bloody mess. He looked away from the damage and back at the carrier.

“Gunny!” The commander of the carrier was waving frenetically at him, “Get the hell out of the way!!”

Sanchez rolled backwards as the carrier plowed past him.

“Hard right Sergeant!” ordered Dodge. The carrier slewed sharply to the right so that it became a wall of steel between the squads of Alpha Company and the Iraqi snipers. The guns of the carrier, including the .50 caliber M2HB manned by the commander, concentrated on throwing the snipers off balance.

“Gunny! Are you okay?!” It was Dodge. Sanchez could barely hear him.

Sanchez nodded. Now his ears filled with the tale-tale whup, whup, whup of an approaching helicopter, drowning out the Lieutenant and the enemy gunfire.

Dust and smoke swirled around like mad demons as an AH-1 Cobra gunship roared into view. Its guns roared blazing away at the sniper’s positions, joining Lieutenant Dodge’s fire and that of some of the uninjured members of Alpha Company.

All fire that had been aimed at the Lieutenant and members of Alpha Company was now directed at the low flying newcomer. Smoke spurted from underneath the gunship as its engine stuttered and it slid to the right.

“Hit the deck!” Barked Dodge, “She’s coming in hard!”

The Cobra slid further to the right, streaming gray and white smoke. The pilot brought it down hard in some tall grass to their front. Smoke billowed out of the grass, obscuring the downed gunship.

The sniper fire to their left stopped and now began coming from their front. The ambushers wanted to secure their latest victim. Dodge’s carrier leaped to life and headed toward the smoking craft.

Sanchez motioned to the soldiers behind him; they had to keep those pilots from being captured. Ignoring the burning in his right arm, Gunny Sanchez grabbed his rifle with his left arm and stumbled forward, leading a handful of injured and uninjured Marines toward Dodge and the gunship.

Dodge’s carrier reached the Cobra first. As before, he ordered the carrier broadside to the downed craft. A hail of gunfire and two RPG rounds slammed into the side of the carrier facing the enemy. Dodge ignored the fire, concentrating on keeping the attackers off balance.

When Sanchez arrived, the pilot was helping his weapons officer out of the smoky cockpit of the Cobra.

“Are you okay?” Sanchez saw the pilot nod. He looked at the Weapons Officer who now had unholstered his sidearm. The Gunny looked at Dodge’s carrier. Bullets were beating against the armor. Dodge’s carrier was the only thing that stood between them and certain death.

Sanchez’s rag-tag squad and the Cobra crew headed toward the carrier.

“Cover fire!” Motioned Sanchez, he saw Lieutenant Dodge continuing to fire at the attackers. “Hang on Lieutenant! We’re coming!!”

The squad began to return fire. Through a haze of pain, the Gunny saw Dodge go limp and fall over in the hatch of the carrier.

“Corpsman!” Yelled Sanchez. Another Marine repeated his call.

As the medic moved forward, the fire began to slacken. The once trapped carriers and HMMWVs of Alpha Company surged forward toward the downed gunship and Lieutenant Dodge’s carrier.

As they passed Dodge’s carrier, pursuing the retreating ambushers, the Corpsman climbed on board the vehicle and began trying to help the injured Lieutenant.

Sanchez slid to the ground against the carrier. As he did, a Marine Captain, crouching low against enemy fire, dashed to the protection of the vehicle and looked down at the Gunny.

“Captain Lewis!” Sanchez started to get up. The Marine Captain grabbed onto his uninjured shoulder pushing him back down.

“Rest easy Gunny.” He looked at the Gunnery Sergeant’s arm, “How bad is it?”

“Not bad Sir,” replied Sanchez lying, “Lieutenant Dodge saved our sixes, Sir.”

“He’s a hero all right. This guy deserves a medal,” noted Lewis agreeing. He looked up at the Corpsman, “How is the Lieutenant?”

The Corpsman snorted, looking disgustedly at Sanchez and the Captain. “This hero has been murdered, Captain."

“Murdered?!”

“He’s been shot in the back.” He and the Captain looked at the gunship pilot and weapon officer. Both still had their sidearms drawn. They were standing directly in back of the Corpsman and slumped body of Lieutenant Dodge.

2005 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
23 June 2003

Mac was sitting in her office, reviewing the deposition of her latest client. Shoplifting -- it sounded so simple, so clean cut -- on the surface.

She frowned, On the surface, her mind repeated, sounding like Harm, But what were the underlying causes?

Closing the case folder, she tried to blow an errant strand of hair now looped down on her forehead back into place. She merely succeeded in making it flip up and move over a couple of degrees.

She shook her head ruefully, "I hate you Harmon Rabb," she said good-naturedly to herself.

"Did I hear my name mentioned?"

She looked up at him with mock annoyance, "Have you forgotten how to knock?"

Rolling his eyes, Harm dramatically rapped three times on her doorframe, "Colonel,"

"Commander," She feigned surprise, "What can I do for you?"

Harm smiled wryly, “I was asking about my name being mentioned and also, aren’t you worried one of those stacks is going to start a chain reaction collapse in this office?”

Mac leaned back in her chair and smiled herself, “Hasn’t happened yet Counselor, are you making fun of my visual filing system?”

“Visual filing system?” Harm looked genuinely intrigued, “Is that what you call this? I call it a disaster waiting to happen,” Harm tossed out the bait, hoping she would snag it.

She did. “Careful Flyboy, are you mocking my system?” Mac never backed away from a challenge.

He upped the ante, “If you’re trying to recreate how the Leaning Tower of Pisa is able to lean without collapsing then no,”

“I can find any file or piece of correspondence I *need* from my towers, Commander,” She saw his ante and raised it.

Just then Harriet breezed by carrying an interoffice mailer. She cut by Harm.

“Excuse me, Commander,” She turned her attention to the Colonel, “Ma’am is the Dixon testimony ready for mailing?”

Ah a challenge, thought Harm, This ought to be interesting. He folded his arms and watched with growing pleasure knowing that she wouldn’t find this one. That case took place over two weeks ago.

Mac saw the challenge. Turning to Harriet, she ignored Harm’s presence. “It’s right here Lieutenant,”

Mac began drilling down through the stack on her desk and picked it out. Smiling smugly, she handed it to Harriet who popped into the mailer.

“Thank you Ma’am,” she returned brightly. Her smile faded when she looked at Harm as she sidled past him, “Commander.” She said icily.

Mac was leaning back in her chair, her smile threatening to break into a laugh as Harm tried to recover his composure.

“How did you do that?” He finally managed after doing double takes at Mac in front of him and Harriet as she went back to her desk.

“It’s a secret,” She responded as she struggled to maintain her self-control.

“Like the time thing?”

“Yup,” Her bright smile took on a flirtatious lilt as she fixed him with an almost sensuous stare, “And if you’re good to me, someday I just may show you how to do both.”

Harm was about to come up with an equally witty retort. Unfortunately for him it probably would have ended in disaster if not for Tiner interrupting him.

“Commander, Colonel, the Admiral would like to see you in his office.”

“Thank you Tiner,” responded Mac as she got up from her desk. She shot Harm a ‘great going Flyboy, now we’re going to get it’ look.

Harm shot back his ‘what did I do?’ look.

Admiral A.J. Chegwidden was signing off on yet another supply form, when Tiner knocked.

“Enter.”

Tiner opened the door allowing Harm and Mac into his office. “Sir, Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered.”

“Commander, Colonel,” he acknowledged their presence without looking up.

“Sir,” they both returned in unison standing ramrod straight in front of his desk.

“At ease.” He looked past them at the Petty Officer, “Thank you, Tiner,”

“Yes Sir.” He answered as he started to close the door.

“And Tiner, let me know the minute Commander Turner and Lieutenant Roberts are available,”

“Aye Sir.”

The Admiral looked at his two wayward officers over his reading glasses -- not betraying a hint of emotion.

“Have a seat Commander, Colonel -- relax, we have a few minutes before they can get here.”

Harm and Mac looked at each other warily and then settled into the chairs in front of their commander’s desk not quite sure what to expect.

The central air in the Admiral’s office hummed quietly. As the two officers sat in front of the Admiral, Chegwidden looked down again and began signing off on reports.

Mac looked at Harm with a mixture of confusion and alarm. Harm shrugged ever so slightly and settled down in the chair, rested his head on his right hand with his index finger lying alongside his temple. Mac tried her best to relax in the chair yet remain at attention.

“Commander, have you and the Colonel been working on that private assignment that I gave to both of you?” The Admiral never looked up from his paperwork.

Harm, sitting up suddenly, cleared his throat, “Um, yes Sir, ah- both us have been working on it Sir…”

“Good,” He growled in a friendly but gruff tone, “How is it coming, Colonel?”

“Slow but steady progress Sir,” It was Mac’s turn to sweat. She moved to the edge of her seat.

“Progress is a good thing Colonel;” He looked up and fixed her with a dead stare, “Because I won’t tolerate stagnation.” He then switched his glare to Harm, “From either of you.”

Both officers sat at attention in their chairs, looking straight ahead past the Admiral, “Aye, aye, Sir,” They responded in perfect neutral unison.

Noting their acknowledgment, he returned to signing the reports on his desk.

“We’ll talk more about this at a later time. Please keep me informed of your progress on this important matter,”

“Aye Sir.”

At that moment, a knock interrupted the cross-examination.

“Enter,”

“Sir, Commander Turner and Lieutenant Roberts reporting as ordered.”

“Thank you Tiner,”

“Sir,” they presented themselves in front of his desk as had Mac and Harm had.

“At ease,” he motioned to the empty chairs, arranged around his large oak desk. “Have a seat,”

He looked down at the work on his desk and continued signing off on various pieces of correspondence. He stopped for a moment and without looking up at them, pulled out large expandable file and placed it on his desk.

“Colonel, tell me what you know about the Marine operations around Al Nasiriyah on 23 through 29 March,”

Mac looked at the other officers and then began her report, “Well Sir, on 23 March, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force began operations to take Al Nasiriyah from the 2nd Medinah Armored Division - Republican Guard, Saddam Fedayeen and the Iraqi 11th Mechanized Division.

She paused for a response. He merely looked at her. “Go on.”

“Casualties were heavier than expected and the force lost several personnel carriers in the battle, but they did eventually subdue the town.”

The Admiral nodded, “Yes they did, and Lieutenant Roberts,” Bud’s head snapped up at the mention of his name, “What do you know about Mirbullah?”

“Ah, it was listed as a suspected Al-Qaeda stronghold, 10 miles northwest of Al Nasiriyah, Roberts reported briskly, rolling off the facts he had gleaned from the last intelligence report on the area that he had received, “They were protected by units of the 2nd Medinah Armored Division, Republican Guard. After action reports indicate the operation was a complete success, Admiral.”

The Admiral opened a black folder and began reading. “On 25 March, the Second Battalion, Third Marines, also known as 36th Marine Expeditionary Unit, was designated to clear Mirbullah.” He looked at his JAG lawyers, “Contrary to all knowledge before today-that operation nearly failed.”

He ignored their surprised looks. “As the MEU came into the town, local Fedayeen forces rallied the badly demoralized Republican Guard and they ambushed our guys. Recon by the attached LAV unit had indicated no enemy forces in the region.”

“Negligence Sir?” Ventured Bud.

“No, Lieutenant, simple fog of war. The LAV unit responded as soon as the Amphibious Tractor unit, GATORFORCE ONE reported it was pinned down. No, this one is far trickier. The unit was pinned down and LAVs could not extract them.”

Harm looked as if he were about to open his mouth, but Admiral Chegwidden anticipated his analysis “Though reinforcements were tied down on the other side of the village, the Colonel in charge was able to spare one of his gunships,”

“So no negligence on the Colonel’s part,” Surmised Sturgis

“Correct, Commander.” The Admiral continued his story, “Just before the gunship arrived, a lone personnel carrier broke ranks from the others and placed itself between the enemy forces and the pinned troops.”

“He sacrificed himself Sir?” Mac still wasn’t sure where this was going.

“Exactly, Colonel. 1st Lieutenant Phillip M. Dodge, commander of tractor two zero alpha, was in charge of the detachment of combat engineers assigned to the 36th MEU. According to eyewitness accounts, Lieutenant Dodge ignored his own safety and with a volunteer crew, placed his carrier in the line of fire and held off at least two attempts by the Iraqis to storm the Marine positions. At great risk to himself, he manned the carrier’s machine gun, keeping lead elements of the attacking enemy force from overwhelming him and the trapped vehicles of GATORFORCE ONE. This despite the fact that the Iraqis had holed his vehicle with several RPG rounds.”

Harm leaned forward in his chair, “That would make him a candidate for at least Silver Star, Admiral. But it’s a posthumous award isn’t it? And there were some problems with the award verification…”

The Admiral looked at him. Once again, Harm had proved why AJ Chegwidden put up with the Commander’s unorthodox methods.

“That’s right Commander, Lieutenant Dodge did not survive. He died of wounds sustained as the action was winding down.”

Mac winced as she listened. For him to have done such a selfless act only to be killed just as the battle was ending…

Harm asked what everybody else present wanted to ask, “Ah Sir, bravery award verification usually isn’t the purview of JAG, so how are we involved?”

Harm hit nail on the head. “We’re involved Commander because Lieutenant Dodge wasn’t killed by enemy fire. He was murdered.”

He ignored the stunned looks of the officers. The Admiral handed out copies of the report – each was stamped CLASSIFIED.

…For Meritorious Service
Chapter 2

A/N1: Disclaimers in Chapter 1 [see rolling archive]. A JAG action/adventure story with a little Harm and Mac thrown in. Paraguay happened, but I put a different twist on the tale. Takes place after Harm and Mac arrived back in the US - but the Admiral did not fire him.

A/N2: I am reposting previous chapters of FMS every Friday due to the large number of emails received asking about this story.

A/N3: No violence or language warnings needed for this chapter.

A/N4: Thanks to my current beta, Karen, for encouraging me to repost the older chapters while you are waiting for 16c. It will be available before the end of this month. And thanks to Elfinkid and JoshuaTree who originally betaed this chapter.

***************************************

“Murdered?” Mac was understandably confused; she absently flipped through her copy. “How Sir?”

“Someone on the Marine side of the battle shot Lieutenant Dodge. MP’s right now are holding the Cobra gunship pilot and weapons officer as suspects.”

Lieutenant Roberts blanched, “The Cobra gunship pilot and weapons officer?”

“Just before the Lieutenant was killed, the Cobra, manned by the pilot, 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Lukens and weapons officer Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Buell, was brought down by enemy fire. They were able to crash land and join the ground troops. In the ensuing melee, the Corpsman claims that pilot Lukens and/or weapons officer Buell killed the Lieutenant.”

Sturgis looked over the last section of his copy of the classified report “Any reasons given?”

“None, the pilot and weapon officer said they didn’t do it. Everybody else checks out as clean. The local Captain on the scene thinks it was accidental.”

Harm looked grim, “I hear a ‘but’ there, Sir”

“But the Corpsman claims that before the battle, words were exchanged between the Cobra pilot and the Lieutenant.”

Harm whistled; Bud shifted uncomfortably in his chair; Mac looked from Harm to the Admiral; and Sturgis slowly shook his head.

“What I don’t understand Sir,” began Sturgis after a few moments, “Is why now? Why didn’t they try this one months ago?”

The Admiral smiled. That usually meant trouble. Harm wished he was anywhere but here. “The MEB Commander, Brigadier General, Cody Thornton, requested our help and specifically asked for the four of you. Your reputations precede you.”

The smile evaporated. “The investigation conducted by the legal team assigned to the case was deemed inadequate. Worse yet, one of the people on the team had to disqualify themselves from the proceedings. ” He looked at the four JAG lawyers. “They will be brought up on charges in separate trial proceedings.”

No one moved or spoke.

“People I don’t have to tell you, this is going to be ten times worse than the Grenade incident at Camp Pennsylvania if the public gets wind of it. Your job is to make sure that it doesn’t.”

The Admiral got up and walked over to his darkened fireplace. “The MEF Commander also wants the investigation done quickly and quietly. He turned back to face the JAG Corps officers. If you find there is sufficient evidence to support the murder charge, you are to notify the Brigadier General Thornton immediately, so that court martial proceedings can begin. Due process has been seriously bent here and we have to fix it as quickly as possible.”

“The operation at Mirbullah was a black operation. We captured several mid level Al-Qaeda lieutenants and one liberated SCUD missile launcher pointed at Al Nasiriyah. If this operation is blown because of the murder, several deep cover CIA agents could be compromised.”

Harm again took the lead, “There is more to this, isn’t there Sir? What is the other shoe?”

Chegwidden sighed, “The other shoe, Commander, is that SCUD and SCALEBOARD missiles and launchers from the Mirbullah Iraqi forces are now spread over the southern half of Iraq. Our forces are organized right now in clean up sweeps….”

Mac breathed out the answer that no one wanted to hear “’Operation Desert Scorpion…’”

“Correct Colonel and other sweep operations the SECDEF and the Joint Chiefs deem necessary. Right now, we don’t know whether or not those missiles contain biological, chemical or radiological warheads. In order for the SpecOps folks to do their job in secret, we have to investigate and analyze the situation that has occurred and if necessary, carry out court martial proceedings without any of this slipping out.”

“You have six hours before you meet your C-5 transport at Dover Air Force Base. They will take you to Baghdad International. From there you’ll take a Sea Stallion to Mirbullah and Camp Puller.”

Bud decided to ask this one, “Sir, why an Air Force transport?”

“Cooperation is being urged by all services. Knowledge about this one goes all the way up the chain of command. The C-5 just happens to be going your way Lieutenant.”

“Tiner has your travel order packets and is arranging transport back to your homes and then to the Air Base. Time is of the essence, people, get to it! Dismissed!!”

All four snapped to attention, “Aye, aye Sir!”

0217 Zulu
Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware

“Welcome aboard, Colonel MacKenzie,” the Airman directed Mac back to her seat. She was strapping on her helmet as she headed toward the grouping of fold down seats. She looked back and saw that Bud and Sturgis were helmeted and already strapped in.

Mac looked down at the flimsy seat and sighed. At least they wouldn’t have to remain belted the whole trip. Also, it was larger than their usual transports – maybe the ride would be smoother…

“Colonel?” It was the Airman again, “Ma’am, can you tell me where Commander Rabb is?”

Mac smiled and shook her head, “He’ll be along, Airman, trust me.”

The Airman nodded as if he didn’t fully believe her, “Whatever you say, ma’am….”

Harm ran the last twenty feet and climbed up the open ramp of the huge cargo aircraft.

The Airman ran over to the naval officer and grabbed his hand, pulling him further into the craft, “Glad to see you Commander, we were afraid you weren’t going to make it, Sir,”

Harm looked chagrined as the Airman lead him back to the seats.

“Glad you could join us, Commander,” smirked Mac as she shifted in her seat.

Harm sat down next to her, “Don’t push it, Marine,”

“Hey, you had as much time as the rest of us to reassign cases,” she replied flippantly.

“You didn’t have the Rogers’ case.” He grumbled.

She nodded understandingly. “True.”

They listened as the aircrew prepared the craft for takeoff. Mac’s nerves were being rubbed raw by the preparations. Every thump made her flinch. She had to get the noise off her mind. “How do you think the SECNAV’s designates will do in our place?”

Harm shared her nervousness. This wasn’t a Navy crew and all the thumping seemed unnecessary. “If they’re anything like Manetti, the Admiral’s going to have his hands full.”

“At least he’s got Harriet, Tiner and Coates watching his six.....”

*~*

Up front, the Airman opened the door to the cockpit. “The JAG lawyers are onboard and secured, Captain.”

The pilot, an older Air Force Major, continued flipping switches as the engines of the lumbering cargo aircraft rumbled to life. “Thanks Johnny, you’d better get yourself strapped in.”

“Yes Sir,” The Airman pulled the door to and secured it.

The co-pilot stopped his pre-flight checks, “Navy pukes,” he spit out, shaking his head, “Why are they flying with *us*?”

“Orders from the top,” replied the Major evenly, “These guys are to get to Baghdad ASAP. Scuttlebutt says the Joint Chiefs arranged this…”

This comment pulled the navigator away from his checks and into the conversation. “You’re kidding, right? The Joint Chiefs?”

The co-pilot whistled and shook his head, “Man, they must be something--what can they do, leap buildings in a single bound?”

The pilot tapped the altimeter. Satisfied it was registering correctly, he continued his pre-flight check. “All I know is what I’ve heard-that they are the SECNAV’s best and that the case is top secret.”

The co-pilot snorted, “So they send in their supermen to take care of the mess—“

“Their supermen and wonder woman,” The Major broke in smiling.

“A lady?!” The co-pilot choked out.

The Major and the navigator laughed. “Watch yourself Captain,” The Major warned gently, “If you’re not careful, you’ll wind up in sensitivity training,”

The co-pilot understood the implication his comment. “Yessir.”

“Still, she’s not bad looking for a Marine,” the Major said to himself as the co-pilot and navigator finished their checklist.

The radio crackled, TWO NINER HEAVY, YOU ARE CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF…

The Major tapped his mike, “Two niner heavy, Roger.”

*~*

Harm was dozing. Unlike the Marine transports they usually flew in, the ride though noisy was similar to ride in a commercial jet. He took advantage and leaned his head back against the pad behind his head. Mac sometime after she had fallen asleep had shifted over and now had her head lying on his shoulder. Harm unconsciously wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Sir?”

“Uh, hummm….” Harm swatted at an imaginary fly that was bugging him.

“Commander?”

Harm opened his eyes, squinting. In his blurry vision he could see a helmeted form standing in front of him.

“Bud?” Harm croaked, “What’s the matter?”

Bud looked sheepishly at the Commander. He shrugged. “Can’t sleep Sir.”

Harm became aware that his arm was protectively wrapped around the Colonel. He quickly removed it, bumping her on the back of the head.

“Ow Harm....” groaned Mac, rubbing her head and glowering at him. Then she noticed Bud standing there looking embarrassed.

“Sorry Ma’am, didn’t mean to wake you…”

“Just me, right Bud?” muttered Harm.

Bud immediately realized the problem he had caused, “Sorry Sir.”

Mac tried to stifle a yawn, “It’s okay, Bud. What’s the problem?”

“He can’t sleep.” Explained Harm somewhat irritably.

Mac scowled at the Commander. He chose to ignore it.

“It’s my first duty overseas since Afghanistan, ma’am.”

She smiled at the Lieutenant.

“It’s completely understandable, Bud.” Mac replied gently.

“Try counting sheep, Bud.” grunted the Commander while he tried to shift into a more comfortable position. “Harm!” Mac’s brown eyes flashed anger.

“Sorry Mac,” he mumbled apologetically then looked over at the Lieutenant. “Okay Bud, what do you want to talk about?”

His eyes lit up. “Well Sir, It’s about this case,”

“The pilot?” Now Harm stifled a yawn.

“And the weapons officer,” continued Bud, “I mean how can they be so sure that these guys did it?”

“That’s why we’re investigating Lieutenant.” Sturgis stood beside Bud.

Now all four of them were up and discussing the case when they should be sleeping. Bud, who had started this was already champing at the bit.

“Yeah,” acknowledged Bud ready to debate what they knew so far, “But come on Sir, there must’ve been hundreds of bullets flying—“

“There were Bud,” replied Sturgis “But the ones that killed Lieutenant Dodge were from a nine millimeter parabellum, fired from a Beretta 92M, you should read your brief more closely.”

“I did Sir,” responded Bud forcefully, “But the Al-Qaeda have been using captured American weapons as well as ones off the black market--how do they know that the Cobra crew is responsible?”

“He’s got you there, Commander,” chuckled Harm impressed by the Lieutenant’s tenacity. It reminded him of his younger self.

Emboldened, Bud sensed Sturgis’ hesitation and decided to push. “And Sir, why wasn’t the Lieutenant wearing his flak jacket? I thought they made it a disciplinary offense not to do so…”

“That’s a good question,” added Mac, now fully awake, “Why wasn’t he?”

“The report doesn’t say....” Sturgis replied with a hint of puzzlement. That bugged him too.

“That’s very odd.” Confirmed Harm who was now fully awake as well. He was intrigued by this obvious piece of evidence that had been overlooked--or was there a reason why it wasn’t mentioned? “Something weird is going on here and we need to find out why.”

“Well, let’s look at the incident itself,” replied Sturgis in matter-of-fact manner as he sat down next to Harm. “the 36th MEU detached its amphibious tractor company from its main body along with the heavy weapons platoon.”

“What about the tank platoon? I thought they always mixed those with the personnel carriers when conducting offensive operations.” Bud settled in on the other side of Mac.

Mac supplied the answer. “The tank platoon became engaged just before Recon reported the town was unoccupied. It was the commander’s discretion to send in the AMTRACs. Plus, he had the weapons platoon to back him up.”

“Reminds me of the Russian disaster at Groznyy….” muttered Sturgis

“Are you thinking the Captain might be culpable?” Harm sat up and looked directly at his Academy classmate.

“I’m saying it might be a good idea to interview him.”

Harm was about to ask Sturgis more about his suspicions.

“Let’s get back to the flak jacket,” ventured Mac, “so why did Dodge not have his on?”

“Maybe he got careless Mac.” Harm seemed to dismiss her question.

Mac wasn’t buying it. “So where did he leave it? In the AMTRAC? Back at base? Come on Commander, he *must* have left it somewhere.” Bud and Sturgis looked first at Harm who had fired the first shot and then back Mac who had fired back just as forcefully.

“The report didn’t mention where he left it.” Sturgis tried to diffuse the tension.

“Look Mac, we’ll investigate that and all the other pieces that don’t fit when we land,” Added Harm trying to placate the insulted Marine.

But she was having none it. “Harm, a 1st Lieutenant does not just *forget* his flak jacket.”

“Why Mac? Because Marines are infallible? Harm, maybe because he was irritated by Mac’s needling, unfortunately added gasoline to a smoldering fire.

“No Harm, I didn’t say that--“ The color began to rise in Mac’s cheeks.

“Look Mac,” Sturgis tried again, “All soldiers make mistakes…for instance, a ranking officer in the 3rd Infantry was killed by his own men because he went behind enemy lines….”

“*Something* made him forget Sturgis,” Mac passionately insisted. She was not going to accept that Dodge had been careless.

“Or someone.” They all looked at Bud. He had been the first to bring up the missing flak jacket. And now it was apparent he agreed with Colonel.

Mac smiled at Bud’s support of her belief. “Thank you Lieutenant.”

“You’re welcome, Ma’am.”

“Well, we’re not going to resolve this right now,” Sturgis wanted to head off any more feuding between the Commander and the Colonel. “Let’s all try and get some sleep before we land....”

“This isn’t over Commander,” Warned Mac as she settled back in her seat. To add insult to injury, she moved closer to Bud, ignoring Harm.

For his part, the Commander swallowed his clever retort. Now was not the time, nor the place to have this conversation. He sighed and turned toward his academy classmate.

“Way to go buddy,” Sturgis shook his head ruefully, “Are you intentionally trying to piss off Mac?”

“Not intentionally,” grumbled Harm trying to find a comfortable spot and failing. “It just happened.”

“Well, if I were you, I’d stop it now and apologize. She’s right you know--you even said it yourself. Something doesn’t add up about Dodge discarding his flak jacket.”

“I know, I know,” Harm said waving his arm wearily “I didn’t like her discounting your impressions of the Captain.”

“And so the way to do this is by initiating a Navy-Marine war, huh?” He looked at his friend with a mixture of amazement and anger. “Did it ever occur to you that she might have been providing some evidence that might tie back to the Captain?”

Harm blew out a sigh of frustration “It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. She was supposed to recognize she had cut you off .”

“By you cutting her off?” Sturgis retorted sharply.

Harm grimaced. “Sounds stupid now, doesn’t it? She was trying to support your idea wasn’t she?”

Sturgis decided not to add insult to injury. “Look, just explain to her that you got carried away during our discussion and apologize for what you did,”

He looked to his friend for assurance. “Now would be a good time, right?”

Sturgis was blunt. “The sooner, the better, buddy.”

Harm looked over at Mac and then back at him. “Can’t do it. She’s asleep.” He said half-relieved he didn’t have to face that angry Marine just yet.

Sturgis fixed his eyes on his old friend. He felt sympathy for the man, but this mess was Harm’s fault and it needed to be resolved – soon. “Then I’d do it as soon as we land.”

His words stung, but Harm knew he was right. As Sturgis settled in to sleep, Harm laid his head back and began thinking about how he was going to get himself out of this one.

…For Meritorious Service
Chapter 3

The bump of the C-5 wheels snapped Harm to consciousness. He looked around and saw Mac stretching and yawning, shaking off her sleepiness. She looked over and matched his stare. Harm smiled sheepishly. “Can we talk later?” He mouthed.

Her stare remained stony.

Harm looked down, then back at her, his eyes pleading forgiveness. He hoped she would be willing to listen to him. He really wanted to fix this. They had been friends for too long to let a disagreement like this one to send them back to square one.

Mac looked at Harm and sighed, “Okay…later.” She mouthed. Damn him, he could infuriate her and yet she still found him attractive. But she wasn’t going to just let him think that all was forgiven. Not yet.

Harm breathed a sigh, but was not one of relief. The Marine Colonel was not smiling. This was far from over.

*~*

As the engines on the jet transport powered down, Sturgis, Bud, Mac and Harm got up out of their cramped seats and after stretching out the kinks, began to walk down the length of the aircraft toward the cargo ramp which was opening up.

“Uh, Mac wait….”

Mac stopped and bit her lower lip, waiting for Harm to catch up to her. But wait a minute, he did insult her, why should she wait for him? So just as he caught up to her, she moved away from.

“Mac….” Harm let the irritation show in his voice. He thought they were going to resolve this.

She stopped and turned. Her eyes locked with his -- they were not going to do this here. “Harm, I said later, now is not the time to talk about this.”

“I disagree, Mac. We need to talk now.” The aviator/lawyer had that look of determination on his face. It was the same one he used with stubborn clients.

He stood looking at her, not saying anything. Her face spoke volumes as she returned his piercing stare. A line had been clearly drawn. What Harm? Come on, she thought angrily, Spit it out! Dammit, I won’t let you intimidate me into admitting you were right. “Okay, Commander, you have one minute.”

His blue eyes bored into her dark brown ones. The silence between them was deafening. Just great, a staring contest. She had enough of this.

“Well?!”

This seemed to shock him into action. “Sturgis had a point Mac,” He said simply, “You didn’t let him finish.”

She could not believe what she was hearing. “Excuse me?!”

“You heard me.” He folded his arms across his chest defensively, convinced he was right.

“I don’t believe *this*,” She looked away for a moment then back at him again as if he had grown a second head. Your only concern is that I stepped on Sturgis’ point?! I don’t believe *you*! What about my point that you so cavalierly dismissed?!” She stalked away from him.

“Ma’am, Sir.” The Airman deftly stepped aside as Mac plowed past, followed by Harm.

“Mac….”

This time Mac stopped so abruptly that Harm almost ran into her. She turned and faced the Commander with venomous stare. Her voice was almost a growl. “What Harm, you haven’t finished insulting me yet? How about we drag out the fact you *think* all Marines are fallible. Well Harmon, what do you think, am I fallible?” She could hear the blood thundering in her ears. She dared him to make another stupid comment.

Harm swallowed hard, looking at her. He realized that his stupid comments from the flight had dug deeper than he had first thought. He hoped he was giving the right answer. Unfortunately, he chose to be honest with her.

He breathed out quietly. “Under certain circumstances, yes.”

She started to turn away again. Damn him! She was sick of this. Damn him and his self-righteous honesty! Mac just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. She turned and started to walk away.

Great, there she goes Rabb. Okay, maybe honesty wasn’t the best policy at this point. So maybe I’ll say what I should have said in the first place…

“But you are right--” He offered somewhat sheepishly to her back, hoping his voice was loud enough for her to hear.

She stopped, still halfway facing away from him. He couldn’t see the tears in the corners of her eyes that she fought hard to push back, so that he wouldn’t see them. Lack of sleep from troubling thoughts combined with this emotional roller coaster that they had both rode way too often lately was making it difficult for her to keep her emotions in control. But she was not going to let Flyboy see that--no matter what he said.

“No one just forgets their flak jacket,” He said quietly, getting closer to her, “Not in a situation like that one.”

“So you’re admitting I had a valid point….” Mac’s laugh was hollow and her expression was anything but friendly. She looked at him through a mask of stone. Harm involuntarily took a step backward when he saw her face.

That look of hatred humbled him worse than any nasty retort that she could have hurled. After all they had been through, he had to break this new wall down. “Of course you did,” He said gently, “I never said that you didn’t--”

“That’s not what you said in the air.” There. It was out on the table. She dared Harm to talk his way out of this one.

He paused for a beat. “Then I was wrong.”

She sucked in her breath sharply. Her mind reeled. Harmon Rabb, Jr. rarely admitted he was wrong. “What did you just say?”

“Mac, He began tentatively, obviously unsure if he was saying the right words. “One of the things I promised you back in that jungle…was to listen to you, even if I didn’t agree with you…even if you pushed all my buttons. I’m sorry I let you down.”

She stared at him trying to figure out what he was saying. What did he mean by that? Then it hit her. Oh my God, what he said in the Paraguayan jungle…he-he’s referring to….

Her mind tumbled back to the jungle, where the two of them, not sure what their fate would be, had stumbled across how they really felt about each other which lead to where they are now….

~~~~~~

Mac….

What is it Harm?

When we get out of this--

If we get out this, Flyboy--

No Mac; when we get out of this, I’ll make sure there is no more miscommunication between us.

Can I have that in writing?

You have my word Mac,

As an officer and a gentleman?

My word Mac. As your partner and friend and…and someone who loves you….

~~~~~~~

They had both glossed over it during the ordeal; there just wasn’t time then to explore what had been said. Then Harm took a temporary assignment with the CIA and Mac had time to think about what he had said. When Harm finally came back to JAG, their relationship was different. The whole staff watched as the two stubborn lawyers took their first tentative steps toward something more than friendship.

She looked back at him staring down at his shoes. In his own way, Harmon Rabb Jr., was trying to make things right. He didn’t want to lose what they had built up to this point and truth be known, neither did she. She was still hurt by his comments, but in every relationship you have to give a little in order to make it work. Even if it hurt.

“Hey.”

He looked up at her, noting the change in her voice.

“I could have been more patient.” She smiled at him.

The beginnings of a smile started to form on his face. “I could have been less judgmental.”

She took his hand and squeezed it.

“Ahem!”

Both Mac and Harm started as the C-5 pilot made his way past them. The guilty looks on their faces amused the pilot. Like two kids caught at the candy store with their hands in the jars, he thought as he brushed past them.

The incident reminded the Major that he and wife still had some patching up to do from their last disagreement. He silently wished them well.

When he had made his way past, Harm looked at Mac again.

She smiled again. Her voice was soft and gentle. “Come on Sailor, we’ve got a ride to catch.”

1542 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

A very pregnant Lieutenant Harriet Sims-Roberts carried a stack of reports through the bullpen. Her thoughts were a million miles away -- actually more like thousands of miles away. She really wished Bud was here.

Had it not been for Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Coates quickly shifting from her path, Harriet’s stacks would have littered the floor.

“Sorry Coates,” Harriet said as she continued forward with her burden.

“No problem Ma’am,” She saw the Lieutenant was struggling with her increasingly unstable stack, “Do you need a hand?”

“I sure could use one,” Harriet acknowledged gratefully. Coates quickly stepped over and grabbed half of the files, which were threatening to spill onto the floor.

“Pardon my asking, ma’am,” She cut a quick glance at the name on the topmost folder, “But who are these for?”

Harriet continued moving forward “The replacements that the SECNAV sent to the Admiral--”

“Harriet?”

Harriet and Jennifer turned to see Alan Mattoni standing at Harm’s doorway.

“Lieutenant Commander Mattoni!” Harriet almost dropped her stack of reports.

“The Admiral didn’t tell us you were one of the replacements.”

The naval officer smiled broadly, “It’s Commander Mattoni now,” He examined her shoulder boards. “...And It’s Lieutenant, isn’t it?”

Harriet blushed while smiling, “Yes Sir….”

“Well, congratulations on both counts, He motioned to her swollen stomach and smiled with genuine affection for her, “It’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you, Sir! And, it’s good to see you too.”

Jen was startled as Mac’s door opened. A red headed woman wearing a naval Commander’s uniform looked out at the group. “Harriet?”

“Ma’am!” She almost squealed as she turned toward the woman who was now stepping out into the bullpen. “This is really a pleasant surprise!”

Commander Carolyn Imes made her way over to Harriet. “The SECNAV pulled in a lot of favors to get me back here. I hate being away from Naples, but it’s good to see you again too, and--”

Jen answered her question. “Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Coates, Ma’am, Sir.” Jen introduced herself to these people who were obviously Harriet’s friends. “I’m staff support for both you and Commander Mattoni.”

“Weren’t you the one that the Commander kept over Christmas a couple of years back when the jail was closed?” asked Alan looking her closely. “Didn’t you go UA from the Gainesville?”

“Um, Yes Sir.” Jen colored a little at that comment. “How did you know--”

“We’ve kept touch with the Colonel and the Commander since our transfers,” Carolyn smiled at the younger woman’s obvious self-consciousness about her less than stellar past. “They told us about your joining the staff and how well you are doing.”

“And they told us about you and Bud, Harriet. This is great news.”

Harriet beamed and Jen relaxed a little at her comments.

Alan smiled, “We’re glad to have your help, Petty Officer.”

He looked back at Harriet. “We need to get up to speed on Harm’s and Mac’s cases. We did a little review on the way over, but if you have--”

“Jen has served as support staff to both the Colonel and the Commander, Sir,” said Harriet quickly. “She really does a good job and she has everything you need.” Jen felt herself coloring again.

“Well then,” said Carolyn trying to move the conversation along and spare the Petty Officer any further embarrassment, “I guess we’re ready then. Shall we get started?”

“Yes Ma’am,” said Jen picking up on her cue, “I have summaries for all of Colonel MacKenzie’s and Commander Rabb’s cases and I can give you a status report….”

1120 Local
Baghdad International Airport
Baghdad, Iraq

Harm, Mac, Sturgis and Bud walked down the jetport toward the front gate. As they reached the ticket area, they saw two Marine officers waiting for them. Both saluted as the JAG lawyers reached them. “Sirs, Ma’am.” The four returned their salutes.

The Major looked them over. It was evident he was not happy with the situation. But like any good officer, he was following orders. “I take it you’re the JAG investigative team from Washington.”

He cut them off before they could respond. “Major Vince Barnett, Legal liaison to Colonel Briggs of Battalion Landing Team three-two.” The younger officer stepped forward. “This is my assistant, Captain Floyd Johnson.”

“Major, Captain,” returned Harm shaking their hands.

Major Barnett looked at Mac briefly before pulling his eyes away. “Colonel, we have a pair of Humvees waiting for us outside. Do you need--”

Mac smiled politely, but firmly cut him off. “We’re fine Captain, if you could just get us to the Humvees….”

“Aye Ma’am!” He responded as if a whip had struck him. Harm noted that disciplinary problems were definitely not a concern around here. At least not out in a public area.

Both officers lead them past a steady stream of Iraqi citizens, Marines, Sailors, Air force and Army personnel as well as civilian and military airport security moving through the jetport.

As they walked out the front entrance’s sliding glass doors, two light sand-colored HMMWV Squad carriers pulled up. The Major got in the front passenger seat of the first one and Captain got in the front passenger seat of the other. Mac and Harm got in the back of the Major’s and Bud and Sturgis got in the back of the other.

“Giving us the red carpet treatment,” observed Sturgis.

Bud nodded but kept his eyes trained on the two Marines in the front seat of their vehicle.

1545 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Tiner had just left his morning class and was now getting into the office. With Jen and Harriet covering for him in the mornings, he actually did not have to report in until 1100. That gave him enough time to take the metro from Georgetown to his apartment and then drive his car to JAG Headquarters. As he walked through the glass double doors of the JAG bullpen he saw Admiral Chegwidden standing with arms crossed, staring straight at him.

Automatically, Jason’s eyes darted to the clock. It was not even 1045 yet. At least he wasn’t late….

The Admiral seemed to be looking him over. Nodding to himself as if satisfied with some private evaluation he pinned the Petty Officer with a stare. “Mr. Tiner,” he called out, “I’d like a word with you….” Without waiting for a reply, Admiral Chegwidden turned and started toward his office.

Jason audibly swallowed as he heard the gentle calmness of his Commanding Officer’s voice. That usually meant trouble. He scrambled to put down his book bag at his desk and hurried over to catch up to the Admiral.

Chegwidden’s face was a perfect neutral façade as he led the junior officer toward his office. Jason broke out in a cold sweat. The Admiral stepped into his office and Jason, bracing himself for the worst, followed him inside. “Yes Sir?”

The Admiral now was standing with his back to the young Petty Officer. “Close the hatch, will you, please?”

It was not a request; it was an order, even if it wasn’t yelled out. Jason quickly turned and pulled the door shut. He turned back toward the Admiral. His palms were sweaty and his heart thundered in his chest.

“Mr. Tiner, I hear you’ll be finishing up at Georgetown in a few weeks.” It was a neutral comment.

“Aye Sir.” He responded, not sure where this was going.

The Admiral turned around. It was the first time in long while that Tiner had seen anything resembling a smile on the Admiral’s face. Maybe his screw-up with Ms. Cavanaugh’s engagement ring had been forgotten.

“We need to get our replacements up to speed as soon as possible, Tiner. I think it would be good experience for you to work with Commander Mattoni and Commander Imes on their cases. They could use someone to help them with their research.”

For the longest moment Tiner stared thunderstruck at the Admiral. As he saw the Admiral’s smile start to fade, he snapped out his shock, his face breaking into a huge grin, “Yes Sir! Thank you, Admiral…Chegwidden…Sir!

The Admiral’s temporary annoyance with Jason’s vocal fumbling quickly faded, replaced once again by that faint smile. “Tiner, while I’m having you help them, you will still need to keep up with your present duties,” He watched as the Petty Officer’s grin began to subside as the reality of the situation began to hit him. “Are we clear on this, Petty Officer?”

Jason did not hesitate this time. “Oh Yes Sir, Aye Sir, Crystal Clear…. You can count on me Sir. I won’t let you or Commander Mattoni or Commander Imes down, Sir.”

Chegwidden nodded thoughtfully as he sat down at his desk. He picked up his reading glasses and put them on. He looked up and noticed that Jason was still standing there.

“That will be all, Petty Officer,” replied Chegwidden dryly with that slight smile on his face, “You’re dismissed.”

“Aye Sir! Thank You Admiral!” Jason snapped to attention so hard that he clicked his heels. He quickly spun around, marched to the door and opened it. Stealing a quick glance at the Admiral, he beamed as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Chegwidden looked over his reading glasses at Tiner’s exit. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

*~*

Out in the bullpen Harriet, Jen, Mattoni , and Imes watched as Jason strode purposefully over to his desk.

“What do you think that was all about?” whispered Jen to Harriet and company as they watched Jason pull out one of his law books and begin to scan through it.

“I have no idea, Harriet confessed, “But whatever happened, it must’ve involved his classes.”

“I hope the Admiral didn’t tell him to drop the morning class. We've already said you and I can cover for him in the mornings.”

Harriet turned to face Jennifer. “ I don’t think so, Jen, the Admiral might do a lot of things, but he wouldn’t ask him to do that. ”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant?”

All four turned to see a naval Lieutenant Commander standing in the middle of the bullpen staring at the group.

“My apologies, Commander…” Harriet could not see his name badge, which was obscured by the stack of folders he was carrying. “Let me get some of those file folders for you, Sir….”

The Lieutenant Commander was obviously relieved someone was going to finally help him. He handed Harriet a portion of his files. “Thanks and it’s Lieutenant Commander John Burford and you’re--”

“Lieutenant Harriet Sims, Sir.” She finished for him, introducing herself.

“And these are--”

“---Commander Alan Mattoni,” He extended his hand to the new man.

Carolyn offered her hand as well. “Commander Carolyn Imes, TAD Falls Church,”

John shook both their hands in turn. “I’m on TAD here as well, looks like we’re all in the same boat.” He was standing near Lieutenant Bud Robert’s doorway. He was a little shorter than Harm, but was also somewhat thinner. His pencil thin black mustache drooped on both ends, looking like a dying caterpillar.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t old Hang’em High Burford.”

Everyone turned to see a female Marine Major standing just inside the entrance to the bullpen. She had her eyes fixed on the Lieutenant Commander. The man’s easy going stance disappeared and his features hardened.

“This doesn’t look good--” whispered Jen to Harriet. Harriet nodded slightly.

Alan and Carolyn watched the strange scene unfold as the Major ignored them and walked up to the Lieutenant Commander until she was inches away from his face.

“Well Burford,” She continued to focus her eyes on him. “Haven’t you got anything to say?”

“Good morning Major Clemons, Ma’am.” He replied in a clipped tone. It was obvious that John had dealt with her before, and the experience hadn’t been a pleasant one.

“Major Clemons!” She jumped. Carolyn Imes looked sternly at the stunned junior officer, who had snapped to attention when the Commander barked. “We exercise a measure of respect and decorum around here that is obviously alien to you. I do not want you to repeat that nickname or any other. And I want you to treat Mr. Burford with the respect that is accorded his rank. Am I clear on this?”

“Yes Ma’am! Aye Ma’am!” Harriet saw that she cut a quick look of pure hatred toward John when Carolyn looked away for a moment. For his part, John looked stoically at her.

Alan observed the interaction between the two junior officers. It might be best to keep them apart for a while until they figured out what was going on between them. Alan nodded toward his partner. She acknowledged his silent request.

“Major, could I have a word with you? In private?”

“Actually Ma’am, I’d like to find out which office is mine--”

“This won’t take but a minute Major.” She looked at Alan and the rest of the group. “We can use my office. Please excuse us.”

Carolyn and the Major stepped into Mac’s office. Carolyn shut the door and pulled down the blinds.

The three junior officers relaxed. Alan looked incredulously at John. “’Hang’em High Burford’? What the hell was that all about, Mr. Burford?”

John let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head. “The Major didn’t like the way I tried a case.” He said simply as if that answered the question.

“Would you care to elaborate?” probed Alan.

“I convicted one of the officers under her command. He’s serving life at hard labor in Leavenworth.”

Both Jen and Harriet exchanged shocked looks.

“I see.” was Alan’s only response.

John knew what was coming next. “In case you’re wondering Sir, she is not harassing me. At least, not in a sense that could be construed as harassment.”

“But she does ride your six hard every chance she gets….”

He shifted his stance; it was obvious he was uncomfortable talking about this. “You could say so, Sir.”

“You won’t press charges.”

John knew the senior officer’s comment was not a question; it was actually more of a confirmation.

“No Sir.”

Alan decided to tackle this problem from a different angle. “Did you have a bias against this person you convicted?”

Genuine astonishment crossed John’s face. “Oh no Sir! My prosecution was judged to be fair and unbiased.”

Now it was Alan’s turn. “She brought you up on Article 32 charges?”

“Yes Sir, but the court found in my favor.”

*~*

Inside Mac’s office, Major Clemons stood at attention. Carolyn walked around to her front. “At ease, Major.”

She shifted to a parade rest position. “Thank you Ma’am.”

“Major, help me understand something,” The Marine turned toward Carolyn “What is your beef with Mr. Burford?”

The Major eyed the Naval Commander for a moment, as if appraising her. “Permission to speak freely Ma’am?”

Carolyn sensed this might turn ugly, “Permission granted Major, just don’t get too carried away.”

“Aye Ma’am. Mr. Burford prosecuted one of the officers from my old unit. I felt his handling of the case was high-handed and biased.”

Carolyn moved over and sat on the edge of Mac’s desk with her arms folded, facing the Major. “What was the charge?”

“Charges Ma’am. Major Clemons carefully corrected her superior. Violations of Articles 89, 92, 107, and 128--”

“--Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer, Failure to obey orders, Making a false official statement, Assault--those are pretty serious charges, Major.”

“Yes Ma’am,” She looked down for a moment, but then raised her head and fixed the naval commander with a pained and tortured look. “But I had known Captain Seibert since The Basic School and Officer Candidate’s School. This wasn’t his style. I tried to tell Burford that, but he told me I was too close to the accused and couldn’t see the evidence objectively.”

Carolyn felt that her initial impression had been misleading. Is it possible that Lieutenant Commander Burford was lying? “And the evidence was pretty damning?”

“A lot of it was circumstantial, but it was enough to get him hard labor at Leavenworth,” She saw Carolyn’s face harden at that comment. “But it wasn’t deserved, Ma’am, she countered, “He took the fall for someone else, for some reason, he was covering for somebody.”

Was she in love and couldn’t see that he was guilty, or was she right? “Who was he covering for? Could you prove that he’s not guilty?”

“He wouldn’t tell,” Carolyn heard a tremor in her voice. Then just as quickly she regained her composure, but her face filled with another emotion.

“As for proving anything , no, Mr. Burford had done his hatchet work too well.” The words, filled with anger, had tumbled out of her mouth before she knew she had spoken them.

She looked at the Commander apologetically “Sorry Ma’am.”

Carolyn nodded her acceptance. She thought she was beginning to understand where Major Clemons was coming from.

“So you couldn’t get any supporting evidence?”

The Major sighed. “None; and even worse, it was like Frank had become an outcast. All of his senior and junior officers turned against him.”

Carolyn stared at her not sure of how she felt about Clemons anymore. If she was lying, she was damn good. If she wasn’t, then Carolyn would try to help her.

“Except you.”

“Except me.” The Major, somewhere in the conversation, she had dropped from the parade rest to a comfortable if formal stance. Carolyn could see the determination in this young woman’s face. There was more here than meets the eye.

“Look Major--”

“It’s Carly,” offered the Major with an honest smile. “My friends call me CC.”

“Carly,” Carolyn wasn’t sure she wanted to go that far yet. “You can’t come in here and proceed to rip Mr. Burford a new one, despite the fact you feel he’s at fault for what happened to Captain Seibert.”

“Yes Ma’am, I understand that now, and I apologize to you for what happened.”

Now it was Carolyn’s turn to sigh. They were making progress, but Carly had a long way to go. “But it’s not just me you have to apologize to….”

“Yes Ma’am…I understand.”

“Good.” I hope you do, Carly. “Let’s go back out and see about mending fences.”

*~*

The door to Mac’s office opened.

Alan leaned in towards John’s ear. “We’ll talk more about this later, Mr. Burford.”

“Aye Sir.”

A chastened Major came out of the office and looked at John. “Mr. Burford, I want to apologize for my behavior earlier.”

John looked at her with apprehension. After a long silence that caused activity in the bullpen to slacken, John softened his features.

“Apology accepted Major, we all have bad mornings.”

She then looked at Jen and Harriet. “I also want to apologize to you, Lieutenant and to you, Petty Officer. My actions were unwarranted and inexcusable.”

Harriet and Jen were silent for a moment, studying the Major. “Apology accepted, Ma’am.” Harriet said quietly.

Uh, Jen , why don’t you show me what case files I need to review? Carolyn steered Jen toward her office.

Alan took the hint. “Harriet come in and we’ll get started.”

“Yes Sir.” she walked over his doorway as he ushered her in.

The entire bullpen had stopped and was now looking at Burford and Clemons.

“As you were.” She replied to the group. The office resumed its hum of activity. She started to walk away from him but as she did, she leaned over and whispered in his ear as she passed, “You’ll pay for this one, John-boy.”

Burford watched as Clemons went into Singer’s office and shut the door. He sighed heavily and walked over to his doorway and then inside. When his door was shut, activity in the bullpen slowed for a few minutes as everyone looked at the two closed doors. Then everything returned to normal, or at least as normal was it was going to be for a while.

1140 Local
Baghdad International Airport

The Humvees pulled away from their parking spots and into traffic passing a wizened beggar holding a battered canteen cup and squatting between the bustling mixed civilian and military crowds.

As the HMMWV drivers began to maneuver through the airport traffic, an explosion ripped into the right side of the roadway. Several vehicles, both civilian and military, swerved violently, blue smoke blossoming from their tortured tires. The squad carriers veered sharply to the left to avoid the smoking hole left by the blast.

“Ambush!” barked the Major’s driver as he cut the wheel hard left, barely avoiding a skidding HEMTT 8x8 cargo truck that barreled across their front. “Keep your heads down, Sirs!

Mac quickly un-holstered her sidearm as did the Major. They both undid their windscreens, searching for the ambushers. It was difficult to see anything given the chaos caused by the skidding vehicles. Unavoidably, several collisions occurred. A battered taxi slammed into the rear of another Humvee. A 4x4 FMTV cargo truck banged into the side of M984 eight wheeled wrecker. Two late model sedans smashed into each other as a late model Ford SUV barely avoided that wreck, only wind up getting hit on its left side by a Humvee and on the right by a skidding airport security car. The drivers of the Squad carriers did their best to slalom through the stalled traffic and around the wrecked vehicles and the debris from their accidents.

Another RPG round whizzed past the front windscreen of Harm and Mac’s Humvee, smacking into the concrete roadway to their left. The quarter ton trucks, miraculously untouched, continued zig-zagging.

“Driver!” yelled Harm, “Does this thing carry any armament?!”

“Just me Sir!” Returned the driver as he swung the wheel hard right to avoid a burning Isuzu station wagon.

Chapter 4
…For Meritorious Service

“Six o’clock low!” Barnett pointed toward the enemy position. “RPG team in the ditch!!”

Mac steadied her weapon against the wide gyrations caused by the driver and loosed off five rounds. The major did likewise.

The RPG team ducked down as Mac and Barnett’s bullets peppered the concrete lip of the gully.

The drivers swerved back to the left, shooting past a dark green Humvee squad carrier. This one, armed with a .50 caliber machine gun, was banging away at the ambushers. Harm wished they had that kind of firepower.

*~*

In his swerving Humvee, Captain Johnson and Sturgis undid their windscreens, preparing to fire as well.

“Can you see anything!?” snapped Johnson. Amidst the smoking wrecks and wild confusion caused by the skidding and swerving vehicles, it was hard to spot where the enemy was lying in wait. For the moment, it seemed the heavy machine gun was keeping the ambushers off balance--

As if in defiance to the machine gun fire, another RPG round shot past the swerving Humvees, smacking into a stalled Diahatsu delivery truck, obliterating the cab of the vehicle and its occupants.

The billowing fireball from the wreck seemed to give the .50 caliber gunner his chance. He rattled off a long burst, catching the RPG gunner across the chest. As the large bullets ripped him apart, his undamaged and loaded launcher tilted downward and fired. The round hit the concrete lip of the gully before any of the gunner’s confederates could react. The resulting explosion annihilated the group, sending chunks of concrete and body parts flying across the road.

“Keep going!” ordered Barnett, “Get us lost in the traffic!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice Sir!” responded the driver grimly as he mashed the accelerator to the floorboard. The Captain’s Humvee followed suit and soon both shot out of the airport drop-off loop and into highway traffic.

1610 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

John looked over the legal brief on the case assigned to him by the Admiral. The brief was succinct, but spotty. He’d get a better idea about how to approach his defense of the client if he looked at the actual case file. He began looking around on his already cluttered desk for the file. Nothing. Maybe it wasn’t in the stack he had been given when he arrived. John got up from his desk and walked into the bullpen. Maybe Petty Officer Coates or Lieutenant Roberts would know where to find it….

As he approached Harriet, he saw Major Carly Clemons come out of her office and make her way over toward him.

Oh great, here we go again, John noticed that her smile was most unsettling.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your pals? I didn’t get a chance to properly meet them before.” She looked over at Harriet and the others. Several pairs of eyes in the bullpen took notice of what was unfolding.

Harriet, sitting at her workstation, looked from the Lieutenant Commander back to the Major. She cleared her throat and stood. “Lieutenant Harriet Sims, Ma’am, liaison to the IGO.”

Jen followed her lead. “Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Coates, staff assistant to the JAG attorneys, Ma’am.”

Both stood eyeing her with a mixture of worry and defensiveness. The Major’s tone and facial expression already indicated her true feelings toward Lieutenant Commander Burford and they did not want to get in the middle of this war.

The Major eyed them intently “Carly Clemons, on TAD from Pearl to JAG Headquarters.”

“We’re glad to have you here, Ma’am.” responded Harriet with what she hoped sounded like sincerity.

“Glad to be here,” she replied. It was obvious that Carly did not believe her. She looked over at Jen. “Petty Officer, I need your help.”

Jen felt as if someone had put her on permanent latrine duty. “Yes Ma’am?” She asked hopefully, praying it didn’t put her into the crossfire.

“One of my case files has some missing parts. Can you get me a copy of the Washburn testimony?”

It would mean delving into closed files in the dank basement of JAG, but if it kept Major Clemons happy, it would be worth it.

“Absolutely Ma’am, it will take some time,” Jen explained, “Because the file is in the sub- basement--”

“That’s fine Petty Officer,” Carly replied cutting her off, “The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll be done.”

Jen shot a quick look over at Harriet which conveyed her disgust. Harriet smiled weakly.

1730 Zulu

It had been a memorable morning, thought Harriet as she made her way across the bullpen with yet another file for Major Clemons. There had been a few close calls between the Lieutenant Commander and the Major, but so far--

“Oh, Lieutenant?” Nuts! It was the Major, again.

“Yes Ma’am?” Harriet dreaded what she was going to hear next.

Carly came to the doorway of her office, her head down, reading through yet another old case file. She was really sinking her teeth into this case. She looked up momentarily at Harriet. “Can you get me a copy of the Gutierrez testimony?”

“Right away, Major,” She managed to force out in as neutral a tone as possible. “And here is the Yates case file, Coates said the information you’re looking for is on page twenty-one.” Carly looked blankly at Lieutenant Roberts for a moment and then as if some switch had been snapped on, the Major broke into a big fake smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant Roberts, now if you’ll just get me the Gutierrez transcript, I think I’ll have everything I need.”

In a pig’s eye Major, you said that three case files ago, fumed Harriet. It was almost like she was working with Lieutenant Singer again—and those same emotions from that experience were threatening to surface again. Harriet worked hard to remain stoic even though she really wanted to strangle the bwitch.

“Yes Ma’am.” Harriet turned and started to walk back to her desk.

“Oh and Lieutenant?” Harriet, who had her back still turned to the Major, clenched her teeth and rolled her eyes, closing them in frustration. Willing herself to turn around, she plastered a fake look of concern on her face.

“Yes Major?”

“Thank you for your help this morning. Without you, I never would have gotten up to speed on this one.”

That took the wind out of Harriet’s anger. She stood looking blankly at Major Clemons for a moment. Then she realized she was staring, obviously dumbstruck, at the Major. A blush rising to her cheeks, she looked down. “Uhh thank you, Ma’am.”

For her part Carly could see that her well timed compliment had thrown this teacher’s pet off guard. Good, the simple ones were always the easiest to control. Let’s just throw in a little concern to ensure embarrassment. “Lieutenant? Are you okay?”

Harriet may have been a former cheerleader, but Major Bubble Butt would be wise not to underestimate her. “Just my little one giving me a kick Ma’am—it kind of stunned me for a moment. And I’ll give Coates your request… And Ma’am?”

Carly, who had started to go back inside her office, stopped. She turned to face her adversary.

“We’re glad to have you here,” said Harriet sweetly, “You’re really doing a great job.” Take that, you black haired hag!

Now it was Carly’s turn to be stunned. Harriet smiled brightly. Game and match, Bubble Butt.

She swiftly turned away her smile becoming much more mocking as she headed to Jen’s workstation, leaving a slack jawed Major in her wake.

1150 Local
Baghdad International Airport Road

Barnett, Mac, Johnson and Sturgis were resealing their windscreens as the two Humvees slowed down and matched the speed of the various military and civilian vehicles around them.

“Damn terrorists!” swore the Major vehemently who was still shaking from the extra adrenaline that had been dumped into his bloodstream. He then remembered Mac and Harm were in the back. He turned to face them. “Sorry Ma’am, Sir…”

“It’s all right Major,” Mac responded being a little winded herself.

“Gut reaction Major,” Harm added, “We know the feeling.”

*~*

In the second Humvee, Bud and Sturgis exchanged glances of relief. “Is it like this every day?” Bud asked, momentarily stunned by the ferocity of the attack.

“Sometimes we have two or three ‘incidents’ a day, Sir,” replied Captain Johnson’s driver. His voice was still a little shaky and full of pent up emotions.

“Meaning no disrespect Sir, I’m a short timer,” continued the driver, “Got three months to go before I rotate back and.…” Not sure if he should or could continue, the driver trailed off.

“We understand.” replied Sturgis realizing just how hard being here had been on some of these soldiers. It wasn’t that they weren’t willing to do what was asked of them, but like soldiers of all wars, they had left family, wives and girlfriends to do this dangerous business.

“Thank you, Sir.” replied the driver, obviously relieved that his comments were not going to be taken a criticism. “But I’ll stay if they ask me to. My wife’s brother was killed at the World Trade Center.” It was evident that the man was torn about what to do.

“No one would blame you if rotated home,” added Bud trying to lessen the soldier’s guilt “You’ve certainly earned it.”

“I would blame myself if my buddies were killed and I could have done something to stop the bastards gunning for them.”

Neither Sturgis nor Bud had an answer to that one.

*~*

As they passed through downtown, the two HMMWVs passed several burning buildings. Hoses snaked across the road from both military and civilian fire trucks as firefighters were trying valiantly to douse the roaring flames. Grim US Army soldiers stood by a couple of Bradley armored personnel carriers guarding the surrounding buildings against looters.

A little further down the street, two Iraqi policemen assisted by two Army military police officers, had a barefoot man down on the ground, his wrists wrapped with plastic handcuffs. Around them stood a crowd that seemed openly hostile to the handcuffed man, occasionally spitting his direction and calling out insults. A few tried to get close enough to hit him with their shoes, but the two MPs had their guns drawn, making them keep their distance.

The traffic slowed to crawl as they moved across a major intersection. Over to the side of the road, Hungarian and Spanish soldiers were inspecting a man’s car for contraband. The soldiers had pulled out the man’s backseat and were checking the car’s engine compartment despite the man’s vehement protestations of innocence. Mac saw people sitting in an open air café near the road, staring out at the traffic. A few smiled and waved at the Humvees, but most either ignored the army vehicles or looked at them with thinly veiled contempt. It was not unlike the conditions they had seen in Afghanistan or Pakistan. While most of the populace was grateful for what the Americans and British had done, there were still those that resented their presence. And even more disturbing, some in that crowd were dedicated to killing them.

As they passed the intersection, both vehicles continued to thread through the downtown traffic, but at a much more acceptable rate.

1742 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

Harriet was reaching the end of her rope. In the last hour Bubble Butt--that is, Major Clemons--had requested at least twenty case files. She and Jen had made numerous trips to the basement file room, pulling out musty, grit covered files and brought them to her only to have the Major look at them momentarily and then drop them in the return to file basket. So much for lunch. Harriet had let Jen retrieve the majority of the files, but she felt guilty about this and probably had made more trips to the basement than she should have.

As she arrived back at her desk, Harriet was breathing heavily, her arms and legs felt like lead and worst of all she needed to go to the bathroom, again.

“Oh Lieutenant,” Not again!

It was Major Carly Clemons, looking impatiently at her. What now?

Ignoring the urge to bark at her, Harriet steadied her breathing and stood “Yes Ma’am?” She dreaded what she was going to hear next.

“I need another case,” What a surprise. “Could you or Coates please get me the Johnson Court martial?”

Inwardly, Harriet groaned. That had been one of the first cases she had filed after transferring to JAG. It was also quite possibly the largest. The case had taken Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie months to prepare for and it was stored in at least seven record storage boxes. It would take a couple of hours to bring all of the boxes out of the basement.

She was about to respond when Jason stepped up to her desk. “I’ll take care of that Ma’am,” he shot the Major a guarded look. “You need to rest and have some lunch.”

Harriet smiled at the senior Petty Officer’s intervention. She was grateful that had he spoke up.

The Major said nothing as Jason Tiner headed out of the bullpen for the elevator. When he reached the doors, Jason met Jen as she came back from another errand.

“Where are you headed?”

“To the basement,” replied Jason grimly. “Major Clemons needs the Johnson court martial.”

Jen’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

“She needs it to prepare for her upcoming case which she is defending against Lieutenant Commander Burford. The Major had requested that Lieutenant Roberts retrieve it.”

Jen was about to comment on the necessity of that request when the elevator arrived. They got on and Jason pushed the button for basement.

Noting that no one else was on board, Jen waited until the doors shut. “That witch! Like she’s going to find anything in those boxes for her case!” spit out the junior Petty Officer.

Jason smiled at her righteous indignation. Jennifer Coates was cute when she got upset like this. He remembered that he had overheard Harm telling Harriet that she had used the same epithet to describe Lieutenant Singer when she had accused Jen of taking her bracelet.

“I’m glad you’re coming down to help me,” he said nonchalantly without looking at her. “That is why you got on board with me, isn’t it?”

She smiled shyly, looking away from him, biting her lower lip. “Sure, I figured you could use the help.”

“I’m glad that you did.”

Jen felt a blush creeping onto her face. She looked up at Jason and smiled. He returned her smile.

1215 Local
Downtown Baghdad

Harm and Mac sat in companionable silence in the back of Barnett’s Humvee. As they continued through the city, Harm placed his hand lightly on top of Mac’s which was resting beside him.

As soon as she felt the pressure and the warmth of Harm’s hand, she shot him a look of surprise. They were not alone in fact, if the Major or his driver saw what he was doing, they could get in real trouble. “Harm….” she whispered urgently.

Harm didn’t retreat, he merely smiled at her. It was a disarming smile. “Just making sure you’re okay, Marine.”

Mac relaxed a little, but moved her hand slightly so it rested on her leg. “I--”

“--Can handle it, Harm finished softly for her, “You’re a Marine.”

Under normal circumstances this would have annoyed or even angered her, but deep down she knew that he was showing concern for her, in a way he hadn’t expressed before, in the only way he could right now.

She smiled “That’s right Flyboy, her whisper took on a huskier tone, “And don’t you forget it.”

His blue eyes locked onto her brown ones. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Mac.”

*~*

“I don’t envy you.” Bud said, his sympathy evident for the two Marines as they continued through the city. They had seen so much since they left the airport.

On the next street, they passed a burned out Iraqi T-55 sprayed with competing pro and anti-American graffiti and slogans. Children were hanging off the wreck, laughing and playing as if they were on a piece of playground equipment.

On yet another, a mixed group of NATO peacekeepers and American soldiers were talking with a group of Iraqi policemen. Both groups stopped what they were doing when the two Humvees moved past. They stared, their faces betraying their fatigue and depression.

“You were saying that you don’t envy us Sir?” asked the driver as they pulled past the scene.

Bud didn’t have any words left.

“Well, neither do I Sir,” replied the driver dryly, still feeling the stares of the soldiers and policemen. “Neither do I.”

1809 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

“Thank you Tiner,” Harriet said with heartfelt appreciation as Jason and Jen brought the dust and dirt covered boxes into the bullpen.

Jen carried her boxes up to Lieutenant Singer’s office. “Ma’am? Here are the first boxes for the Johnson court martial that you requested--”

Carly Clemons looked up from the affidavit she was reviewing. “Thank you Petty Officer, just put it beside my desk.” She resumed looking at her papers. Jen put down the boxes and came to attention. “Yes Ma’am.” She pivoted on her heel and exited the room.

Shortly thereafter, Jason walked to Major Clemons’ doorway and knocked.

“Major Clemons?”

She looked up “Yes, Petty Officer?”

“The rest of the boxes you requested, Ma’am. He put the boxes with the other ones around her desk. She open one of them, picked it a file folder and began flipping through it. “I’ve got you now, Burford,” She said in a low voice, then she cut her eyes back to Jason. “Thank you, Petty Officer.”

Jason saluted, “Aye Ma’am.” He pivoted and exited Singer’s office.

He walked back to his desk where Jen and Harriet were waiting.

“I’m glad that’s over.” sighed Jen sitting down. Both Harriet and Jason nodded in agreement.

“Petty Officer?”

All three froze.

Jason turned toward the voice of Lieutenant Commander Burford.

Harriet motioned for the two younger officers to keep their seats. She rose stiffly. “Yes Sir?”

“Would you please get me the Richards deposition?” He looked at her moving slowly and realized she was fatigued. “I can have Tiner or Coates get it--”

Harriet smiled tiredly. This was only one folder and they had not moved it to the basement yet. Sturgis’ office had been designated a temporary holding room for files until he got back. This would be cinch compared to some of the other runs she had made earlier today. “It’s not a problem Sir, I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Lieutenant!”

Harriet cringed and Jen closed her eyes, her mouth locked in silent prayer.

Harriet straightened her face and turned toward Carly.

“Yes Ma’am?”

“Please get me the Horner file.” Though she had added the word ‘please’, it was not a request. Harriet was beginning to cultivate a healthy dislike for this woman.

“Right away Ma’am,” she responded. Thank God that one was also in Sturgis’ office.

Jen hissed her disgust, but not so loud that the Major could hear it, but Jason could. He looked over sharply at her, his expression cutting off any other expressions, verbal or otherwise. However, when the Major went back into her office, Jen stuck out her tongue at her.

Unbeknownst to all of them, Admiral Chegwidden had silently watched this and all the other incidents this morning. He usually let his staff handle their own problems, but now morale was being impacted, and he couldn’t have that. Burford and Clemons, he hurmphed disgustedly; maybe the SECNAV was testing him. Well, for now he was still head of JAG Corps, and he was going to teach these two a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget.

1322 Local
Rasheed Air Base
Baghdad, Iraq

The two Humvees made their way past the security checkpoint onto the airfield. They skirted several machine shops with Cobras, Hueys, and Sea Stallions all in various stages of repair. Some had suffered significant battle damage. Further on, there were several of the newest AH-1Z Cobras lined up getting ready to take off.

Mac glanced out her windscreen and saw a crudely colored makeshift sign - 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 36th Marine Air Group Kickin’ Butt by Request

They passed several more machine shops and bivouac areas before they reached a staging area for the cargo operations of the 36th MEU. On the tarmac sat one of the unit’s sea gray CH-53 Sea Stallions. Her blades were turning slowly, beginning to pick up speed.

“There’s our ride!” barked Barnett above the roar of the Stallion’s engines “She’ll get us to Camp Chesty Puller and Mirbullah!”

On board the Sea Stallion, the pilot and co-pilot were going through their pre-flight checks when they saw the two HMMWVs headed toward them. The pilot, nudged his co-pilot and nodded toward the two approaching vehicles.

“Here comes Vince and Floyd,” noted the pilot. He put on his mirrored sunglasses and got up from his seat, “Took them long enough.”

As the Marine Captain made his way back through the cabin he ran headlong into the crew chief who had been heading toward the cockpit.

“Captain!” The crew chief wasn’t expecting him to come down into the cabin.

“Lieutenant…I take it you’ve seen the Humvees….”

“Yes Sir, and it’s about damn time--” He noticed the Captain’s frown,

“Sir--”

The Captain ignored the remark. “Get’em on board as soon as possible, Lieutenant. We’ve hung around here way too long as it is.”

“Aye Sir.”

The two Humvees came to halt near the Stallion. The JAG officers and their Marine escorts got out of the quarter ton trucks and ducking down, ran to the helicopter.

“Glad you made it Sir!” barked the Chief Warrant Officer to Major Barnett above the helicopter’s whining turbines. The CWO eyed the four other officers being led by Captain Johnson. “I take it these are the JAG officers we’re supposed to take back to the BLT Headquarters….”

Barnett nodded. He watched as the tall naval Commander wearing aviator wings and the female Marine light Colonel came up the cargo ramp first, followed by Captain Johnson, the other naval Commander with a submarine officer’s pin and the naval Lieutenant favoring his artificial leg. Chief Warrant Officer Guzman and Lieutenant Feldman showed them to their seats.

Major Barnett wondered about these four. So these were supposed to be the JAG’s best, huh? We’ll see. They would probably be trying to keep the peg-leg Lieutenant from falling on his butt most of the time he was out here, surmised Barnett. He’ll definitely need a nursemaid. The sub guy probably had a lousy sense of direction on land, he’d need one, too. He really couldn’t spare anyone, but orders were orders, and these JAG attorneys were to be extended every courtesy -- even if it was at his expense.

On the other hand, that Marine light Colonel could probably keep that jet jockey in line. Despite the fact she was a woman, she had handled herself pretty well back there at the airport and she didn’t look like someone you would want to mess with. He wondered how all these different folks became lawyers. He could see how the Lieutenant and the sub guy got here, but he could not figure out how a top gun and a lady Marine could become paper pushers. Oh well, not his worry, all he had to do was to deliver them to Colonel Briggs.

As the lawyers made their way down the length of the cabin, they were met by Captain Casey. Harm could not tell his emotions because man’s eyes were hidden behind mirrored sunglasses, but from his stance, he could tell the man had something to say to them.

“Commander Rabb?” He began loudly.

Harm looked at the man, trying to place his face. “I don’t believe we’ve met….”

“I’m Captain Don Casey, pilot of this bird, Hatchet oh seven.”

Harm smiled earnestly “Well Captain, thanks for the lift to Mirbullah and Camp Puller.”

“Don’t mention it….” he paused seeming to look from Harm to Mac to Sturgis to Bud.

“Something else on your mind Captain?”

“I take it you’re here to investigate Lieutenant Dodge’s death….”

Mac took this one. “Yes we are Captain, is there something else?”

The Captain took off his glasses and fixed Mac with a piercing stare. “Yes Ma’am, just this; I’ve known Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell since Kosovo and they are damn good soldiers and pilots and I would trust them with my life. They did not kill Lieutenant Dodge, Ma’am.” His words cut through the air.

“Now wait a minute--” began Harm taking offense at the Captain’s surly tone.

“Hold on Captain--” warned Sturgis. He too, had been taken by surprise by the pilot’s comments and it left him angry.

The Captain Casey cut them both off before they could finish. “--We’ve been out here since last November alternately sweating and freezing our asses off to keep the citizens safe…” He looked directly at Mac again. “…And I won’t let some overeager legal eagles from DC ruin their careers over the death of one guy who happened to be the fair haired boy of the brass.”

That comment got Mac’s blood boiling. “Captain!” barked Mac in her best Marine voice, “Are you accusing me of being prejudiced against the Lieutenant and the Chief Warrant Officer!?”

Casey was not backing down “You hotshots are all the same! you fly in here, not knowing anything about what’s really going on, and you destroy two good Marines’ careers and then fly back to your comfy jobs in DC while we’re left here to pick up the pieces!!”

“Watch yourself Captain!” Harm was beginning to see red.

Sturgis shot the pilot a threatening look. “Captain Casey you are way out of line!”

Mac moved closer to the man, her voice a growl. “Captain I suggest you think carefully about what you have just said to us, or I will have your *ass* up on insubordination and just about any other related charge I can think of!”

“Are you going to ruin my career too, lady!?”

“That’s enough Captain!!” Harm barked. He was ready to take this man apart.

Bud just stood there stunned, looking at the man. He was unable to believe what the pilot had just accused them of.

Major Barnett who had been in the back of the craft, swiftly cut in between Mac and Casey who were now almost nose to nose. He stood facing the pilot. “Captain! I think it might be a good idea for you to get back up front and fly this crate to Mirbullah!!”

Casey hesitated.

“Now, Captain! On the double!!”

Casey didn’t flinch. He slowly put his glasses back on. “I have a chopper to fly.” The man turned around and stalked back to the front of the craft. Barnett turned to Mac and the others.

Mac stood rigid with a murderous look in her eyes. She was clenching and unclenching her hands, trying to tamp down her fury. Harm and Sturgis were standing close to her, their faces conveying their disgust and hatred. Bud, who up to now had only registered shock was now dissolving into anger.

“We’re all a little strung out right now--” he began lamely.

“Keep that son of bitch out of my way,” was all that Mac was able to choke out. Bud, Harm and Sturgis’s faces mirrored her sentiment.

Around them, the rest of the aircrew of Hatchet 07 stood shocked into silence by the Captain’s furious display and the response of the JAG attorneys.

Chapter 5
…For Meritorious Service

Don Casey fell into his chair and began to power up the Stallion’s engines. His co-pilot 1st Lieutenant Sal Jankovich stared at him in shock.

“What?!” snapped Casey, fiddling with the radio transmitter/receiver.

“Never witnessed an officer commit career suicide before.”

“You’re a riot, you know that?”

“Don, I’m not kidding. That light Colonel back there will eat your lunch, plus she’s got a whole planeload of witnesses to back her up – not including her pals.”

“The guys know how I feel.”

“But that doesn’t make what you did right or justified, Don. The old man is gonna stomp all over you for this one and I don’t want to even think what Briggs is going to do you.”

“Sal, I’m not backing down. Let’s just get these weenies to Mirbullah, okay?”

“Your funeral partner.”

With a signal from the crew chief, the massive helicopter lifted off from the tarmac and headed southwest.

Mac was still fuming as they strapped in “That ignorant, egotistical son of a – I’m going to nail his ass to the wall!”

“Easy Mac,” Harm quirked an eyebrow at her, “You’re usually the calm, dispassionate one.”

“Guess it’s the company I keep, Flyboy.” She shot back, her anger still penetrating her usually friendly comment. Harm decided discretion was the better part of valor and let the Marine alone for a while.

“I don’t get it,” replied Bud, still in shock. “Why did he do it? At that comment Mac, Harm and Sturgis looked at him with momentary annoyance. Realizing his faux pas, he focused his explanation on Harm. “I mean, Sir, he’s got to understand, he just flushed whatever chances he had for a career advancement down the tubes.”

“I don’t know Bud,” Harm was still angry but was now becoming puzzled as well. “Maybe he just wants out and this seemed like the perfect way to make a statement.”

“Well, he sure picked a dramatic way to end his career.” Commented Sturgis. “I wonder if he’ll be this vocal at his court martial?”

Mac was ominously silent. Bud and Sturgis had learned to not disturb the Marine when she was pissed off. Especially when it happened so recently. For her part, Mac had begun analyzing the situation, attempting to put her emotions in check. She was trying to figure out for herself what had happened – were there any indicators that the Captain was going to go off like this? Maybe this is a symptom of a larger problem that played into Lieutenant Dodge’s death as well. She noticed Major Barnett looking at her.

“I guess you want to give me an explanation about why he just terminated his career.” Mac wasn’t sure she wanted to listen to his lame excuse. However, maybe she could glean something from it.

“Colonel, I can’t tell you why a decorated veteran like Captain Casey just did what he did,” began Major Barnett honestly, “What I can tell you is he and most of the HMM-871 feel the same way he does, they just feel their careers are more important.”

She still didn’t think that was a very good excuse. “There are other ways to express this sentiment, Major.”

Major Vince Barnett smiled ruefully. “Agreed, but as I tried to tell you before, we’ve been living on the edge up here for months. With the sniping and twisted reports from the media, negative news from the citizens about what we’re doing, and the fedayeen and Al-Qaeda pinpricking us to death, something has to give somewhere.”

“Are you justifying his actions?” Harm broke in.

“Negative Commander, I can’t condone what he did,” he paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, “But I can’t really condemn him either, sorry.”

Mac sat back, trying to absorb what he just said. Harm looked incredulously at the man.

Neither one said a thing. The Major looked back at them. They just don’t understand…but then how could they? They’re outsiders looking in.

Mac had always prided herself on being a Marine’s Marine, understanding the unwritten code. They had accepted her in Indonesia, but instead of accepting her now, they looked at her as if she was the enemy. Had she really lost touch? Did she really not understand what they were going through?

Get a grip MacKenzie she told herself, but that nagging little voice, the one that told her how worthless she was, how she deserved everything she got and why didn’t she just give in and return to the bottle, was seductively whispering to her.

Way to go Marine, it said mockingly You sure showed them. No other Marine would have the guts to ruin the lives of real soldiers. But hey, that it doesn’t matter to you, now does it? Because you aren’t a real soldier.

No! No, she wasn’t going to listen. That voice was trying to con her, make her go back to her old patterns. It was a constant battle to knock down the seemingly plausible arguments it proposed. They were bull and she knew it. Marines need discipline and this guy didn’t have it. That argument buoyed her, and for the moment the nagging voice retreated.

Mac looked out the small window beside her and watched the airbase retreat from their view. She wished they could go over ground to Mirbullah, rather than flying in this fluttering crapcan, but it was important that they wrap up the case as soon as possible. That’s why Sturgis and Bud were along. To act as extra eyes and ears in the investigation. She turned and looked at Harm who was sitting in his jump seat with his eyes closed. If only she could do that. Flying was not her favorite activity and Harm’s airborne activities had only made those feelings more pronounced. She looked back at Bud and Sturgis, both of them likewise had their eyes shut as if that would drown out the incessant whine of the engines. She slowly breathed in and out, willing herself to calm down.

Man, I hope we land soon….Harm really hated these things. He prayed that this one had had a recent maintenance check and that it wouldn’t have make a hard landing or worse explode in mid-air. He opened his eyes and looked at Mac sitting calmly. She had come a long way since their first flight in his Stearman. Look at her, she got it all together…that’s why I love her…He stopped, thinking about what he had just said. I do? Yeah, He thought, glad that he had finally told her, well actually blurted it out in Paraguay. Even though she had dismissed it as a heat of the moment comment, he noticed that she paid him a little closer attention since then. For his part, he had started an honest assessment about his feelings for one Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. little. He looked at Mac again. She looked over at him and smiled. Yeah, I do love her.

Mac saw the crew chief motioning to her. She knew the man was trying to say something to her, but if talking on board the C-5 had been difficult, it became virtually impossible on the Sea Stallion with the roar of its twin engines and the person being on the other side of the craft.

She leaned over to hear him better. “Say that again Lieutenant?”

2nd Lieutenant Mark Feldman leaned closer to the Marine Lieutenant Colonel.

“I said, I’m sorry about what the Captain said to you. He was wrong, Ma’am.”

Mac stared at him for a moment. Maybe she wasn’t so out of touch after all. “Thank you Lieutenant”

“You’re welcome. And Ma’am? If he’s smart, he’ll apologize when we land. Will you accept it if he does?” He looked at her intently.

She thought about what they had seen in downtown Baghdad. “Taking into account what you men have been through, I think I’m beginning to understand why your Captain did what he did. I think I can do that.”

Now it was the crew chief’s turn to smile. “Thank you Ma’am.”

1920 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

Jason walked up to Harriet’s desk. She turned at his approach and immediately noticed the pallor of his face. Her heartbeat quickened.

“The Admiral wants to see both of us ASAP, Ma’am.” He breathed. The way he said it made Harriet feel like taking the rest of the day off.

“Any idea what it’s about?” Harriet asked timidly, dreading his next words.

“No idea Ma’am, he didn’t say.”

Harriet slowly got out of her chair with Jason’s assistance. They both approached Admiral Chegwidden’s polished cherry wood door. Tiner rapped on the closed door just below the word ‘Private’

“Enter.” There was no way to tell his mood from that order.

Jason swallowed, opened the door and stuck his head in.

“Sir? Lieutenant Sims and Petty Officer Tiner reporting, as ordered.”

“Come in,” Both Harriet and Jason entered his office. “Close the hatch.” AJ Chegwidden put down the report he was reading and steepled his hands in front of him on his oak desk. As they both came to attention, the Admiral pulled off his reading glasses and tossed them on the table.

Jason Tiner flinched. He shot a quick look at his commanding officer. “Headache Sir?”

AJ pinched the bridge of his nose for moment and then looked at both of them. Tiner quickly resumed his stoic pose. The Admiral sighed heavily.

“How are Lieutenant Commander Burford and Major Clemons working out so far?”

The question caught them off guard. Harriet was the first to find her voice. “Sir?”

“Did you not hear my question, Lieutenant?” growled the Admiral menacingly, “I said how are the Lieutenant Commander and the Major working out?”

“Well – uhm, Sir….” began Jason weakly

“I heard that Petty Officer Coates has been very adept at serving as referee and gofer for the both of them, and that you two have become very familiar with the basement case files” interrupted AJ. His cold glare made Harriet feel sick to her stomach. She glanced at Jason who looked like he may strain something if he tried to stand any straighter.

She braced for the blast.

“Both Burford and Clemons have been very complimentary of your work – so it looks like you’ve both passed their test.” He stared balefully at them. “The question is why do they need to test you two -- have they formed some kind of secret society in my office where you have to take loyalty oaths? And why is Coates acting a referee between them? Is there something going on I need to know about?”

Both officers stood perfectly still.

“Well?” An edge crept into his voice as he glared at both of them.

“Uh, Sir…Admiral, we are just trying--”

“Just trying to do what, Tiner?” The man fell silent. AJ shot an aggravated look at Harriet. “Lieutenant, maybe you can do a better job explaining to me what’s going on.”

“It seems Sir, that there are some unresolved issues between the Lieutenant Commander and the Major. We were just trying to smooth over the rough spots. They’re working very hard preparing for their first case tomorrow afternoon.”

Just what we need around here, two more officers with ‘unresolved issues’ AJ swore silently. “What kind of issues? Smooth over what rough spots? Lieutenant, you’re supposed to be working limited duty during your final months, and dammit, I don’t want to see you getting one more thing for either one of them. Is that understood?”

“Aye Sir!” responded Harriet, secretly glad he felt this way. She made sure the Admiral did not see her joy.

“Tiner!” Jason quickly made eye contact with the Admiral. “Effectively immediately, Mr. Burford and Major Clemons will get their own files. You will go back to assisting Commanders Mattoni and Imes and you will not deviate from that job. Are we clear on this?”

“Yes Sir!” He responded crisply.

“Good, because I would hate for them to get worn out getting their own files.” His words, laced with sarcasm, were not lost on the two junior officers.

“Aye, aye Sir!” Their eyes did not dare meet the Admiral’s

“I trust we won’t have to have this conversation again?”

“No Sir!” The two replied in unison

“Good!” He softened his voice “Dismissed.”

“Aye, aye Sir!” Both did an about face and headed for the door. AJ picked up his reading glasses and the report he was reading before they came in.

Harriet left first. As Jason started to close the door behind him, AJ spoke in low deadly tones. “Oh and Tiner, please send in Petty Officer Coates so I can personally compliment her on her interpersonal skills.”

Jason hesitated for the briefest of moments.

“Now Tiner!” barked AJ.

“Aye Sir!” He quickly left the room. AJ was building up a head of steam and he was sure Coates would add to his anger and then he was going to blow it out on those two wayward officers. Why did he feel a sense of déjà vu about doing this?

1452 Local
36th ACE Airfield, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Hatchet 07 fired off its flares as the helicopter approached the airfield. Making graceful arcs as they left the underside of craft, the flares drifted down to the desert floor below. The big transport thundered by the makeshift control tower and settled down to land near the other transport helicopters of the 36th MEU.

Captain Casey and Lieutenant Jankovich, satisfied with their landing, began powering down the Stallion’s engines. The co-pilot looked over sternly at the Captain.

“Ok Sal, ok,” grumbled the Captain, throwing up his hands. “You win, I’ll go say something to the JAG Colonel.”

Sal smiled wryly at the man. “That would be the first smart move you’ve made since we deployed here, Don.”

“Funny, Sal.”

The co-pilot looked at him soberly. “Seriously Don, you’d better hope the lady JAG attorney is in a forgiving mood.”

“Yeah.” Don Casey got up and began walking to the back of the transport.

*~*

Mac was the first to unfasten herself once they were down on the ground. Before Harm, Sturgis or Bud could say or do anything, she was out of her seat and heading toward the cockpit. The three JAG attorneys looked at each other.

“We’d better go after her,” said Harm getting up and looking toward the front of the transport.

*~*

Don stopped as soon as he saw Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie making her way toward him.

“Colonel.”

Mac stopped and regarded him coolly, “Captain.”

The crew stopped what they were doing and watched the two officers. “Uh Colonel,” began Don, “I was out of line--”

Mac cut him off. “Captain, as far as I am concerned, it never happened. Although if I were you, I would not be so quick to judge.” Her tone was firm – he caught her off guard last time, that wouldn’t happen again. She fixed him with a hard stare. In the background Harm and the others stood silently watching the exchange.

Don returned the stare. “I was out of line with my comments about you and the other JAG lawyers, Ma’am, and I regret saying them,” Mac’s expression started to soften, “But I stand by what I said earlier about Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell, they did not kill…Lieutenant Dodge.” He folded his arms across his chest. Mac’s hard stare returned.

“Captain, do you have any proof that these two men didn’t kill him?” She didn’t move. Muffled noises from the outside world filtered into the dusty transport. Neither one paid attention to them.

Captain Casey didn’t flinch. His mouth was a thin straight line. “No Ma’am.”

“Then why should I believe you?” That comment made his eyes falter slightly. While he pondered her question, she bored in for the kill. “What proof do you have to back up your claim? Any witnesses? Any documents? Any corroborating expert testimony? Captain, do you have a single, solitary shred of evidence that can prove their innocence?”

She had landed some solid hits and could tell the man had been rocked.

He looked at her for a long moment. “Ma’am, all I can tell you is…about my past experience with them. They never did…or said anything that would lead me to believe they could commit murder.”

“You’re certain of this?”

“They did not do this Ma’am. I don’t have a shred of evidence or any eyewitnesses, but I know, as does most everyone else in the 36th, that they didn’t do it. I’d swear my life on it.” To his credit, the pilot did not give in to her assaults.

Mac let a wry smile appear. “All right Captain, let’s assume you’re correct. How would we go about proving this claim?”

“Conduct a thorough investigation.”

“That Captain, is exactly what my partners and I intend to do.” And with that, Sarah MacKenzie spun on her heel and walked away from the stunned pilot. He looked at her, trying to figure out what had just happened.

“Colonel!” he called out after her.

The three male JAG attorneys flinched. Mac stopped, her jaw taut.

“Thank you.”

She turned back toward him, smiling “You’re welcome Captain.” Her smile faded replaced by a drill sergeant façade, her voice even. “But a word of advice. Don’t *ever* insult a superior officer again, because if you do, I promise you, you will have flown your last mission for the 36th , period.”

Don straightened. “Understood Ma’am.”

“Carry on, Captain.”

“Aye, aye, Ma’am!” Mac turned and walked past the gathered males.

As she breezed past Harm, he looked at Sturgis. For his part the bubblehead shrugged his shoulders at her change of heart. One minute she was going to practically castrate the man , then she left him at loss for words as she promised to thoroughly investigate this murder. And when Casey was dumb enough to call her like a kid calling his dog, she gave him a veiled warning not to push his luck. The man was incredibly lucky.

Harm still wanted to have a piece of him, but he didn’t want a certain Marine chewing his six for ‘a macho display’ as she would call it. He sighed and shook his head. The three of them with Mac in the lead, headed for the cargo ramp with Captain Johnson and Major Barnett in tow.

As they exited the Stallion, Johnson leaned over to Barnett and whispered. “That is some lady Marine, Sir. That’s the first time Casey has obeyed an officer since we got here.”

Barnett nodded in agreement. “She has command presence, Johnson.”

2107 Zulu
JAG Headquarters

Everyone out in bullpen gathered outside his door. They could hear Admiral Albert Jethro Chegwidden’s voice cut through the air, causing some of them to draw back. Moments before, Lieutenant Commander John Buford and Major Carly Clemons had been summoned to his office. Despite the thick wooden door, the Admiral’s voice could clearly be heard.

“Major! You have about two minutes to explain to me what the hell is going out there or so help me I’m going to bring you up on abuse, dereliction of duty and any other charges I can think up!!”

Inside, AJ’s blast had almost knocked Major Clemons back into her seat. Commander Burford kept his eyes straight ahead, but Carly dared to look him in the eye and challenge him. “Sir how can you bring me up on a DDO? I haven’t--”

He savagely cut her off. “In the past three hours Major, you have had Lieutenant Sims and Petty Officers Tiner and Coates retrieve approximately thirty case files and related records for you. Is there something wrong with your feet Major? Some defect I was unaware of?” He looked angrily at John. “What about you Commander? Do you have a problem with your feet?”

“No Sir!” barked John in reply.

Carly was taken aback by that. She tried to match his quick response. “Uh, No Sir--”

He turned savagely on her. “Then perhaps you have a back problem?”

She had been caught. There was nothing else to do but accept his punishment. “No Sir; I am sorry Sir, I should have retrieved those files myself--”

“You’re damned right you should have! I don’t mind you requesting help from Lieutenant Sims, but don’t you think it’s a little cruel and maybe even dangerous to have her doing all that work when she’s eight months pregnant?!”

She was genuinely contrite now. “Yes Sir, I am sorry Sir--”

That infuriated the Admiral even more. “Sorry?! Sorry my ass!! You think all can be forgiven about your little escapade today just by saying one little ‘you’re sorry’!? Well Major, I have news for you—she can sue your sorry butt if she so desires and right now I don’t think that is such a---”

“Sir….” John immediately wished he’d kept his mouth shut.

“Don’t interrupt me Mr. Burford, when I’m ripping the Major another air hole – you’re next! You both can speak freely after I’m finished!!”

“Aye Sir!” John didn’t dare make eye contact with the Admiral. No telling what he would do if the Lieutenant Commander was dim-witted enough to try this.

Outside the Admiral’s office, Jason, Harriet and the others listened to the Judge Advocate General bark at ‘Carly’ for another few minutes.

*~*

“All right Major, now do you have anything to say to me regarding your actions with Lieutenant Sims?”

Carly was visibly shaken by his tirade, “Uh sir, I uh--”

At that moment, Jason Tiner stuck his head in the door.

“What is it?!” The Admiral was clearly exasperated by this interruption.

“It’s Commanders Mattoni and Imes, Sir, they need to speak with you--”

“Tell them to take a number! What the hell is happening to this place?! Have all of you taken stupid pills or something?!!”

“Sorry Sir.” The Petty Officer retreated and closed the door.

He turned his heated glare back at the woman. “Now Major, should we pick up where we left off?”

Carly was now ram rod straight. “Yes Sir.”

“Good, I’m glad my reaming has finally gotten to you.”

He looked over at Burford. “You’re dismissed Mr. Burford, I have some things I need to discuss with the Major. However, I want you back here in twenty. Do you read me, mister?”

John snapped to attention, “Aye Sir,” did an about face and headed to the door. AJ waited until door closed and then he looked at the Major. He could see her eyes were bright with tears she was trying to fight off.

“Suck it up Major,” he said brusquely. He had heard about her toying with Harriet, now he hoped he could make her understand the consequences of this. “You don’t have any reason to cry…yet.”

Carly sniffed, swallowing the hot tears threatening to spill down her face. She looked at AJ studying her. He got up from his chair and walked over to the fireplace.

“Major, I usually try to cut my new people some slack,” he began in a friendly tone, looking thoughtfully at her. “However, you make it exceedingly difficult for people to like you.”

She wondered what he meant, but she didn’t dare say anything.

“You see, you remind me of someone I knew who also showed a lot of promise….”

Carly dared to look at the older man. He had a melancholy look in his eyes.

“I let her slide because she was a good lawyer and a damn good tactician. I kept thinking she would come around, so I didn’t press her about it.” He looked directly at her. “She had the same behavior patterns as you Major, and she ended up dead.”

Carly opened her mouth and then closed it again -- unsure of what to say to this. After all, it could just be another scare tactic. She had other officers try this on her. They all knew what was best for her. What a load of crap. This new commander could rattle her with his yelling that’s for sure, but that old SEAL better forget trying to ‘reform’ her.

“Lieutenant Loren Singer’s fatal flaw was that she toyed with desperate man.” The sadness in his voice was replaced by a coldness that shocked her. “And I can guarantee you Major Clemons, you’ll eventually do the same thing. You are the only one that can stop that pattern of self destruction.”

Carly Clemons had heard about Loren Singer and what had happened to her. It was not a pretty way to go. She looked down at her feet, letting his words sink in.

“Sir?” she began tentatively “I just--

“You just what? Well, Major, out with it. I haven’t got all day.” His voice had turned hard and unfeeling again. AJ just knew she was blowing off what he had said, and his anger was returning. I tried to give her a hint, now she has to live with the consequences.

“…What she’s trying to say Sir, is that she understands.” Admiral Chegwidden and Carly turned toward the open door.

“Commander Imes?! You’d better have a hell of reason for barging in like this--”

“Yes Sir, we do Sir.” Imes was followed by Commander Mattoni. “The Commander and I--”

“Great now you’re bringing in Mattoni!” snapped Chegwidden, “Why don’t we also bring in Tiner, Sims and Coates, call it a day and we’ll have a goddamn party right here in my office!!”

1522 Local
36th ACE Airfield, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Bud was the first to come out of the airfield barracks. He remembered looking in the mirror at his chocolate chip desert BDUs and the subdued insignia on the lapels of his shirt. This time, he wasn’t in Afghanistan and this time he had a metal and fiberglass leg. It brought back memories he’d had rather not relive. It took all of his concentration to walk down the steps outside with as little a limp as possible.

He could do this. Little AJ told him he could. It seemed silly at the time, but as he knew from talking to Harm that kids know more than they let their parents know.

Bud?

Yeah Harriet?

There’s someone who wants to see you.

Daddy?

Hey AJ, come here buddy.

Where are you goin’?

To the Middle East

Middle Eas’? Why?

To help some soldiers.

Are they in tr’uble?

Yes they are.

Did they do somethin’ bad?

Some people think so.

Do you?

No, big guy, I don’t.

You gonna defend’em?

Yep, I sure am.

Be careful Daddy.

I will son.

You can do this.

I know, thanks buddy.

“Hey Bud….”

Bud Roberts turned to see Harmon Rabb walking down the steps followed by Mac and Sturgis. All three were dressed like Bud, in camouflaged BDU’s and boonie hats.

“Leaving without us?”

“No Sir, just wanted to take a look around.”

“Sounds like a good idea Bud, let’s take a look around.”

The JAGs walked over to a large prefabricated building that was serving as a hangar. On the taxiway in front of the hangar doors sat two AH-1W Cobra gunships.

The first gunship had all of its access ports open as the ground crew swarmed over it like hungry bees after a flower. In the middle of this group was an officer futilely trying to direct them.

“No, no, no! Move it this way, yeah more to the right…” A loud metallic pop made everyone quickly move away from the officer.

“Watch it!” The wrench he had been using sailed out of the group and landed with a clatter on the ground.

“Son of a--”

He saw Harm, and the others approaching

“ATTENTION ON DECK!”

Everyone around the Cobra snapped to attention.

“As you were,” replied the Commander. “I’m looking for Lieutenant Maxwell.”

“You’ve found him, Sir.” The young helicopter pilot came forward as the other men went back to work. “Lieutenant Steve Maxwell, acting commander of echo platoon, of Helicopter, Marine, Light Attack nine seven five.” Mac looked over and noticed the graffiti on his gunship – The Blue Max.

“Acting commander?” asked Sturgis, looking at the man. “Where is your Captain?”

“Sick call Sir,” he explained. “Pneumonia.”

“Pneumonia?” Bud was intrigued by this idea and not quite believing the man. “In the desert?”

Steve Maxwell nodded, understanding Bud’s disbelief. “I wouldn’t have believed it either Lieutenant, until I came here. Something about the nearby marshes…”

“Sorry to hear about his condition.” Bud said honestly.

The Blue Max’s pilot smiled at the navy man’s concern. “Oh, he’ll be okay Sir, he just has to take it easy for a couple of weeks.” He turned to Harm, dropping his pretense of friendliness. “Pardon my asking Sir, but are you going anywhere with this? I’ve got a sick bird here to get ready for dust off at 1630.” It was obvious he was going to be all business about this. He evidently did not want to waste his time with the ‘legal weenies.’

Now it was Harm’s turn to smile. “Sorry Lieutenant. I’m Commander Harmon Rabb, this is Commander Sturgis Turner, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah McKenzie, and Lieutenant Bud Roberts. We’re from the JAG Corps.”

The man nodded, apparently impatient to get this over with. “Yes Sir, the Captain told me to expect a visit from you. You’re going to be investigating Lieutenant Dodge’s murder. What did you want to ask?”

Harm went into investigator mode. “What do you know about what happened?”

The answer was very crisp and to the point. “Just what they told me. Lieutenant Haswell and I were flying cover on another part of the battlefield. By the time we arrived, the Lieutenant was dead and Lukens and Buell were in custody.”

Too much like he’s reading from a script, thought Harm.

Sturgis took his cue from the man’s bland report. “This is fine machine Lieutenant,” he said walking over to the Cobra. “Can you tell me a little bit about her?”

His change in tactics caught Maxwell off guard. The man quickly recovered. A proud smile spread across his face. What the hell, this squid had probably never seen one of these babies up close before. “Sure. You’re looking at a Bell Textron AH-1W “Whiskey” Supercobra. She’s powered by two General Electric T700-401 engines, her cruising speed is 170 miles per hour and her ceiling is about 18,000 feet. She’s one fine bird, Sir.”

Harm took the line of questioning from there. “I guess you’re pretty heavily armed….”

The Lieutenant was more than happy to let them know just how he was armed. This was more the kind of questioning he was willing to answer. “Right now we’re involved in anti-guerilla operations to the north of Mirbullah. Mainly taking out convoys, pillboxes, fortified positions and the like. So two LAU-7 seven shot and two LAU-61 nineteen shot Hydra rocket launchers with one rack of TOW or one rack of Hellfire missiles for the hardened stuff we might run into.”

“How were you armed on 23 March, Lieutenant?” Harm and Sturgis were a bit surprised by Mac in that she was usually a little more subtle in her questioning. She didn’t try to use feminine wiles to charm the man. She just asked her question point blank.

Steve Maxwell didn’t seem to care. He was too busy enjoying the attention. Especially that of the lady Marine. “Loaded for bear Ma’am. Four AGM-114 Hellfire fire and forget missiles, two LAU-61 nineteen shot Hydra 70 2.75mm rocket launchers and four tube BGM-71 TOW launchers.”

That ‘enjoying the attention’ was what Mac had counted on. Smiling, she stroked his swollen ego some more. “They didn’t stand much of chance, did they?”

Maxwell smirked. “No Ma’am. We pretty much blasted to smithereens any of Saddam’s boys that tried to get in our way.”

“Outstanding Marine.” Her voice full of admiration. Maxwell beamed a thousand watt smile at her, showing all his pearly whites.

“Thank you Colonel.”

Harm just watched with satisfaction as she reeled him in.

“I take it all of you were armed with the same weapons?” She ran her hand lovingly along the side of the gunship.

“Well, not all of us Ma’am.”

“Oh?” Mac acted captivated.

“No Ma’am, we have eight gunships total, two of them were armed with Stinger missiles in case we ran into any enemy helicopters.”

“I see, and Lukens’ ship was armed this way?”

“Oh no Ma’am,” she quirked an eyebrow at him. “Lieutenant Colson flew close combat air patrol while Lukens flew close combat air support. Lukens was armed with the same weapons I had.”

“And he did a lot of damage?”

“Plenty Ma’am. If it hadn’t been for him and Dodge, Alpha company would have been history.”

“That’s impressive Marine,” again Maxwell began smiling, “But why Blue Max?” she said running her hand across the nickname on the side of the Cobra.

He blushed “Well Ma’am, I’m a bit of a daredevil; pulled a few crazy stunts in my time to save my buddies and the grunts. You have to be a risk taker to stick your neck out when someone is in trouble. The guys named me Blue Max because of my ‘stunts’ and because of the blue scarf I wear.” Mac looked quizzically at him. “It’s a gift from my Mom.” He replied sheepishly.

“Well no one will begrudge you that, Lieutenant.” He smiled again.

“Just one more thing, how many gunships is your unit flying right now?”

He answered honestly “We’re down one – Lieutenant Lukens’ bird Ma’am.” He looked at the other JAG officers

“Until they release the Lieutenant or get us a replacement for him and his ship.”

She smiled nodding her understanding. “You’ll let us know if you remember anything else?”

“Absolutely Ma’am; good luck with your investigation.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. Carry on.” They walked back toward the barracks.

As soon as they were out of earshot of the man, Bud looked at the Colonel. “So we learned that he’s the Blue Max and that he’s down one gunship.”

Mac smiled slyly. “We also learned the name of Lukens’ wingman that day Bud.”

The light bulb went on in his head. “Which means we might have another witness to the incident.”

Mac nodded at Bud’s understanding. “Exactly, plus they haven’t supplied a replacement gunship yet.”

“Which means the gunship involved is still somewhere around here,” Sturgis grinned. “Colonel I’m impressed.”

“He just wanted a willing audience to listen to him, Sturgis. I just provided him with one.”

“A willing *female* audience, Mac.” Harm emphasized a little too strongly.

“Well, I could see that you’re ‘the truth and nothing but the truth’ approach wasn’t going to work, so I followed Sturgis’ lead.” She was baiting him.

It worked. “Uh huh,” harrumphed the Commander. “I see. That was *some* follow up.”

“Jealous Commander?” Said Mac playfully.

Harm smiled wryly at her, “Not in the least, Colonel.” She smirked at his obvious cover-up. “Come on let’s go find the Commander of the 36th MEU.”

The four walked off in the direction of the sign that pointed to the 36th’s BLT Headquarters.

Chapter 6
…For Meritorious Service

1645 Local
BLT Headquarters, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Colonel Ashton Briggs sat in his makeshift office at an OD green cardboard table reading after action reports. His blond crewcut, which was longer than what most Marines wore, was tinged with white. Despite the white hairs and haggard look, woe to the man who doubted Briggs was in control of his unit. Any man in the MEU that didn’t believe that would spend the next four deployments on latrine duty.

Right now, his special operations capable units were playing the same game they had been playing since they arrived here in March. Hide and go seek with Iraqi Baath loyalists and fundamentalist fedayeen. If it weren’t for this mess with Dodge, they would have been redeployed halfway across the world by now instead of being stuck here.

He hoped AJ would help him out of this muddle. The JAG lawyers from the Mediterranean Station at Naples had been total screw-ups and had only added to his problems. AJ owed him and now it was time to pay up. He wanted to get his people out of here before they rotted away completely. He looked up to see Major Vince Barnett approaching with Captain Johnson and the four JAG lawyers from Washington, DC.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Four of them?! Thanks a whole hell of a lot AJ. Irritated, he put down his papers. “Major.”

Barnett saluted. “Commanders Rabb and Turner, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts from the JAG Corps, Sir.”

The JAG officers came to attention in front of the bird Colonel.

Briggs rubbed his stubble covered face--he had wanted to present a professional image--he wished he had shaved before they had arrived…too late now. This factor only served to stoke his anger.

“I asked Admiral Chegwidden for a discrete investigation of this matter,” growled the Colonel glowering at the four lawyers. “Not a goddamned circus troupe.” He scowled at his two legal men. “You two are dismissed.”

Barnett and Johnson shied away at his snide dismissal. They knew better to stay around and antagonize the commanding officer. They wanted to be anywhere but here. Ashton Briggs did not tolerate foolishness of any sort and to him, using four JAG lawyers to investigate a murder must’ve seemed pretty foolish.

“With all due respect Sir, the Admiral does understand the delicacy of this situation,” replied Mac, carefully studying the man. “That is why he sent the four of us to work on this JAGMan investigation.”

“Don’t you think sending four JAG lawyers is just a bit of overkill Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie?” Briggs’ tone indicated his disgust with the situation. It was clear he didn’t think much of the Admiral Chegwidden’s solution.

“Begging the Colonel’s pardon, Sir,” interjected Harm, “but the Admiral sent the four of us so that we can get this done as quickly as possible.”

“Why only four, why not eight?” snorted Briggs, “Then you could get it done even faster.” The Colonel’s cutting remark was not lost on Harm. The Commander’s face became impassive.

Briggs, seeing the look on Harm’s face, decided to try a different tactic. “Look, Commander,” He said in a friendly tone, “Right now I have two men in the brig who claim they didn’t kill Lieutenant Dodge. Yet, they are the only ones that can be tied directly to what has happened. What if it is murder? What are you going to do then?” posed Briggs.

Harm’s surprise which rapidly degenerated into disgust with that comment showed on his face. “Colonel, if it is determined that a murder has taken place and that the helicopter crew did it, they will need counsel. Do you have anyone in the MEU that can provide unbiased competent counsel to these men?”

Despite his rank, Briggs looked a little uneasy at that comment. “No.”

“I see. Do you have anyone that can competently argue the case for the government?”

He sighed. Damn this sailor-lawyer. “No.”

“That is why Admiral Chegwidden sent us. We’ll get our investigation done quickly, I promise you that. We can also provide the counsel necessary if this goes to trial.”

Briggs still didn’t look completely convinced.

“We will be discrete Sir.” added Sturgis hoping to win over the MEU commander.

But Harm didn’t want to win him over anymore. “And Sir, we *will* find out what happened.” The Commander’s statement combined with his piercing stare made it obvious that he thought the Colonel might be involved.

Mac, Sturgis and Bud started a little at Harm’s comment. He had just driven a Mack truck across the protocol line, almost accusing the MEU commander of being involved.

They waited for the inevitable response.

Which didn’t happen. Briggs was really not fazed by JAG Officer’s anger. He decided to ignore Harm’s obvious breach of protocol. “Commander, what happens after you find out what has happened?”

Harm was a little surprised by his reaction or more accurately, the lack thereof, but he did not let Briggs see that. “Then we have orders to report our findings to Brigadier General Thornton and begin preparations for a hearing to determine if there should be a general court martial, Sir.”

Briggs sat back in his chair and studied the four officers for a moment. “What if I ask you to report your findings to me first?” His tone indicated this was what he wanted.

“For what reason?” asked Harm, knowing full well the answer he was going to get.

“I’d like to handle this within my own command. There’s no reason to bring in anyone else. We can take care of our own,” he shot the lawyers a smug look, “We always have and we haven’t had any problems.”

“Until now.” added Harm sarcastically. Briggs did not respond. He merely sat looking at the four JAG busybodies.

Harm couldn’t believe what the Colonel was saying. An officer in his own unit had been murdered and Colonel Briggs was asking them to throw the UMCJ out the window.

“We can’t do that Sir,” said Mac “That would be viewed as obstruction at the very least. We’ve been told to report our findings directly to General Thornton.” Mac looked sternly at the man. She also could not believe what he was asking. Part of her understood his motive for asking, but he should have known better than to broach this. Bud and Sturgis’ expressions hardened, mirroring those of Harm and Mac.

Impasse. Colonel Briggs stared for a long moment at the four unflinching JAG officers.

“Fine,” he relented wearily, dropping his mask of arrogance. “Major, Captain, get in here.” The two division legal officers re-entered the office. “Major Barnett, furnish them with a list of the witnesses we have compiled so far.”

Barnett looked at his commanding officer and then at the JAG attorneys. “Sir, I thought we were going to handle this ourselves.”

“There’s been a change in plans, Major.” He looked from Barnett back to the JAGs. “Do as I have requested.” The man hesitated, causing Briggs to look sternly at him. “Now, Major.”

Barnett shot the JAG attorneys a dirty look. “Aye, aye Sir.”

Briggs decided for the time being not to call the Major on his comment. He turned his attention to the Captain. “Johnson, make sure all commissioned and noncommissioned officers cooperate fully with the JAG lawyers.”

Johnson looked briefly at Briggs and then at them. His glare made his feelings known even if he couldn’t object. “Aye Sir.”

Harm knew they had just stepped off onto a thin ice ledge. It was best to tread lightly from here on in.

Mac also knew they couldn’t push too much, but there was one group the Colonel had left out of this discussion and she wanted to be sure that they heard all points of view on this one. The hostile reactions of Johnson and Barnett made her doubly sure she wanted this.

“Colonel, we’d also like to interview all of the enlisted personnel we feel might be able to shed light on this incident.”

Briggs’s legal liaisons stopped in mid-stride at her request. They both looked to their commanding officer. For his part, the Colonel did not even address her. He only looked at Harm.

“Do you feel this is necessary?” was all he asked. Mac felt the color rising in her cheeks as she fought to control her temper. Now was not the time nor the place for a confrontation with this man. Things were already strained enough as it was.

Harm again locked eyes with Briggs. “Whether I think it is important is immaterial Sir. You need to address Colonel MacKenzie, not me.” With that, he looked at Mac and then back at Briggs.

Colonel Briggs smiled sarcastically. “I’m sorry.” He turned to Mac; the condescension in his question was palpable. “Colonel, do you really feel this is necessary? I think all you’ll get is a lot of hearsay.”

Mac’s tone was firm “I think we’ll be able to separate the hearsay from true eyewitness accounts, Sir.”

“That’s a lot of people to talk to and you don’t have a lot of time,” he countered.

Bird Colonel or no Bird Colonel, she wasn’t going to let herself be intimidated by this man. “Yes Sir, we know. That’s why Admiral Chegwidden sent *four* of us.”

Again Colonel Briggs sighed in resignation. He wasn’t going to win this argument either. “Fine. Do what you have to.” He got up and walked toward the back of his office where he had his sleeping quarters. “The Major and the Captain will provide you with any assistance needed. Dismissed.”

The JAG officers snapped to attention, then walked past a sullen Barnett and Johnson and left the portable building.

They walked out into the warm evening air and started to make their way back across the compound to their barracks. Harm was moving fast, and Mac rushed to catch up with him.

“Harm?”

The Commander was still aggravated. “What is it Mac?” he snapped, then he immediately realized he had channeled his anger to her “Sorry Mac, he just got under my skin.”

“So I noticed,” she shot back angry and hurt. “But you’re damned lucky he didn’t chew your head off for you suggesting he might be involved.”

He knew she was right but something else bothered him. “The man is hiding something, Mac.”

She looked at him, exasperated. “That may be, but right now, let’s concentrate on the murder case, okay?”

“Mac, this may be part of it.”

“Harm you just don’t like the way he treated us--”

“Maybe, but he’s also hiding something – he doesn’t want us reporting to Thornton right away.”

“He’s a Marine, he just rather take care of it within his own unit.”

“And you know he can’t do that Mac.”

“True, but we need to concentrate on investigating the murder first, and verifying Dodge’s actions…”

As Harm and Mac continued to argue, Bud exchanged looks with Sturgis as they walked behind them. “You look like you have something to say, Lieutenant.”

“He’s not very friendly Sir,” replied Bud under his breath, not listening to the arguing senior officers. “I was expecting more cooperation since it was his request that got us here in the first place.”

The former submarine officer put on his boonie hat as they continued walking. “He’s under a lot of pressure, Bud. A murder investigation involving his officers is the last thing a commander wants, especially during a black op. It would signal the end of his career.”

2307 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

“Have you heard from Lieutenant Roberts, Ma’am?” asked Jennifer hopefully. She had noticed that Harriet’s email was open.

“Yes, Bud said they arrived safely,” Harriet replied absently, reading the rest of her husband’s message. He had used one of the message kiosks at Baghdad International and later at the Al-Rasheed air base.

“I heard there was another ambush in Baghdad today…” Jen let her words drift in the air, hoping that Harriet had good news.

“Everyone’s fine, Jen.” Harriet turned to see that Jennifer Coates was visibly relieved. “I’m worried too, but Bud said they’re okay, though he can’t say much else.”

Jen looked away, embarrassed. “I know Ma’am, I’m sorry….”

“Don’t be,” said Harriet with genuine warmth. “I know you’re worried about them and I know about your concerns for Bud.”

“Ma’am?” responded Coates in a stricken tone.

“Don’t worry Jen,” reassured the naval Lieutenant. “Bud told me all about the close quarters on the Seahawk and I remember how it was.”

“Ma’am, I assure you, nothing happened.”

“I know it didn’t, Jen, but I would have been surprised if Bud hadn’t noticed you.”

Jennifer Coates, used to people accusing her first and looking for the real culprit later, was unsure how to respond to that one, but Harriet’s warm smile put her at ease.

“All of you are like family to me Ma’am, more so than my real family. You’ve all been so kind to me…you and Lieutenant Roberts, Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie…I just would hate to lose any one of you.”

Harriet was touched. She remembered when Jennifer Coates had given them, particularly the Commander, so much grief not that many Christmases ago. Now she was a dedicated member of the JAG support staff. Harriet embraced the young petty officer, taking her by surprise.

“God is watching over them Jen,” she whispered her eyes bright with tears. “They will be back, you can bank on that.”

Jen found herself crying too.

They both pulled away, chuckling and wiping at each other’s tears.

2142 Local
Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Harm was sitting looking over the after action reports that Johnson and Barnett had left on his bunk. There was a knock at the barracks door.

“Enter.” said Harm as he put the first report down and picked up another.

“Hey, did you find anything useful?”

He smiled briefly at Mac before looking back down at the report. He handed her a folder.

“Take a look….”

Mac walked over and took the open folder. “That wasn’t much help,” she said as she handed it back to him after a few minutes.

“Yeah, they all pretty much say what we thought they would. Like everyone we’ve met so far, they fall into two categories: either an undying supporter of our these guys or ready to burn them at the stake--”

“Burn them at the stake?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.

He smiled sheepishly looking into her questioning brown eyes, “Metaphorically speaking.”

She smiled at him. “I didn’t know you were so literary.”

He shook his head, chuckling. “I have my moments, besides, you never asked.”

She sat down on the chair next to his bed. “Okay Commander Metaphor,” her tone indicated her playfulness. “So what do we do now to keep these warlocks—oh sorry—these men from being ‘torched’?”

“Ha, ha, MacKenzie,” he said mirthlessly. “Very funny, you ought to take that on the road.”

She chuckled, smiling at his embarrassment. “Well you started this with that ‘burning them at the stake’ comment.” Her smile faded when she looked at another negative report. “Seriously Harm, how should we tackle this?”

Harm looked at her in profound shock. This was certainly unexpected. Colonel MacKenzie actually wanting to work with someone rather than try to take over an investigation? He thought about teasing her with a pod people comment, but thought better of it. He didn’t want to ruin this. Okay, MacKenzie, I can dance this tango…

He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes, “What do you think we ought to do?”

Mac sat back. Whoa, this is definitely new territory for us. I’d better get this back on an even keel before we have an x-rated Hallmark moment. “Let’s not try to out-nice each other here, Harm. What do you say to interviewing Lukens and Buell first and then go from there?”

Harm pulled back as well. Now was not the time for this dance, but it sure was fun seeing her reaction. “Okay, as long as we can get a copy of the previous team’s preliminary report. We don’t want to make the same mistakes they made.”

0137 Zulu
Alan Mattoni’s apartment
Visiting Officer Quarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Alan had just settled down for the evening, having finished his frozen dinner. He settled into his easy chair, reaching into his briefcase sitting beside him. The Commander pulled out his case file.

He smiled ruefully in remembrance of this afternoon. It took Carolyn the rest of the afternoon, but she convinced the Admiral that Carly could be rehabilitated. Alan had added his own arguments which finally convinced Chegwidden. Truth be known, Alan thought it was going to be much tougher to convince him.

He and Carolyn made a pretty good team and with Jason’s and Harriet’s support, Carolyn was put in charge of Carly. It was Alan’s job to be John’s mentor. AJ had had his fill of these two. He was not a fan of the three strikes rule. So they wouldn’t get another chance.

“I’ll just hit a few of the high points before I call it a night,” Alan said to himself, picking up a marking pen that was sitting on his chair’s armrest. He uncapped it and began marking key points he wanted to be sure and hit at tomorrow’s hearing.

He worked for about thirty minutes according to the wall clock when he heard a knock at the door.

Reluctantly he stopped what he was doing. “Just a minute.” He put down his pen and papers got up and walked to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Delivery from the House of Fu.”

I didn’t order any takeout…wait a minute that voice, it couldn’t be…, he yanked open the door to see his wife standing in his doorway dressed in a dark green silk oriental shirt and slacks.

Jacquelyn Mattoni’s eyes shone brightly, “Did someone here order take-out?”

Alan grabbed her in a crushing hug “God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her hair.

0145 Zulu
Carolyn Imes’s apartment
Visiting Officer Quarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Carolyn had just gotten out of the shower. She had a towel tied around her body and she was running another through her strawberry blond hair when her cell phone began ringing.

“Imes,” she sat down on the edge of her bed continuing to dry her hair. The line clicked several times. She stopped toweling her hair, listening intently, “Hello?”

“Hey Carolyn,” she recognized the female voice at once.

“Mac!” Smiling, she pushed herself back onto the bed so that she was sitting against the headboard. “How’s it going over there?”

“Tiring.” Carolyn frowned. It was not even 0500 in Iraq and yet it sounded like Mac had been up for hours. She surmised the Colonel was having trouble sleeping again. “Mac why aren’t you asleep? You’ve still got at least an hour of left before you need to be up.”

The reply came back easily. “Harm and I have been trying to formulate our plan of attack on this investigation.”

“That rough?” She decided to accept Mac’s comment at face value rather than probing.

“Yeah, it doesn’t look real good right now.”

“Anything I can do?” Her concern was genuine. After all, she considered Mac to be a friend. Even if at one time, they had had a thing for the Commander –Carolyn smiled – truth be told, she thought Mac still had a thing for the Commander.

“As a matter of fact there is, Carolyn. Can you get us a copy of report filed by the first JAG team that came out here?”

Carolyn twisted a strand of her hair, not sure that she wanted to go there. “I don’t know Mac, they clamped a pretty tight lid on anything related to this case.”

“Come on Carolyn, if you can’t do it for me, do it for Harm.”

She smiled, “How is the Commander these days?”

She could hear the grumpiness in Mac’s voice. “As unpredictable as ever.”

She stifled a laugh. “You still interested in him?”

Silence filled the line.

“Mac, are you still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Well?”

“I don’t know Carolyn, he says the sweetest things sometimes and other times I just want to cold cock him.”

Yeah, she still had it bad for him.

“Well let me know if you ever change your mind, I’d like a crack at your Flyboy.”

Mac’s voice became harsh “He’d drive you nuts in a heartbeat.”

Carolyn noticed that Mac didn’t dispute the ‘your Flyboy’ comment. In the old days Mac would have gone out of her way to deny the Commander was ‘her’ Flyboy. Mac you and I are going to have a long talk before I go back to my duty station. She decided to see just how attached Sarah MacKenzie was to Harmon Rabb, Jr.

“That’s what I’m guessing too, but it would be fun getting there.”

Mac’s voice took on a joking tone. “Carolyn, you’re incorrigible. Why this sudden interest in my feelings for Harm, anyway?”

“Oh, come off it Mac, someone would have to be blind not to notice the sparks between you two.”

She heard the Colonel pause. Aha!

“Mac, are you still there?”

“Carolyn, you’re a romantic, did you know that? There is nothing going on between me and the Commander. I’ve called him ‘flyboy’ lots of times, he was a pilot, remember?”

She smiled. Good ol’ Mac--always keeping your cards close to your chest. “So they’ve told me. Look I’ll see what I can do regarding the case,” she smiled as she added a dig, “For Harm’s sake.”

“Thanks Carolyn. By the way, how is it being back at Headquarters?” Damn, I thought she’d take that bait….

“Not too bad. I’m working with a Marine Major--”

Mac broke in, Carolyn could hear the ear to ear smile on the other end. “A Marine, well I knew the Admiral would pair you with somebody good--”

“I don’t know if good is the word I would use to describe her--”

“Why?” Mac asked, Carolyn could tell curiosity was getting the best of her. “Who is it?”

“Carly Clemmons from Pearl.”

“Captain Clemmons?” Mac’s tone was incredulous. Carolyn could imagine the look on her face. The two women had crossed swords back when they were stationed at Okinawa. Anyone who knew Mac knew her opinion of Carly.

“Uh huh. Only, she’s a Major now.”

“Wow, that’s a curve ball.”

“You said it.”

“How was her first day?”

“You remember how Singer did in interpersonal relations?”

Mac was astonished. “Damn, in just one day?”

“The Admiral reamed her out for about one hour solid. It took Alan and me another hour--”

“Hold up Carolyn. You and Alan, as in Commander Alan Mattoni?”

Carolyn smiled. “The same.”

“Wow, the SECNAV really pulled a lot of strings didn’t he? Sorry, I interrupted, so you and Alan--”

“Right, Alan and I along with Harriet and Tiner talked to the Admiral for about an hour convincing him to give Carly another chance--”

“Another chance? I’m surprised he didn’t toss all of you out on your ears. So why are Tiner and Harriet involved?”

“They were trying to help. Mac, everybody deserves a second chance.”

“Now you sound like Harm.”

She smiled at that comment. “I learned from the best.”

“Spare me, please.” She could hear the sarcasm in Mac’s voice.

“Okay, well anyway, she’s under my supervision now.”

“Sounds like quite a challenge.”

“I think she just needs the right kind of mentor.”

“Well good luck, because it sounds like you’re gonna need it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, MacKenzie.”

“Anytime, Imes, anytime.”

“Look, I’ll talk to Tiner in the morning. I’ll see what we can do about getting you the previous team’s report.”

“Thanks Carolyn, I knew I could count on you.”

“So I can count on you to bail out my six when the Admiral starting chomping on it?”

“What are friends for?”

“Right, goodnight Mac,” Imes cut her eyes to desk clock. “I mean, good morning.”

Mac was unfazed, fatigue was settling in. “Yeah, get some rest Imes, I’ll call you later.”

Carolyn closed her phone and set it down on the nightstand. So she and Harm are still playing the game after all these years. What does it take to get these two together?

Several hours earlier
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mac found herself in the cockpit of an F-14. She looked toward the front and saw the pilot. Her heart leapt when she saw the name stenciled across the back of the helmet –HAMMER.

“Harm” Her voice sounded like she was talking underwater.

“Not now Pete, I’m trying to keep her from shaking apart....”

She noticed the shaking which was becoming more pronounced with each passing moment. Alarms were blaring and smoke began to fill the cockpit.

“Punch out Pete! I’ll join you in a minute!!”

A puff of choking white death filled her nostrils and mouth. She gagged, causing her to involuntarily to suck in more of the foul air, trying to replace the precious oxygen that she had lost.

She could hear Harm’s voice but she also felt strangely peaceful, the smoke curling seductively around her. Then the cockpit began to shatter, replaced by boiling, flaming death. Mac felt her flight suit catch fire. She lifted up one arm and watched the fuel soaked fabric covering her arm ignite, the flames marching up her arm toward her fingertips. Mesmerized, Mac watched as the fire roared toward her face.

OH DEAR GOD!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah MacKenzie sat up panting, sweat pouring off of her. Her olive.drab. sweatsuit as well as her t-shirt and panties, damp with perspiration, felt cool and clammy next to her skin. She shivered as yanked her covers off and swung her feet out of bed and sat on the edge trying to will her heart to slow down.

The worst part was that she could still taste the metallic tang of the electrical smoke in her mouth and smell its pungent odor in her nostrils. She had to fight hard to resist the urge to retch.

She sat up a little straighter and forced herself to do an internal time check. 0200 hours, two minutes, thirty nine seconds. Like clockwork, the dream ended at the exact same time as it had every other time. This was the tenth occasion in two weeks that this horror had visited her. And, this one was the most vivid and the most frightening.

It, along with other equally disturbing visions, had tortured her, making nightfall a dreaded time. For Sarah MacKenzie, sleep on these nights became a memory. She sighed and pulled on her BDUs, not wanting to lie down anymore. She looked around the room, glad she had not screamed out loud. She always heard the same words screamed out at the end of the dream, but there was no way to discern who spoke them.

Sitting down on the steps of the barracks, she put her head in her hands. God, how she wished she could sleep. These disturbing visions were beginning to affect her judgment and emotional control during the day, not to mention her new relationship with Harm.

Harm. Her greatest source of comfort and her greatest source of turmoil had been revealed to be at the center of these…these visions. Was he in danger? What did they mean? Did they mean anything? Honestly, she just didn’t know anymore. How she wished she could just drop off into unconsciousness, but she knew the same flight and the same awful crash was waiting for her with open arms. She looked up into the night sky, tears blurring her vision. She dropped her head again praying for relief as she wept silently.

*~*

Harmon Rabb, Jr. could ‘see’ Mac waking from a nightmare. In his mind’s eye, he watched her get up and get dressed—Was that a smoky odor? His eyes snapped open at that sensation. He breathed deeply. No smoke here. He threw back his covers and swung his feet out of the bed. Dressing, he quietly got up and walked outside.

The night air was cool. The sky was dark, sprinkled with the minute flashes and twinkles of a thousand stars. Dawn was still hours off, and now fully awake, he decided to check on Mac. Just in case.

As he walked over to her barracks, he knew what would happen if she caught him doing this. Harm, I don’t need a guardian. Please don’t do this. I’ll be fine, really.

“I’m a Marine, I can handle this,” he chuckled humorlessly at the words.

“Well Mac,” he said determinedly to himself, “Whether you like it or not, I’m going to watch your six.” He made his way across the compound to her barracks.

*~*

Mac stirred from her semi-slumber. She felt movement near her. She was instantly on alert, but pretended to still be out of it.

*

There it was again, a whiff of… electrical smoke? He looked at the steps of the barracks and saw the huddled female form. It was Mac. It had to be nearly three in the morning, what was she doing out here?

He moved closer. “Mac?”

She didn’t move.

“Mac?” This time he touched her lightly on her forearm.

*

Mac felt the warmth of Harm’s touch. Instantly, she knew what she wanted. She lifted her head – she hoped the darkness would hide the fact she had been crying. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” He noted immediately by the hoarseness of her voice that she had been crying. Better start with a joke and see how that plays. “What’s the matter Marine, bed not lumpy enough for you?”

Mac smiled brightly at his attempt at humor. Good ol’ Harm, always a joke first to test the waters. “Not sleepy,” she lied, “Too keyed up about this case.”

Harm was not convinced. “Want to talk about it?” He sat down next to her. “Come on Mac, open up to me.”

Enter the investigator, she thought, Okay Flyboy, let’s talk. “No one seems especially happy about us being here.”

“True. But that usually doesn’t rattle you Mac.”

Damn, he usually doesn’t catch on that quickly.

“I’m fine Harm. Just a little taken aback by their hostility.”

“They’re a very close group Mac. You told me that, remember?”

“True, point taken counselor.”

“Look there’s a couple of hours left before reveille, come here.” He scooted closer to Mac. She stiffened at his touch. He felt the response and gently rubbed her back. That seemed to relax her a little.

“We’ll rest for a little while, you can lean into me and then I’ll wake you and I can lean into you. It’ll be warmer than hugging ourselves.”

It sounded inviting, really inviting, but they were on an assignment, so she decided it was best to remind him of that “And what if a sentry comes along? How are you going to explain this, Harm?”

He smiled at her. “I’ll tell him I’m up with a sick friend.”

She shot him a playful look. “Funny Harm.”

“Better than sitting here hugging yourself.”

She tried one last time to reason with him. “Why don’t you just go back inside?” she pleaded. “I’ll be fine really, I just need some quiet time.”

But Harm wasn’t about to be swayed. “Good try Ninja-Girl, but you’re not shaking me that easily.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I had to give it a try.”

“Just relax Marine and try to get some shut-eye. I’ll think of something if a sentry comes by.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Harm playfully punched her on the arm, as she scooted closer snuggling down on his chest.

Chapter 7
…For Meritorious Service

0454 Local
Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Harm yawned, but tried not to stretch too much . Mac was sound asleep in his lap. Only once during the night, did a sentry come over, to see the two people were, sitting on the steps. To his surprise, the guy only asked to see Harm’s ID and then looking down at Mac, smiled and wished the Commander a pleasant evening/morning.

Despite their agreement to take shifts, Mac was next to impossible to wake up. Harm finally gave up at 04:20. This cold wasn’t doing his old injuries much good, but apparently, this was the Marine’s first peaceful sleep in a long while. That bothered Harm and if it meant a little stiffness for him, so be it. He knew Mac had bouts of sleeplessness, but her falling into this kind of deep sleep meant Mac had missed more than just a few nights’ rest. He had to find out what was going on with her and soon. He looked down at her . She looked so innocent, so peaceful, and so… so beautiful.

Her eyelids fluttered and she let out a soft groan.

Mac felt so refreshed, she felt relaxed, she felt…Harm’s lap. Her eyes snapped open. The Commander was staring down at her.

“Good Morning Colonel.”

“Uh, morning.” She quickly did a mental check of the time as she lifted her head off his lap and sat up facing him. “Harm, its 0455 and…twenty nine seconds.”

“What’s the matter Mac,” he teased smiling at her discomfort, “Internal clock alarm need new batteries?”

She ignored his joke. “Harm, you let me sleep,” Her indignation was half-hearted. “Why didn’t you wake me like you were supposed to?”

His voice indicated the answer was evident “I did try, several times. Besides you obviously needed to sleep, Marine.”

Mac sighed. As usual, Harmon Rabb was right, damn him. She did feel better than she had in a long time. How many weeks had it been – two, three? She honestly couldn’t remember. Up to now she hadn’t gotten more than twenty hours of sleep a week. Like any Marine, she had been trained on how to handle sleep deprivation, but she was fast reaching her breaking point.

Several times she had dozed off during the day. A couple of times in her office, another time resulted in a hair raising near traffic accident and a few days ago she had slept through staff call. The Admiral had given her hell for it, but only her ego had been bruised and she had been able to convince him that she had been ill over the weekend. But she couldn’t keep this up forever.

“Mac, I know something’s wrong, talk to me.”

“Nothing’s wrong.” she insisted a little too strongly as she got up and walked away from him.

“Maac…”

She hated it when he did that. One, it meant he wanted an answer and two, it was really cute.

“Harm please, can we discuss this later?” He got up and walked over to her. He stood close but did not touch her. She could feel his breath on her and see the intensity in his blue eyes. He wasn’t going to let this go…but he would give her a temporary reprieve.

“Okay Mac, I’ll back off for now,”

She relaxed a little and started to say ‘thank you’ but it died on her lips when he fixed her with a stern gaze.

“But, we will discuss this…later.”

1207 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Chegwidden had just settled down at his desk, to begin going through some case file reports, left on his desk from the previous evening. Tiner was nothing if not efficient. He picked up his coffee cup to take a sip when his phone began to ring.

He looked over at the phone. There could only be one of two people calling at this hour. One was Commander Rabb. He wasn’t ready for that yet. He continued to let it ring. The second person it might be was the SECNAV. He sighed, put down his coffee cup and punched the intercom button on his phone.

“Admiral Chegwidden.”

“AJ, I trust I am not interrupting anything at this early hour?” Secretary of the Navy Sheffield always managed to sound chipper no matter what time of day it was. Then again, it could be my imagination, AJ thought.

AJ smiled knowing that it made the person talking sound friendlier – no matter how they really felt about the person they were talking to. “No Sir, Mr. Secretary, what can I do for you this morning?”

“Can you, ah, give me a progress report on the Lieutenant Dodge murder investigation?”

AJ tried to maintain his smile. “Well Sir, I haven’t heard from the team since last night. They just arrived yesterday afternoon--”

Sheffield cut him off sharply. “AJ I don’t think I need to remind you how important this investigation is.”

AJ understood the implied threat. While AJ had the rank and the tenure, he served at the pleasure of the SECNAV even if the man was a civilian. “Yes Sir, Mr. Secretary. Commanders Rabb and Turner, Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts met with Colonel Briggs yesterday evening. They *will* have a progress report for me later this morning.”

“Well, can’t they tell us something right now?” The man’s lack of patience was wearing on AJ. His smiled flickered a little, but somehow he managed to maintain it. The things I do for the Navy….

“Right about now they’re out in the field interviewing witnesses, Sir. It would be difficult to *reach* to them.”

“Oh I see, well AJ, I’ll be looking forward to their report.” Finally, the man gets it. We can’t just conjure these things out of thin air….

“This case has been stagnant for far too long. I’m still not sure why the first team couldn’t take care of this.” What?! Of all the stupid, asinine comments--

“The reports of improprieties Sir?” He gently reminded the SECNAV. Even though AJ had the urge to scream at him, he knew it was not conducive to him keeping his job as the JAG. Then again, he thought evilly, it might be worth it.

“Oh yes, that’s right I forgot.” Well, well, it does have a brain. “Well AJ, I do know that we have the best there now.”

“Yes Sir.” Damn right we do!

“Commander Manetti told me that Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie, are two of your hardest working staff.”

“Yes Sir they are.” When they aren’t giving me extra strength migraines….

“So I know they’ll do a good job.” Thanks for a statement of the obvious.

“Yes Sir.”

“You know AJ, Lieutenant Dodge is a true hero. Something we have precious few of these days, and his murderers need to be brought to justice.”

“My people will do their best Sir.” If you’ll just stop worrying us for five minutes…

“I know they will, AJ, I know they will.”

The SECNAV must’ve decided that he had milked as much as he could out of that subject. He abruptly switched topics. “So, how are the replacements working out? You know AJ, getting Commanders Mattoni and Imes away from their current duty assignments must have been difficult. Thank you for making that possible AJ.”

“Well Sir, that was really your decision.” Fishing for compliments, eh, Mr. Secretary?

“Yes, I guess it was. And Lieutenant Commander Burford and Major Clemons, I trust they are doing satisfactory work?”

The smile was getting harder to maintain. “They had a little trouble adjusting Sir, but I think everything will work out.”

“Good AJ, good. I’m happy to hear that, because I think they will make excellent partners one day.”

If they don’t kill each other first, he thought grumpily, “Yes Sir, they will, someday.”

Sheffield picked up on his change of tone immediately. “You don’t sound very positive AJ, is there something wrong?”

Damn! Now he had stuck his foot in it. “They are very spirited, Sir, especially Major Clemons.”

“Ah yes, Major Clemons. Well you know, she has expressed strong interest about working in your office, AJ.”

Really? So she can wreck it? “That’s good to know Sir.”

“She needs a good partner to provide her balance. I think Lieutenant Commander Burford can do that. This will be a good experience for them.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Glad to hear you agree AJ, well, I look forward to your report from Commander Rabb. I know he will do what needs to be done to straighten out this situation at Mirbullah.”

“Yes Sir.” Providing Mac, Sturgis, and Bud can keep him under control.

“Well, Goodbye AJ.”

“Goodbye Sir.” AJ Chegwidden punched the intercom button again, disconnecting the call. He sat for a moment looking at the phone and then leaned back in his overstuffed chair. Holding his reading glasses in one hand, he rubbed his face with the other. Then he pinched and rubbed the bridge of his nose for a few minutes, wondering about his just finished conversation with the Secretary. I don’t know how much longer I can do this, between Rabb and Sheffield, I may have to put in for early retirement.

“Good Morning Admiral.”

He looked up through his open door. Petty Officer Jennifer Coates stood looking at him.

Another Rabb disciple he thought sourly. Well, he’d straighten her out once she took Tiner’s place when he went to Naval Justice School.

“Good morning Coates.” He returned gruffly.

“Have you heard from Mirbullah yet, Sir?” her voice was hopeful, as she looked at him.

“No Petty Officer.” doing his best to sound annoyed

“Sorry Sir, would you like for me to get you some coffee?”

“I’m still nursing my first cup Coates.” She looked a little dejected at that.

Oh hell, “I guess I could use a warm-up.”

“Yes Sir, right away, Admiral”

She came to attention, pivoted and headed to the break room. In moment, AJ could hear her busily starting the coffeemaker

“I hope she makes better coffee than Tiner does.” he said aloud as he opened another report to review.

0830 Local
City Police Station
Mirbullah, Iraq

Harm sat at the table directly across from 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Lukens, the Cobra gunship pilot. He was clean shaven, but haggard looking.

“Are they treating you well--”

“What do you care?” shot back the pilot. It really didn’t matter to him what this lawyer thought.

Harm’s easy going demeanor disappeared; and was replaced by a professional coolness. “Okay Lieutenant, let’s start this again.” The pilot looked sullenly at him, refusing to give him the courtesy of a second chance.

Harm smiled briefly then grabbed the pilot by the collar. Pulling him close so that they were nose to nose. The Commander’s face now became an uncaring mask. His voice ice cold. “Let’s get one thing straight Lieutenant, you don’t want to be here and I don’t want to be here, but I need to investigate what happened. So let’s stop horsing around and get down to business.” He shoved the man roughly back into his chair.

“That’s assault Commander--” the man began to growl, shooting out of the chair, trying to regain his attitude and his anger. It was his only advantage here. But he faltered when he saw the Commander’s uncaring, dead eyes and heard that cold voice again.

“And you’re being held on murder charges Lieutenant, Harm fired back with equal intensity. “Do you think anyone in this station really honestly cares right now, what you think?”

He glowered at the Commander who calmly sat back down at the table. “Now let’s start again, Second Lieutenant Lukens.” Harm made a point to de-emphasizing the man’s rank. It was a way of humbling him.

Ben Lukens realized that he wasn’t going to intimidate this man so, he sat down opposite Harm. Like the flip of a hidden switch, the cold professional was replaced by the more open caring man known as the Commander. “Are they treating you well?”

“Fair enough.” It was a neutral comment. At least it was progress.

Harm decided it would do little good to try and beat any cooperation out of him. He smiled at the dark thought. The Admiral wouldn’t stand for it. It took him a moment to realize he had slipped back into field agent interrogation mode. He looked at the man, uncertain what kind of damage he had done.

He had to get this darker part of him back under control. He was a lawyer again and lawyers don’t go around beating confessions out of people. Quietly he pulled out a legal pad from his open briefcase and uncapped his pen. “Tell me in your own words what happened Lieutenant….”

*~*

“…and when we returned fire, Ma’am, Lieutenant Dodge, sorta slumped in his hatch. That’s when we knew he had been hit.”

“But you had no idea he was dead?” Mac made a note to look again at the ballistics report and the Medical Examiner’s review. She looked up at Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Buell. Buell’s slight build and sandy blond hair made him seem more innocuous, but Mac knew that might not be the case. Many times she and Harm had dealt with people like this and found just the opposite.

“No Ma’am.” he smiled briefly and then buried it.

Mac remained impassive despite the temptation to relax her guard around this man. “When you say ‘sorta slumped’ did you happen to see any blood appear on his back?”

“Yes Ma’am.” That’s the way the whole interview had been. Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am, Thank You Ma’am – the guy was almost too polite. “Three splotches, uh sorry, that is, three entry points, Ma’am.”

“And How many rounds had you and Lieutenant Lukens fired?”

The Cobra Weapons Officer closed his eyes, looking as if he was doing mental calculations for a moment. After a moment he opened them and looked directly at her. “All told, Ma’am, I’d say between the both of us we fired about a dozen rounds.”

The Colonel wrote down on her legal pad ‘defendant’s recall matches ammunition report’

She put down her pen and looked hard at the Weapons Officer. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

*~*

“No Sir,” Lukens looked directly into the Commander’s eyes. “I did not kill Lieutenant Dodge.”

“You’ve made that abundantly clear Lieutenant,” Harm studied the man for a moment. “But that’s not up to me to decide.”

Lukens dropped eyes to the table in deference to the officer. “Commander?”

Harm looked impassively at the man. “Yes Lieutenant?”

“Sir, I know you have guys tell you all the time that they didn’t kill so and so or do the thing they are accused of…, and I know the evidence against us is pretty damning—

“It would have helped if you had not been in a shoving match with Lieutenant Dodge twenty four hours earlier--” Harm interrupted.

“Yes Sir,” he said contritely, “I know that now Sir, but you have to believe me Sir, I did not kill Lieutenant Dodge and neither did my Weapons Officer.”

Harm almost believed this man despite his initial misgivings about the pilot. There was something in his comments. The Commander tried not to betray his true sentiments.

“I’m just here to file a report Lieutenant. Not to determine guilt or innocence.”

However, Harm was already beginning to believe there may be something else going on here. With all his years as an investigator and prosecutor it was fairly easy to tell when someone was trying to pull a snow job. But all during this interview, he could not read anything duplicitous about this man. Yes, he had a temper and he was a little gruff, but murder seemed less and less like something this man would do.

“Commander, what happens if your report indicates enough evidence for this to go to trial?”

Harm smiled his first genuine smile during this interview. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, Lieutenant. We still have a lot of work to do before we can reach any kind of conclusion.”

Ben Lukens grinned for the first time since Harm entered the cell. “Yes Sir, thank you for your honesty, Sir.”

Harm, got up and tapped on the jail cell door. He looked back at the man. “For what its worth, Lieutenant, I believe you.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

The door opened and Harm left, leaving Lieutenant Lukens feeling the most positive he had felt in weeks.

*~*

As Harm stepped out of the cell, he saw Mac coming down the hall. Looking at her face, the Commander could tell she was deep in thought.

“Something troubling you Mac?”

She looked up, momentarily distracted from her train of thought. “Just finished with Chief Warrant Officer Buell.” She said absently, then started looking back through her stenographer’s pad.

Harm was intrigued. “And?”

She flipped her pad closed with a flourish “…And, I’m having trouble believing this guy could kill in cold blood.”

“Why? Because he looks so innocent? Remember your basic courses on the criminal mind, Counselor….” But Harm was curious as to why she thought this.

She held up her hand in mock surrender “I know, I know, I should know better.” she said disgustedly, “But Harm, this guy doesn’t impress me as a killer.”

Harm looked thoughtfully at her. “Well if its any consolation, I don’t think Lieutenant Lukens did it either.”

She shook her head. “But the mountain of evidence against them is staggering--”

“Overwhelming.” He added.

“Besides we’re just supposed to be investigating whether or not this should be brought to trial at this point.” She tried to put the best face on the situation. “You know, we may find that there’s not even enough evidence for a trial.”

Harm shook his head. “You and I both know that we don’t believe that for a moment.”

She sighed heavily at the truth of his statement. “True.” In all likelihood this would go to trial, but first, at least they would have to have a hearing. There was still hope of keeping this from going any further.

He crossed his arms and leaned back against the hallway wall. “So where does that leave us?”

She leaned back against the wall on the opposite side, with her arms crossed. “Well, it’s only 1000, the Admiral won’t be in until 1530 our time at the earliest. So why don’t we find as many witnesses as we can, that might be able to help them, before we have to give our progress report.”

He smiled as he pushed himself away from the wall. “I like the way you think MacKenzie.”

She smiled briefly but then quickly sobered as she joined him. “Don’t get your hopes up too high Commander, with Dodge being a hero, we have a pretty big hurdle to clear.”

“I’m in pretty good shape and I’ve cleared some pretty big hurdles in my time,” he quipped jocularly. “What do you say Colonel, care to join me?” He held out his arm.

She rolled her eyes while shaking her head. “Why do I feel like Sancho working with Don Quixote?”

He tried his best to look wounded by her sarcastic comment. “Hey Marine, I thought I was Batman….”

She smirked. “Right, and I, as your faithful sidekick, am supposed to talk some sense into you.”

Harm pretended to be pondering her comment. “Hmm, I don’t remember Robin doing that.” He winked at her.

She dropped her voice to soft whisper, looking intently at him. “Robin’s a lot more sophisticated than she used to be.” He locked eyes with her. Both felt the electricity. She unconsciously licked her lips. He stared, feeling a war beginning between his common sense and his baser emotions. With effort, he managed to subdue the baser demons, although a part of him was eager to explore these feelings for Mac. They were growing stronger each day.

Harm smiled, chuckling. “Well, we can go find someplace private and debate this all day or we can start interviewing witnesses.”

It broke the spell. Mac cocked her head. Not sure what had just happened. This Harm was definitely freer with his feelings for her. She smiled.

“Let’s go, Flyboy, and interview those witnesses, maybe we’ll get lucky…”

1342 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Lieutenant Sims had just deposited the case files that came in with the morning courier. Admiral Chegwidden was looking at these new ones when his phone buzzed.

“Yes Coates?”

“Admiral, it’s Colonel Briggs on line one.”

“I’ll take it Coates,” AJ punched the line and put the caller on the intercom. “Good evening Ashton,

“AJ,”

“How is the investigation progressing?”

“I’ll get right to the point, Admiral. Do you always send four officers to do a JAGMan investigation?” The Colonel asked piercingly.

The Admiral was taken aback and slightly annoyed with the man’s attitude. “Ash, you’re the one who asked for a quick and quiet review of this case.” He wasn’t asking him to be falling down grateful, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to show just a little gratitude.

“Well, they have been quick, I’ll give them that, but I’m not so sure about quiet,”

“What do you mean Ash?” If Harmon Rabb has screwed this up, a certain Commander would find himself transferred to the Aleutians, or maybe Kansas.

“They’re interviewing everyone AJ! Hell, the only person they haven’t talked to yet is the unit mascot!”

AJ smiled. No doubt, this was the Colonel and the Commander’s idea. “My people do a thorough job Ash, and it seems like you *should* want them to be thorough.”

“That’s not the point AJ.”

“Well exactly what is the point, Colonel?” AJ was becoming more aggravated by the minute with his ‘friend’s’ sarcastic and antagonistic tone.

“As I see it, there are three possible outcomes to this investigation. First, Lieutenant Dodge was killed in the line of duty-died a hero’s death. Tragic, but end of story. He’ll get a hero’s burial with full honors and his wife will get a flag and some nice benefits. Second, the Lieutenant was killed by friendly fire – again tragic, and it’ll be up to your team to find out who did it. Third, Dodge was murdered. That is one that has most of the 36th and the higher ups whispering. It means there is someone here that has killed a fellow solder, and may kill again, if they think it is necessary. But you know, to me that seems like the least likely one, so I really don’t think this should even be considered.”

“So what you’re saying is you would rather--”

“--I would rather they find the Lieutenant’s death was an accident or a case of friendly fire.”

“Colonel,…” AJ took the phone off the intercom and picked up the receiver. “Ashton,” he said with quiet intensity, “Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”

“I do AJ. This can’t be murder. They have to prove it’s something else. You owe me Admiral,”

“Ash, we go back a long way—

“A long way, AJ.”

The Admiral closed his eyes. “I can’t do this Ash.”

“AJ--”

His voice became hard as he opened his eyes. Treating Ashton Briggs like junior officer rather than as a friend hurt him worse than the Marine Colonel could ever imagine. “Denied Colonel. Commander Rabb has my full backing to carry out this investigation as he sees fit. If it’s found to be a murder, then he, and they, will prosecute it as such.”

“If it’s found that Dodge was murdered on my watch, you know it’ll be the end of my career. It’ll be yet another black mark on Operation Iraqi Freedom, AJ.”

AJ knew it was a desperate attempt to save himself, but he couldn’t allow it. “I’m sorry Ashton.”

“Yeah, AJ,” Colonel Ashton Briggs said bitterly, realizing he had lost the argument. “Me too.”

The line clicked off, leaving a buzzing dial tone. AJ stared at the phone, listening to the drone. The sullen voice of his former friend replayed in his mind. Friend or no friend, AJ Chegwidden just couldn’t do this. He couldn’t ask Rabb and the others to ignore the fact someone may have killed in cold blood The killer, if there was one, had to be brought to justice, and unfortunately if it meant damaging or ending his friend’s career and even if it made trouble for the American expeditionary forces in Iraq, they would have to do it.

AJ savagely punched the button, cutting off the drone. He looked up at the accommodations and awards on his wall. Had it always been this messy? Sure it had. There were no clean wars, there were no good fights, there was just armed combat against a designated enemy. It wasn’t the warrior’s business to determine who was morally right and who was morally wrong. Their job was to protect and defend the United States and its citizens. However, it was his job as Judge Advocate General to make sure that the laws, regulations and rules of the American military were enforced. And if someone violated those rules, it was his job to make sure they were punished for their crimes.

1120 Local
Outpost Bravo
Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

“I need to speak with Sergeant Thomas Z. Fuller.”

Sturgis and Bud stood looking at the mechanic who had emerged from underneath the LAV he was working on.

The man wiped his hands on oil stained cloth he was holding and looked at the two legal officers. “Aye Sir, I’ll see if I can locate him.”

He walked away from the two naval officers. Bud and Sturgis looked at each other for a moment, then Bud looked at the armored vehicle.

“You ever been in one of these Sir?”

“Can’t say that I have, Lieutenant.” His tone indicated he really wasn’t interested in small talk right now.

An awkward silence ensued. Fortunately, it didn’t last long. The mechanic came back.

“Over there, Sirs.” He pointed to a group of Light Armored Vehicles parked a few hundred feet from where they were standing.

Bud looked at Sturgis for a moment. Then they both began trudging toward the vehicle park.

*~*

Sgt. Fuller, ‘Zeke’ to his friends, studied his cards.

“Rover two to Rover Prime, I got a pair of kings, Over.”

Zeke looked back at his cards. Damn!

Disgusted, he picked up his radio mike and depressed the talk button. “I fold, Over.”

“That’s six MRE’s that you owe me,”

Zeke smiled. “Just what are you going to do with all of those MREs?”

“Make a casserole,” came back the laconic reply. “You’re welcome to have some if you like, Over.”

Zeke shook his head. “No, I’ll pass Rover two, I’ve had your casseroles before.”

“Sergeant Fuller?”

Zeke turned around in his hatch and looked the two officers approaching.

“Wait one, Rover two.” He disconnected his radio. “I’m Sergeant Fuller.” He looked at the two naval officers looking up at him and quickly saluted.

“Sorry, Commander, Lieutenant.”

Sturgis walked up closer to the truck. “Commander Sturgis Turner, JAG Corps – this is my partner, Lieutenant Bud Roberts.

Zeke pulled himself out of the hatch and hopped down to the ground next to the two men.

“Commander, Lieutenant. I guess you’re here to discuss Lieutenant Dodge’s murder, Sir. Captain Johnson told me to expect you.”

The former naval submarine officer looked around. “Is there some place we can talk, Sergeant?”

“Aye Sir. We can use the back of the truck.” He picked up his com wire and plugged it back into his helmet. “Excuse me for a moment, Sirs.”

“Rover two, this is Rover Prime. We’ll have to continue another time. I’ve got company.”

“Roger wilco, Prime. Rover two, out.”

“Back here, Sirs.” He disconnected the wire again and led the two lawyers to the back of the truck. He opened the LAV’s back doors. “After you, Commander, Lieutenant.”

Bud and Sturgis climbed in . Zeke looked at his driver and gunner who had appeared in the turret hatch.

“Guys, do me a favor and get scarce for a while.”

“Sure Sarge,” replied the gunner, “Come on Kev, and let’s go see if Weinrich has that ZNN guy interviewing him.”

Both men jumped down from the truck and walked toward the battalion vehicle park. Zeke watched them as they approached the ZNN mini-cam operator. They were reluctant to leave Zeke, but the tone in his voice left little room for objection. He turned back to the two JAG officers.

“What do you want to know, Commander?” he said casually sitting down across from them in the personnel compartment.

“Why don’t we start at the beginning?” asked Sturgis as Bud uncapped his pen.

“Okay,” the Sergeant studied the two lawyers and then focused on a distant point just behind them. “We were scouting…my unit was scouting for the main body. We had gotten the word from the Force Recon that the Republican Guard had a base of operations in the town of Mirbullah. They also notified us the several mid-level Al-Qaeda operatives had been spotted in the town. We were ordered by Colonel Briggs to look for a way in. I split my platoon into two forces. I lead Alpha section to the heights just outside the village and had our scout teams recon the entry points into the village. Bravo section lead by Sergeant Benson rolled into town and scouted for enemy positions.”

Bud looked up from his notes. “Did either of you initially find any enemy positions?”

The Sergeant looked vacantly at them. “Initially? No. We scouted the whole town – it wasn’t until later in the action that we learned they had positioned themselves on the hill just to the west of town and in the upper levels of the buildings in Mirbullah – they were watching us the whole time.”

“So you gave the go ahead for the main body to move in.” added Sturgis. Hmm, he didn’t mention this in his official report. I’ll let it slide for now….

“Aye Sir, and about the time the main body began to move through the town, all hell broke loose on the north side. We broke contact, and rushed over to help Force Recon who had been pinned down by enemy fire.”

Sir, if you don’t mind, could you verify for me and the Commander the deployment of the MEU around Mirbullah? Bud produced a blank mapsheet of the town.

The Sergeant looked at the map. “Uh well Sir, as said, I was with Alpha section on this set of low hills east of Mirbullah, Bravo section was reconnoitering the bridge crossings into the town. The AMTRAC and weapons platoons were to the east of us getting ready to move in when we gave the word. The tank platoon was moving to the north side of the town to support Force Recon and one of the infantry companies that had become pinned down by a probing attack by Republican Guard troops.”

Bud marked the positions he indicated. “Thank you Sergeant.”

Sturgis looked at the map and then at the LAV commander. “When did you get back to the southern side where the main body was?”

“When our heavy support reached the Force Recon positions, we heard Lieutenant Hawkins, the AMTRAC unit commander, radioing that they had been ambushed. We broke contact with the enemy force on that side of the village and raced back, trying to break the AMTRACs out of their encirclement.”

Bud added more notes to his map. Sturgis nodded. “Okay Sergeant, what happened next?”

“We succeeded in forcing the ambushers back, but in the process we got too close. Sergeant Benson’s vehicle took a direct hit from a missile. He never knew what hit him.” He looked at both JAG attorneys for a moment, letting a momentary shadow of pain cross his face. Then as quick as it appeared, it was gone.

“After that, we pulled back out of their range and continued to lay down suppressive fire on Lieutenant Hawkins’s attackers.”

Chaplain Turner’s son continued his interview. “Did you see what happened next?”

“My gunner spotted him first….”

~~***~~

Sarge, I got an AMTRAC headed for Lieutenant Hawkins’s position!

What the hell?! Who is it Ben? Talk to me…

It…it’s Lieutenant Dodge, Sarge! He’s trying to break through to Lieutenant Hawkins and Gunny Sanchez!

Rover Prime to all Rovers! Give the Lieutenant cover fire! Don’t let’em them line him up for an RPG shot!

Aye, aye Sarge!

~~**~~

“We began our cover fire and the Lieutenant barreled full speed into that stone wall that was standing between him and the village square.”

“What did you see next?”

~~**~~

Hot damn! The Lieutenant did it Sarge!! He broke through and he’s in the square!!

Rover Prime to all Rovers! Move in and support the Lieutenant!!

~~**~~

“Lieutenant Dodge had disrupted their attack. So, we moved in to exploit the damage done. Meantime, chatter on the local net was hot and heavy.”

“How so?”

“You know Commander, the Gunny was trying to rally the AMTRAC squads, and Lieutenant Hawkins was radioing for close air support--”

“…And this was when Colonel Briggs sent in Lieutenant Lukens’s Cobra, FIREFLY ONE?”

“Aye Sir. We saw him approaching fast. The Lieutenant, like Dodge, didn’t waste any time – he went in guns blazing—making the enemy troops dive for cover.”

“And what was Dodge doing during all this?”

“Lieutenant Dodge was working his way over to the Gunny.”

*~*

“…And he deliberately placed himself between the enemy and the Gunny?” Harm hastily scribbled down the man’s account. Lance Corporal Wil Delfin had been crouched down by a nearby burning Humvee and had witnessed Dodge’s actions.

“Aye Sir – if it hadn’t been for Lieutenant Dodge, Gunnery Sergeant Sanchez and the rest of us would be dead.”

*~*

“Lieutenant Dodge helped Lieutenant Hawkins rally the company?” Mac was sitting on a crate of bottled water facing Sergeant Perez. Perez had been with riding in one of the Humvees near the front of the column when the ambush happened.

“Affirmative—no disrespect to Lieutenant Hawkins or Captain Lewis Ma’am, but the enemy had the company so badly broken up, that they needed the help and they didn’t refuse Lieutenant Dodge’s assistance.”

*~*

“What about FIREFLY ONE?” Harm’s notes listed that Corporal Chris Kirtland, the scout unit leader attached to Fuller’s LAV unit, had been dismounted and witnessed the whole attack on Lukens’s Cobra.

“From what we could see, he was giving as good as he was getting. The Iraqis had labeled him public nuisance number one and wanted him out of there.”

“…But they couldn’t get rid of him.”

“No Sir, Lieutenant Lukens was holding his own and then some.”

*~*

“Until some Republican Guard snipers found their mark.” Bud handed Lance Corporal Randy Cruze, Dodge’s driver, a plastic bottle of water. The man nodded his thanks and drank deeply. The heat inside an AAV personnel carrier was unbearable during this time in the afternoon.

“Yes Sir. Lukens’s Weapon Officer started radioing that they had a problem, but they didn’t think it was serious. About that time, the Lieutenant told me smoke was boiling from underneath the Gunship. I listened to the conversation between the two….”

~~**~~

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! This is FIREFLY ONE! We are taking heavy sustained ground fire! I’m declaring an emergency! Gonna autorotate down!!

FIREFLY ONE! This is TRACK TWO ZERO! HOW BAD IS IT?!

Losing hydraulics fast! I’ve got smoke coming from underneath and enough chirping signals in here to attract a flock of birds!!

FIREFLY ONE can you get clear of the combat zone?!

NEGATIVE! NEGATIVE! Losing oil pressure way too fast TWO ZERO! Gotta bring her down quick or she’s coming down the hard way!!

Understood FIREFLY head for the far side of the stream! I’ll cover you!

Much obliged TWO ZERO! Out!

~~**~~

“We kept hammering at those Guard troops – they smelled blood and they wanted all of us--bad. I watched as FIREFLY ONE veered away and headed for that stream.”

*~*

Mac noted that Lance Corporal Greg Tacewell, the fireteam leader for Rover two had seen the majority of the firefight between the Cobra and the Iraqi ambushers. Tacewell had had the unique advantage of being able to see Lieutenant Dodge, Gunny Sanchez and the crash of FIREFLY ONE.

“I saw the Gunny rally a couple of squads. They headed toward the emergency LZ for FIREFLY ONE.

“What did Lieutenant Dodge do?”

“He had his driver gun the engine and the Lieutenant’s AMTRAC raced across open ground trying to protect FIREFLY ONE as Lieutenant Lukens autorotated her down.”

*~*

“What about your squad?” Mac noted that Corporal Vick Dremmond, the leader of Rover three’s scout team, was the furthest back from the action, and helped with the rallying of the company’s troops. But he also saw Dodge’s actions, and the controlled crash of FIREFLY ONE.

“We were trying to help Lieutenant Hawkins and Captain Lewis rally the troops and mop up the last of the ambushers – but we did see FIREFLY ONE land hard. Right after that, as Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell got out of that smoking wreck, Lieutenant Dodge pulled his track in front of FIREFLY ONE shielding it from enemy fire.”

…For Meritorious Service,
Chapter 7/b

*~*

“Are you saying he deliberately put himself between the downed Cobra and the enemy fire?” Lieutenant Hank Borden, commander of SLUGGER ONE, one of the MEU’s M1A1 Abrams tanks, nodded sagely as Harm wrote down his account.

“Yes Sir. The Guard troops were apparently occupying the houses in front of Lukens’s LZ as soon as FIREFLY ONE landed, they started shooting, trying to finish off the Cobra crew.”

“…And Lieutenant Dodge as well?”

“Aye Sir, he had spoiled their fun one too many times. He did the exact same thing he had done with the Gunny, he blocked the enemy fire with his vehicle.”

“And during all this, Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell were--”

--in back of Lieutenant Dodge, yes Sir.”

*~*

“Where were you at this point?” Sturgis made a note on his pad that Corporal Larry Glanz, Rover Prime’s driver, might not be the best witness since most of his information was second hand.

“About 175 to 190 yards away. We were moving toward them.”

*~*

“Could you see Lukens, Buell and Dodge?” As Mac glanced up from her notepad, Sergeant Phil Watkins, Commander of SLUGGER TWO, gave her a brief smile before turning serious again.

“Yes Ma’am, very clearly – the bulk of the enemy fire was coming from our front. I saw Gunny and the others reach the Cobra just about the same time I could see Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Hawkins bringing up the rear.”

*~*

“What about the enemy fire?” Mac paused as Lance Corporal Rick Bauer, one the grenadiers for Rover three’s scout team, smiled.

“As I said Ma’am, to our front it was furious – to the rear and sides, practically non-existent. To our rear, the surviving AMTRAC squads had been joined by heavier support.”

“Heavier support? You mean the tank platoon?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

*~*

“What was happening with Dodge?” Harm handed the man half of his MRE. Private First Class Jack Rogers, one of the few survivors of the first AMTRAC ambushed, eagerly attacked the food. Harm’s vegetarian tendencies made him an unlikely fan of any meat products, but he especially detested corned beef and the way Rogers tore into it. PFC Rogers, noting the Commander’s look of shock, became self conscious and wiped his mouth carefully before continuing his story.

“Lieutenant Dodge’s AMTRAC was taking a beating and the Gunny, Lukens and Buell along with the rest of the survivors were shooting anything that moved and I guess that’s when it happened.”

*~*

“Did you see Lieutenant Dodge go down?” Bud studied Sergeant Kyle Sewett, Commander of Rover two. Because of his position during the battle, he was able to see most of what happened.

“Yes Sir, I saw him straighten up and then fall over in his hatch.”

*~*

“Did you get a clear view of who shot him?” Private First Class Adam Secord nodded his head. Mac’s witness list indicated that PFC Secord had been one of the men to join Gunny Sanchez in their charge toward the enemy positions.

“Lukens and Buell Sir – they had their guns drawn and pointed towards him. Everyone else had their guns drawn toward the enemy.”

“Are you certain about this Private? It seems to me there were a lot of people firing, anyone of them could have hit the Lieutenant.”

“Possibly Ma’am, but only Lukens and Buell had their guns pointed at the AMTRAC.

*~*

“Are you absolutely certain?” Lance Corporal Seth Grearson had been another AMTRAC survivor Bud was told to interview this man who was with the Corpsman and saw the shooting.

“Yes Sir.” answered Grearson

“I’m having a little trouble believing no one else could have accidentally shot the Lieutenant or that the gunfire could not have come from the enemy.”

“Look Sir, at least a dozen men witnessed Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell firing not once at Dodge Sir, but three times.”

He’s sure convinced that Lukens and Buell did this. Bud thought as he wrote down the man’s statement. Could he be right?

* ~*

“How close were you Sergeant?” Sergeant Paul Colwell had been another one of the few surviving squad members from the destroyed AMTRACs.

“At the most, 15 yards away, Sir.” He paused for a moment. “I know he did it, Sir.”

Sturgis Turner looked at Sergeant Colwell for a long moment, trying to gauge whether or not the man was lying. It was tough, just as it had been with all the others today. The conviction was there and the usual tale-tell signs of not telling the truth were not. If he, and the others were lying, it was well rehearsed.

“How well do you know Lieutenant Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Buell?”

“Very well Commander – we’ve been in this outfit together since Kosovo. Lukens is kind of hot headed--”

“Hot headed?”

“Yes Sir, flies off the handle too easily sometimes.”

*~*

“I see, and how well did he know Lieutenant Dodge?” Mac found Corporal Jack Keller to be more open than most people about Dodge and Lukens. In fact some would say he was quite animated about it.

“Very well Ma’am; they had bumped heads more than once.”

“By bumping heads you mean--”

--like the old nature documentaries showing two big rams running toward each other then ‘ka-whaam’ they collide head on – uh, that kind of bumping heads, Ma’am.”

*~*

“Did it ever degenerate into fist fights?” Sturgis Turner made a note that Corporal Stan Lovett worked in the MEU mess and had witnessed several of Dodge and Lukens’s altercations.

“Almost Sir, a couple of times, some vicious name calling – but it always stopped before it got to that level.”

“Who stopped it?”

“His Weapons Officer a couple of times and Lieutenant Hawkins and Captain Lewis each did at least once.”

*~*

“Any punishment?” Harm was facing Major Barnett’s aide, Captain Floyd Johnson. Johnson had been fairly helpful since they arrived, but getting this first hand interview might reveal something that hadn’t been in the paper reports. He wasn’t disappointed.

“They each took a couple of hits on their fitness reports and Lukens got Office Hours after one fight.”

“When was their last fight?”

“About twenty four hours before Lieutenant Dodge’s death.”

“What were these fights about?”

“Dodge had married and divorced Lukens’s younger sister and there was bad blood between the two men because of it.”

That certainly hadn’t been in any of the reports up to this point.

*~*

Mac entered the tent of Captain Jac Lewis. He was seated at a cardboard table signing off on after action reports.

The Captain looked up at her and stood at attention. Mac nodded and motioned for him to sit back down. The man did.

“Colonel MacKenzie, how is the investigation going?”

“As well as can be expected at this point, Captain. She sat down in front of him and opened her pad. I need to ask you a few questions…”

He smiled disarmingly. “Fire away.”

“How long had Lukens and Dodge been fighting?”

“Too long really.” Her eyebrows shot up at this comment.

“About six months,” he clarified.

“And there was a re-assignment being made?”

“I had to get him out of this unit – Dodge’s constant bickering with Lukens, in-law or no in-law was driving down unit morale. Lieutenant Dodge was a good officer and Lukens in any other unit would probably rise to his rank. I wanted to give him that opportunity and then the war broke out--”

Mac finished his thought for him. “…And when the war broke out and they settled into an uneasy truce at your insistence.”

“Yes Colonel, and it worked…for a while. You see, Lukens always had a problem with Dodge’s popularity especially with the women and junior officers. He always said the man was full of hot air, pompous--”

“Egotistical , self-centered.” Mac finished for him again.

“Uh, Yeah,” the Captain added a little taken aback. “Remind you of someone you know, Ma’am?”

“A couple of people spring to mind, Captain” she said clinically, not looking up from her notes. “Please continue.”

He recovered, and moved on. “Anyway Colonel, this popularity was especially grating on Lukens where it concerned women.”

She stopped and looked up for a moment. “Go on.”

“Well, he was always able to strike up a friendly relationship with personnel wherever he went.”

“I see.” Mac looked at her notes for a moment while holding the end of her pen in her mouth. “What about the last fight, and what was it about?”

“Lukens came into the Officer’s mess area and accused Dodge of fooling around on his sister while they were still married.”

Mac stopped writing again and looked at the Captain. “Who had Dodge supposedly been fooling around with?”

“His current wife Ma’am, an Afghan refugee.”

The Colonel tried not to show her surprise. No one else up to this point had mentioned that Dodge had married an Afghan refugee. “Was he?”

“Lieutenant Dodge didn’t admit it, but he didn’t deny it either. Dodge told him it was none of his business – Lukens went ballistic.”

Mac’s smirk made the Captain respond. “Look Ma’am, Dodge was always able to strike up a friendly relationship with female personnel wherever he went.”

Hmm, defensive. Let’s see if there is anything here. “Any sexual misconduct?”

“No Ma’am.” Okay, dead end there….

“Fraternization?”

“None. Colonel, he was a real boy scout--some in the unit didn’t buy it, though. Especially Lukens – I guess.”

Mac didn’t like his answer. “You guess, Captain? Come on, surely there’s more to this than you’re telling me.”

Jac Lewis wiped his brow obviously feeling the heat. “You um, read about the threat?”

“Yes I did, tell me; do you think Lieutenant Lukens killed Lieutenant Dodge?”

“He lunged at Dodge, but Buell caught him and dragged him back. Very few other men had such a motive and opportunity – there were some, though.”

He’s been coy up to this point, now he seems eager to point the finger at Lukens. I wonder why? “Could you get me their names please?”

“Sure Colonel – as I was saying, few had such a good motive and opportunity. Lukens was very protective of his sister.”

He’s really pushing that point. Let’s see how married he is to it. “You didn’t answer my earlier question, Do you think he did it?”

Captain Lewis looked at the Marine Lieutenant Colonel for a long moment. The silence was deafening.

“No Ma’am. Lukens is a hot-head, but he’s not a killer.”

Okay, so he backed off when pressed for an answer. The question is why? Let’s see if I can lure him out. “Even though the initial investigating team found the 9mm bullets matched his gun….”

“Those could have been planted or anyone could have dropped those casings. Lukens didn’t do this – I suggest you go interrogate our Al-Qaeda and Iraqi guests. I’d sooner believe they did it before any of my own men, Colonel.”

Wow, that was a switch. One moment he’s practically insinuating that Lukens did the deed and when I lean that way he does everything he can to sway me from it. Okay Captain, I’m keeping my eyes on you…. “Thank you Captain, I will.”

Captain Jac Lewis dropped his defensive stance and smiled as he shook the Colonel’s hand. “Good luck Colonel – and keep in mind the area where Dodge was killed was unsecured for at least two hours.”

“I will Captain but I will also keep in mind at least a dozen men saw the shooting and the bullets taken from Dodge’s body match Lukens’s gun.” Let’s see what he thinks about that comment.

Lewis’ eyes narrowed. “I trust my men, Colonel. Will that be all?”

I am definitely keeping my eye on you, Captain.

*~*

“What happened then?” Going up the chain of command, Captain Adrian Sebastian, Commander of the Wildcats – HMLA-975, the 36th ACE’s Helicopter, Light Attack Unit, was the next logical choice for Sturgis to interview, especially since he conducted Lukens’s Office Hours.

The nurse had given the Commander twenty minutes to conduct his interview and then he had to get out. She would not have him making her patient worse. Sturgis picked a few select questions which no one else seemed to be able to give a satisfactory answer to – at least in his mind.

“Dodge told him to cool down – that just infuriated Lukens more – he told Dodge that he had ‘plugged his last cutie’ and that he would make him pay. Excuse me, Sir--”

The Captain, still recovering from pneumonia, lapsed into a fit of violent hoarse coughing. Sturgis grabbed some tissues and gave them to the man, who cleared his throat into them.

“Uh, thanks,” the man said weakly. The Commander nodded. He knew he had little time left. The nurse told him no more than thirty minutes at most. The questions he had asked of this man did shed some light on this murky case, but nothing earth shattering. He had to make his last question count.

“‘Plugged his last cutie’ Those were his exact words? Did he say how?”

Captain Sebastian seemed to summon all of his strength for this answer. “No Sir, not directly. The look in his eyes though, it was enough to chill anybody’s blood.”

A look to chill anybody’s blood, huh? Lukens may be guilty after all.

*~*

Harm was furiously taking notes. “Tell me more about the Gunny’s run in with Lieutenant Dodge.”

“Well Sir, it was after our last tour, just before Iraqi Freedom started,” continued the Lance Corporal, “The Gunny’s wife is a real looker.”

Harm smiled at the comment. “Pretty, Corporal?”

The man knew he was with a buddy. He winked. “Very, Sir – anyway she came to our disembarking in a very revealing dress.”

Harm stopped writing to make the man divulge more. “How revealing?”

“More skin than cloth Sir, we’d been on deployment for long time. I don’t think there was a man in the unit that wasn’t staring at her.”

“Like everybody that could see her?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Go on.”

“Anyway, she comes up to Lieutenant Dodge and makes a big deal about how he helped her change a flat tire before leaving for overseas duty.”

“And how did the Gunny react?”

“He broke from the ranks and threatened to beat the Lieutenant to death.”

Looks like we have another suspect…. “And how long ago was this Lance Corporal?”

“Last October, Sir,”

“Do you think he meant it?”

“The Gunny was plenty mad, Sir. Only when Captain Lewis stepped in did the Gunny back down.”

“Do you think he could have killed Lieutenant Dodge?”

“If it had taken place that day? Yes Sir, without a doubt.”

“And how about on 23 March?”

“I’m not sure Sir, the Gunny and his wife made up, but he and Lieutenant Dodge gave each other a wide berth for months Sir.”

“Thanks for your help, Lance Corporal.”

“Aye, aye Sir.”

1642 Local
VOQ, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Sturgis and Bud sat on their bunks were discussing what they had found out so far.

“Read to me again what they said Bud.” Sturgis asked.

Bud looked through his notes. “Uh,‘You have to understand their relationship, it was never amicable. There was always an undercurrent of tension between these two – they were like…gasoline and dynamite.’”

Sturgis shook his head. “‘Gasoline and dynamite’ that’s a pretty potent combination….”

“Yes Sir. Bud found the place in his notes he had been searching for. It says Lukens requested a transfer….”

“But that it was too late and then combat operations against Iraq broke out.”

Sturgis looked thoughtfully at Bud. “I think we should proceed as separate teams after today. How do you feel about this, Bud?”

Bud shrugged. “Well Sir, I’ve been trying to keep myself neutral--”

“If that is a problem Lieutenant,” rumbled the former submarine officer, “Maybe you should request--”

Bud quickly cut him off. “No Sir, that is not a problem. If you decide to prosecute, I will work with you, Sir.”

The preacher’s son crossed his arms and looked pointedly at the Lieutenant. “Do you really think you can do this? Given your feelings concerning the firearm and your theory about who it might belong to?”

Bud was adamant. “It not a matter of whether I can or not; I will Sir. It’s important for the government to have a strong case and three against one isn’t fair.”

Sturgis Turner smiled his first genuine smile in a long while. “Thank you, Bud.”

Bud cautiously returned the smile. “You’re welcome, Sir.”

Chapter 8-12

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