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.

…For Meritorious Service
Chapter 8

1650 Local
VOQ, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

As Harm and Mac walked into the guest quarters’ barracks, they saw Sturgis and Bud comparing notes, based on the day’s interviews. Bud had his laptop open and was busy inputting their notes into the machine. Harm pulled off his helmet, as he stepped into the room.

Both men looked up from their work at the Commander.

He laid his helmet on the bed. “How did it go today?”

As Sturgis started to speak, Mac came in pulling off her boonie hat, shaking the dust out of it.

“How did the interviews go today?”

Sturgis smiled as did Bud. “Harm was just asking me about that, Mac.” She had the decency to look chagrined. The Commander bent his head to keep his smirk from showing. Both of them took a seat on nearby empty bunk.

“As I was getting ready to tell Harm, they went great, if you think Buell and Lukens are guilty of murder.”

Mac and Harm exchanged wry looks. Bud looked curiously at the two senior officers. “How about yours, Ma’am, Sir?”

“Great Bud,” deadpanned Mac, “If you think Buell and Lukens are guilty.”

“That doesn’t sound too good Ma’am.”

“No Bud, replied Mac shaking her head ruefully, It doesn’t.”

The Lieutenant looked at his former mentor for some sign of hope. “Sir? Do you think they’re guilty?”

“Not a chance, Bud.” shot back Harm. Bud began to grin.

He glanced at Mac. “Colonel?”

Mac shook her head. “There’s too much that doesn’t add up. These guys didn’t do it.”

“That’s what I thought you two would say,” replied Sturgis straight-faced.

Mac smiled wanly as she got up and walked over the room’s ice cooler. She pulled out several chilled plastic bottles of water and walked back to the bunks, giving one to Harm and the others to Bud and Sturgis. She opened hers and took a quick drink, eyeing Commander Turner. “Sturgis, have you been to the battle site yet?”

“At Mirbullah?” Sturgis, who had been laying on the bed reclined against the wall, sat up and answered honestly. “No. Why?”

Harm looked at his own notes. “Maybe we should….”

Sturgis got up off his bunk. “What are you getting at, Buddy?”

Harm got up “Just a theory that I have. What are you two doing tomorrow?”

Sturgis smirked. “Going with you to disprove a theory.” Mac shook her head, chuckling.

A Corporal stuck his head in the door. “Ma’am, Sirs, the Colonel requests your presence at the communications building. He has Admiral Chegwidden via a secure teleconference link.”

The four attorneys glanced at each other for a moment exchanging questioning looks as to why the Admiral would want to talk to them. They followed the Corporal out of the barracks and toward the MEU communications facility.

*~*

The JAG lawyers and computer technician sat at a table in front of one video monitor. The stern image of AJ Chegwidden could be seen on the other end with Tiner in the background. Ashton Briggs stood, arms folded, in the back of the semi-darkened room.

“Good evening, Commander.” The image was unbroken with only a few momentary pauses. Considering the distance covered, the quality was remarkably good.

Harm greeted the image of his commanding officer. “Good afternoon Admiral,”

He acknowledged the others, then turned his attention back to Harm. “Commander, what’s the status of your investigation?”

Harm looked for a moment at the others before answering his commanding officer. “Well Admiral, so far we only have a few eyewitness accounts. We’re in the process of wrapping up our witness interviews.”

“What have you found so far?” pressed his commanding officer.

Harm wasn’t sure why he was so keenly interested, but decided to give him what he had so far. “It’s mostly circumstantial evidence against the two helo pilots, Sir. We’re going out tomorrow to the battle site to get a first hand view of where the alleged murder took place.”

AJ Chegwidden seemed to consider what Harmon Rabb had reported thus far. “Commander, I’m getting some very strange reports from Colonel Briggs about your methods and those of your team.”

“What kind of reports Admiral?” Harm was clearly confused and a little concerned. Maybe Lukens had decided to report him after all.

“Colonel Briggs says he’s had some reports from his junior officers that you are coercing testimony, bullying witnesses, failing to follow procedure….”

“Sir?!” Harm couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The words that the Admiral spoke to him just before he left for the CIA Air Corps flashed through his mind.

Mac fought down the urge to whirl around in her chair and face that smug SOB. She just knew he had a self satisfied smile on his face. Instead, she leapt to the Commander’s defense.

“Admiral, this is insane--”

The Admiral fixed her with an equally hard stare, savagely cutting her off. “Colonel, the charges against you are even less flattering; solicitation, conduct unbecoming, bribery--”

Bud’s face was contorted with disbelief as he leaped to his feet. “Sir, Admiral, this is crazy--”

“Lieutenant, if I were you, I’d stand down, now! AJ’s barked order caused Bud Roberts to freeze in place. It was obvious he was torn between defending his two friends and following the Admiral’s orders.

“Aye Sir.” he said stiffly, his voice barely concealed his anger and contempt as he slowly sat back down.

AJ lifted his eyes beyond the stunned attorneys sitting around the table. “Ash, I need to talk to my attorneys in private for a few moments if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all AJ, not at all. I completely understand.” He motioned to his technician and both men left the room.

Harm felt as if someone had just socked him in the gut when he wasn’t looking. Lukens had turned him in but he told the man he was going to fight for him. What the hell is going on here?!

For her part, Mac saw the Admiral on screen, but if he was saying anything, she couldn’t hear it for roar of the blood in her ears. She looked over at Bud, who was genuinely upset. Sturgis’ face, rather than having its usual stoic demeanor, was showing disgust. Mac turned back to face the Admiral. If it earned her a DDO, then maybe it was time to leave JAG. “Admiral, we’ve been set up, this is--”

AJ smiled paternally at Mac. “I know Colonel.” That threw her off kilter. She sat silently looking at the screen, perplexed.

Harm did a double take. “You do Sir?!”

“Of course I do, Rabb. That’s why I had Colonel Briggs, and his technician, leave the room.”

Bud let his frustration get the best of him. “Sir, what the hell is going on!?”

AJ looked in stunned surprise at the Lieutenant. Harm, Mac and Sturgis looked on in shock at Bud. For his part, Bud realized what he had done. “Sorry Admiral.”

AJ continued to keep his eyes on Bud as he talked to Harm. “Commander, I would not have sent you, Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Turner or Lieutenant Roberts, if I thought any of you would be capable of these offenses.”

The four attorneys began smiling. “Wipe those smiles off your faces.”

“Aye Sir,” they responded crisply.

“Commander, I want you and your team to get to the bottom of what is going on over there. It’s clear that Colonel Briggs is hiding something. Find out what it is, but do it quietly. You have my full backing.”

For the second time since Harm had returned to JAG, he wasn’t sure what this man wanted from him “Admiral what is it you want me to do?”

AJ smiled warmly at his aviator/attorney “Do what you do best, Rabb.”

“Then Sir, I’ll need some stateside help. We have some witnesses there that we need interviewed.”

“Consider it done, Commander. Send me a fax list of those people.”

He wasn’t expecting this kind of response or support, from his commanding officer. It threw him as off balance, as it had Mac, who was still silent. “Aye Sir.” he paused for a moment, “Thank you, Sir.”

Admiral Chegwidden smiled again. “You’re welcome Commander. Anything else?”

“No Sir,” he answered honestly.

The Admiral looked over at Bud. “Lieutenant Roberts, you can tell the Colonel it is all right now for him to rejoin our meeting.”

Bud got up from the table and headed for the door. As he did, Mac leaned over whispered into Harm’s ear “See, I told you the Admiral had forgiven you.”

Just before Bud opened the door, the Admiral smiled at his lead investigator. “I trust your acting skills are up to snuff Commander,”

Harm nodded understanding the Admiral’s plan. “Absolutely Sir,” On cue, Bud opened the door and headed back to his seat.

“Because you are without a doubt the stupidest jet jock I have ever had the misfortune to work with!”

“Aye Sir,” Harm said a tad sullenly. “I take it I’m not a team player either, Sir.”

“Don’t push it, Commander!”

Mac turned to see Colonel Briggs returning. He seemed to enjoy the Admiral’s last comment aimed at Harm.

“Colonel!!”

Mac whipped around, “Yes Sir?!” she gulped.

“It would be in your best interest to get your mind on your work!”

“Yes Sir!” Mac became rigid, fear showing in her features.

“I will not tolerate another report like the one I just received about your behavior! You’re a Marine dammit! It’s time for you to start acting like one!!”

“Aye, aye Sir!!”

He shot a look of fury at Sturgis Turner and Bud Roberts. “As for you two! You both are one more report away from brig time! Do you two numbskulls read me?!”

“Aye Sir!” they both barked.

Mac could hear Briggs chuckling in the background.

AJ looked contritely at the Commander of the 36th MEU. “Ash, I’m sorry you had to witness this--”

“I know AJ, we all have people under us who need a firmer hand than others. Just get them to wrap this up soon, okay?”

The Admiral looked over his half-glasses at the man. “Commander, you heard him, I need you to speed it up--”

Harm leaned closer, “May I ask why, Sir?”

The Admiral was glad Colonel Briggs had not witnessed their other interactions, otherwise this act might not have worked. “I told you before Commander. The SECNAV along with a few other high ranking officers as well as some diplomats are breathing down my neck about this one.” AJ said gruffly as he looked down at his papers. “Wrap it up as soon as you can.”

Harm decided to ham it up. “But Admiral, these men deserve--”

“Commander Rabb,” growled Chegwidden fixing the junior officer with baleful expression, “Is there something wrong with your hearing? Did I not make myself clear a few minutes earlier?”

Harm looked appropriately chastened. “Yes Sir, you did--”

“Then, *what* is your problem?!”

The pregnant pause that followed did not please AJ Chegwidden. “Commander?!”

“Ah, well, Admiral we may not be able--”

“Well then ‘get able’ Commander,” he snapped, “That’s an order!”

“Sir,” Bud decided to step in. “We need as much time as you can give us. Our witnesses are pretty scattered across the area--”

“Lieutenant! Everyone from the SECNAV on down wants this expedited! So get it done!!”

Bud remembering his early days under the Admiral, brought the right amount of uncertainty to his faltering voice. “Uh, Yes Sir--”

“I know you’ll do the best you can, Lieutenant.” He said talking to Bud as if he were a little slow. “You have until noon tomorrow, your time.”

“That doesn’t leave us much time…Sir,” interjected Sturgis Turner in an appropriately insubordinate tone.

Chegwidden flinched. “Commander Turner, your father may be a Chaplain, but if you use that tone with me one more time, I’ll supervise your ass right out of JAG, do you read me?”

Sturgis stiffened as if he had his hand smacked with a ruler. “Loud and clear, Sir.”

“Sir?” Now it was Mac’s turn to ham it up.

“What is *it*, Colonel?” AJ’s exasperation with his officers was so genuine, Sarah MacKenzie wondered for a split second if they had overplayed their parts.

Mac decided to make her arguments more rational, just make the tone more accusatory than normal. “Admiral, we’d be *denying* these men due process. We really just need a little more time--”

But the Admiral was “not in the mood” to hear rational arguments. “Well Colonel,” he said with uncharacteristic sarcasm directed at her. “You have all the time that I can *spare*.”

She tried to look surprised. “Sir?”

“You heard me Colonel, you have until 1200 Zulu tomorrow.” He readjusted his glasses and began gathering his papers together indicating his mind was made up. “My hands are tied. Get it wrapped up as soon as you can--”

Mac looked in the back of the room and could see a faint smile cross Briggs’s face. She turned back to the screen, a sly smile crossing her face. “Sir, you know as well as we do that we have an obligation to investigate this matter as *completely* as we can.”

That comment and the slight smile on her face made AJ throttle back. “Okay, I’m *listening* Colonel….”

Harm decided this was a good time to jump in. “Sir, if you’ll give us until 1600 Zulu tomorrow, I promise you that we can complete this investigation.”

“Completely and thoroughly, Commander?” The Admiral didn’t sound ‘convinced’.

“Completely and thoroughly, Sir.”

He looked to Colonel MacKenzie for verification. “Well Colonel?”

What she said warmed the Commander’s heart. Even if it was just acting. “If the Commander says we can do it by 1600 Hours Zulu, I believe him, Sir.” Chegwidden turned to Sturgis and Bud. “Commander, Lieutenant, do you agree with this assessment?”

Bud and Sturgis exchanged brief looks, then faced the screen. The expressions on their faces indicated they were siding with Harm. “Yes Sir, we should be able to conclude our interviews by that time.”

“Okay Commander, I’ll run interference for you, this time, but I want a report emailed to me by 1600 and I want a verbal assessment by 1500.”

All four stood at attention. “Aye Sir!”

“Dismissed.” AJ fixed his eyes on Harm. “Oh, and Commander….”

“Yes Admiral?”

The Admiral smiled. “That’s 1600 sharp. Any later and I’ll throw you into the brig.”

Mac spoke up. “Don’t worry Sir, I’ll make sure he gets it to you on time.”

AJ smiled thinly. “I knew I could count on you, Colonel.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“1600 Commander.”

“Aye Sir.”

The image of Admiral Chegwidden froze and then the screen faded to black.

Mac turned and shot a dirty look at the Bird Colonel. “You set us up.”

Colonel Briggs smirked now that he knew these four were screwups, they’d be much easier to handle. “Careful Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, I merely suggested to several people that this was taking longer than it should. Especially since you all admit that most of the evidence that you have at this point is circumstantial.”

Harm bristled. “That’s going to change Colonel--”

“If it happens Commander,” Briggs sneered, “I’ll be pleasantly surprised. Good evening gentlemen, ma’am. Try to stay out of trouble.”

Mac stared murderously at the closing door as Briggs left the room. “I’m really starting to hate that man.”

Sturgis looked at the closing door as Briggs left the room. “Mac, I couldn’t have said it better. But to keep from getting ourselves in deeper trouble, let’s just get out of here and back to our barracks.”

The four JAG attorneys shared looks about the man , nodding in agreement and then got up and left the room.

0020 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Jason Tiner, Harriet Sims and Jennifer Coates were sitting in chairs arranged around Admiral Chegwidden’s desk. He sat at the polished oak desk looking at a report. Nodding his satisfaction, he looked up at the three junior officers. “Make sure a copy of this report is available to any overseas office that requests it.

He handed the report to Lieutenant Sims. She opened it and took a quick scan, “But Sir, this is a copy of Commander Lindsey’s report—

“I’m aware of that Lieutenant,” said AJ quickly before she could say anything else. “Take the copy I have given you and make sure that Commander Manetti’s name replaces his in all the appropriate places. The Commander will be by early tomorrow morning to sign off on this report.”

Jason spoke for the first time. “Commander Manetti, Sir? What does she have to do with this?”

The Admiral sighed, sometimes he wished his staff weren’t so inquisitive. “We need a cover story to corroborate the behavior of Commander Rabb and the rest of the investigative team in Mirbullah. Commander Manetti is helping us out.”

This time Jennifer spoke up. “Begging the Admiral’s pardon, but why do they need this? What is going on over there?”

AJ should have known this wasn’t going to be easy with three of his most persistent and meddlesome staff members involved. They sat looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer. He could try to brush them off, but that would only make them more determined to find out what was happening. With Harriet Sims, Jason Tiner and Jennifer Coates involved, AJ knew he didn’t have any other choice but to let them know what he knew.

“The Commander and his team have uncovered more than just a murder in their investigation.” Concern crossed the faces of the three young officers. “There’s been interference and improper command influence in the investigation from higher ups in the chain of command.”

“How high up Sir?”

Tiner, sometimes you are as bad as Commander Rabb, about sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong. Thought AJ sourly.

“The MEU Commander is involved, and there is evidence his staff may be as well.”

Now it was Harriet’s turn. “Are Commander Rabb and his team in any danger Sir?”

She really wanted to ask if Bud is in any danger. “Not at this time, Lieutenant. I’m hoping that by making Lindsey’s report available as Manetti’s report, that it will keep them safe long enough to find the culprits in this case. The Commanders and the others are pretending to be loose cannons hoping to lure out the real killer or killers. The report will confirm their actions if anyone decides to investigate.”

The three of them looked at each other, then turned back to the Admiral. “How can we help Sir?” AJ smiled at Jen’s eagerness to help out. You’ll make a good officer someday, Coates.

“The Commander and his team need some help locating witnesses here in the states.”

“All of them are here in either North Carolina or Virginia. Lieutenant Sims, Petty Officer Tiner, you two will work with Commanders Mattoni and Imes on their cases. The idea is to keep up the appearance that its business as usual here. The cases they have are fairly routine, but you two could benefit from the experience since you haven’t been doing as much work in that area lately.”

Tiner looked at Jen and Harriet. “Sir, who else is going to help the Mirbullah investigative team?” It was clear that Jen, no matter how good she was, couldn’t help both teams -- especially now since it looked like this case would turn into at least an Article 32 hearing, if not more.

“Petty Officer Coates will help Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie, I have requested a paralegal from the Pentagon to help Commander Turner and Lieutenant Roberts.”

Jen sat forward on her chair, clearly interested that another person was going to be involved in this case. Especially, someone who had not worked at JAG before and was coming in from the Pentagon. “Who is it Sir?”

AJ smiled and pressed his intercom button. “Corporal Givers will you step in here a moment?”

“Corporal Marla Givers is in Marine Corps intelligence, specializing in the profiling of Al-Qaeda operatives, she comes highly recommended by her senior officers.”

All three turned and greeted the Corporal. Her short hairstyle was similar to Colonel MacKenzie’s, except that her hair was jet black. Her Class A uniform sported a number of campaign ribbons and badges. She came to attention in front of them.

"At ease Corporal." Marla assumed a parade rest stance.

“Corporal Givers has seen combat duty in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Iraq.”

“Combat duty in Pakistan and Yemen?” asked Harriet. Her and Jason’s clearance level wasn’t as high as Bud’s so information of this kind was news to her.

“Temporarily Assigned Duty,” Marla turned her green eyes to meet Jason’s. She smiled at his obviously appreciative stare. “ It’s classified.”

Jason turned red and looked away when he noticed she had noticed his unabashed staring. “I see.”

Jen had also noticed the exchange and decided to put a stop to it before it progressed any further. She smiled sweetly at Marla. “I take it that it was hazardous,” She gave Jason a quick, surreptitious, jab in the ribs.

“Ow! Jen?!” Jason rubbed the spot where she had elbowed him.

“Petty Officer!” barked Chegwidden, “Is there something going on here I should know about?”

“No Sir,” answered Jen. Harriet looked at the young Petty Officer with a mixture of sympathy and amusement.

“Getting back to the matter at hand, then. Corporal Givers will work with Lieutenant Roberts and Commander Turner. Her combat experience in Iraq will help with this case.”

Jason was clearly impressed with her. “Where were you stationed in Iraq, Corporal Givers?”

“I was with 1st Marines; we helped rescue the remnants of the 507th Maintenance Company at Al Nasiriyah.”

Jen looked skeptically at her. “I thought you were a paralegal.”

“Rifleman first, paralegal second.” Marla explained automatically. She stopped and smiled “Sorry. They called people from my office for combat duty in Iraq.”

AJ cleared his throat. Why did he always feel like he was riding a surfboard in a minefield when dealing with his staff? At least this group seemed to be a little easier to handle than the Colonel and the Commander. “Now that the general introductions are out of the way, you two should get started interviewing eyewitnesses.”

Both women came to attention. “Aye Sir.” Jen and Marla looked at each other, then they both walked toward the door. Marla stood at the door for a moment and then walked out followed by Jen.

He cast a glance at the other two junior officers. “As for you two, report to Mattoni and Imes first thing tomorrow morning, and find out what kind of help they need. Dismissed.”

Harriet and Jason stood up and came to attention. “Aye Sir.”

2150 Local
VOQ, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Mac shook her head and chuckled, as she left the three discussing their theories. She didn’t want to hear the rest. The day’s events had been tiring enough. As they continued their discussion, she headed outside. Mac walked out, away from the barracks into the darkened countryside, and stopped staring up at the endless night sky. It reminded her of her nights at Red Rock Mesa; sometimes she really missed seeing the sky like this. A soft sigh escaped from her lips as she scanned the sea of stars.

“Pretty isn’t it?”

“What?!” The voice startled her. She wasn’t expecting anyone else to be out here.

“The night sky – the stars….” explained the voice. Mac tried to see who it was speaking.

“Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Glover,” the voice offered.

“Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Haven’t seen you around here before, Colonel,” noted the voice. Mac wished she could see his face, but this part of the compound was so dark, it was difficult to see facial features.

“I’m with the JAG Corps.” Mac explained.

“Oh, so you’re here investigating Lieutenant Dodge’s murder, aren’t you?” inquired the voice.

“Yes.” A simple question deserved a simple answer.

“I’m with S-2, the MEU’s intel shop.” It explained. If that was done to make Mac feel more comfortable, it only partially worked.

“Oh,” replied Mac nonchalantly trying to feign disinterest. She went back to staring at the night sky. In reality, she was cursing herself as to be so dumb as to walk out into the darkness away from their barracks, inviting trouble. If she weren’t so exhausted from lack of sleep, maybe she wouldn’t have done this.

“Colonel?” the S-2’s voice interrupted her internal recriminations.

“Yes Colonel?” she replied warily. Right now, Mac really wished Sturgis or Bud or even Harm would come looking for her. No such luck….

“There’s really no reason to investigate this….” Glover’s voice seemed patronizing

She decided to play along for now, even though her anger was building. “Why not?”

“Lukens and Buell are guilty.” Glover said matter of factly.

“Oh, and how can you be so sure?” Mac snapped. She wanted to know if this intel officer really knew what he was talking about.

“Well,” he began defensively, “The circumstantial evidence is pretty damning--”

“--the key word Colonel,” Mac emphasized a little too strongly not only to get her point across but to indicate her irritation with this man, “Is ‘circumstantial’.”

But that didn’t seem to phase Colonel Glover “--and there are several key eyewitnesses….”

She had an answer for that one too. “--eyewitnesses can be deceived into believing things that aren’t true.”

“You’re not going to win this one, Colonel MacKenzie” His eyes showed a cold dead stare she hadn’t noticed before. In the heat of the argument with this man, she had forgotten that he might be a threat to her. She quickly decided to try the sympathy card.

“Colonel Glover, these men deserve a fair hearing and a chance for their side of the story to be told.”

He wasn’t buying it. “Spare me Colonel, I’ve heard it before--”

Forgetting the precariousness of her situation, Mac started to get heated again. “Well maybe you haven’t heard it enough--”

His voice became threatening. “Colonel, you need to be more careful--”

This time, Mac wasn’t buying it. She wasn’t going to be intimidated by this phantom of the MEU. “Are you threatening me, Colonel Glover?”

His words of concern did not match the coldness of his voice. The effect made her feel as if she were a mouse talking to a hungry cat. “I’m just saying be careful; this is still a hostile country, filled with people unfriendly to the United States. Soldiers die in this country almost every day—I’m just saying you should…exercise caution.”

He suddenly shifted his attention away from her. “As for us, the sooner we can get back to our business and stop screwing around out here…the better.”

Sarah MacKenzie couldn’t resist trying to tweak his conscience. “Even at the cost of two innocent lives?”

His icy, ironic response was not what she expected. “No one is innocent in war Colonel MacKenzie, have a good night. Think about what I’ve said.”

Before Mac could say anything else, he disappeared into the shadows. She blinked for a moment trying to see if this had been a hallucination. Deciding that he hadn’t been, she hurried back to the barracks, thankful she hadn’t been killed, and fuming at man’s threats

“—no way, Sir,” responded Bud to Harm’s unheard question. The talk died when Mac stormed the room.

“Mac?” Harm knew something was up from the look in her eyes. “What happened out there?”

She did her best to keep her cool. “I just had a very enlightening talk with one Lieutenant Colonel Glover from their intelligence unit.” All three lawyers could tell it was a half-hearted attempt at best. The apparently furious Lieutenant Colonel began pacing back and forth, clenching and unclenching her hands.

Sturgis and Harm got up off their bunks and walked over toward her trying to calm her and get more out of the Colonel about this encounter. “And? What else did he say Mac?” they said simultaneously. They stopped and looked at each other and then back at the agitated Marine Colonel.

Mac didn’t pay any attention to their unintended comedy routine. “—and he told me that both Buell and Lukens were guilty and it was a waste of their time and ours trying to prove they weren’t.” She continued to pace.

“Oh man,” said Bud, closing his laptop.

“Mac, are you sure he said that?” asked Sturgis clearly concerned for her well being.

“He sure as hell did Sturgis.” Mac’s firm verification was tinged with anger. “He also threatened me.”

Harm pinned her with an upset look. “You’re kidding right?”

She ignored him. She wasn’t going to let him ride off on his white charger to defend her honor. She didn’t need anyone, especially him, defending her damned honor. “No Sturgis, I’m not kidding. He told me to be careful, that this was still a hostile country.”

“Double entendre?” probed the preacher’s son.

She snorted. “I don’t think he meant ‘it’s dangerous out there, take care’”

“What do you think he meant?”

“I think he meant ‘it’s dangerous out there’ if I ‘don’t do as he says’”

Harm had had enough. He grabbed her arm and started toward the door.

She flailed for balance as he practically dragged her along. “Harm! Wait! Wait!! Where are we going!?!” She fought to get her arm free from his iron grip.

The aviator/lawyer turned back to her, his eyes blazing. “Colonel Briggs’s office; its time to put an end to this….”

Mac blasted him. “What?! Harm, you can’t just go barging over there like Superman and beat him up! He may not even be involved!!”

“I’m not letting this go! He barked at her. “Mac! You’ve been threatened!!”

She rolled her eyes. Why does he always do this?! “Harm, I can take care of myself! I don’t need you or anyone else to play bodyguard for me!!”

Sturgis, thinking the two lawyers were about to come to blows decided to play intermediary. “Mac, I agree with Harm, this constitutes a threat, Colonel Briggs should be made aware of this--”

Sturgis?! I usually count on you to be the rational one! Seeing the situation rapidly spiraling out of her control, she tried logic mixed with sarcasm, usually one of her best control mechanisms. “Will you two listen to yourselves?! You two sound like a couple of Neanderthals--”

Bud looked earnestly at Mac. “Ma’am, normally I wouldn’t say anything, but a threat has been made against you and we already know this unit isnot exactly friendly toward our investigation. We should probably stick together and work in pairs from now on.” He looked at Harm and Sturgis. “And we should inform Colonel Briggs about what is going on, Ma’am.”

She looked at Bud and then back at Sturgis and Harm. All three remained resolute, immovable from their current stance with regards to the situation. Mac sighed heavily, but she still had one argument left. .

Harm delivered the knock out blow to her intransigence. He looked at her with those deep blue eyes of his, almost pleading. “Mac, he’s right; we need to at least address this with Briggs.”

Mac stared at Harm. She hated it when he was overprotective, but if Sturgis and more importantly, Bud, thought it was a legitimate threat…she sighed heavily again, reluctantly conceding--knowing she’d have a hard time stopping them – especially Harm. “Okay,” she said, uncharacteristically quiet. “Let’s go.”

The four of them left the building and headed over Briggs’s office.

*~*

Ashton Briggs was getting ready to turn in when his yeoman appeared at the door.

He could have ignored the man, but that wouldn’t make him go away. “Yes Sergeant?”

“Uh, Sir, the JAG lawyers wish to speak with you….” He trailed off knowing how his commanding officer felt about these legal weenies. The man was uncertain about what would happen next.

Briggs made a face. “I’m getting ready for bed, can’t it wait until morning?”

The Sergeant looked uneasy. “Uh, no Sir, they said it was very important to see you, Sir.”

Briggs growled, making the Sergeant take an involuntary step backwards. The full Colonel began putting his boots back on. “It had better be a goddamned emergency,” he muttered.

When the Colonel came out of his bedroom into the front office area, all four attorneys snapped to attention.

“At ease,” he said as he waved dismissively at them. “Now what do you four need to speak to me about at this late hour?”

“Colonel, one of your men threatened Colonel MacKenzie!” snapped Harm

Briggs’s expression grew hard. “Threatened you? One of my people? When did this happen Colonel?”

Mac glanced sourly at Harm before turning back to face the Colonel. “A few minutes ago outside our quarters.”

“Who was it?”

“Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Glover, he’s with your intelligence unit.”

“Ronald Glover?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Colonel, there isn’t a Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Glover, at least not in our intelligence unit.”

“Sir, he introduced himself as ‘Lieutenant Colonel Glover’.”

Harm was doing his best to be civil with this senior officer, but he seemingly casual dismissal made him see red. “Colonel Briggs, I know this doesn’t seem very important to you, but someone, impersonating one of your officers, threatened my partner!”

Briggs had had enough of these loose cannons, especially this Tomcat lawyer. “Commander, you are bordering on insubordination!”

Harm wasn’t yielding. “Sir that doesn’t change the fact that someone is threatening Colonel MacKenzie – someone who thinks Buell and Lukens are guilty!”

Briggs looked at the four as he seemed to chew on this for a moment, then he picked up his telephone. “Jenkins? Send two of your men over here and send another couple to the S-2’s building.” Briggs, cupping his hand over the receiver, looked back at Mac. “Did you get a good look at the man?”

“No Sir,” he stared at her “It was dark and I could not see his face.” she explained somewhat sheepishly.

“You couldn’t see his face.” he repeated still cupping his hand on the receiver

“No.” Mac felt her embarrassment growing. Briggs began shaking his head.

“Well that’s certainly going to make it tougher.” He finally snorted in disgust as he hung up the phone. “How do you expect us to find him?”

Mac didn’t say anything, but she knew two naval Commanders and one Lieutenant that would pay for this. I wonder what charges would I face if I killed these three idiots right now? I bet I could plead extenuating circumstances and I’d even bet the Admiral would back me….

Two military policemen appeared at the door of Briggs’s office.

“Yes Sir?” replied the MP Sergeant

“Escort Colonel MacKenzie and the rest of the JAG lawyers over to the intel shop. Let’s see if we can find the Colonel’s boogie man. I’ll be along in a few moments.”

The two MP’s saluted. “Aye Sir.” They motioned to the JAG lawyers “Colonel, Sirs?”

The JAG officers and the MP’s headed out of Briggs office into the MEU compound.

*~*

“Here Ma’am!” replied the MP Sergeant, “I found it.”

Mac and the others walked over to where MP Sergeant Reynolds was squatting. Using a stick, he held up a rumpled khaki uniform with the name ‘Glover’ taped across the cloth name badge.

Mac put on a pair of plastic gloves handed to her by the MP and slowly pulled the fabric tape off revealing the name underneath – ‘Martin’

“Ma’am, Corporal Martin reported his Class A khaki uniform had disappeared last week.”

“Hey Mac,” She turned to see Harm holding in his gloved hands a pair of silver oak leaves.

“That explains the uniform,” noted Sturgis, “Now whose insignia were those?”

“Lieutenant Colonel Darcy Livingston, Force Recon, Sir.” replied the MP. “She reported them missing from her barracks 48 hours ago.”

*~*

Lieutenant Colonel Darcy Livingston sat at her desk, peering at the backlit screen of her laptop. In normal times, Livingston would have never made it this far in Force Recon. But these were anything but normal times. The MEU had been pigeonholed here after the near disaster at Mirbullah – they had come flushed with victories in Afghanistan and Pakistan – two major Al-Qaeda bases had been wiped out, earning US intelligence several coups, and Livingston a silver star for gallantry.

But it was never enough for Darcy; raised in the Louisiana bayous, she was taught from an early age to take care of herself first, and look at every situation from a coldly practical standpoint. When she was young, this blue eyed, raven haired beauty was the belle of the ball. She never let her dates forget they were privileged to go out with her. She used her beauty and intelligence to get what she wanted.

So it was a natural for her to join the service. Her looks, brains and disposition made her a natural for intelligence and Force Recon. She rose through the ranks – working, and later leading, intel ops for her MEUSOC units. As the Trade Center Towers were collapsing from the Al-Qaeda suicide attacks, Darcy was made Executive Officer of the 3-2’s Force Recon.

She was a little older now, more seasoned, her hair cut into a short and practical, but sassy look, plus she still had her drop dead looks. It was these assets, along with her proficiency in French and Arabic, that made her unit feared and grudgingly respected, by their enemy, and the favorite of Force Recon commander Lieutenant Colonel ‘Big Bill’ Murphy and MEU commander, Colonel Ashton R. Briggs.

No one had expected Lieutenant Colonel Murphy to be killed, but then that’s what happens to people during a war, even the good people. So Briggs naturally made her acting commander of Force Recon until they were repatriated.

She had dived into the task presented to her with relish. Before long, she had won the respect of most of the senior officers of her unit and the MEU. Now, Lieutenant Colonel Livingston was reviewing her operational plans for tomorrow morning. Briggs’s orders were clear; break the back of the Iraqi Fedayeen resistance. A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.

“Come.”

Lance Corporal Mitchell Davis stuck his head in her room. “Sorry to disturb you, Ma’am,” he began cautiously.

Darcy smiled warmly at his wariness. “It’s okay Corporal,” motioning for him to come on in. “What’s the problem?”

The Corporal cut his eyes back toward the door as he entered the room. “Uh, these JAG officers would like a word with you, Ma’am.”

Darcy’s smile disappeared, replaced by a stoic demeanor when she noted Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie followed the Corporal through the doorway.

Well, well, two 0-5’s, this ought to be interesting. “Colonel, Commander, to what do I owe the pleasure of this late evening visit?”

Harm walked over to her desk and laid the insignia in front of her. “I believe these are yours.”

Darcy Livingston picked up the insignia and examined them. “Where did you find them?”

“They were on Corporal Martin’s uniform shirt.”

“Well I knew Martin wanted to get ahead,” she joked easily, making the accompanying MP smile. “But really, how did they get to him?”

“We were hoping you could explain that one to us.” Harm said fixing her with a hard stare.

Darcy seemed amused by the Commander’s actions. “Can’t help you there. I reported the insignia missing a couple of days ago. You think Corporal Martin’s involved?”

“We’re having that checked out.” replied Mac deciding to deflect Harm’s bloodhound impression. “What can you tell us?”

“Not much,” said Darcy smiling at the Lieutenant Colonel. “I put them down on my nightstand table over there and yes, I know, ‘it’s not smart’ and when I came back for them, they had disappeared.”

“When was that?” Harm was back on the scent.

“The following morning. Look Commander, I figured one of the Iraqis that hang around here had taken them, you know, hocked them for the money.”

“You have a lot of Iraqi citizens hanging around here?”

“Do you know of any real way we could stop them?” She gave the Commander an equally hard stare. “It is their country after all.”

“So, you thought an Iraqi civilian hocked them.” said Mac, not sure she was buying what Darcy was selling.

“Colonel do you know Corporal Martin?”

Darcy looked impassively at Harm. “Corporal Martin was in Force Recon – decided he’d rather be in infantry -- so he transferred.”

That didn’t phase Harmon Rabb one bit. He smelled something. “Do you know a soldier named Glover?”

A fire lit in Colonel Livingston’s eyes. “No, should I?”

“Uh, Commander” said the MP helpfully, “You’re badgering the Colonel.”

“Glover’s the name of the soldier who threatened me, Colonel.” Mac was trying keep this interview civil.

Harm pressed harder when he thought he saw a flicker in Livingston’s armor. “He used your insignia and Martin’s shirt.”

But Darcy Livingston was far from being a scared suspect. “And why do you think he did that, Commander?”

Mac decided to put a stop to this before it really got out of hand. “He wanted plausible deniability Colonel, look we appreciate you willingness to talk to us.”

“Just trying to be helpful Colonel.” She looked over almost sneering at Harm. “Thanks for finding my insignia…Commander.”

“We’ll be going now.” She grabbed Harm roughly by the arm and pulled him out of the barracks followed by the MP.

“Mac, what the hell was that about?” he snapped.

Mac blew up. “Harmon Rabb have you lost your mind?! You cannot go on a witch hunt through this unit, beating up on everyone that gets your nose out of joint!”

“Power down Mac, she’s hiding something!”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Oh for the love of God! Harm, to you everybody in this unit is hiding something!”

Harm looked at her stunned, not understanding her anger. “Mac, you were threatened….”

But the Marine Lieutenant Colonel was sick and tired of the Commander’s behavior and she didn’t want to hear any of it. “The last time I checked Commander, I was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, I damn well think I can take care of myself!”

“Mac….” Harm was futilely trying to calm her.

She grabbed her shirt and pulled on collars feeling her subdued insignia “Yep! I’m still a Lieutenant Colonel!! Just because I’m your girlfriend I didn’t lose my rank!”

“Mac--” The naval aviator’s voice was shifting from confusion to irritation.

“Flyboy!” she snarled, “Did it ever occur to you I don’t need you to rescue me everytime someone says boo to me?!”

Something inside the man snapped. “I’m watching your six, you sanctimonious Jarhead!” He growled, causing both Mac and the MP to step back.

Her eyes flew open wide as she stared dumbly at him, her anger temporarily snuffed out by his blast. “So that’s where Sturgis got the idea that I’m sanctimonious….”

“No, he came up with that one on his own, Colonel! Someone only has to be around you five minutes to figure that one out! And that you have a feminist chip on your shoulder the size of the rock of Gibraltar!!”

“Commander!” her anger returned anew, “You think that Colonel we just talked to – wait, the one you just harassed – isn’t going to file a report with Briggs?! The Admiral will eat you for breakfast – if Briggs waits that long to report it!!

“Let him Colonel!” yelled Harm, “I’m sick of this shit! I’m sorry I ever came back to JAG!!”

That pulled Mac up short. “Wait a minute Harm, you don’t mean that--”

“Yes I do!!” Harm looked at her, his eyes almost pleading. The hurt conveyed, shocked Mac into silence.

“Mac, I just can’t do this anymore. I can’t see you being threatened this way, and me helpless to do anything about it, because if I do, you’ll take my head off or worse yet the Admiral will fire me again!”

Mac felt sick. She had pushed too far, again. “Harm--”

He cut her off, looking at her, his eyes dull, his voice broken and defeated. “No Mac, I love you, I know that now, but I’m not sure you do….”

She had to stop this. She had to keep him from pulling away any further. “Sure I do Squid, but you can’t--”

“I can’t just stand by and watch as people take pot shots at you! These idiots have threatened you and I just can’t stand idly by! I told Singer once that I would personally destroy the career of the person who tried to smear you a few years ago and right now I want to gut this whole damn unit!!”

She was losing him. “Harm--”

“Just leave me alone Mac!” He roared. Mac couldn’t believe the level of his fury. They had argued over things like this before – why was now any different?

She reached out to him, but he would have none of it. “Harm--”

He swatted her hand away. The anguish in his voice ripping at her heart. “Please, Mac, just leave me…alone….”

Mac holding her still stinging hand, stood helplessly in the cool desert sand as Harmon Rabb, shoulders hunched, marched away from her into the inky darkness. Mac felt tears stream down her face as she watched her partner, her best friend, her Flyboy, disappear into the night.

...For Meritorious Service
Chapter 9/a

Mac felt as if all the air and all the energy had been sucked out of her. Bleary eyed from threatening tears, she stumbled into her room and dropped down onto her rack. She was so mad and frustrated right now she couldn't see straight--at the same time a cold ball of fear gripped her. Despite her fear of losing Harm--the one thing that made any sense in her life right now--she didn't want to be treated like a damsel in distress. But if she lost her Flyboy again, after all they been through recently, she wouldn't care if she died right now. Things had been going so well, and then this had to happen.

She fell over onto her bunk silently crying, her whole body shaking from the quiet sobbing that coursed through her. But at the same time, she couldn't believe his gall; his charging in there like the great protector Why did he do it!? He knows better, make that he should know better by now, how that makes her feel-plus it was stupid and foolish. Briggs is going to blow a gasket when he finds out and its Harm's own damn fault for going overboard, nearly accusing Livingston of being involved in those threats against me. Did I say I need protecting? Did he listen to me? Hell no, that would have been too easy! Now everyone will think I am some poor defenseless female who needs a big strong protector! She angrily thought, as she swiped at the tears running down her face. Damn, she hated crying like this!

She wanted to reason with him but as usual, he made it so hard. He always had. Just like all men, Harm thought she needed protecting and his insistence on doing that infuriated her and so they blew up at each other--again. It was like a vicious circle that neither could steer clear of. She honestly thought that when they became more than just casual friends, this kind of garbage would stop. But it didn't; in fact, if anything, it became more intense. Now Harm was talking about leaving JAG-again and the way he sounded, this time it might be for good.

Mac saw the scene replay over and over again in her mind, like a stuck video recording. How she wished she could obliterate those images. The one though that she wanted to forget the most, was the haunted, hurt look on Harmon Rabb, Jr.'s face, as he turned away from her and stalked off into the desert.

Somewhere between the recriminations and sobs, Mac drifted off into an uneasy sleep. But slumber brought no respite to her tortured mind.

In her mind's eye, she could see Harm standing before her, looking at her accusingly. Then like the sun breaking through the clouds, his demeanor changed. That sunny, thousand watt smile broke out on his face; warming her heart and making her feel like maybe they could work through this...

Hey Ninja-Girl, you know I could never stay mad at you long....

Before she could reach out to touch him, the scene changed; a dark uniformed figure pointed at her.

Be Careful Colonel….

Mac felt uneasy. She wanted to see Harm again, to see his smile. But, when she saw him again, he looked worried. He was dressed in a flight suit, and wearing his aviator helmet stenciled with the name HAMMER.

She heard those dreadful voices again...

Missiles inbound...

Brace for impact...

Eject! Eject! Eject!

Harm burst into flames right before her eyes, consumed until he became a burnt skeleton.

I love you Mac.…

She ran screaming from that image, only to find herself in the desert, looking up as a SAM missile exploded near the tail of an F-14 fighter jet.

She watched horrified as the plane's tail was shredded. It veered wildly out of control, smoke blossoming from the damage. Miraculously, two men ejected from the doomed Tomcat. Both cleared the jet as it disintegrated. She watched as they dangled limply from their parachutes. She saw the one closest to her hit the ground with a sickening thud. She ran over to the still form of the pilot. Dread filled her. It was Harm, she just knew it was.

The body did not move. She looked at the helmet. HAMMER was stenciled on it. Gently she turned the body over. She was greeted by Harm's sightless eyes staring back at her, a trickle of blood running down from his nose and the corner of his mouth. His neck was obviously broken. As she cradled Harm's face, his eyes blinked. She stifled a scream.

OH DEAR GOD!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mac bolted upright on her bunk. That last voice was still echoing in her mind as it always did when she came out of that dream. It sounded like her, but at the same time, it didn't sound like her. She quickly scanned the room, it seemed unusually bright to her, then she remembered she hadn't turned off any of the lights. It was just as she had left it when she walked in right after...her fight with Harm. Oh God, what had she done? Had she just signed his death warrant?

She jumped off the bed. Mac had to get away from it. There would be no sleep as long as these nightmarish images tortured her.

Mac started to pull open the door and walk outside into cool desert night, but stopped in her tracks. She thought about going over to the guys' VOQ, but what would she say: Um, hi, sorry to wake you, I had a bad dream about Harm dying...smooth MacKenzie, she thought ruefully to herself, That will go over real well.

She sighed. Instead Mac decided she would just go outside, like she did last night. Only Harm wouldn't be there to help comfort her - Dammit, I made good and sure that wouldn't repeat itself! She wrenched the door open to see Bud and Sturgis standing at the door. They looked surprised and somewhat embarrassed to see her standing there.

Mac couldn't hide the exasperation in her voice. "What you two doing here?"

The two Navy officers looked sheepishly at each other. "Well, Bud and I, we thought--"

The Marine Lieutenant Colonel finished the thought for him. "You thought you would just check up on me, right?"

"Well since all these threats started, we thought it might be a good idea to check in on you, yeah." Sturgis said somewhat defensively.

She shook her head disbelief. "Uh-a bed check, Sturgis? I'm not fourteen you know."

He rolled his eyes at her comment. "Mac," he began then stopped for a moment -- something was wrong. "What are you doing up at this hour, anyway?"

She brushed past them and sat down hard on the steps in front of her barracks. "I'm getting a little air, is that all right?" Tears were threatening to spill again, and she didn't want that and maybe getting outside would help.

Bud and Sturgis looked at each other, not sure what to do. Mac sat on the step, staring straight ahead. A stubborn tear slipped down her cheek.

Bud moved toward her. "Ma'am? Are you crying?"

She hastily wiped at her face, "Sorry, just feeling a little emotional, Bud."

Sturgis shook his head and let out a weary sigh as he walked over. "Mac, do you want to talk about it?"

"Where do I begin?" she said looking at both of them.

"Harriet tells me at the beginning is usually a good place to start, Ma'am."

"My Dad would agree Mac, start at the beginning...."

Mac gave Bud Roberts and Sturgis Turner a watery smile and motioned for them to sit down next to her.

They slowly sat down on the steps next to Colonel MacKenzie. All three sat in silence for a few moments.

"Look, this is silly," Mac began to get up, "I'll just go back--"

"Mac," rumbled Sturgis in his deep bass voice. "This is about Harm, isn't it?"

She stopped and slowly sat back down.

Her expression softened as she gave him a slight nod. Slowly, carefully he reached out and put his arm around her, giving her shoulder a light, hopefully reassuring, squeeze. "It's going to be okay Mac." Despite her best intentions to shrug off this supportive gesture, Mac felt herself relax just a little bit.

"It will work out Ma'am." replied Bud, trying to sound upbeat. "The Commander will come back."

Her relaxed moment evaporated. She looked up at Bud, her expression becoming one of puzzlement. Her eyebrows knit up in concern and confusion. "You heard?"

Bud babbled on oblivious to her change in demeanor. "Yes Ma'am, the MP told us what happened--"

The MP! Mac had forgotten all about the man who had gone with them to Colonel Livingston's office. Dammit! Can this get any worse?!

Bud finally noticed the change in her expression and hurried to do damage control. "Don't worry Ma'am, he told us he wouldn't say anything."

"Us?!" Her stunned eyes focused on Sturgis. He let go of her as if he had been shot.

"Uh, y- yes M-Ma'am," stammered Bud, not wanting to incur the Colonel's wrath. "Commander Turner and I--"

"Mac, the man will keep his word." Sturgis said quickly, "I told him I would prosecute him if he told anyone else."

Sturgis' joke was supposed to lighten the mood, but it fell flat. Mac was mentally assessing the damage done by their revelation in front of the MP. Great! That's just peachy MacKenzie. That explains Sturgis comforting me like this - he and Bud know we've had another fight! And a very public one at that.

"Okay, so how much do you two know?"

Bud and Sturgis looked at each other, and then at the ground in front of them.

"Pretty much everything, Mac." admitted Sturgis.

"Yes Ma'am, pretty much everything." added Bud.

"I expected better from you two," Mac grumbled disgustedly as she shook her head. "Harm's the one that usually pulls a stunt like this."

"Mac, Harm is just trying to look out for you."

"Sure Ma'am, just like he always has."

She cast a withering look at Sturgis. "Did I ask him to?"

Sturgis however was not buying it. He knew better than Bud, probably better than anyone else, how this Marine felt about the Commander. "Mac, whether you like it or not, you're gonna need backup from time to time and truthfully, Harm is doing what any of us would do for you."

"He's right Ma'am," added Bud trying to help, "The Commander is just doing what any of us would do; watching your six, Ma'am"

Mac tried reasoning with her former mentee. "But Bud, doesn't he realize how badly this might jeopardize our investigation, especially with Briggs watching our every move?"

But Bud had a point to make. "Oh, I'm sure he does care Ma'am. The point is, he cares more about you."

Sturgis jumped in adding more weight to the argument. "Mac, think about it; you'd do the same thing if you were in his place, you've done it lots of times--"

She cut him off. That isn't what she wanted to hear from him. This was not about her, this was about him. "That isn't the point Sturgis...."

Preacher's son Sturgis Turner looked accusingly at the Colonel. "Then what is the point, Mac?"

She stopped. She wasn't sure herself what her point was.

Taking advantage of Mac rare loss for words, the former bubblehead turned lawyer pressed home his attack. "I'll tell you what I think the point is Mac; consequences be damned if it's you helping someone, but your self-righteous, straitlaced personality can't handle it if someone is trying to do the same for you!"

Stunned by this, she turned to Bud for solace. Who gave her none. "Sorry Ma'am, but Commander Turner is right; you'll help anyone, but you won't let anyone help you; especially not Commander Rabb."

Mac sighed heavily. She hated to admit it, but they both were right. Immediately that sneering voice of self-doubt began to laugh and taunt her about how she had blown it again, but she quickly shut it out this time, not even letting a little self pity creep in. She had to figure out how to tell Harm she was sorry. Something very much not in Mac's vocabulary. This was indeed going to be a very long night.

Local Time Unknown
North of Mirbullah, Iraq

Harmon Rabb, Jr. stalked through desert countryside, with out any real direction or purpose. All he knew was that he had to get away from that infuriating Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. Yeah, coming back to JAG had been a mistake. Any woman he had ever dated before, he had been able to protect and they had appreciated it-- Annie, Jordan, Renee-they had all loved it, they even said so. But not Sarah--correction, not Mac. She was a tough as nails, by the book Marine, eating bullets for breakfast, arresting and convicting bad guys, so woe to the man who tried to protect her. She didn't want protection from any damn man. Show her affection or a selfless act and she was putty, but try to protect her and God help you....

"Maybe its time I showed everyone, including that stubborn Marine, that I can be responsible and dependable. That I am grown up and not always rushing off charging windmills...." He muttered to himself.

Harm found himself down by the marshes north of the MEU encampment. Tall reeds in the brackish water, swayed in the early morning pre-dawn breeze. Then he saw it. A hand sticking out of the mud.

Harm put his thoughts about Mac and his future at JAG Corps on the back burner as his investigative instinct kicked in. First rule; don't tamper with the scene of the crime. Still he needed to get closer.

He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but when he rubbed them, and looked again, it was still there. Guardedly, the Commander made his way down the sandy slope to the edge of the water where the arm rose above the surface.

Harm looked at the water's surface, it was still cloudy. Whoever dumped this body here, must've done it recently. He heard footfalls. Looking up, he saw a young Arab man carrying a bundle of reeds. Despite the fact they were in the 21st century, people in the isolated villages outside of the big cities still preferred 19th century methods. Harm knew he would need some assistance to keep this body from floating downstream with the current.

"Hey! I need some help!"

The man dropped his load of reeds and ran down to the water's edge. Nodding, he started trying to wade out to body, as he thought Harm wanted help to pull the body free.

The aviator/lawyer cut in front of the man who thought he was helping. "No, no. No! We can't do this." The man looked at him confused. "You stay here with the body. Don't move anything. I'll be back with help." Harm didn't know if the man understood or not, but at least he wasn't trying to pull it out anymore. He clambered back up the embankment and began jogging back toward the MEU Headquarters.

0305 Local
Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Sturgis, Mac and Bud sat on the steps to her barracks each deep in their own thoughts. Each was afraid to say anything more.

At that moment a HMMWV rolled into the MEU compound, causing a great deal of commotion. Mac could see Harm in the front beside the driver. He got out and sprinted over to them.

Mac got up from the step first, quickly followed by Sturgis and Bud.

"Harm, what's the matter?" she asked forgetting about the fight they had just had. A part of her just realized that she did exactly what Harm would have done if the roles were reversed-reach out to help. They would have to talk about this, but not right now. The look in his eyes, meant whatever it was that brought him back here so quickly, was serious.

"There's a body in the canal north of here," he said tersely.

He didn't have to say anything else. The three of them followed him back to the Hum-vee. At the truck, an MP Sergeant was now talking to the driver. When he saw the JAG Corps officers approaching, he saluted.

"Sergeant, there's a body in the salt marsh canal north of here. Have a medical officer, and Captain Johnson meet us there."

"Aye Sir." The man started heading to the medical building as the four JAG officers climbed on board the truck. "Let's go," said Harm to the driver.

The man dropped the truck into gear, and pulled out of the compound.

*~*

The medical officer, Captain Johnson and two more MPs slowly made their way down the embankment where Harm and the others were waiting. The commotion had awakened many in the village and despite the early hour of the morning, they were now gathered around the edge of the canal.

The lights of the trucks had been pointed down the embankment toward the body. Johnson nodded toward Mac, who returned his greeting.

"What have you got?"

"A body in the water. Harm found it."

He looked over at Harm who was trying to keep the body from drifting into the swifter current, in the middle of the canal. "Commander? Who do we have?"

"Can't tell Captain. He or she is covered with silt. Can you take some pictures?"

Johnson aimed his camera at the slowly moving body. The current tugged at the corpse making it seem alive. Harm did his best to steady the body without actually touching it.

"Okay, I've got what I need." He motioned to the MPs standing at the water's edge. "Help the Commander get that body out of the water."

As Bud watched, Sturgis, Mac, Harm and the MPs grabbed the form and pulled it out of the silty muck. The crowd murmured and moved forward as the corpse was laid on the embankment by the mud covered officers and MPs.

Harm squatted down next to the still form, as the reed carrier and the others looked on. The body was coated. It was impossible him to tell who 'he' had been.

Mac looked at the body. It was a male, covered from head to toe with thick silt. She noticed the combat boots. She immediately made the connection. "A Marine?"

One of the MP Corporals looked at the body. "Well, I would say that's a good guess Ma'am. He's wearing BDU trousers and has on standard issue combat boots. He looked closer. "He seems to be missing his shirt--"

Bud got closer to the form. "Do you think it might be ‘Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Glover?’"

Harm sighed as he leaned against the side of the truck. "That would be my guess. Minus Martin's uniform and Livingston's insignia."

"Looks like we've got another death to add to this investigation...." replied Sturgis wearily.

The doctor, a Captain with a walrus-like black mustache, made a quick check of the man. "Yeah, he's one of ours." He brushed some of the silt away from the man's neck with his gloved hand. "And here's what killed him."

Mac winced when she saw the black and blue marks on the man's neck.

The doctor finished his cursory examination. "His windpipe has been crushed and it looks like someone gave him a karate chop on his adam's apple to boot." The doctor motioned to the MP Corporal. "Bag and tag what you need to. We'll get the NCIS field agent out here later today."

Bud came back to the group. "Commander, I checked with the locals. No one saw or heard anything unusual."

"Did they hear any vehicles come by this way, hear anything splash in the water?"

"Uh, they told me lots of vehicles come by here day and night. People are always throwing stuff in the canal"

"Terrific."

An approaching Hum-vee could be heard. Harm looked at the ground.

"Mac, please tell me that isn't Briggs."

"What the devil is going on out here?!" The Colonel's brusque voice brought everyone to attention. Harm hissed his disgust.

Briggs walked over and looked down at the body and then at Mac. "Huh! This your boogie man, Colonel?" Another man was standing close to Briggs. Mac could see he was wearing the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

"It would appear so, Sir." replied Mac soberly.

The newly arrived Lieutenant Colonel looked sympathetically at Mac. "This is the man who threatened you, Ma'am?"

"I can't be sure, Colonel...?" Mac stopped uncertain who this polite man was standing next to Colonel Jackass.

"Baxter," said the man quickly filling in that blank. "Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Baxter, I'm the Colonel's Executive Officer. Sorry I haven't been here up to now. I've been out with the troops north of Mirbullah on cordon-and-search missions."

"Baxter, you don't have to tell your life story to them!" barked Briggs.

"Aye Sir!" came the crisp reply.

Briggs looked around at the assembled group of MPs and Marine Officers. "It's late, and reveille doesn't come later just because we've been up all night chasing ghosts." He looked at his Executive Officer. "Talk to the Doc and get this squared away, ASAP Baxter."

"Aye, aye Sir."

"Colonel." Mac and Sturgis looked in Harm's direction.

Briggs started at Harm's authoritarian voice. He turned toward this nuisance. "What is it Commander?" he growled.

"Colonel, we'll have to alert NCIS about what has happened."

He looked at the Commander as if he had grown a second head. "What do we need with them snooping around here? You're an investigator aren't you?"

Harm was taken aback by rudeness of his question. He stared stonily at the man. "Yes Sir, but--."

"But nothing Commander!" He waved his arm dismissively at him. "I don't see any reason to bring anyone else in on this case!"

Mac, Sturgis and Bud showed their surprise at his request. Harm couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Colonel, one of your men has been murdered! There are procedures we have to follow--"

Briggs was livid. "Then investigate! Rabb! I don't give a hang about procedure!! Find out who did it! Chegwidden said you were the best - now prove it! I don't want anyone else snooping around my MEU! Get it done and leave NCIS out of it!! Are we clear Commander?!"

Harm and the other JAG officers came to attention. "Aye, aye Sir!"

"I'll see you JAGMen in the morning." The attorneys saluted, but Briggs didn't bother acknowledging them as he climbed back in his Hum-vee. Harm and the others came to attention until Briggs' truck disappeared into the darkness. The crowd from the village, figuring the show was over, began to disperse.

Baxter looked apologetically at the attorneys. "Sorry Sirs, Ma'am, he's been this way since--"

"-we arrived?" finished Bud.

Baxter shrugged his shoulders. "Look, I know he hasn't been exactly friendly to you, but he hasn't always been this way."

Mac was curious. It seems like everyone in this unit is covering for each other. The question is why? "How long has he, as you say, 'been like this', Colonel?"

Baxter cleared his throat. It was clear he was uncomfortable talking about this. "It's been on and off for the past few months, recently it seems to have gotten worse."

"Gotten worse, Colonel?" Harm spoke up for the first time since Briggs left. "In what way--"

"Colonel Baxter, Colonel Briggs told us you needed our...." Major Vince Barnett, who had been walking toward the Hum-vee stopped in his tracks and his voice trailed off when he saw the four JAG attorneys standing beside Baxter. Captain Johnson stiffened as well.

Their reactions were not lost on the four attorneys.

Barnett looked at the body and then at Johnson. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Johnson looked embarrassed. "I thought it was a local. Major, I had no idea it was--"

The Major cut him off before he could say anything else. "Skip the apologies, just get in the truck. We need get the morgue ready, and we have to start writing up the paperwork, for the NCIS agent who will be coming later today from Baghdad. We do have an agent coming, don't we?"

A chagrined Johnson headed for Barnett's truck. "Uh well, I guess so, Sir, yes Sir."

Barnett cut a quick look at the JAG Corps attorneys and then back at Johnson. "I can tell by your face Captain, the old man said 'no NCIS', right?"

Johnson looked at his feet. "Um, Yes Sir."

Vince Barnett looked over at Executive Officer Baxter and ignored the lawyers. "We'll get this taken care of, Sir. Sorry to have bothered you." He motioned to Johnson to get in the truck. The HMMWV pulled away from the canal, and headed back towards the MEU.

"I wonder what's the matter with him?" asked Baxter, absently.

"Probably just saw something that didn't agree with him." Harm said. Baxter cocked his head, as he looked at the navy lawyer. Although the words could be taken as a joke, the Commander's tone couldn't.

"What are you driving at, Commander?" he asked pointedly.

"He's just kidding Major," said Mac shooting Harm a 'cut it out' look. Harm, ignored her command. He just stared at Baxter.

She was tempted to roll her eyes but didn't. Instead she smiled at Briggs' Executive Officer. Harm noticed her smile, and Mac noted that he was watching carefully.

"I see." Baxter turned his attentions to Mac. "Well Colonel, what is your next move?"

"Our next move, Colonel," interjected Harm trying to get the XO's attention, "Is to find out who this man is, and why he was killed."

Mac ignored the aviator/lawyer's assertion. "Our next move," she said keeping her attention on Baxter and making sure he remained focused on her. "Is to find out who this man was."

Harm looked as if he was going to explode. For some unknown reason, he didn't. Sturgis and Bud tried to keep their faces as neutral as possible, keeping their eyes on the seething Commander.

Baxter stared at her longer than he should have. Mac smiled shyly at him.

"Uh, Ma'am, Sir," Bud rudely interrupted their staring contest. "Major Barnett is probably going to need our help. We need to get back." The hint of antipathy with Mac's 'antics' was perfect. Harm realizing that Mac was playing her part as described by Lindsey's report, fought down his anger, but he still was irked at her for playing her role so...so...easily?

Mac bit her lower lip, looking embarrassed. "Um, Thank you Bud."

"Yes, Thank you, Lieutenant." replied Baxter somewhat stiffly.

The two officers parted reluctantly.

*~*

As the four attorneys headed back to their quarters, Harm shot Mac a sickened look.

"What?" replied Mac nonchalantly, knowing exactly what Harm was irritated about.

Sturgis grabbed Bud's arm and pulled him toward the building. "Come on Lieutenant, the Commander and the Colonel have some issues to discuss."

Bud cut a quick look at his two mentors and nodded. "Understood Sir."

Both men quickly entered the building and shut the door. As the door closed, Harm snorted. "That was some display MacKenzie, you would have made a good barmaid in the old West."

For once, Mac decided to not go for bait. Instead she fired back with her own witty comment. "My old law school professor said I would have made a good lap dancer, so I figured I'd put those assets to good use."

They both looked at each other for a long moment. When he broke contact, his eyes slid away from her with Harm looking everywhere except at her. "Uh Mac, I--"

She put her hand gently on his arm. He immediately focused on her. "Harm, don't; you don't have to do this. I'm the one--"

Harm put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't apologize." She quirked her eyebrow at him. "Someone once told me it's a sign of weakness."

"But Harm you said--"

"Forget what I said Jarhead, he said casually, brushing her off. "We got a case to investigate."

Mac planted her hands on her hips. So much for resolving what lead to this in the first place. Just like on the Watertown, on the Guadalcanal and in Paraguay, we're 'tabling our discussion of anything remotely dealing with our relationship for now'. "So you're just dropping it that easily." Mac could feel the anger building in her.

He locked eyes with her. His anger was under control, but she was pushing it. They had an investigation to conduct. Why did she want to bring this up right now? "For right now, yes." There was irritation in his voice.

She could see where this was headed and decided to try a different track. "Harm, please listen to me; you shouldn't leave JAG."

He really didn't want to talk about this right now, but she was pressing him so maybe if he lanced it quick, it wouldn't hurt as much. "Why not Mac?"

She looked at him earnestly. "Because the Admiral gave you a second chance, Harm, and we all missed you." She was trying to say it, but as always with Harm, boyfriend or not, it was hard. So she hedged her bet, hoping he would see what she really meant.

But he didn't. He started to walk away from her. "That's great Mac, but I can't deal with this; I'm suffocating, I can't even protect my best friend--"

It was her last chance. "Harm, I missed you. I don't want you to leave again."

Harm stopped. He turned around and looked at her.

She steadied herself and threw herself into the lion's mouth. She was scared to death about what would happen. But she was even more scared of Harm leaving her. "Yeah, you heard me, Flyboy. I missed you. There are you happy? I missed you watching my six, I missed your crazy plans," she sighed and lowered her head. "I missed the man who told me he loves me."

The aviator/lawyer didn't know what to say. "Mac I--"

Mac didn't want him slip away any further than he already had. She could feel him pulling away and she couldn't face that again. She had to try to reach him, even if it meant giving up some of her independence. "Please Harm, bear with me; this is new territory for me. I'm used to having my partner watch my six, but now, you're more than my partner, this is--"

"It's different" he finished for her, his words gentle, losing all the anger they had borne just a few minutes ago.

The Marine Lieutenant Colonel was on a roll. "Yeah, it's different. You, Sturgis and Bud are right; I tend to be the first to help just like you when someone gets into trouble. But also just like you, I hate having anyone help me." She looked up into his face. A slight sad smile crossed hers. "Especially if it's my boyfriend."

He leaned in close. She was bearing her soul - something that Mac, Sarah, had never done with anyone. Still, he had to know more. "And why is that?" He asked, his voice tight.

She looked down at her hands. Her voice was low and trembling. "Because I'm afraid...."

"Afraid?" he said softly, lifting her head with his thumb and forefinger. "Afraid of what?"

She chuckled humorlessly, now it was her turn to look everywhere but at him. "Afraid that I'll be seen as incompetent; your weak damsel in distress; the perils of Mac...."

He felt as if for the first time he was seeing the woman behind the Marine. "Mac, you know I would never see you that way or treat you that way--"

But she wasn't about to stop now. It was like absolution. "Harm since I was fifteen years old I've been an independent person, never needing anyone's help or asking for it. It took Eddie's death and Uncle Matt hitting me with the proverbial two by four to get me to realize that I needed help." She took hold of his hand. "All I'm saying, Harm, is give me time. With all the others it was so tempting to let go...to pretend I felt safe, but as soon as I did, things started to fall apart. I can't let that happen with you Harm, I want this to work so bad, I can taste it. So, I hold on to my independence, it's my way of keeping you with me."

Harm felt that now he was really beginning to understand this woman. "Mac, I know that Marines are always saying 'Semper Fi, Do or Die' and all that, but they are also trained to rely on their buddies, their fellow Marines." He cupped her face with his hands as she held onto his. "And while I may not be a Marine, I damn sure am going to do my best to protect you, not hinder or coddle you, but be there when you need me, but you also have to trust me."

She bit her lower lip, God, why was this was so hard? She wanted to run away. "I want to trust you Harm, but let me do it in my own way on my own time, okay? I promise I'll try to be more understanding about you wanting to protect me."

Harm smiled for the first time since this yesterday. It was a gentle understanding smile. "Okay Mac, acknowledgement accepted. Now let's get back to this case."

His single minded focus on the case, unnerved her. Her voice showed it. "Harm?" She was afraid it was all talk.

He grinned. "What is it Mac, you want me to profess my undying love and devotion for you right here and now?"

Her quizzical, cautious look melted into a smile. "Then we're okay?" She looked up at him through her dark eyelashes.

Harm smiled that brilliant smile that warmed her heart. "Hey Ninja-Girl, you know I could never stay mad at you for long--"

As the words left the Commander's mouth, Mac felt as if someone had dropped a brick on her chest. Hey Ninja-Girl, you know I could never stay mad at you for long....The images from her nightmares came flooding back. She felt the blood drain away from her face.

Harm immediately noticed her change in skin tone and demeanor. "Mac? Mac!? What's wrong?!"

Harm's voice sounded as if it was coming from the other end of a long tube. A black frame surrounded Mac's vision. Dammit MacKenzie! Get ahold of yourself, Marine! Whatever you do, don't faint!!

Harm reported the obvious to her. "Mac! You're sweating!"

Mac took slow deep breaths as she bent over. Gradually, the tinny sound of Harm's voice returned to normal.

"Mac?" Harm gently helped her upright and walked her over to a stack of crates.

"I'll be okay Harm." She managed to get out. "I just need to sit down...."

Harm smiled wryly at her. "You already are."

"Oh yeah," She looked at him, embarrassment filling her features. "Thanks."

The two JAG Corps officers sat there with the Commander rubbing on the Colonel's arms and hands. For once, Mac didn't balk and Harm sat quietly with her.

Chapter 9/b

0942 Local
Outpost Echo, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

"His name is Leonard Krivstad, Private First Class. He was assigned to Infantry, my unit as a matter of fact. He joined us just after we got back from Afghanistan."

2nd Lieutenant Jim Hawkins shifted uneasily in his seat. "Where did you find him?"

Bud and Mac looked at the Lieutenant, trying to gauge if he was saddened and horrified by what had happened, or scared that he had been found out. "Commander Rabb found him in the salt marshes north of here. He had been strangled and dumped there."

"Len was as brave as they come, a little foolhardy at times--"

"Foolhardy Lieutenant?" repeated Bud.

"Sorry, he took unnecessary chances sometimes. I tried to get him to stop, but he always acted like he had something to prove... He mentioned in his last evaluation he wanted to move to Force Recon."

Mac thought about the description. Having something to prove or trying too hard to be one of the gang? That's another person we've run into that has ties to Force Recon.

"He was a good kid, Colonel." continued Hawkins. "Just a little green."

Mac made a notation on her pad to tie together just how many of these folks were connected in some way to Force Recon.

Bud looked down at his notes and made a notation, and then looked back at the Lieutenant. "Did he witness Lieutenant Dodge's death?"

Lieutenant Hawkins thought about that one. "No, No Lieutenant Roberts, he was in the back of the convoy that morning. He never even saw Buell and Lukens land the bird. Len was hunkered down trying to keep from getting his head shot off."

Mac hated asking this one, but it had to be done. "Do you think he stole Martin's clothes and the insignia from Livingston?"

Hawkins shook his head in earnest. "I haven't the foggiest Colonel, maybe he did, maybe he snapped under the pressure, I just don't know. It doesn't make any sense."

He sounds genuinely confused by Krivstad's actions. The question is, if he did it, why did he do it? Well, we're no closer to solving this mystery than we are to solving Dodge's murder...

Mac was about to ask another question when a Staff Sergeant stuck his head in tent they were sitting in. "Pardon the interruption, Ma'am, Sir."

"'Treasure', Sergeant Russell is ready to go over Private Francesco's fitness report, if you've got a moment."

Hawkins cut a glance toward Mac and Bud, "Excuse me, Colonel, Lieutenant, duty calls."

Mac couldn't help but smile. She hoped that her look was lecherous enough as she scanned the Lieutenant's body "'Treasure', Lieutenant Hawkins?" It was almost a coo, but not quite. But it had its desired effect.

The young Lieutenant blushed. "Uh, yes Ma'am. The boys nicknamed me for that kid in Treasure Island, you know, young Jim Hawkins...."

"Oh," said Mac nodded in understanding.

The Lieutenant smiled awkwardly at the pretty attorney. "We can talk more about this later if we need to Ma'am, Sir."

Bud answered for both of them. "That won't be necessary Lieutenant. Thank you."

Mac, for Hawkins' benefit, gave Bud a disgusted look.

Bud played his part. He looked sternly at the Colonel as if he had caught her misbehaving. "Ma'am we've got all the information that we need from him unless there is something I've overlooked."

Inwardly, the Lieutenant Colonel was impressed with Bud's acting ability.

Mac did her best to look embarrassed. She bit her lower lip and looked demurely at Hawkins. "Um, I guess not. Maybe we can get together another time, Lieutenant."

"Uh sure, yeah." He came to attention as she and Bud left the tent. Jim Hawkins wished he was off duty. He definitely wanted to know more about the life of female JAG officers.

As they walked out of the tent, she shot him another dirty look. Bud tried his best to look shocked. "Sorry Ma'am, did I do something wrong?" His sarcasm was not lost on those soldiers milling around Lieutenant Hawkins tent.

Mac sighed theatrically for their benefit. "No, Bud." She smiled tiredly at him. "If there's anything else we need to ask him we can do it later. I'm bored. Come on, let's get out of here."

1042 Local
Firebase Coventry
South of Mirbullah, Iraq

"So you and your friend here, you're like Red Caps I take it, Commander?"

Leftenant Prine sat in back of the Alvis personnel carrier with Harm and Sturgis. Prine was the artillery liaison from the 4th Armored Division, 5th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (5 RHA) to the 36th MEU. He had been with unit when it assaulted Mirbullah.

"Red Caps?" Sturgis repeated. He and Harm exchanged curious looks. The artillery liaison smiled at their curiosity.

"Criminal Investigative Services," he explained, "My girlfriend works with them."

Harm smiled wryly thinking about Briggs' comments from the other night. "Yeah, I guess we are in a way...."

"Well then," he said nodding his head sagely. "I'll give you all the 'elp I can. What do you need to know?"

The preacher's son took over the questioning. "You told us you were with Captain Lewis' command unit. How close were you to Lieutenant Dodge when he was murdered?"

Prine didn't mince words. "Very. If I had been any closer I would have been the one dead, not him."

Harm and Sturgis exchanged surprised looks.

"What did you see, Leftenant?" pressed Harm.

"Well I'll tell you what I bloody well didn't see, those two blokes, Buell and Lukens, shootin' at Leftenant Dodge." Both naval officers were writing down his comments.

Harm realized they had stumbled across one of the few eyewitnesses that could help Lukens and Buell. "Leftenant, this is very important. Who did you see shooting at him?"

"Bloody well impossible to tell you Sir." Harm deflated a little bit upon hearing that. Prine sensed his disappointment and tried to explain how he couldn't he give them the answer they sought. "Seemed like everybody was shootin' at us. The Iraqis, Captain Lewis, some of the blokes from the tracks, a 'ell of a mess Sir."

Sturgis stopped writing as did Harm. They both stared intently at the man. "Captain Lewis? queried Sturgis, "Are you absolutely sure Leftenant?"

At this point Harm jumped back in. "But you're sure about Buell and Lukens--"

"Commander I've 'eard the stories, but I've been artillery liaison for the unit since this row broke out. Those 'elo pilots were not gunnin' for the Leftenant, I'd swear to it."

Sturgis looked at him intently, "Would you be willing to swear to it in a court of law?"

Prine folded his arms across his chest. “Yes Sir, if that's what it takes."

1140 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Harriet had just arrived to begin her day. Luckily, daycare had other parents who needed to drop off their kids early. First she would see if Bud had emailed her overnight. The computer at home was acting funny again and without Bud there to fix it, she thought it was better to just leave it turned off.

After she finished with email, she'd make coffee. No doubt the Admiral had already made the first pot, but it was probably getting near empty by now. He had been spending a lot of time in the office lately both day and night. She hoped it wasn't putting a strain on his engagement with Meredith. Next, she'd call Commander Manetti and find out if she could come by. Then-

"Excuse me Lieutenant, but do you know where I can get a good strong cup of coffee around here?"

Harriet stood up smiling. "Commander Manetti, it’s good to see you Ma'am!"

Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti broke into a wide smile. "It's good to see you too Lieutenant Sims. How is Lieutenant Roberts?"

"Doing well Ma'am." Her smile faltered a little. "Well, he was before he was sent to Iraq." Harriet immediately remembered that she was talking to the SecNav's ears. "Oh, I'm sorry Ma'am I didn't mean for that to come out the way it did."

Tracy was not the spy everyone thought she was. Inwardly, she winced at Harriet acting this way. "Don't be Lieutenant, if I had a husband over there, I'd be worried too. Have you heard from him lately?"

Harriet was still cautious with her words. "Sporadically. They're keeping them under pretty tight wraps."

"Well don't worry Lieutenant,” she said soothingly, "They'll be home soon." Despite wanting to stay and talk more with Lieutenant Sims, who she really liked, Tracy Manetti knew she had to get this errand taken care of and report for her next assignment. "Now what is it that Admiral Chegwidden wants me to sign?"

Harriet fished into her 'in' basket for the newly printed report and handed it to the Commander. "It's a copy of Lieutenant Commander Lindsey's report, doctored to look like you wrote it. We need your signature and initials to make it 'official'"

Tracy began absently flipping through the report. Lindsey had sure had an axe to grind, and it was all spelled out her. Luckily the SecNav hadn't trusted Theodore Lindsey after the first time that he failed his promotion board review. So Tracy was ordered to JAG Headquarters to find out if this report was really accurate. In a way, she felt dirty adding her name to such an odious document. "Secretary Sheffield explained this to me last night on my flight in, but I'm still a little bumfuzzled by the whole thing."

"You're not the only one Ma'am." admitted Harriet honestly. "Apparently this report is for anyone asking for background information on the JAG office and only for those units in Iraq requesting this information."

If nothing else, Tracy Manetti was a quick study on what Chegwidden was up to. "So the Admiral suspects there's some hanky panky going on in that MEU...."

Harriet nodded. "Yes Ma'am."

"Well, Admiral Chegwidden is usually right on the money, and that's good enough for me. She felt in her planner and realized she had forgotten to pick up any pens when she left the house. She knew if there weren't any in her planner, it would be fruitless and inefficient to rummage around in her purse - she knew there were none in there. That's what she gets, for getting up two hours before she normally did. "Uh, Can I borrow a pen?"

Harriet smiled at Tracy's honesty. "Sure. So are you working in the SecNav's office now?" The IGO's liaison couldn't help but ask this one.

"No, I'm headed out on a flight this morning to California. Something having to do with ships--" answered Tracy somewhat evasively as she finished signing her name and handed the report back to Lieutenant Sims.

Harriet held up her hand smiling. "I know better than to ask for more, Ma'am." She took the signed report that Tracy handed back to her. "Thanks again for doing this, we really appreciate it."

Tracy's smile was genuine. "No problem Lieutenant. Tell the Admiral I said hello." She started to gather her things and leave the bullpen when a gravelly voice stopped her.

"You can tell him yourself, Commander."

Tracy Manetti turned and burst into a big smile. "Admiral! Sir, I was just leaving." She hastily explained.

AJ smiled warmly as he crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. "So I heard. The SecNav has you traveling to California?"

Tracy always did like the Admiral, after all they were fellow southerners. "Yes Sir,"

AJ nodded thoughtfully. "Well the Lieutenant is right, we know better than to ask you about what you're doing."

Tracy missed working for him. "Yes Sir. I signed the report as you requested."

AJ dipped his head as if slightly embarrassed. It was an unusual gesture coming from Admiral AJ Chegwidden. "Thank you Commander, I know it's a strange request--"

She softly cut him off, not wanting him to lose face in front of his staff. "Not at all Admiral, it's the least I can do." She meant it.

AJ looked her in the eye again, a half smile on his lips. "Well if you ever decide you had enough of being a troubleshooter--"

Again, she didn't want this to be drawn out. She knew that having her here at JAG Headquarters temporarily as a spy for the SecNav had to be unsettling for the former SEAL. She didn't want to add to that. "I know Sir. Thank you. I'd better get going." The Secretary wants me on that 0930 flight."

AJ understood her actions and respected her for it. In a way she reminded him of Mac. "Well, Good luck Commander." AJ shook her hand firmly.

"You too, Sir." She returned, matching his grip and smiling warmly at him. With that Commander Tracy Manetti turned and walked out of the JAG Headquarters bullpen to the open elevator. AJ and Harriet watched as the doors silently shut on Manetti's resolute face.

Chapter [9/c 10]
…For Meritorious Service

1044 Local
City Police Station
Mirbullah, Iraq

Mac and Bud stood outside the cellblock area, waiting for the guard to take them in. While they were alone for the moment, they risked a quick honest exchange.

“Colonel, do you think they’ll tell us anything that will be useful?”

“We’ll find out soon enough, Bud.” She spotted the Marine jail guard coming toward them. “Come on,” she groaned at the guard like a bored debutante, “We haven’t got all day! Let’s go, chop, chop!”

Mac motioned impatiently to the Marine guard, who opened the door to the cellblock area. Both lawyers and the armed guard walked along a row of dank cells each holding three or four men. All had beards and/or mustaches. A few did not have shoes. They stopped in front of a cell holding three men dressed in old Soviet style tanker uniforms. All three looked back sullenly at the JAG Corps attorneys.

The guard smiled grimly. “Colonel, Lieutenant, let me introduce you to the sole survivors of the Republican Guard tank unit assigned to defend Mirbullah.”

He looked harshly at the three. “<< Gih!/Come >>” He barked. The three slowly moved toward the front of the cell.

The one who stood at the front of the group stared defiantly at the Americans. “<< Mumkin t-warri-ni ayy sihada saxs-i-yya?/Would you show me some identification?>>” he demanded arrogantly of the two attorneys.

The guard screwed up his face in irritation. “They do not need to show you anything. Answer their questions.” He growled, in a threatening manner as he started to pull his nightstick from his belt. Mac and Bud tried to look nonplussed at the man’s actions, but in reality both were repulsed by the man’s willingness to use violence to subdue his prisoners. It looked as if a beating was going to take place.

“Sergeant!” Mac’s authoritarian bark stopped the guard before he had a chance to raise the stick against the defiant prisoner. He turned and looked angrily at the two military lawyers.

Bud followed her cue. “We’ll hardly be able to get reliable testimony out of them if you insist on beating them first.”

The Sergeant re-holstered his stick. He snorted. “If you think you’re going to get reliable testimony out of them--”

Mac didn’t want to hear anymore out of this man. “We’ll be the judge of what is reliable, Sergeant. Please wait outside.”

The guard tried to judge if they meant it. In the meantime the three Iraqi tank crewmen were carefully watching the exchange. Bud moved closer to Mac.

“Ma’am there’s no need--”

“I’ll decide what is needed, Lieutenant.” Mac’s voice had a definite icy edge to it. The exchange between the guard and the prisoners had brought back memories of her torture at the hands of Sadik Fahd’s goons in the Chaco Boreal. “Wait outside Sergeant, that’s an order.”

The Sergeant locked eyes with Mac for a moment, as if he were going to challenge her. “Yes Ma’am.”

The guard slowly left the room, glaring at the now three grinning tank crewman. “You’d better wipe those--”

“Sergeant!”

He shot the three enemy soldiers a withering glare and then exited the room, closing the door.

Bud started to sigh heavily, but Mac held up her hand indicating that he do so quietly. She looked over at the three manacled men eyeing them curiously.

“<< Ya-xsara,/What a pity, >>” said the lead man sarcastically, If you are expecting gratitude, American--”

“No, I am not.” replied Mac in flawless Arabic. “<< Ism-i Sari,/My name is Sarah, >> please sit down.”

The three tried not to let their surprise show, but it was evident they were not expecting an Arab speaking American woman to come to their defense. They sat down at the table with the attorneys.

“We have questions about your recent experiences.”

The men seemed cautious but curious about these two. They were not like the guard at all.

“Will you answer our questions?” Mac asked in their native tongue.

The men looked at each other and then back at the male Navy Lieutenant and the female Marine Lieutenant Colonel. “We will answer your questions…if you promise to help us….” Their leader began cautiously.

“I cannot make any promises,” began Mac, “But *I will* make sure you are not mistreated anymore. I apologize for the behavior of the guard. He will be punished for his treatment of you. You have my word.” That caused an immediate shift in the three tankers’ attitudes.

…Mac and Bud learned that these three men, Ahmad Jalloud, Khalil and Rafid were indeed the only three survivors of the 10th Armored Brigade, 1st battalion, 3rd company for the 2nd Al-Medinah Armored Division, Republican Guard. It turned out they were in command of the ambush unit on hill just outside of Mirbullah. They used their night vision scopes to watch the unfolding battle in the town square and had indeed witnessed Dodge’s heroics. They were ordered by their battalion commander to support the irregulars as it looked like the Americans might break out. Jalloud lead his unit toward the town, keeping an eye on the trapped Marines. They entered the western part of the town and were headed toward the stream when they saw Lieutenant Luken’s damaged AH-1 making its hard landing. They also witnessed Dodge deliberately placing his vehicle between them and downed helicopter. At about that same time, Jalloud’s unit came under fire from Lieutenant Borden’s M1’s, which quickly knocked out his entire under strength company.

As Jalloud and his men abandoned the smoking wreck of their Romanian-built TR-77 tank, they saw several Marines firing toward the big APC. At first, Ahmad Jalloud and his men thought the Marines were firing at the Fedayeen, but then he saw the Lieutenant slump in his hatch. It took him and his men a few minutes to realize the man had been killed by his own soldiers. Before he and his men could witness anything else, they were captured. But he would swear upon his life that the two helicopter crewmen did not fire on the APC commander.

“<< Mutsakkir, ya ahmad,/Thank you, Ahmad, >>” Mac started to get up. As she did the crewmen of tank 300 also got up.

They acknowledged the two US officers by saluting them. << Ya ustaz,/Sir; Ya madam,/ Madam, >>

Mac stopped she could sense Ahmad had a question. He looked at his cohorts and then back at this American woman. “How did you…?”

<< Da ana baqa-l-I sana-t-en. /I have been studying Arabic for two years. >>, the Marine Lieutenant Colonel replied with a small embarrassed smile. <Maya-s-salama. /Goodbye. >>”

“<< Allah yi-sallim-ak. /Goodbye. Law t-igi burka h-a-qul-ak il-hikaya! /If you come tomorrow, I’ll tell you a story!>>” He called out as they left the cell. The Iraqi tankers grinned at each other.

Mac and Bud strode past the guard and out towards the front entrance. As they walked along at a much easier pace once they were outside. Bud gave Mac a sidelong look. “Ma’am you amaze me….”

“How’s that Bud?” She said smiling, half-nodding to another officer as they passed each other.

“I knew you spoke Farsi, but when did you learn Arabic?”

She stopped and looked sympathetically at him “Sorry Bud, I have to have some secrets.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

They began to walk again across the street and back towards the BLT compound. “Right now we need to concentrate on finding someone to corroborate their statements ….”

1421 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Alan Mattoni sat at his desk whistling ‘I only have eyes for you’ as he pursued his witness list for possible weak points. He didn’t see Carolyn Imes standing in the doorway watching him in amusement.

“Well someone had a good evening.” She finally said when he paused for breath.

Alan stopped whistling and looked up smiling. “Jacque came into town last night.”

Carolyn grinned. “I knew there had to be a woman involved.”

Alan shook his head, chuckling softly. “I know you didn’t just come in here to bust my chops, what do you need Carolyn?”

She looked like she was thinking about it as she settled down in the chair in front of his desk. As he watched her with interest, she appeared to suddenly remember what she wanted. “A favor.”

Alan dropped his pencil on the desk and screwed up his face in mock disgust. “Oh damn, I know that look.”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.” pleaded Carolyn half-teasingly.

Alan picked up his pencil and began working on his witness list again, pretending to ignore her. “It’s probably illegal, so the answer is no.”

“Alan.” Carolyn had learned her pleading tactics from Mac.

But Alan refused to be swayed. “No counselor, the last time I did you a favor, Chegwidden chewed on my six for a week straight.” Plus he had fallen victim to Mac’s pleading tactics before and he knew how to counter them.

Carolyn though, as ready for that. “Okay, I guess I’ll just have to tell the Admiral about the spatula incident….”

Alan dropped his list and the pencil. He glared at her. “You wouldn’t dare--”

She was enjoying seeing him squirm like this. “I’m a desperate woman, Alan. I think the Admiral would enjoy hearing this one.” Her smile was one of a person who was ready to let a secret out of the bag.

Alan tried to bluff her. “That’s blackmail Commander.” He stated simply, hoping that would end this conversation.

But she wasn’t backing down. “Consider it payback for the stunt you pulled before we both shipped out overseas, Commander.”

He briefly smiled at that memory. He and Harm had planned that little incident as soon as Tiner let it slip that Carolyn was to report to Naples. “Can’t we let bygones be bygones on that one?”

Carolyn would not be denied her revenge. She shook her head. “Unt uh, sorry; that one cost me a good bit of my dignity in front of Harmon Rabb.”

Alan should have known that since it was Harm, who Carolyn really liked, the incident was not likely one to simply be dropped. He tried to divert her with a pleasant memory. “You thought it was pretty funny at the time.”

But it really wasn’t a pleasant memory for her. “It was the only way I could keep from dying of embarrassment.” As she let him consider this, Carolyn decided to add something that might help her case. “Besides Mac needs my help and--”

He cut off her explanation. “This is for Mac?”

She was surprised by his action. “Yeah, does that make a difference?” she challenged.

The playfulness was gone from his voice. “You bet it does woman; now it’s not just no, it’s hell no.” He picked up his list and pencil and began ignoring her again. Mac had bested him several times in court – probably as many times as Harm had bested Carolyn. However, Alan took his defeats against the Marine lawyer personally. He had no intention of helping her if he possibly could.

“Alan.” Carolyn fell back to pleading again.

Alan made his case for dismissal of her plea. “You two were always up to no good. When you weren’t egging her on, she was coming to you with those crazy Jarhead ideals of hers.”

Lawyers sometimes have to use subterfuge or in this case, blackmail and Carolyn was not above using it. “Then I guess the Admiral will just have to hear about--”

Alan looked over his list directly at her. “Don’t even say it, Commander.”

She had him. “Then you’ll help?” she asked hopefully.

He set down his paper and pencil again and pulled his hand across his head. She had him over a barrel and he knew it. This was the last time he let Harmon Rabb Jr. put him in a position like this. “Damn, I know I’m going to regret this. He looked up at her. “What does Mac need?” he conceded.

Carolyn enjoyed this kind mental duel with her partner. She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “A copy of the original report on Lieutenant Dodge’s death.”

He snorted. “Yeah, and while we’re at it, we’ll just make a date to chat with the President. Carolyn, you are nuts. Chegwidden will never let us have that report--if he has it.”

Carolyn had someone else in mind to do their work for them. “No, but Tiner can get us a copy and the Admiral does have it.”

This really was a dumb idea. Alan decided to try logic again. “Then why doesn’t she just request a copy from him?”

“It’s complicated,” began Carolyn, eliciting an exasperated eye roll from Alan. She tossed back her own annoyed look. “He already let them see as much of the report as he could – it’s part of the evidence chain against the JAG attorneys being brought up on charges.”

That caught his attention.

“Go on….” he said, now interested in what she had to say next.

“And, its classified – neither Mac nor do any of the others have clearance for the case or its evidence. Tiner is always shuffling papers for the Admiral, he’d be working us while still doing his job for Chegwidden, just like he wanted him to do.”

He looked at her with a half grin. “You would drag that poor, innocent kid into this sick scheme of yours?”

She smiled with satisfaction as she sat on the edge of his desk. “You bet; besides he needs…some seasoning before he’s let loose on the world. He’s going to NJS soon, think of it as…practice for the real world.”

Alan loved the way Carolyn’s mind worked. “You’re right, he does. I’ll get him in here.” He started to pick up his phone and dial the Petty Officer’s office.

She smiled slyly. “Harriet will help,” Carolyn added for good measure, “She’s been itching to get Tiner back since he put that typo virus on her computer.”

Alan paused before dialing the Petty Officer’s phone. “You know that one upmanship between those two is going to get them in trouble one day.”

“Probably so, but we should take advantage of it while we can.”

2342 Zulu
Officers Quarters,
MCB Camp Lejune, North Carolina

Marla Givers and Jennifer Coates sat in Colonel Shoup’s office. He flipped through the file that they had given them. The reduced sized grandfather clock ticked the minutes off as the engineer battalion commander reviewed the information.

Shoup closed the folder and handed it back to Marla. “He was one of my best junior officers. Sounds pretty hollow for me to say ‘at least he died a hero’, doesn’t it?”

Marla shared a knowing look with Jen. They both felt sympathy for the Colonel. “We’re sorry to have to report this, Sir.”

“What you need, it must be pretty important, with you two bending the rules like this….”

Jen focused on the task at hand. “Sir, we need to find out whether or not Lieutenant Dodge had any enemies here in the Battalion.”

Shoup got up from his desk. “Dodge would’ve made Captain in a few weeks from now if he were still alive. That’s faster than 75% of soldiers his rank. Enemies? If there were any I didn’t know about them.”

Marla brushed her hair back and repositioned herself as she took down some notes on her spiral pad. “So there were no jealous boyfriends or girlfriends, Colonel?”

Shoup shook his head. “Yeah, I heard about those rumors. Corporal, I take a personal interest in anyone in my battalion who rises as fast as Dodge, and I check for potential problems like that one. No, Dodge did not have any jealous boyfriends in our unit wanting to do him in.”

Jen closed her notebook and stood up. “Well, thank you for your time Sir.” Marla followed her lead. Both stood at attention.

Colonel Shoup stood up to see them out. “Petty Officer, can you answer one question for me?”

“I’ll try Colonel.”

“Someone is taking care of Dodge’s wife, aren’t they?”

Marla looked to Jen for the answer. The Petty Officer hedged. “I’m sure they are Sir.”

Fortunately that seemed to satisfy him. “That’s good, because when he brought Fazirah to this country, he was worried about her fitting in.”

“Fazirah, Sir? To this country?” Marla immediately opened her spiral pad and began scribbling.

“Yes Corporal, He glanced from Marla to Jen, his face darkened with concern. “Didn’t they tell you? The Lieutenant had married an Afghan refugee and brought her back here to live.”

Marla answered sincerely. “No Sir, they didn’t.”

“I’m not surprised,” he admitted with a twinge of disgust in his voice. “War brides are not good politics these days. Sometimes they think it’s best for the left hand not to know what the right hand is doing.”

Jen decided there was one more question that needed to be asked based on the information just revealed to them. “Um, Sir, where is she right now?”

“When Dodge went to Iraq, she went to live with her cousin in Falls Church.”

Jen couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Falls Church, Virginia, Sir?” She exchanged a surprised glance with Marla. The woman they probably needed to talk to most was right in their own city, probably just blocks away from the office.

“Yes Petty Officer.” He fixed her with a withering stare, noting her interest in his answer. “Why, didn’t your office know about this?”

“Actually Sir they probably did,” she lied hoping he would buy her answer. “Since were weren’t privy to the original information, we just appreciate you verifying this fact for us.”

He nodded, apparently understanding what they were doing. He knew attorneys did this kind of thing all the time and paralegals and legal staff probably do the same thing. “Glad I could verify that that fact for you,” he said sarcastically, “Will there be anything else?”

Jen wanted to get out of there as soon as they could. They had found out all they were going to down here. “No Sir, thank you again for your time.”

*~*

Marla and Jen made their way past the secretaries and out toward their rental car.

“That sure was a line drive to left field.” said Marla tossing her pad in the back of the car as they got in. “Do you think the Admiral knew that Fazirah Dodge lives in Falls Church?”

Jen turned over the engine. “No, it was just one of those things that happen like the Colonel said ‘the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing’.” She turned to the Marine paralegal. “Just think Marla, she’s living practically right under our noses. You know what the Admiral will say.”

Marla coughed and did a fair impression of Admiral Chegwidden “Well ladies, I suggest you find her and talk to her.”

Jen laughed. Maybe Marla could be a friend after all. “Let’s head back to the VOQ, I’m bushed.”

Marla’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Dibs on the bed furthest away from the window.”

1247 Local
Town square
Mirbullah, Iraq

The four JAG lawyers stood with Major Barnett and Captain Johnson in the town square. A group of curious townspeople watched these crazy Americans.

“Tell me again which side the AMTRACS and Humvees came in on? Harm looked around the square. Place enemy soldiers in the upper levels of the buildings surrounding the square and you have a death trap, no matter which direction they came from.

“Behind you,” indicated Johnson as he walked over to a bench and sat down with his arms crossed. “The lead AMTRAC commanded by Sergeant Placer got to that point where you’re standing, when an RPG round scored a direct hit, killing Placer and most of the crew.”

“And Gunny Sanchez’s Humvee ended up here?” asked Mac, pointing to the place just behind the marker for Placer’s AMTRAC.

“Yeah,” nodded Johnson, “Just about there.”

“The rest of the company was in a haphazard line behind them.” added Vince Barnett. The Major was not entirely convinced this re-creation of the ambush would help any, still Briggs told him to cooperate and he did as he was told. “At the end of that line was Sergeant Ochoa’s AMTRAC bringing up the rear.”

“So, Ochoa’s vehicle was the rear guard….” said Bud as he tapped the keys on his laptop. The Lieutenant had a battle simulation program that he had tweaked for recreating incidents – he got the idea from one of the agents at NCIS.

“Affirmative.” replied Barnett as he got up and walked over to where Commander Rabb was standing. “It was destroyed to bottle up the company here in the town square….”

“Okay, according to the official report, after Placer and Ochoa’s AMTRACs were destroyed and Gunny Sanchez’s Humvee was disabled, the Gunny and the survivors of the both the AMTRAC and his vehicle formed a defensive position here.” Harm dropped another marker to indicate the position for the soldiers at that point in time.

Sturgis nodded looking down at his handheld GPS receiver, Coordinates are 34.21 and 25.41, Lieutenant.”

“Got it Sir,” Bud indicated as he continued typing the information into the laptop, “What happened next?”

Sturgis look over in Mac’s direction. “Where are your friends?”

*~*

Two faded tan LAV-25s sat on the outskirts of Mirbullah. The commanders of these vehicles stood in their turret hatches watching through their binoculars as the JAG attorneys and MEU legal-men scurried back and forth in the roped off town square.

“Ranger two to Ranger prime, where are we supposed to be right now?”

The commander of Ranger prime, the subdued rank on his lapels indicating he was a Sergeant Major, smirked at his partner’s comment. He tapped his radio mike on the CVC helmet. “Colonel MacKenzie said for us to wait here until she contacts us again.”

“Roger that.”

Ranger prime’s radio crackled to life. “LadyM to Ranger prime….”

Prime spoke into his radio mike. “Prime here, LadyM.”

“Have Two move northwest of your position. You are to move southwest, acknowledge.”

Prime looked over at his partner and shrugged his shoulders. The other man just shook his head. Ranger prime keyed his mike. “Roger wilco, LadyM. Prime out.” He then switched to the local vehicle net.

“You heard the Colonel, Two, head northwest, I’ll head southwest.”

The commander of Ranger Two snorted. “This is some weird game we’re playing….”

The Sergeant Major nodded in agreement. “Yeah, see you in a few, out.”

Harm watched though his field glasses as Ranger Two headed northeastward. Sturgis was looking at the second hand on his watch. He looked over at his friend. “Now Harm.”

Harm made a motion to Bud who tapped a few keys and then called over to the Colonel.

“Ma’am, the Commander says for Sergeant Major Harris to stop his vehicle now.”

“Right Bud.” She spoke into the mike of her AN/PRC-68 radiotelephone. “Ranger Prime this is LadyM, all stop.”

The reply from Sergeant Major Harris was almost immediate. “Roger wilco, LadyM.”

She watched as Ranger Prime’s LAV rolled to a dust choked halt. Then she switched channels and spoke again. “Ranger Two this is LadyM, change your direction now and come southeast toward Ranger Prime’s position.”

“Wilco LadyM, on my way.”

Harm watched as the second LAV-25 approached Ranger Prime’s position. He keyed his mike. “Ranger Two this is Navy; do you have a line of sight visual on Prime?”

“Wait one, Navy…that’s a roge’, I have him in sight.”

Harm marked the position in his notebook and nodded to Bud who typed the information into the laptop. “Move just past him and stop.”

If the LAV commander was the least bit curious about what the JAGs were trying to do, they gave no indication. “Wilco Navy, out.”

Like they were engaged in some weird ritual, Ranger Two’s LAV moved past Prime and rolled to a stop. Clouds of stirred up dust rolled past the vehicles, swirling in the late morning sun and heat.

Harm checked their position. He looked over at the Colonel. “Mac?”

She smiled. “Perfect Harm. Sturgis?”

The former submarine naval Commander was looking down at his watch. “Counting it out now, Mac. Twenty three, twenty two, twenty one, twenty,…now Mac….”

She keyed her mike again. “LadyM to Ranger Two, move into square, just like you were fighting your way in…Ranger Prime, move around to the north side of the square and move in through the opening in the wall made by Dodge’s AMTRAC.”

“Roger wilco LadyM, out.”

Ranger Two moved slowly, inching its way into the square. At the same time, Ranger Prime drove through the remains of the damaged building and entered the square.

“LadyM to Prime, stop at the point indicated by the marker in the sand.”

Sergeant Major Harris’ LAV stopped squarely over the marker

“If that had been Dodge, he would have killed Sanchez…” Barnett shot Johnson a withering look for that comment.

“Knock it off and let them work. The sooner they get done, the sooner we can get out of here.”

“Aye Sir.”

Ranger Two was now fully in the square. He continued to inch forward slowly. Mac watched the LAV, then turned back to the man observing his wrist watch.

“Sturgis?”

He looked up smiling. “Right on schedule, Mac.”

She nodded at Harm who keyed mike again. “Prime this is Navy, turn and move westward toward the creek, over.”

“Wilco Navy.” Prime’s LAV turned and moved west.

“Two this is LadyM, do you have a line of sight visual with Prime?”

“That’s affirmative, LadyM, he’s moving west of me.”

“Can you make out who he is?”

Ranger two smiled as his spoke into his radio mike, “I’d know him anywhere Ma’am, yes I can tell who he is at this distance.”

Harm marked the final positions of Ranger Prime and Ranger Two on his pad. “That corroborates that Dodge, Lewis, Hawkins and Prine could be seen by Fuller and his dismounted scouts. Now let’s place the others who witnessed the shooting. Mac?”

Mac flipped open her note pad and referred to her notes. “Sergeant Colwell, Lance Corporals Delfin and Grearson, PFC Rogers and Secord were with Sanchez’s group moving toward Dodge’s AMTRAC; Corporal Kirtland was dismounted down by Fuller’s LAV; Corporal Tacewell was dismounted over by Rover Two; Corporal Dremmond and Lance Corporal Bauer were back near Captain Johnson’s current position; and Lieutenant Borden and Sergeant Watkins were just entering the town square.”

“Was Corporal Keller here?” asked Sturgis, pointing to a place where Sanchez’s Humvee had sat.

“No, he was receiving medical treatment since he had been riding in Beason’s LAV when it was destroyed.”

Sturgis Turner acknowledged Mac’s information. “Okay, Lieutenant, do you have all that?”

“Wait one Commander…. Yes Sir, I have it all in the computer.”

“Okay Bud, plot the trajectories of all fire coming from all the people Mac mentioned, including Lukens and Buell.”

“Aye Sir.”

Bud started tapping again on his keyboard. After a few minutes of examining the screen, a puzzled look crossed his face. “That’s not right,” he mumbled to himself.

“What’s not right, Lieutenant?” replied Sturgis coming over to where Bud was sitting.

Bud J. Roberts’ voice was tinged with annoyance and frustration “Sir, I’ve plotted all the trajectories from all the weapons fired. According to these plots, Lukens and Buell could have fired the fatal shots.”

Sturgis looked smugly at Harm. The aviator/lawyer ignored his academy buddy’s self assured grin. Then Bud dropped the other shoe.

“That’s not all Sir, this plot also suggests that Sergeant Colwell, Lance Corporal Grearson and PFC Secord could have fired the shots as well. It just doesn’t make any sense….” Bud began recalculating the positions of all the people involved and the firing trajectories of their weapons.

Harm started over to Bud’s position. “Are you sure Bud?”

The confused Lieutenant looked up at Commander Rabb. “I’ve checked the plot three times, Sir. It checks out the same each time.”

Mac decided it was time to add one more player to the mix. The one person they had excluded up to now. But after her talk last night with Harm, she agreed that he should be included. “Bud, have you added Corpsman Hazon?”

But Bud had already added him. “Yes Ma’am, he was directly behind Sanchez’s group, just in front of Captain Lewis, Lieutenant Hawkins and Leftenant Prine. He couldn’t have seen the Lieutenant and Warrant Officer shoot Lieutenant Dodge…nothing adds up, Colonel.”

Harm realized what they had stumbled upon. “Oh yes it does Bud, come on, we need to go talk with that Corpsman….”

Bud wasn’t sure what Harmon Rabb was alluding to, but he had a good guess. “Sir? Do you think…could he?”

“We’ll find out soon enough. Mac, Bud and I are going to find Corpsman Hazon.”

The Commander and Lieutenant walked over to their Humvee, got in and drove off in the direction of Al-Nasiriyah. Mac and Sturgis, surprised by the speed with which the aviator/lawyer acted, could only look at the retreating vehicle and wonder what Harmon Rabb, Jr. had stumbled upon.

1320 Local
Main Highway
South of Mirbullah, Iraq

Hospital Nurse/Corpsman [HN] Nick Hazon was sitting at the foot of a disabled AMTRAC reading his hometown newspaper. It was four weeks old, but it was still nice hearing about news from home, even if it was that old. It was his job to babysit this wreck until the recovery vehicle could come for it. Seemed like a stupid idea to him, but the unit was short handed and well, he knew the rest. The Hospital Corpsman had been with the 36th for three deployments so far and he got along pretty good with his Jarheads. Still, he hoped they all would get to take leave soon. They were going on three months without a break.

He felt a pair of eyes watching him, but ignored them. It was creepy the way these Iraqis sometimes stared at you, but then again, he was a stranger in their land. He guessed if the situation were reversed he would be gawking at these strange people fighting in his country. He turned the page, it looked like the local theatre group was going to be putting on—

“Hey Hazon!”

Nick scowled and pulled his paper down. Across the street stood two smiling Marines from the 36th. “What do you guys want now? I’m kinda busy--”

“Yeah we can see that Corpsman,” snorted the shorter of the two Marines. “We just thought you might like to give your eyes a break.”

“Yeah, well, you thought wrong.” he pulled the paper back up, obscuring his face.

“Hazon, there’s someone here to see you, man.”

Nick rolled his eyes. These two weren’t going to leave him alone until they had had their fun. He gave the paper a frustrated shake which caused it to fold in half. “Look guys, I--”

HN Hazon stopped when he saw the happy brown eyes and crinkled nose of the little girl standing by the two Marines. Nick started grinning. The young girl ran over to Nick and gave him a big hug.

A nondescript, sand-dusted, red Toyota jeep rolled to a halt. The occupants watched the scene. “Sully! Get your camera rolling,” the man sitting in the driver’s seat said quietly. The cameraman, dressed in a dark blue flak jacket and a light blue shirt and pants, leaned his mini-cam out the front seat passenger window and began recording the sight. The man in the driver’s seat flipped open his notepad, and wrote down his description of what he saw.

“Hey Saddiyah, how’s my girl today?” Saddiyah held up her hand and gave the Corpsman a ‘thumbs-up’.

“That’s my girl….” Nick heard snorting and snickering. He looked back across the street and saw the two Marines smiling broadly at him.

“Don’t you guys have something important to do, you know, like throwing yourselves under a truck or something?”

“Oh come on Hazon, you know we just like giving you a hard time,” said the taller of the two. “Besides we know you want to spend some quality time with you ‘girlfriend’.” At that comment both men belly laughed, causing Nick to scowl again and Saddiyah to look at them in puzzlement.

“Don’t pay any attention to them honey,” Nick said half jokingly to the girl. “They don’t know how to act around company.”

Saddiyah only knew that Nick’s voice was soothing. She grabbed Nick’s plain Kevlar helmet and placed it on her head. Being made for an adult head, it obscured the upper part of her face, but her sunny smile could still be seen.

“Hey Corpsman looks like your girl likes your helmet--”

They all started when they heard the door of the truck slam. The shorter Marine started to unsling his rifle.

“Easy, easy, easy.” said the man who climbed out of the driver side of the jeep. The cameraman got out and stood behind him, still filming. “We’re the good guys here. I’m Stuart Dunston, ZNN.”

“Is he filming us, Sir?” asked the tall Marine pointing at the man with the mini-cam.

“It’ll make a great human interest story,” explained Stuart quickly. “The public loves stories of the soldiers interacting with native children--”

“Sir do you have the permission--”

“I’ve got the order right here signed by General Thornton himself,” Stuart held out the pink sheet of paper, “See for yourself--”

The tall Marine walked over and took the paper from Stuart’s hands.

“As long as we don’t ID you by last name, or mention which unit you’re with, we’re allowed to film--”

“I’m Corporal Lou, This Private Jake, and that’s Corpsman Nick and Saddiyah.”

Stuart motioned to his cameraman. “Keep rolling Sully,” Stuart cleared his throat. “Sound okay? Good, let’s do this in three, two…Iraq is a land of contrasts. While in the Sunni Triangle, American soldiers fight for their lives against Fedyeen insurgents, here in Mirbullah, the scene is just the opposite as evidenced by these Marines befriending a local Iraqi girl named Saddilyah--”

“That’s Saddiyah.”

“Cut Sully,” The reporter looked over at Hazon while pulling his pad and pen out of his sports jacket and beginning to scribble. “How do you spell that?”

Nick Hazon rolled his eyes. “Saddiyah pronounced SAAHD-DEE-YAH, S-A-D-D-I-Y-A-H.”

“Okay, okay, I got it,” said Stuart dismissively, as he wrote the name down on his pad. “Sahaddeeyah, right?”

“Close enough,” Nick said sourly. Lou and Jake chuckled as Stuart put the pad and pen back in his sports jacket breast pocket.

“Look fellahs, we’re just trying to get a human interest story--”

Dunston’s explanation was drowned out by the sound of an approaching HMMWV followed by the roar of an explosion. Both Marines instantly went to the ground and unslung their rifles. Stuart and Sully also hit the ground. Nick went to ground, but he took Saddiyah with him, sheltering her with one big arm while his other hand kept the helmet on her head.

Chapter 11
…For Meritorious Service

“Dammit!” cursed the taller Marine. “Hazon! Mr. Dunston! Sound off! Are you okay?!”

“Yeah, just peachy,” replied Nick. He looked through the swirling smoke. “Can you guys see what happened?”

“Dunston?!”

“I’m okay Corporal, so is my cameraman--”

“Good! Stay there and don’t move!”

“Jake!” called out Nick, “Can you see what happened?!”

“Yeah,” grunted Jake, the short Marine. He kept his rifle trained in front of him. “The Fedayeen got another Humvee coming up ka-boom alley.”

Dunston looked over at the cameraman who had begun filming again. “Sully! Are you getting this?!”

“Just started, Stuart…” said the man wearily focusing his camera on the soldiers. He was really getting tired to Dunston’s flair for the dramatic.

Nick grabbed his medical bag. He looked at Saddiyah. “You stay with them, okay?”

Saddiyah, a bewildered expression on her face, looked at Nick not comprehending. “Stay here Saddiyah,” he patted the ground. “Right here, okay?”

Stuart Dunston could see that the girl was frightened, but she gave the Corpsman a thumbs-up sign despite how she really felt.

“Good girl.” He turned back to the two Marines. “Jake, stay with Saddiyah and our guests. Lou and I will check out the Humvee….”

“Aye, aye Corpsman.”

Lou got up into a crouch, keeping his assault rifle trained on the swirling smoke. Nick sprinted over to his side.

“You ready?”

Lou rolled his eyes at his friend’s false bravado. “Never.” He grimly looked back at the burning truck that could now be seen through the smoke. “Let’s do this….”

“Track’em Sully, don’t lose a frame of this, its gold!”

“Got’em Stuart!” said the man, trying to mimic the star reporter’s enthusiasm, as he aimed his minicam directly at the two soldiers.

Both soldiers cautiously moved forward toward the now fiercely burning HMMWV.

As Lou covered his approach, Nick cautiously walked toward the burning wreck.

“Hey!” The Corpsman shouted at the truck. “Anybody in there?!”

A groan answered his question.

Sully filmed as Nick grabbed the heat warped sheet metal door and yanked it open. He pulled the semi-conscious driver out, draped him across his shoulders, and carried the man back to where Lou was standing. Gingerly, Nick laid the Korean soldier down on the oil stained pavement.

The driver began coughing violently as Nick began examining him. “<Wee-saeng-byong im-nee-da. WHERE DOES IT HURT ?/O-dee-ga a-pa-yo? >>” The corpsman asked clinically in perfect Korean.

“<An-nae…ka-sum >>” the injured man gasped, screwing his eyes shut. Nick held him down to keep him from moving and further injuring himself.

“ Like you just hit a brick wall?” The man nodded between gasps.

“Well, you’ve got a broken hand and…some pretty nasty contusions on your face. That cut on face will probably need stitches…all in all you were pretty lucky— " << I MUST STOP THE BLEEDING./Jee-hyol-hae-ya-de-yo. DON’T TENSE UP./Kin-jang-ha-jee-ma-se-yo>>”

"<< DON’T WORRY./ Kok-jong-ha-jee-ma-se-yo. >>" The man looked over at the burning Humvee, now starting to lose its structural integrity, as its front end sagged lower.

"<< IT’LL BE OKAY./ Kween-chan-ge-so-yo.>>" advised the medic, as he checked the man for other injuries. Nick Hazon figured at least a couple of ribs were cracked, if not completely broken. The man was lucky; the improvised explosive device [IED] was not a precise weapon. Still, they suited the Fedayeen’s purpose; to disrupt the normal routine of the day and, if fortunate, maybe kill some of the Coalition soldiers.

The Korean looked again at the rapidly melting remains of the Humvee and wondered out loud if it would have been better if he had died in the blast. Nick knew what the man meant, but he wanted to boost the man’s morale and crying over spilt milk, or in this case burnt HMMWV, wouldn’t repair it.

“Nah, your commanding officer will be glad that you’re alive.” He winked at the injured man, “One less casualty for ZNN to report on the nightly news.” Nick looked at the truck now rapidly being consumed by the flames. “Yeah, they just wanted to slow you down,” the medic said grinning wryly. “If they had really wanted to kill you, they would have planted a bigger improvised explosive device and blown you to kingdom come--”

“Soldier, I’m Stuart Dunston, ZNN, thank God you’re alive, what is your name?” Stuart and Sully were standing over both soldiers. Stuart couldn’t see Sully rolling his eyes and shaking his head at the ZNN reporter’s false concern. Anything to get a scoop….

The medic cut his eyes toward Lou who grabbed the two men by the arms. “Mr. Dunston, you and your cameraman need to stay back and let Nick do his job….”

*~*

Bud slowed as the Marine frantically waved one of his arms. In the other, he held a little girl wearing a Kevlar medic’s helmet.

Bud put on the brake and stopped. The soldier, still carrying the girl, walked up to idling HMMWV.

“What’s going on?” Bud could see the billowing black smoke, but not its cause.

“Fedayeen blew up another Humvee,” the Marine looked at Bud’s subdued collar tabs. “…Sir.”

Harm, a puzzled look crossing his features, glanced over at the girl. “Was she hurt?”

Jake looked down at Saddiyah and then back at the Commander. “No Sir, she was with us. The Corpsman and the Corporal are with the injured, Sir.”

Bud put the truck in park as Harm got out. “Bud, stay here with them.” he ordered.

“Yes Sir.”

Harm advanced into the smoke and could see five figures on the other side of the wreck. As he walked closer, a gust of wind whipped the smoke from his vision, revealing a Corpsman tending a wounded man who was lying down. Watching the perimeter was the Corporal and standing next to him was a reporter and cameraman who were filming the scene. Harm groaned inwardly, Not Dunston…anybody but him….

The Corporal spotted Harm and leveled his rifle at him. “Halt!”

“I’m Commander Harmon Rabb, JAG Corps,” said Harm holding up his hands to show he didn’t have a weapon in his hands.

“Rabb! What are you doing out here?! Sully? Are you getting all this?”

“Yeah Stuart,” Sully reluctantly swung his camera toward the Commander. He really didn’t want to do this anymore. They had been up since dawn and frankly, he was exhausted and just wanted to crawl into a bed of any sort.

Lou looked skeptically at the naval commander. “Sir, this guy doesn’t need a lawyer, he needs an ambulance.”

Harm shot the Marine an irritated look. “We can make room for a stretcher.” Harm turned back to the Corpsman, ignoring for the moment, Stuart and his helper. “Do you think he can make it?”

“Well, he’ll have a hell of a headache Commander,” replied Nick, “And his ribs are going to be sore for some time, but just to be on the safe side, let’s keep him lying down. There’s a backboard in that AMTRAC over there, would you go get it?”

Stuart watched the unfolding scene mesmerized. This would get him a special report slot -- maybe even a weekend desk every once in a while. “Keep filming Sully, don’t stop for a second.”

“Got it Stuart,” said Sully as he panned the camera, following Harm as he sprinted over to the AMTRAC and opened its back door. Next to a duffle bag was the backboard. He pulled it out and carried it back over to the Corpsman.

Nick looked up at the lawyer. “Let’s get him on this backboard.”

Harm turned to Stuart and the cameraman. “Do you think you two could stop reporting on this long enough to help us get him over to my Humvee?”

Sully sheepishly lowered his camera. Secretly he was glad he had to stop. Stuart, sensing a chance to look magnanimous, started forward, “Sure Commander, what do you need us to do….”

*~*

Bud watched as five figures walked out of the smoke carrying a stretcher - Commander Rabb, a Corpsman, a Corporal, Stuart Dunston and another guy, probably a cameraman.

Oh Great, thought Bud disgustedly, With Stuart Dunston here, there’s bound to be trouble….

They maneuvered the stretcher over to the bed of the Humvee, and carefully lowered the wounded man down into it.

Once the wounded Korean driver was secured to the bed of their HMMWV, the cameraman ran back into the smoke. Bud watched dumbfounded.

“What’s he going back for Sir?”

“His camera Bud,” Harm looked up at Stuart’s grime covered face. “Close enough to the action for you Mr. Dunston?”

“Commander, we have an obligation to report the news,” explained Stuart defensively, “My cameraman and I were out looking for human interest stories--”

“Sorry to interrupt Sir,” said Hazon cutting off the ZNN reporter, “But we need to get this man to an aid station. The Koreans have set one up in the Central Business District in Al Nasiriyah.”

Harm for the first time since they arrived at the bombed truck, noticed the name on the Corpsman’s uniform. “Hospital Corpsman Nicholas Hazon?”

Hazon returned Harm’s look. “Yeah?”

Maybe our luck is finally turning on this case, thought Harm. “As soon as we get this driver to the aid station, we need to talk to you….”

Sully returned through the smoke and turned on his mini-cam, focusing it right at Bud.

“Uh hey!” Bud said shielding his face and turning away from the man, “Turn that thing off!”

Harm looked back at Bud trying to hide his face from the camera. He turned back to Stuart, the Commander’s eyes flashing a steely blue. “Tell the man to turn it off, Dunston.”

Stuart Dunston was stunned by Harmon Rabb Jr.’s brusque command. “Why Commander? We’re just reporting on some breaking news, we’ve already got you on film and--”

The Commander was in no mood to negotiate. “Get him to turn it off Dunston. Now!”

Stuart, not used to the normally calm Commander Harmon Rabb snapping at him so viciously, involuntarily took a step backwards. He glanced over at the cameraman. “Cut it off.”

Sully, as surprised as Dunston was, slowly turned off the camera and reluctantly lowered it

“What’s this all about Rabb?” began Stuart in his best investigative reporter voice. “You can’t just order us--”

But the aviator/lawyer was ready for this. “Under the Rules for Media Cooperation in Combat Operations, Clause two, paragraph three: The Senior Officer on the battlefield has the right to order members of the media to halt filming if they are deemed to be endangering the lives of United States military personnel, and if necessary, to confiscate said film and/or camera if he or she so chooses.”

Stuart Dunston’s reply was almost scoffing. “Endangering the lives of United States military personnel? That’s rich! Commander in case you didn’t notice, we’re reporting on a news event.”

The Commander was not about to be deterred. “Which involves a soldier of the Korean armed forces. You and your cameraman may attract a crowd that would be unfriendly to both American and Korean military personnel, placing their lives in jeopardy. You’ve seen what happens when American personnel are attacked by the Fedayeen. What do you think they’ll do to few poorly armed soldiers and wounded Korean soldier? Do you want to explain that to the Commander of the Korean peacekeeping contingent?”

The reporter knew that Harmon Rabb, Jr. had him dead to rights. “Okay Rabb, okay. Take it easy, what’s got you so riled anyway?”

Harm was now projecting his pent up frustration on the hapless reporter. “You’re interfering--”

Stuart, having been a field reporter for so many years, knew when there was more to a story than what was being told. “Inferring in what? Oh that’s right, you and Lieutenant Roberts wouldn’t be here unless you were investigating some kind of problem. Come on Rabb, you can tell me. What is it?”

“There’s been a murder--” began the Corpsman. Both Harm and Bud looked at him as if he had announced he was dying.

Stuart, eager for a scoop, pounced on the slip of the tongue. “A murder?! Sully get that camera going again--”

Responding to his co-worker’s request, the cameraman reluctantly powered up the mini-cam and focused his spot lamp on Commander Rabb’s face.

Harm was barely able to control his fury. His voice reflected that. “Corpsman, I would advise you to remain silent.” He turned back to the ZNN reporter. “Mr. Dunston, I am only going to say this one more time. Have that man lower that camera, or I’ll call the MPs and have you brought up on charges of interfering with an official investigation.”

“That’s bull Rabb,” snorted Stuart, confident he had the Commander’s number. “You wouldn’t dare because now you’re interfering with freedom of the press!”

“Try me Mr. Dunston. I’ve had a really bad couple of days lately….” Bud’s eyes darted from the pissed off navy man to the smug cable television reporter. It became a staring contest. Two seconds, four seconds, ten seconds, twenty, thirty seconds passed….

Realizing his bluff had been called, Stuart Dunston faltered. He averted his eyes from Harm’s steel gaze. “Turn it off Sully, and leave it off.” he mumbled to the cameraman. The man, glad it was over, turned off his spot lamp and lowered the mini-cam.

“So what are you going to do Rabb, confiscate our tape?”

“No Mr. Dunston, but you’re going to give me your word that Lieutenant Roberts and I won’t appear in your report and then as you should, you’re going to report to the Commander of the Korean contingent what you have filmed….”

*~*

1340 Local
Aid Station Charlie
Central Business District
Al-Nasiriyah, Iraq

Thai army nurse Pilipi Utadej stood watching as soldiers from the Italian Sassari Brigade tried to keep a semblance of order to the triage crowds just inside the aid station compound. She gazed as her fellow nurses and doctors assessed the injuries, taking the badly injured and most infirm in first followed by the lesser cases. Crowds of men, women and children of various ages moved through the compound, urged by the Italian security force to keep moving if they did not have any relatives in the hospital itself. A few would protest, but most shuffled away, back into the streets. But the crowd did not shrink, because for every one that left four more would bring their injured and wounded.

As one of the Caporal Maggiores escorted one old woman from the front main hospital tent/building, a HMMWV pulled into the compound. Pilipi could see the truck was manned by US naval officers and Marines. In the back of the truck was a stretcher case.

Time to go to work, she thought as walked over to the idling Humvee. The driver, a navy lieutenant, was busy trying to talk to the Sassari Sargente who understood very little English. Unfortunately, the Lieutenant understood very little Italian.

Pilipi cut in between a group of gathering Iraqis who were now crowding around the truck. The other naval officer was working with a Marine gunner and … and Nick Hazon. She caught the eye of a young nurse who had just emerged from the main tent. Pilipi motioned for her to come over and help.

She and the young nurse moved up beside the Commander and Nick. “What do we have?” she said in perfect English.

Nick nodded to her in as much acknowledgement to her presence as he could give in the current situation. “This soldier was wounded by an IED, Nurse Utadej. We’ve stabilized him, but Dr. Soong should look him over for internal injuries.”

She cut a quick glace to her young cohort standing by her. “Let’s get him inside.” She turned back to the two Americans. “Corpsman, Commander, can you assist us please? We’re a little short staffed right at the moment….”

“Of course,” replied Nick graciously. Maybe a little too politely, but then again Harm had to wonder how much he ‘saw’ was real and how much was his projecting his relationship on other people he thought might be couples. Watch yourself Rabb, he muttered to himself as they picked up the stretcher and carried the wounded Korean soldier into the hospital tent.

1324 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Jason had been in the Admiral’s office for a little under ten minutes. The Admiral had been called over to the Pentagon earlier, so Jason decided to take advantage of this opportunity and look for the report that Commanders Mattoni and Imes had requested his help in finding. At first the Petty Officer was going to refuse, but Carolyn Imes was a tough woman – er, Commander to refuse.

Fifteen minutes; he hovered over the Admiral’s desk visually sifting through the tiled stacks, trying to find the prize he was seeking. The Commanders told him it would be easy to spot. Hah, what a laugh; they said it was in a manila folder with a dark blue – there it is! He carefully pulled the file from the stack, careful not to upset the balance of the files. Jason opened the thick folder to verify he had what he needed.

“Boy this is--”

“Tiner! What are you doing in the Admiral’s Office?!” Lieutenant Harriet Sims stood in the doorway looking sternly at the senior noncommissioned officer, her arms planted akimbo on her hips.

The Petty Officer snapped the folder shut and looked up at Lieutenant Harriet Sims with something akin to fear in his eyes. “I uh, that is, I um…well….”

“He’s helping me, Lieutenant.”

Both turned to see Lieutenant Commander John Burford standing in Tiner’s office. Harriet surprisingly wasn’t fazed. “With what Commander?”

“I needed to get a copy of the Grace Adoption proceedings.”

Harriet looked nonplussed and her stern look didn’t fade.

“For my pre-trial statements,” added Commander Burford somewhat hastily.

Harriet continued to stare at John. Jason Tiner was glad he wasn’t under the Lieutenant’s intense scrutiny for the moment. Better the Commander than him. Still, she blocked the exit – there was no way he was going to get past her without a cross examination.

At that moment Alan Mattoni came down the hall into the bullpen. Looking past Harriet, he fixed Tiner and Burford with a piercing intent look. “Commander Burford, Petty Officer, did you get Grace Adoption proceedings as I requested?”

“Yes Sir,” replied both men. Tiner walked over and quickly handed the folder to Commander Mattoni. “It was sitting on his desk, Sir. Just like you said.”

Harriet turned on Alan. “You sent them in here?”

Mattoni opened the folder and pretended to study the contents, ignoring Harriet’s piercing mom stare. “Good, good, this is just what we need Burford.”

“Tiner was the one who knew where it was, Sir.” John quickly supplied, hoping that would keep him in good graces with Harriet, after all, he was just following orders.

Mattoni briefly looked at the sweating Petty Officer, “Thank you Tiner.”

“You’re welcome Sir.” Jason Tiner said almost breathlessly. He didn’t dare look at Harriet, who was now shifting her stare from Commander Mattoni to him.

“Tiner is anything wrong?” asked Alan offhandedly.

“No Sir,” replied the Petty Officer, noticing the sweat running down the side of his face, “Not at all, why do you ask, Sir?”

“You look a little sweaty.” Harriet said with equal parts of suspicion and concern in her voice.

He looked over at Commander Mattoni hoping for a little help. “It’s a little warm in here, Sir.”

“It’s not warm,” Harriet looked doubtfully at Jason. “In fact, it’s downright cold in here.”

He had to think quickly. “Uh Sir, I have some files in the basement I need to pick up for the Admiral, may I be excused?”

“Of course Tiner,” replied Alan just as quickly. Harriet started to open her mouth but thought better of it.

“Thank you Sir.” Jason Tiner bolted for the double doors leading to the elevator.

They watched as the Petty Officer First Class reached the elevator and dashed in as it opened.

When it closed, all three began smiling.

“That’ll teach him to put a typo virus on my computer,” Harriet said with a satisfied smile on her lips.

“How long are you going to keep torturing him?” Alan asked, amused by her performance.

“Oh, not too long Sir, just long enough to make him sweat for a while.” Both Alan and John shook their heads at her comment.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side Lieutenant,” replied John.

“And why is that Commander Burford?”

All three looked around to see Carly Clemons, Carolyn Imes and Jennifer Coates making their way into the bullpen.

Harriet turned to face the bwitch, her voice low and grim. “Because I sometimes have to have talks with those people behind locked doors.”

Jennifer Coates had heard what had happened to Lieutenant Loren Singer when she pressed Harriet too far and it had taken Loren two years to push her to that point. Carly had almost managed to do it in two days.

“Major, we really need to prepare for the Brussard hearing this afternoon.” said Jennifer trying to urge Carly away from an obviously angry Harriet Sims, but Carly was not one to back away from a challenge. Especially one made by a junior officer.

“Don’t be too sure of yourself, Lieutenant. I’ve had several junior officers challenge me and they’ve all lost – some have even been dishonorably discharged.”

Carolyn and Alan thought a fight was going to break out right then and there. The rest of the bullpen staff who had been watching since Jason Tiner bolted for the elevator, collectively held their breath. Carly and Harriet ignored everyone else, each trying to stare the other down.

Jennifer, desperate to avoid a fight from breaking out, instinctively began pulling at Carly’s arm. “Come on Ma’am, the Brussard hearing, remember? You really do need to go over your opening arguments again….”

Carly’s eyes swiveled down to Jennifer’s hand. “Let go of me, Petty Officer,” said the Marine Major in low voice full of anger “…Now.” Jennifer, regaining her senses, pulled her hand away from the woman. With the offending hand off her, Carly broke into a bright insincere smile. “You’re right though, Coates, we should work on the Brussard hearing.”

Carly slowly backed away from Harriet. But, as she did, Carly winked at the Lieutenant indicating the battle was far from over. “I’m keeping my eye on you, Lieutenant Sims.”

“Yes Ma’am, I’m sure you are.” replied Harriet through clenched teeth as she watch Carly and Jennifer head into Singer’s office. Ohh that bwitch! I’m gonna—

“Lieutenant!” Alan snapped her out of her black thoughts. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Sir,” she replied somewhat shakily. She straightened and smoothed her dress to relieve some of the tension that had built up in her body. The urge for fight or flight was still coursing through her. “Is everything in the file that they need?”

Alan looked at Carolyn and then back at Harriet. “Yes,” he said tentatively.

She took the folder from him, “I’ll get it faxed to Mirbullah, Sir.” Harriet headed over to the fax machine and began setting it up to make the call.

Carolyn walked over to Alan and both stood watching her. “Do you think she is okay?”

Alan turned to her partner. “No, and I think a showdown is imminent.”

John Burford sighed heavily. He had to do something. He couldn’t let the Lieutenant’s career be ruined by Carly.

1403 Local
36th BLT Headquarters
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Mac and Sturgis walked over to the guard station in front of the abandoned government building that served as the 3-2’s battalion headquarters.

Ashton Briggs’ personal quarters were on the other side of the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) Headquarters compound. There were a few lessons that had been learned since Beirut BLT truck bombing back in 1983, but the majority of the battalion’s offices were still located either inside the government building or in tents and semi-permanent structures surrounding the government building.

Mac released the clip from her gun, as did the Navy Commander. Both handed them to the security guards. Then in turns, both lawyers cocked their handguns and then stuck them in a barrel filled with sand and pulled the trigger. It really wasn’t necessary because both made certain rounds weren’t chambered in their weapons, but rules were rules. Besides, there was no sense aggravating Briggs anymore than they already had.

When they finished at the checkpoint, both headed for Briggs’ office quarters in the government building. Inside, having taken off their boonie hats and dusted themselves off, they found the duty guard who pointed toward the right room. Mac looked briefly at Sturgis when the reached the door to the room. Sturgis Turner simply shrugged, leading Mac to knock briskly on the closed door.

“Come”

Mac entered the room followed by Sturgis. Both came to attention. “Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Turner reporting as ordered, Sir.”

“At ease, Colonel, Commander,” said Briggs almost casually as the man seated in the chair in front of his desk turned around, “I’m sure you know General Thornton.”

Mac’s eyes bulged as did Sturgis’ “General!” both immediately went back to attention as Ashton Briggs chuckled.

“Colonel, Commander, at ease,” rumbled Brigadier General Cody Thornton. The large barrel-chested man got up from his chair and faced the two JAG Corps officers. “Colonel Briggs was just telling me the details of your investigation.”

Mac cut a quick glance at Briggs who was smiling slightly.

“Yes Sir,” replied Sturgis Turner, “The Colonel and I had just finished a recreation of the crime scene--”

“Did you find anything new?” interrupted Briggs.

“Possibly Sir.” The Colonel threw her a disgusted look, “Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Roberts found indications that another party might be involved.”

If the General had noticed Sarah MacKenzie’s intense look aimed at Briggs, he didn’t indicate it. “Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr.?” Mac and Sturgis nodded. “I’m familiar with his methods – a bit unorthodox isn’t he?”

“Some have said that Sir,” replied Mac, “But he gets the job done”

What’s this I hear about another death? continued Thornton, obviously wanting more news about this latest incident.

“One of the soldiers from Lieutenant Hawkins’ unit, Sir,” said Briggs trying to soft pedal the news. “Doc says he’s been depressed since he didn’t make Force Recon.”

“Sir, that doesn’t explain why he threatened Colonel MacKenzie--”

Sure it does Commander,” shot back Briggs, “PFC Krivstad was despondent and suicidal. His mentor had been killed by Lukens and Buell and he just got carried away when he threatened Colonel MacKenzie. When he realized what he had done, in remorse, he killed himself.”

Mac couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Colonel?” Thornton’s eyes narrowed. “Do you disagree with Colonel Briggs’ answer?”

“Sir,” Mac worked hard to keep herself composed, *Our investigation* of the crime scene indicates that someone else could have fired the shots that killed Lieutenant Dodge, and the Doctor who examined PFC Krivstad, indicated that he had been *murdered* then thrown into the canal.”

“The Doctor made *a mistake*,” Briggs said stiffly, looking from Mac to General Thornton. “His follow-up report notes that Krivstad had bouts with depression from the day he entered the Corps and specifies the bruising on his throat was made when he dived off into the canal.”

“General Thornton, I respectfully have to disagree with Colonel Briggs. There was substantial evidence--”

“Colonel!” snapped Briggs irritably, “That report was made at 0300 in the morning, surely--”

Begging your pardon Colonel,” interrupted Sturgis, “But when did the Doctor reach this new conclusion?”

He did a re-examination this morning,” he held Mac with a piercing glare. “After he had some more sleep.” He then turned his attention back to General Thornton. “It was obvious that he had been hasty in his initial findings about Krivstad.”

“Do you mind if I look at the report?”

Mac barely reigned in her boiling anger at what she was hearing. She looked on in disbelief as Briggs handed Sturgis a copy.

“Colonel, General could you excuse us?” Mac gently but firmly tugged on the Naval Commander’s arm.

Sturgis hastily added. “Colonel MacKenzie and I need to confer about this new evidence.”

Briggs smiled. “Of course, Commander, there’s a conference room right down the hall on your left.”

Both Mac and Sturgis excused themselves and headed to the conference room. Mac was barely able to restrain herself. When they got in the room and closed the door, The Marine Lieutenant Colonel exploded.

“Who does he think we are? Some bumpkins that fell off a passing turnip truck?! Can you believe that load of bull he was tossing around in there?!”

Commander Sturgis Turner was unusually calm, “Mac I think you should look at the report first before denouncing it….”

Mac was livid. “Sturgis have you lost your mind?! You were there when we pulled Krivstad’s body out of that canal! Did those injuries look self inflicted to you?!”

The former submarine officer turned lawyer continued his patient tone. “Look Mac, it’s as big a shock to me as it was to you, but maybe we were wrong--”

“Sturgis don’t hand me that.” said Mac dismissively.

That irritated the Commander. “Look Mac--”

But she was ready for this. “Don’t ‘look Mac’ me, Commander!”

Sturgis Turner was usually a calm dispassionate counselor, but the Marine Lieutenant Colonel had pushed his buttons. “Mac! You and Harm are on a personal crusade to save these two pilots and you’ve almost got Bud roped into your scheme as well!”

Mac decided to goad him for siding with the enemy. “Is that what this is about Sturgis? The fact that no one is left on your team?”

Sturgis tried to regain control of the careening conversation. “Mac you’re making a complicated situation too simple--”

But Mac would have none of it. Her brown eyes flashed with anger. “And you’re making a simple situation too complicated! God, I’m used to having this kind of argument with Harm, not with you Sturgis!”

That elicited a sharp rebuke. “Well if you would stop ramming your head against a brick wall for about five seconds--”

But she wasn’t fazed. She was incensed that one of their own could actually side with that jackass MEU Commander. “I am not ‘ramming my head against a brick wall’ Commander, you’re the one who’s taken a virtual trip to Fantasyland!”

Sturgis started to head for the door, “I see it’s impossible to have a rational discussion with you about this--”

“Don’t play high and mighty with me Commander! Since when have you started believing what Briggs says? Don’t you remember what he said about all of us a few days ago?”

Sturgis stopped and turned around. “I remember Mac, but I also remember we’re here to do a job and examine all the evidence--”

She pulled back. Was she so blinded by her anger against Briggs that it kept her from being fair? Still, a part of her seethed at Briggs’ accusation. “Even if that evidence is conjured out of thin air?”

“Mac, just take a look at the report….”

Sarah MacKenzie looked at the report Sturgis Turner was holding out to her. Reluctantly she took it and began reading. The former bubblehead watched her intently, trying to gauge her response.

She had to give it one last try. Her bruised ego demanded it. “How do we know this isn’t made up?”

“The truth is Mac, *we don’t*, but we can’t just dismiss it out of hand either.”

She didn’t want to admit it, but he did have a point. She and Harm would have to disprove the Doctor’s report.

“Okay Sturgis--”

At that moment the door opened. Ashton Briggs stuck his head in the doorway. “I trust you two have discussed the new evidence….”

Sturgis spoke up before another battle started. “We’ve reached an agreement if that’s what you mean.”

“Good, good. Then you won’t have any problem arguing this and any other evidence you have at the inquiry--”

“An inquiry?” Mac wasn’t ready for that one. “When--?”

“General Thornton has reviewed the evidence and decided to convene a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to support a trial.”

Mac realized their job to clear Lukens and Buell had just gotten exponentially tougher.

1440 Local
Aid Station Charlie
Al-Nasiriyah, Iraq

Harm sat on a bench in the hallway of the makeshift hospital. He looked at his notes again. Hazon had to have seen what had happened. If he could get him to talk, then all the other pieces would fall into place. Bud unknowingly had been right; Hazon was the key.

Harm looked up and down the hallway; doctors, nurses, orderlies and corpsmen attended to the injured and wounded. Some were soldiers; others were civilians who had been caught in the crossfire. They were also attending to several sick men, women and children. Most were being treated behind closed curtains. The wail of sick children and general chaos caused by the doctors and nurses discussing their various cases made it difficult for the aviator/lawyer to order his thoughts.

“Mind if I sit down beside you?”

Harm looked up to see a doctor about his age of Korean decent standing next to him. The name tag on olive drab medical smock read “Dr. Roh Soong” With all noise and confusion swirling around him, the Navy Commander had not noticed the doctor walk up.

“Not at all doctor, go ahead.” Harm scooted over a little to his left to allow the tired looking doctor to sit down beside him.

The doctor wiped sweat and grease away from his forehead with his handkerchief. He looked over at the American officer.

“You waiting for someone?”

Harm traded a tired smile with the medical officer. “Yeah, I’m waiting for Corpsman Hazon….”

The doctor nodded indicating his understanding. “You might have to wait a few more minutes.”

Harm looked back at the man for an explanation.

“He’s visiting some of the patients. They wouldn’t like it if he didn’t finish his visits with them.”

The doctor smiled at the confusion that clouded the naval Commander’s face.

He got up and quirked his finger at the Commander. “Come with me.”

Curious, Harm got up and followed the doctor down the crowded hall to one of the treatment rooms walled off by a rough olive drab curtain. The doctor motioned him over and quietly pulled the curtain open just enough so that Harmon Rabb, Jr. could surreptitiously peer inside.

In the room, he saw the Corpsman talking softly with an Iraqi boy, who was not more than five years old. While his mother held him, Nick Hazon expertly drew a syringe and stuck the preoccupied boy in the arm. He never even noticed.

“He has a great beside manner.” remarked Harm watching as Nick Hazon continued to talk to the boy, getting him to smile.

“Yes he does….” agreed the doctor. He turned and faced the navy officer. “What do you need to talk to him for, Commander?”

Attorney Harmon Rabb became all business. “The Corpsman may have witnessed a murder and may have inadvertently learned who the murderer is.”

“That’s a very conditional reason for talking to Nick. What is the real motivating factor behind you wanting to talk to him?” The doctor pinned the navy man with his curious yet combative-protective stance.

Harm for some reason knew that nothing less than the truth would be accepted by this man. He cast his eyes to one side hoping to avoid the man’s accusatory stare. “He’s one of handful of witnesses we’ve found so far that may be able to prove that a Cobra helo crew did not murder a Lieutenant in the combat engineers.”

The doctor half smiled. “You’re referring to the death of Lieutenant Philip Dodge in which Lieutenant Benjamin Lukens and Chief Warrant Officer Fredrick Buell have been implicated. Colonel Briggs has indicated these two men are guilty of murder and in the process of this investigation, you’ve determined these men didn’t do it and now you’re trying to get them off the hook, so to speak.”

The Commander was surprised this Korean doctor could know such much about this case. “How do you….”

“…Know so much about what happened and what you’re doing? Dr. Soong smiled patiently at the navy commander’s confusion and awe. “The first part, Nick told me about,” Harm smiled wryly at this obvious answer that he had overlooked. “The second part comes from noting by your uniform insignias that are with the JAG Corps and your insistence on talking to Nick despite the number of witnesses that you have already interviewed.” That statement elicited another shocked look from the attorney. “I’m guessing I hit pretty close to the target.”

Harm chuckled, “Doctor, did anyone ever tell you would have made a good detective?”

Dr. Soong laughed gently, “My father said I should be one, but I was more interested in healing people and medicine.”

*~*

Mac, Sturgis, General Thornton and Colonel Briggs were seated at the conference table. On the screen of the videoconference equipment was the image of a stoic A.J. Chegwidden.

“AJ, I’ve reviewed the evidence and I really don’t see any reason why the hearing can’t take place,” 2 MEB Commander, Brigadier Cody Thornton said as he looked over his reading glasses at the Admiral, “Do you have any objections?”

“Cody, has Commander Rabb reported his findings yet?”

The General looked at Ashton Briggs who quickly shook his head ‘no’. Thornton turned back to the screen. “No AJ, but Ash told me his report probably wouldn’t turn up anything useful….”

Mac knew that’s what Briggs would say.

“Cody, I think you should wait to hear from the Commander first….”

“AJ, now I know how much you value the man’s opinion, but do you really think the Commander can find anything to exonerate Lukens or Buell?”

“I know that he is a persistent lawyer when it comes to finding the truth--

“AJ, there is a fine line between persistent and annoying. Besides, this hearing has been delayed long enough….”

As AJ continued to verbally spar with the General, Mac did a quick check of her internal clock while glancing down at her watch.

1445 local. Her watch was two minutes and twenty three seconds off, again. She’d have to get herself a new one sometime, otherwise someone would be surprised when she gave the wrong time.

Right now there were more important matters to attend to. There had to be some way they could even up the odds. Mac frantically searched her mind for something that could make this less of a kangaroo court for those men. Every possible solution that she could think of contained a myriad of booby traps that could conceivably blow up in their faces and leave them worse off than they were now. C’mon MacKenzie, think…

Something caught Mac’s eye as she looked up at the screen. The room being used for the videoconferencing was a converted courtroom—one she had used when—That’s it!

AJ and Thornton were debating about why Harm was trying to find Corpsman Hazon when Mac interrupted. “Admiral, Colonel, General - who will be the judge for these proceedings?” All three senior officers turned and looked at Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie. Sturgis couldn’t believe that Mac had just stuck her neck out within biting distance of three lions.

“Colonel what are you driving at?” rumbled Cody Thornton ominously.

“Cody, Ash; let’s hear her out.” The Admiral fixed the Marine lawyer with a pointed stare, “Colonel, would you care to elaborate on why you want to know this?”

“Um, well Sir, I was thinking that maybe it might be a good idea – to show there is no bias, that is – by having one of the judges from JAG Headquarters come and preside over the hearing.”

Ashton Briggs turned to Cody Thornton. “I’m not sure about this, Sir.”

AJ interceded before the General could voice his doubts. “Cody it makes sense; it would show you are giving the men a fair hearing and, if necessary, a fair trial despite the pregnant pause in due process. I can ask Admiral Morris to have one of his judges on the next flight to Baghdad.”

“The General seemed to chew on that idea for a few moments. “It would help some with the due process problem…. said Cody Thornton thinking aloud. When is Commander Rabb supposed to report his findings, AJ?”

“1600 your time, Cody.”

“That would allow you to send a judge on the next flight from Andrews…Ash, what do you think?”

Ashton Briggs decided not to fight this. After all the odds were in his favor that those screwups would be found guilty. He began nodding his head slowly. “We could have the hearing day after tomorrow, Sir. That would give Rabb and MacKenzie time to gather their witnesses and we will finally be able to get some resolution on this mess.”

Thornton smiled. “Sounds good to me….” He turned to screen again. “AJ, when can you talk to Admiral Morris?”

The former SEAL opened a calendar and looked down the page. “He’s finishing up a hearing right now.” He looked up at the two Marine officers. “I’ll speak to him as soon as he is done.”

Brigadier General Cody Thornton’s smile got wider, if that is possible. “Great AJ, thanks for your help with this….”

“You can thank Colonel MacKenzie, General. She may be a little unorthodox in her methods, but she’s a damn fine lawyer and may have just given you the legitimacy you needed.”

When both officers looked toward her and Sturgis Turner, AJ looked at her with admiration. Way to go Marine, he thought, Ooh-rah!

*~*

Rear Admiral (lower half) and JAG Corps Judge Stiles Morris had just arrived in his office. He began looking through the stack of messages left on his desk while he was on the bench, when he heard a knock on his doorjamb. He turned to see the Judge Advocate General, AJ Chegwidden, standing in his doorway.

Stiles Morris smiled. “AJ, what are you doing here in ‘Judge Country’?”

The Admiral smiled in return. It was one of his business smiles. He shook the head judge’s hand and settled into the chair in front of his desk. “I need a favor Stiles,”

“As long as it doesn’t compromise one of the cases that your attorneys are presenting, I’ll see what I can do.” He smiled again good naturedly at the Admiral.

AJ became all business. “The 36th MEU in Mirbullah is holding a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to bring a Cobra crew up on murder charges.”

The veteran judge who had been with the JAG Corps since Chegwidden came on board back in 1996 did not bat an eye. His smile did fade though. “Does this have to do with the Dodge case?”

AJ sighed and nodded sagely. “It does.”

“I don’t know Admiral,” he said adopting AJ’s business tone, “Why?”

AJ was used to this dance. He had done it with same rank officers a hundred times before. Now the horse trading begins… “Stiles, it would help move this case along to have an unbiased judge presiding. I could really use your help.”

“And you want to see if one of my people is available to do the job, right?”

“That’s about the size of it.”

Admiral Morris walked around to the back of his desk and sat down in his overstuffed chair. The walls of his office were fairly spartan, reflecting the Chief judge’s style. “It’ll leave me short-handed.” He returned.

“It’s left me four lawyers short too, Stiles,” AJ acknowledged, hoping that would help sway the man. If that didn’t do it, AJ Chegwidden had one more card to play. “But the SecNav considers this such an important case that he shifted four attorneys from overseas to JAG Headquarters until my people complete the job. I’m sure he’d be willing to do the same for you.”

Stiles Morris knew a good offer when he saw one. He was glad that he and AJ could do this and besides getting another judge in here would keep the peace. There were constant rumblings about the increased workload since September 11, and Rabb and MacKenzie were no longer available to hear cases. Probably because they are the investigators in Iraq, thought Morris, Well, at least I won’t have to worry about Rabb shooting up my courtroom….

The Chief JAG Corps judge picked up a spiral bound calendar book from his desk and thumbed through it. “I think I have two possibles. Let’s go see what they say….”

*~*

JAG Corps judge naval Commander Amy Helfman sat looking at her email – 267 unopened messages. She sighed as she closed her email box. Maybe I can get to them after the Murzinski hearing this afternoon –maybe….

She switched to an open document and continued listing her reasons for recusing herself from an upcoming trial on her docket. She almost didn’t hear the knock on her closed door.

“Come,” she said, not really looking through the blinds on her door window to see who it was who wanted to talk with her. She just knew she had to get this memorandum done before her next case started. Her first inkling about who was visiting her happened when she caught a glimpse of the starched white uniforms…

She stopped typing and started to get up. “Sir, Admiral; what can I do for you?

Stiles Morris waved at her indicating that it was all right to stay seated. Judge Helfman started to sit back down. She stopped in mid motion when she heard his request. “Commander, Admiral Chegwidden needs a judge to go to Mirbullah to preside over a hearing.”

She did a quick mental check of her calendar. “Sir, with all due respect, the Peterson court martial begins on Thursday. I would need to get back in time to prepare for that. Unless Captain Sebring can be asked to handle it.”

Admiral Morris shook his head. “Sebring is tied up with the Gonzega case. Thanks anyway, Amy.”

“You’re welcome Sir; Admiral. And sorry I couldn’t help out.” She went back to typing her memo as they left her office.

Marine Judge Colonel Clifford Blakely was coming down the hall from courtroom number two, shaking his head. Though he was a promising lawyer, Major McBundy still had a lot to learn. He’s a lot like Commander Rabb, Blakely said chuckling to himself.

As he made his way to his office, he saw his boss and Admiral Chegwidden coming out of Amy Helfman’s room. Stiles Morris spotted him.

“Colonel Blakely, do you have a moment?”

Ever the Marine, he responded crisply. “Yes Sir, I was just heading back to my office.”

Admiral Morris smiled good naturedly. “Good. This won’t take but a moment. Let’s go into your office where we can talk in private.”

Blakely opened the door to his office and let the two officers in first. He came in behind them and shut the door. He was fairly sure it wasn’t an infraction that was being pointed out because neither man looked upset.

The two Admirals glanced at one another for a moment and then Morris spoke. “Admiral Chegwidden needs a judge to go to Mirbullah and preside over a hearing for the Dodge case.”

“You’d take a flight from Andrews to Baghdad, Colonel,” added the Judge Advocate General, “And then a helo to Mirbullah.”

Clifford Blakely figured he already knew the answer to this question, but he had to ask anyway. “Sir, may I ask why they can’t use a judge from the legal offices in Baghdad?”

The SEAL turned Judge Advocate answered that one. “2nd MEB commander Brigadier General Cody Thornton is worried about due process concerns and improper command influence he feels could occur if it is handled by anyone in country. The General wants the hearing to be an unbiased as possible.”

That was all the Marine Judge needed to hear. He was needed and one general and two admirals were making the request. There was no further room for discussion. If there was one thing Colonel Clifford Blakely knew how to do, it was follow orders.

“When do I leave, Sirs?”

“2000 Hours.” replied the Judge Advocate General. “There’s an Air Force transport headed to Baghdad. I’ll have Petty Officer Tiner get your travel orders ready.”

“I’ll be on the flight Admiral.”

1452 Local
Aid Station Charlie

Harmon Rabb, Bud Roberts and Nick Hazon were sitting outside an operating room. The Commander had finally gotten the Corpsman to sit down and take a break. Now Harm would find out if his theory about the man was correct.

“Okay Commander, Lieutenant, you’ve got me seated, now what is it you wanted to ask me?” demanded Hazon. A little too defensive, thought Harm. The naval Commander focused all of his attention on the man. “Corpsman Hazon, what can you tell me about Lieutenant Dodge’s death?”

Hazon snorted. “Look Commander, I don’t know what you’ve heard from the others, but like them, I thought Lukens and Buell were guilty--”

This is what he had been looking for. He glanced at Bud who was nodding his agreement. This was their missing witness.

Bud picked up the questioning. “You thought, Corpsman—as in past tense?”

“Yeah Lieutenant, I was going along with the crowd at first, and then I noticed something--”

Dr. Soong came down the hallway. “Commander, its Colonel MacKenzie, for you.”

Harm and Bud exchanged a look. If the Marine Lieutenant Colonel thought it was important enough to make a call about, then Harm better take the call.

Harm sighed and got up from the bench. “Stay with him Bud, I’ll be right back.”

He followed Dr. Soong down the hall to radio-telephone hanging on a post near the front of the hospital tent. An orderly handed the receiver to the Commander.

“Mac? How did you find out we were here?”

“Well Commander, it wasn’t easy,” Harm could see her smirking on the other end.

One part of him wanted to prolong this conversation but another part wanted to get back to questioning the Corpsman. “What’s up Mac?”

Her voice was tinny. “How is it going with Corpsman Hazon?”

“I think we’ve found our missing battlefield witness….” He said looking down the hall at Bud and Nick talking.

“That’s good, because we’re going to need him, Harm. Briggs has gotten General Thornton to agree to convene a hearing the day after tomorrow.”

Harm almost dropped the phone in shock. “Mac don’t joke about something like this--” “I’m dead serious, Harm. I was there when Thornton and Briggs discussed it with the Admiral. At least he was able to convince them that an outside judge was needed. But that was about all that they would agree to. The judge is being flown here tomorrow morning. So we’d better be ready, Commander.”

He would swear, if he thought it would help, but he knew it wouldn’t. “That’s just great--”

The sound of gunfire broke off their conversation. Mac gripped the phone. “Commander? Was that gunfire I heard? Commander? Harm? Harm?!”

The radio-telephone swung back and forth on its cord. The air in the aid station tent was filled with cordite smoke and the smell of gunpowder. All was quiet except for Mac’s increasingly unnerved voice.

Chapter 12
…For Meritorious Service

1200 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Petty Officer Jennifer Coates walked into the bullpen and headed for Tiner’s office. Getting Jason to attend that morning class had depended upon her being there at 1300 every morning. Most of the time, she got there early. However, since she and Marla had just returned from Camp Lejune this morning, Jen barely had time to drop her off at the duty desk before she herself reported for work.

The Admiral had gone over to see Admiral Morris, so she was able to sit down at her desk, turn on her terminal and begin typing the correspondence she was working on yesterday before they left. Jen didn’t notice him when he came back in.

As he headed for his office, he looked over at her desk and stopped when he spotted Jen.

“Coates, I see you made it back from Camp Lejune in one piece.” The Admiral looked at her with his hard brown eyes.

“Yes Sir,” she replied quickly getting out of her chair. “We drove back this morning.”

“My office.”

She quickly scooted in behind him as he walked into the office. AJ turned to shut the door and caught Harriet stealing a quick glance. A fierce scowl sent in her direction caused the Lieutenant to duck her head back behind her monitor. He surveyed the office and saw everyone was busy, no one had time to see what he and the Petty Officer were doing –- or so it seemed.

He pulled the door to and observed Jennifer Coates standing at attention. She sneaked a quick look at him and seeing the irritation cross his face, quickly went back to attention.

He walked over to where she was standing.

“Petty Officer, I usually am not in the habit of letting my non-commissioned officers stay overnight at a Marine Corps base at the government’s expense.”

“Yes Sir,”

“Care to tell me why you and Corporal Givers felt the need to stay overnight?”

“Well Sir, it was almost 1800 local when we finished our interviews at Camp Lejune.” That technically was not a lie. By the time they made it over to the visitor quarters, it was almost 1800.

“So this made it all right to stay overnight,” He seemed to be agreeing with her.

Coates turned toward him smiling, “Yes Sir, I mean, the drive back in the dark is--”

“Petty Officer!” He barked.

Jen Coates immediately stopped babbling and went back to attention.

AJ Chegwidden walked up to her until he was standing right next to her face. The look of cold fury made her flinch as he spoke. “Petty Officer, it is in your best interest to inform *me* when you decide that you and Corporal Givers need to stay overnight. Then *I* will decide if this is okay, *not you.*”

“Yes Sir,” she gulped. “Aye, aye Sir.”

He walked over to his desk and started to sit down. “Now would you mind giving me the report you were *supposed* to give last night?” His voice was still laced with irritation.

“Uh, yes Sir. Corporal Givers and I interviewed several personnel from the Lieutenant Dodge’s engineer unit.”

He picked up his reading glasses and a piece of paper from his desk “Did you find anything unusual?”

Jen relaxed her stance. “As a matter of fact, we did--”

The glare he shot at her over his reading glasses caused Jen to quickly snap back to attention.

“Well?” The soft interrogative seemed more dangerous than it sounded. She stuttered.

“Wel – well Sir, we talked with h- his battalion commander, Colonel Shoup, and he informed us that Dodge had a wife….”

AJ put his paper down and stared at her. She wished she were anywhere but here.

“A wife….”

“Um, yes Sir, she’s an Afghan refugee. Her name is Fazirah…Fazirah Dodge.”

“Was she living in the married officer housing? Is that why you stayed overnight so you could talk with her?”

Jen wished she had thought to say they had checked there, but her automatic response tumbled out before she could put her brain into gear. “N-No Sir, when her husband shipped out to Iraq, she moved back to Virginia.” AJ continued to stare at her. She felt a blast forming deep in his body. “Falls Church, Sir” she added hastily. “She has relatives here…in Virginia, that is, Sir.”

“Well Petty Officer, he said softly, “Then you and Corporal Givers should go and talk to her this morning.”

“Yes Sir,” came the automatic reply.

“Lieutenant Sims!” he bellowed. Jen instinctively flinched.

Harriet Sims came bustling through the door and brought herself to attention next to Jen.

AJ looked incredulously at Harriet. “Lieutenant, were you eavesdropping?”

“No Sir,” the pregnant woman quickly responded. “I came into Petty Officer Coates’ office to drop off the briefings that just came in this morning by courier from the Pentagon.”

AJ really wasn’t in the mood to listen to the clever Lieutenant’s explanation. “Get Corporal Givers in here ASAP!”

“Aye, Sir,” Harriet shot a quick look of sympathy at the young Petty Officer as she pivoted on her heel and headed out of the office to look for the young Marine.

*~*

Mac’s fingers tightened around the receiver. “Harm?! What’s going on?!”

Sturgis came over to the phone. He had not been there when the Colonel’s phone connection with the Commander went silent. “Mac, what’s--”

Mac pulled away from the former submariner as she concentrated on the sounds coming from the other end of the line. She listened intently to the babble of noises. There were voices speaking Korean, something about ‘a saboteur’ and ‘several wounded’ but no English voices. That worried her even more.

“Harm?!” Her voice grew more desperate. “Dammit Harm! Answer me!!”

“Sorry Mac,” She let her breath out as she heard the Commander’s voice. She had not realized she had been holding it. “The MPs just secured an injured Fedayeen fighter.” He explained it as if he was relaying a normal day at the office to her. “He somehow got a machine pistol and--”

“Commander!” You scared the hell out of me! Was what Mac wanted to say, but she knew better.

“What’s wrong, Mac?” He seemed to have no idea, though, what she was going through.

She couldn’t believe she had to ask this. “Are you all right?”

Sturgis tried to grab the receiver from Mac. Instinctively, she jerked away from him, gripping the receiver tighter. “Colonel!” he snapped, “If you don’t tell me what’s going on--”

He stopped when she cupped her hand over the receiver and looked fiercely at him. “A wounded prisoner got loose in the aid station with a gun.” She explained.

Sturgis Turner was clearly confused now. “How did a prisoner get a gun? Are Bud and Harm okay?”

At that moment Harm spoke up again. “Mac, is that Sturgis with you?”

“Yes Harm, she motioned to the navy man who joined her at the phone. “We’re both here. Is Bud Okay? Tell me where you are now.” Mac and Sturgis shared the phone listening to the aviator/lawyer.

“Bud’s fine, he had gone outside before it happened. “Mac, you know where we are --you called me, remember?”

“Fine,” said Colonel MacKenzie growing annoyed with her partner’s obliviousness to her concerns. “Just tell me what part of Al Nasiriyah you are in.”

“We’re at the aid station/hospital tent, in the Al Nasiriyah central business district--” replied Harm, but they didn’t bother to listen to the rest. They had the information they needed.

She exchanged a look with Sturgis. “I’ll go get them,” the preacher’s son sprinted out the door. Mac looked torn between staying on the phone and going after the man.

“Mac?”

“Stay there Harm, Sturgis and I are coming to you.” She dropped the receiver into its cradle, cutting off the connection as she sprinted after Sturgis.

“Mac, hold up, there’s no need for you to come down here.” His reassurance was met by the buzzing of a disconnected line. “Mac? Colonel, are you listening to me?”

Bud walked into the still smoky aid station receiving area. “What’s going on Sir? Is that the Colonel?”

“It was,” he said sarcastically as he dropped the receiver onto its cradle.

1502 Local
North of Al-Nasiriyah

“I still don’t get it Mac,” said Sturgis sitting in the passenger seat. He watched as they drove down the highway, swerving around seemingly normal highway traffic in this war/non-war situation.

“Get what Sturgis?” Mac said as she deftly avoided a lumbering fuel truck. Sturgis blanched as they barely missed sideswiping it.

“How a patient got in the hospital with a machine pistol.”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like this. First, Harm finds our chief witness tending to a Korean soldier that has his truck blown apart by a remote controlled bomb, now this. Something is stirring Sturgis, I can feel it.”

“Just keep your eyes on the road, Mac, I’d like to get there in one piece.”

The pretty Marine attorney shot him an irritated look. “First Harm, now you; what is it with you guys, you don’t like a woman driving?” As she said this she turned to face him. Mac was oblivious to the fact she had crossed the centerline and was on a collision course with a freight truck.

Sturgis fought the urge to yell ‘keep your eyes on the road’ he merely reached out and turned the wheel, so that the speeding HMMWV swerved back onto the right side of the road. The freight truck skidded by, its horn blaring wildly.

“Can we continue this conversation after we reach Al-Nasiriyah? It obviously distracts you from driving.” His calm voice masked his wildly beating heart.

Mac shot the bubblehead a look of anger mixed with embarrassment as she continued toward their destination.

1207 Zulu
ZNN New York Office
New York, NY

“Mr. DePalma, there’s a call for you from Iraq.”

The Executive Producer of the ZNN News Division turned his overstuffed chair toward the door. “Who is it Phyllis? Stuart? Glen?”

The young woman dressed in black slacks and loose fitting man’s pale blue dress shirt looked at him with a confused expression, No, a…Commander Rabb? Says he’s with the Jagged Corps or something like that.”

Phyllis was a good Administrative assistant, but knew little about Chuck DePalma’s past military contacts. “Harmon Rabb?” She nodded. Chuck sat up straight in his chair, “Put him through Phyllis.”

“Yes Sir,” she went back to her desk.

The phone in his office began to ring; he swiftly picked it up. “Well, well, Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., it’s been a while….”

“It’s good to hear your voice too, Chuck, returned the Commander. “I heard congratulations are in order, you made Producer.”

Chuck smiled as picked up a cigar and rolled it back and forth between his thumb and forefinger. “That’s Executive Producer, Commander.”

“Well then that is a cause for celebration,” continued Harm not at all thrown off by his correction. “You deserve it.”

Chuck DePalma smiled again. He knew the man wanted something. He always did. “Cut the bull Commander, I’ve known you long enough; what do you want…?”

Harm, sitting in the hospital communications tent, grimaced. At heart Chuck was still a reporter. “Stuart Dunston is here.”

Chuck almost laughed. “Of course he is Rabb,” The Executive Producer put the cigar down and began fiddling with a paperweight on his desk. “He’s our senior reporter in Iraq. What’s it to you?”

Harm shook his head smiling wryly; it was just like old times. “Let’s just say we have a mutual concern….”

Chuck stopped fiddling with the paperweight. “A ‘mutual concern’? What are you trying to pull, Rabb?”

Harm’s voice seemed to become stronger over the long distance line. “Some innocent men are being framed--”

“You’re breaking my heart.” Chuck DePalma was now all business, cutting off this mindless prattle so that they could get down to business. After all, he was an Executive Producer and time was, as they say in the business, money. Chuck began fiddling with his paperweight again as told Harm what he knew. “Commander this wouldn’t have to do with the Dodge murder case, now would it?”

He struck a nerve. After a pause, the Commander’s voice was more conciliatory. “They’re not guilty Chuck; I need your help….”

Now it was Chuck’s turn to be annoyed. “As I recall you confiscated Stuart’s tape….”

Harmon Rabb Jr.’s response was almost automatic. “He was interfering with a rescue operation.”

But Chuck was ready for that stonewalling. “That’s not the way I heard it, Commander--”

But Harm was not finished. “--and he could have compromised our murder investigation by revealing our being in the vicinity.”

This got the ZNN Executive Producer’s attention. “What’s the matter Commander, is the military covering something up?”

Chuck could hear the irritation return to the Navy lawyer’s voice. “No, Chuck you know I could never be involved with something like that.”

Oh I don’t know Commander, when you go over to the CIA and fly planes for them, sometimes their ways rub off on a person, and besides you’re already halfway there- you’re a lawyer after all….” He added the last comment as a gentle dig. The response was typical Rabb.

“Look Chuck, unless you can get Stuart to help, some innocent men are going to be sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit--”

“I’m touched, really.” DePalma swung his chair so that he could look at the New York skyline. “Tell me Rabb what’s in it for ZNN if we help you?”

Now they were getting down to a resolution to their mutual problem. Harm smiled smugly. “I can personally arrange a ride in an F-14--”

Chuck shook his head, gently chuckling. “Thanks, but no thanks Commander; I’ve been on one of your ‘guest rides’ before. I wouldn’t wish that on Stuart – even if he deserved it.”

Harm was now chuckling as well. “Come on, Chuck. We go way back; you know I wouldn’t do that to you or Stuart….”

This was fun, but they had to wrap it up quick. There was a staff meeting in five minutes to outline the top stories for the next half hour update. “How about an exclusive on the capture of the real bad guys, providing there are any besides the ones already in jail?”

“When we find them, I give you my word you can have the first interview.” promised the Commander.

“Okay Rabb, while it may be out of your hands, I know you will make it worth our while. Now, what do you need from us?”

*~*

Stuart was recording the impressions of an Iraqi woman about the US troops in her town. She appreciated their ability to bring stability to her town, but she worried about them fighting with the local followers of extremist groups.

He was about to wrap it up when out of the corner of his eye he saw Harmon Rabb Jr. approaching.

“This interview doesn’t have to be cleared by the military, Commander….”

Harm smiled sardonically “Mr. Dunston, I’ve come to make a deal with you; I’ve talked with your Executive Producer Chuck DePalma.”

Stuart was singularly unimpressed. “What for, I thought you held all the cards….”

Harm looked down and shrugged. “Not all of them I’m afraid….”

The ZNN reporter did not mince words. “Now I’m really heartbroken to hear that; would you excuse me?”

The Navy Commander looked at the uncaring face, hoping he could trigger some feelings of guilt. “I could use your help….”

Stuart Dunston made it clear he wasn’t affected. He started to brush the military lawyer off. “Look, I’ve got a story to file….” He started to walk away when the Commander’s voice stopped him.

“You’ll get an exclusive interview with the real murderers.”

The ZNN Reporter stopped, fixing him with a guarded look. “How can you guarantee that?”

Harm was resolute. “Mac and I will find them, after that….”

Stuart could smell an exclusive, but he didn’t want his over-enthusiasm to cause him to lose a potential exclusive. “Commander, you once helped uncover a spy at our network. Are you saying these murderers might be involved in something worse?”

“We won’t know that until we get them, Mr. Dunston. When we do, you’re welcome to be the first to talk to them.” Deep down, Harmon Rabb felt sick about having to wheel and deal like this, but he told himself it was for a noble cause and with time running out, he really didn’t have much choice. He just hoped they had what he was looking for.

JAG Headquarters

Tiner had the box that the Admiral had requested. Why he wanted a case file from a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in 2001, he had no idea. The Petty Officer walked down the main aisle of the basement file room, headed toward the elevator. He was glad to be down here despite the dirt, dust, and bare light bulbs. Anything was better than facing the wrath of Lieutenant Sims.

She was probably still mad about that typo virus he had installed on her machine. He did it on a day when the Admiral was out of the office. It had been revenge for her putting hot sauce on his burger when he wasn’t looking. It took her three memos to figure out something was wrong, because the program only changed a few words here and there.

Although she was a good report writer, she missed the words. It was only when he pointed out the mistakes on the third memo that she began to get suspicious; of course his smirk might have also given him away. It was just a little harmless fun that had started shortly after Bud had lost his leg. He couldn’t stand seeing her sad and anxious, so the jokes began.

They lifted her spirit and he found that Lieutenant Sims had a wicked sense of humor – especially where practical jokes were concerned. She got into the spirit of it even more once Lieutenant Singer left the office. Singer. Boy, she had left a mark on this office. He was mulling over what might have happened between Lieutenants if Singer were still alive, when the chime sounded announcing the elevator had arrived.

He froze when he saw who was in the elevator. It was Singer reincarnated.

“Major Clemons!” He tried to come to attention as best he could while still holding the box, but decided it was too awkward and started to set the box down. Sensing that might be seen as disrespectful, he stopped in mid-motion and tried to go back to attention. The result was the Petty Officer looking like he was trying some new kind of dance.

Carly wanted to smile, but as a senior officer, she had to maintain her professionalism. “At ease Petty Officer.” She replied in an even tone. “What are you doing down here?”

Jason Tiner relaxed a little, but he was still wary about this woman. “Retrieving a case file for the Admiral, Ma’am.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “You were in the Admiral’s office a few minutes ago doing something for Commander Mattoni and Lieutenant Commander Burford. What were you doing, Tiner?”

Jason answered automatically. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you Ma’am.”

Carly Clemons fixed the Petty Officer First Class with a penetrating stare. “Why not Petty Officer?”

Jason Tiner really hated that she was putting him on the spot. “Major, if you really want to know what I was doing and why, you’ll have to ask Commander Mattoni.” He saw that she wasn’t pleased with that answer. “I was following his orders, Ma’am.”

‘I was following orders.’ What an idiot she thought harshly. “Petty Officer, I don’t think the Admiral would appreciate you rummaging around in his office and Commander Mattoni could be in even worse trouble…now tell me, is what you were doing really worth not going to Naval Justice School because the Admiral gives you a negative recommendation?”

In years past, Jason would have fainted or swallowed nervously and then panicked. But working with Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts had prepared him for harsh cross-examination by a hostile attorney.

“Ma’am the Admiral gave his permission for me to look for the file in his office. He told me there was no reason I couldn’t take the file if I found it, and copy it for archival purposes.”

Carly weighed that statement. She watched the Petty Officer’s face for tell-tale signs that he was not telling the truth. The man’s eyes and facial expression did not change. No flicker of doubt, or nervous twitches.

“So what did Commander Mattoni have to do with this?” she probed.

Jason stood his ground. “Respectfully Ma’am, that’s something you’ll have to ask Commander Mattoni. With your permission, I need to get this case file upstairs to the Admiral’s office before he gets back.”

Jason started past her toward the elevator door. Carly walked into his path.

Before the Petty Officer could protest, Carly held up her hand to silence him. “Petty Officer, I admire your spunk.” Jason thought he had been caught. He began thinking about ways to rebuff this challenge when her next sentence let him know he had won this round. “Most non-commissioned officers would have crumbled when I told them what I just told you. You’re going to make a fine lawyer.”

He could not tell if this was a candy coated bomb or a true compliment. Jason decided for the moment to accept it at face value. “Thank you Ma’am.”

“And if Lieutenant Sims or anyone else asks what you were doing, you send them to me.”

Now that really confused him. “Ma’am, why are you helping me?”

The Major smirked as if someone had told her a bad joke. “Let’s just say I have a soft spot for strays.”

That didn’t make any sense to Jason, either. He really didn’t need her help, and why was she being so friendly to him? For the moment, he decided to just accept his good fortune.

“Yes Ma’am.”

Carly got back on the elevator ahead of him and punched the button. “Just do as I suggested, Petty Officer.”

As Jason tried to get on board, the doors shut, leaving him standing in the basement with the Admiral’s requested case file box.

36th MEU, BLT Headquarters

Captain Floyd Johnson was sitting at his desk when the high-speed facsimile/printer came to life. Within moments, pages began spitting out of the machine, falling into the attached catch tray. He picked up the first page and scanned the cover memorandum. It was addressed to Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, JAG Corps. He began gathering up the pages when the door to his office opened.

Corporal Richards eyed the papers that Captain Johnson was holding. “New fax arrive Sir?” he asked casually.

Richards was Darcy Livingston’s flunky and not someone that Floyd cared too much for. His reason for being interested in the fax was transparently obvious.

“Yes it did Corporal,” said the Captain blandly.

“Do you want me to take care of it, Sir?” the eagerness in his voice made Floyd ill.

“It’s for Colonel MacKenzie, Richards. Her ‘in box’ is right here, I think I can handle it.”

The tone of his voice told Richards to buzz off.

“Yes Sir.” Richards watched as the Captain placed the report in her box and then sat back down at his desk and resumed typing on his laptop.

“Sir, I need to take this mail to Lieutenant Colonel Livingston, if you’ll excuse me.”

The Captain did not bother looking away from his report nor did he stop typing, “Fine Corporal, close the door on the way out.”

The Corporal picked up a stack of mail and headed out of the room. “Aye, aye Sir.” He closed the door with a bang.

Floyd Johnson just looked up at the closed door and shook his head.

*~*

Lieutenant Commander John Burford sighed as he closed the case folder and put it on the desk. He looked around the room. It was strange working in another person’s office; it only served to remind him how temporary this TAD really was. After this, he would be returning to his backwater duty station. In reality that really didn’t bother him.

What did though, was how to talk to Carly. He wanted to avoid any more run-ins with the Admiral and the only way to do that was to reach an agreement of some sort with Major Clemons. They had been friends once…pretty good ones, he thought with a twinge of guilt. So many bridges had been burned. Was it possible for him to get through to her? He couldn’t let their private war affect this office anymore than it already had.

“I gotta do something about this….” he said as he got up from his desk and made his way to the door. As he opened it, he found himself face to face with Major Carly Clemons.

“Commander,” she said evenly as she put her hand down at her side. It was obvious she had been about to knock on his door.

“Major,” he returned. “Would you like to come in?”

“Sure; I came by to feel you out on a deal regarding your client.” The Marine Major walked into the office and seated herself in the chair in front of his desk.

He stood at the door for a moment, then walked over to his desk chair and sat down. “What are you offering?”

“Captain Peters had an outstanding record of service until this incident. Taking that into account, I’m willing to offer a punitive letter of reprimand and reduction of pay for three months.” Carly looked down at her notes and then back at him; as she did she brushed a strand of errant hair behind her right ear.

“I think we can accept those terms,” said John he reached across his desk “You’ve got a deal.”

Carly stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before she reached out and shook his hand firmly.

Both felt their skin tingle as they held hands. Carly pulled hers away first. As she started to get up, she seemed to look…demurely at him?

I must be imagining this, thought John as he stared back at her.

Carly knew that look. She had seen it before, a long time ago when they were closer. The Major decided to play it for what it was worth. I’ll get a little mileage out of this. “Uh, Commander…John…thanks for agreeing to this.” She said quietly. “Um, I’d better get back to my office.”

He had to do this before she slipped out. “Major…Carly…I have something to ask you.”

At his use of her first name, the Marine Major stopped and looked at him.

Now or never Burford, “Carly, we need to talk.”

Great, she thought, stifling the urge to roll her eyes. What does he want now?

“What do you want to talk about?” Normally that phase coming from her sounded accusatory, but not this time. She acted as if she genuinely wanted to know.

“Carly, do you think…we could…call a truce?”

“A truce….” She repeated staring at him. Yeah, when hell freezes over….

“Yeah.” Despite his own trepidations, John wanted to continue. “Look; I know what he meant to you….”

Her eyes flashed. “He has a name – you make Ross sound like he’s dead.”

“He’s going to be in there for a while--” Began John clinically.

“Thanks to you. Look, is this leading somewhere? I’ve got a lot of paperwork to do this afternoon….” Carly had had enough of this charade.

“Carly, I’m…I’m sorry I had to convict him….” John Burford was being honest; Carly on the other hand, could’ve cared less.

“What John?” she shot back snottily, “Guilt after all this time?”

“No Carly, I did what I had to do.” The Lieutenant Commander said honestly. “I’m just sorry it ruined our friendship.”

“Commander, we had a working relationship – nothing more.” She returned icily, “Now, if you’re done, please excuse me….”

“Carly, please…this has gone on long enough.” John Burford walked out on a limb and hoped she wouldn’t saw it off. “We’ve both been given another chance to improve upon our careers. Let’s not--”

“Let’s not what, John?” She cut in savagely. “Screw it up by fighting, turning this office into a battleground?” She wanted him to bleed and if this was the way to do it, so be it.

“These are good people Carly, if we can’t bury the hatchet, can we at least call a stop this bickering temporarily?”

“Temporarily?” Good people?! Who cares about them?

“I know we can’t go back to the way we were, but just for the little while that we’re here, can’t we stop the war?” He hoped he was getting through to her. John wanted her to be receptive to this idea. Carly however, could not get past the fact that the Lieutenant Commander had sent her boyfriend, the only good thing that had happened in her life, to jail. Did he do the things they accused him of? She didn’t think so, and had defended Captain Ross Seibert zealously; using all of the skills she had mastered to keep him out of Leavenworth. But it was to no avail; the Lieutenant Commander had shattered her defense strategy and managed to paint a picture that would have convinced, even the most bias juries, of his guilt.

Carly huffed and walked over to the filing cabinet. She toyed with one of the labels on cabinet. That was one thing about him; his sad puppy dog looks always tugged at her heartstrings. As much as she wanted to hurt him, she realized he had a point. This move, temporary or not, had been a boost to their careers. They really could not afford to screw this up. “Okay John. For their sake, not ours.”

John smiled and got up from his chair. “Thanks Carly,” He held out his hand again. Her cold look stopped him.

This time Carly just looked at his hand like it the most disgusting thing she had ever seen. “That’s Major Clemons to you. Remember Commander, there may be truce right now, but I promise you, this war will resume. And when it does, I will win.” She opened the door and was through it before he could say anything else.

The Lieutenant Commander, disappointed by her last comment, sat back down heavily in his chair and picked up the file that had been sitting to the side of his other work. He had wanted to tell her, but she hadn’t given him the opportunity. He opened the file that said CAPTAIN ROSS SEIBERT on it in bold type. John opened the folder and began reviewing the case notes again.

*~*

“Where are those JAG Corps officers?!” barked Briggs as he stormed into the office.

Briggs’ aide de camp looked up from his work with something akin to shock on his face. “I’ll go get them Sir,” The Sergeant started to get up from his desk. He wondered what they had done now.

“Not those idiots!” he growled, Briggs looked as if he was going to explode. “The ones that Chegwidden promised us!”

The Sergeant stared at him, trying to understand what his commanding officer had just asked. “Uh, Sir, the Admiral sent them here a few days ago. They should be out conducting interviews – should I go get them?”

The man watched as confusion clouded his commanding officer’s face. “What day is this?”

“Sir?”

“You heard me Sergeant; what day is this?”

“It’s Friday Sir,” he didn’t have the heart to tell Briggs that he had asked the same question this morning.

He nodded as if he didn’t fully believe the man. “Friday, right. I’m going into my office.”

The Sergeant watched as the Colonel, clearly unnerved by what had just taken place, strode into his office. He too, was feeling a little shaken. This was the second time in less than 12 hours this scene had been played out. He had gotten used to his Commander’s absent-mindedness as of late. Briggs had jokingly dismissed it as one of the hazards of old age, but the repeated questions and his increasingly constant agitation was beginning to bother the Sergeant. Sure, Colonel Ashton Briggs was 55 years old, but was he really old enough to be acting like the Sergeant’s great grandmother? The more he thought about it, the more worried he became. Something was definitely wrong.

He was about to sit down again when Lieutenant Colonel Darcy Livingston stuck her head in the door. “Jenkins? Is Briggs in?”

“Colonel! Am I glad you’re here!” he said relieved. She would help him.

“What’s the matter?” She stepped further into the room, concern etched on her face.

“It’s the Colonel, Ma’am, he’s zoning out again,” admitted the Sergeant. “I’m really beginning to get worried about him.”

Darcy understood the man’s concern. “Don’t worry Cher,” she said soothingly, “I’ll have a talk with him.”

“Thank you Ma’am.” said the Sergeant, obviously relieved.

Darcy walked over to his closed door and knocked.

“Who is it?” She was not ready for Briggs’ sharp interrogative.

“It’s me, Ash, can I come in?”

There was a moment’s hesitation before he answered. “Darcy…sure, come on in.”

She winked at the Sergeant. “See hon, he recognized me. Don’t worry Sergeant, I’ll find out what’s bugging him.”

“Thank you Ma’am.” The aide de camp smiled at the acting Force Recon commander and she returned his smile. Then she opened the door and walked into Briggs’ office.

“Ash Cher, you’re scaring Jenkins again.” She said plainly as she stopped in front of his desk.

“What are you taking about Darcy?” Briggs was busy shuffling papers. He did not look up at her.

“Your little outburst just now in the outer office?” she prompted him. “What was that all about?”

“I’m not sure, Darcy.” He said clearly sounding unnerved. “Did you know today is Friday? I could have sworn it was Sunday.”

The shock in her eyes quickly faded as she reached in her pocket and pulled out her plastic pill container of gingko. “Ash, you didn’t take your medicine this morning, now did you?”

He screwed up his face in disgust. “Darcy, those pills don’t seem to be helping. This short term memory thing is getting worse; you promised me these pills would help.”

“You have to take them daily,” she reminded him, “Or they do no good.”

“Just give me the damn pills,” he grumbled. She opened the container and gave him two. He popped them into his mouth, chasing them down with a swallow from his coffee mug.

He looked up at her with concern. “Darcy, I have to keep it together long enough to get my unit out of this hellhole. You promised me you would help.”

She looked at him with pity. “And I am helping, Ash.” Then she added more somberly. “Just be patient and get those attorneys to agree to prosecute Lukens and Buell.”

He gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment but then began shaking his head. “I can’t believe those idiots killed Dodge.” He looked up at her again. “We don’t need NCIS back here again….”

“They won’t come back, Cher. I promised you I would take care of that,” she said reassuring the MEU commanding officer. “You just concentrate on getting the hearing going and I’ll take care of NCIS.”

She smiled down at him. “I’ll be by later to give you another dose. Okay? If you keep taking these at regular intervals, you’ll keep a clearer head.” She gently admonished.

He got up from his desk and stood facing her. “I’m counting on you Darcy. Sometimes it seems like you’re the only one in this unit I can depend on.”

She smiled seductively. “That’s kind of you Ash; I’ll be back later, all right?”

He sat down again, seeming to ignore her. “Sure; I’ve got to get this report done. Close the door when you leave.”

Darcy watched him for a few more moments as he became absorbed in his paperwork again. She quietly stepped back into the outer office and pulled the door to. Composing herself, she looked over Jenkins and winked at him again. “All taken care of Sergeant.”

“Thanks again Ma’am.” replied the grateful aide de camp. “I don’t know what he would do without you.” Darcy would have winced at this compliment, if she had felt anything. She let what she thought was a brief flash of regret cross her face, then she ‘composed’ herself for his benefit.

She smiled brightly at the Sergeant. “I’ll be back later this evening, Jenkins. Everything will be fine.”

When she got outside Captain Jac Lewis was sitting on a bench waiting for her. She sat down next to him, her face becoming a mask.

“Captain,” she said coolly.

“Colonel,” he returned, not looking at her. “He’s getting worse isn’t he?”

“Nothing I can’t handle….” she replied firmly.

“He’s becoming a liability.” He stated bluntly.

“Well don’t go nutzoid on me Jac. Let’s just watch him for now. It could just be fatigue.” She lied. Truth was she needed Briggs for just a little longer and then she would discard him.

He snorted. Having worked with Darcy Livingston for five years had taught him that she was not as compassionate as she seemed. It was all an act. One that he saw right through. “Yeah right; just do me a favor – figure out a way for the Doc to look him over. I’m not being hung out to dry just because hard charging Briggs is losing his grip on reality.”

“You let me worry about his grip.” She returned coldly. “You worry about taking care of those problems we’ve talked about--”

He looked over at a passing HMMWV, not daring to look at her cold dead eyes. “Got a plan in motion now….”

“For your sake, you better hope it works.”

*~*

“Harm!” The Commander turned to see Sarah MacKenzie and Sturgis Turner making their way in the doorway of the crowded aid station. Bud smiled at the sight of the two JAG Corps senior lawyers.

“Commander! Ma’am! It’s good to see you!” he said brightly.

“Likewise Bud,” said Mac smiling. She looked over at Harm. “We were worried about you.”

Harm himself had just returned from talking to Stuart Dunston. He hated making deals, but at least with this ZNN reporter he could count on him keeping up his end of the bargain. His features flooded with embarrassment at her statement.

“Mac, you didn’t have to drive down here,” he said defensively, crossing his arms across his chest. “We have the situation under control.”

Sturgis Turner almost snorted. “Yeah it sure sounded like you did, Buddy, with all that gunfire and people yelling in the background.”

Harm rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Sturg, you and Mac should be back in Mirbullah finishing up the witness interviews.”

Mac regarded him with a sarcastic smile. “We figured you could use the help down here, Commander. Now where is this star witness you were so eager to find?”

As if on cue, Nick Hazon came walking down the hall with Dr. Soong “I’m your star witness Commander?”

Harm and the other three attorneys turned around toward the combat medic. “You’re one of the few people we have right now, Corpsman, that can prove that Lukens and Buell did not kill Lieutenant Dodge.” Replied Harm.

Nick looked at the four grimly. “Then I need to introduce you to another man who can point out someone who had more to gain by Dodge’s death.”

1515 Local
Aid Station Charlie
Al-Nasiriyah, Iraq

As the four lawyers started to walk outside with Corpsman Hazon, the rumble of heavy equipment signaled the arrival of the 36th MEU’s supply convoy. At the head of this mixed convoy of HMMWVs, M-923 6x6 five-ton trucks, and MK48 OSHKOSH 10x10 tractors. At the head of this convoy was MK48 configured as a fuel tanker, towing a 4x4 tanker trailer. They rolled to a stop inside the aid station compound. As several of the vehicles’ air brakes whistled, the passenger of the lead truck hopped out of the cab and began inspecting the tires.

“That’s him.” said Nick Hazon pointing to the man. Harm looked at Bud. “Take the Corpsman back inside Bud; we need to talk to Captain Butler for a moment.”

“Yes Sir,” replied Bud. He steered Nick Hazon back toward the tent entrance. “Corpsman, let’s go back inside….”

Harm walked over, followed by Mac and Sturgis.

“Captain George Butler?” Harm stood behind the man.

“Who wants to--” Butler’s snarl died as he whirled around and saw the naval Commanders and a Marine Lieutenant Colonel standing there. He quickly snapped a smart salute.

“Sorry Commanders, Colonel. It’s been a long day.”

The JAG attorneys returned the salute.

“Commander Rabb, JAG Corps,” he nodded to his two associates, “This is Commander Turner and Colonel MacKenzie. We’re investigating the death of Lieutenant Dodge. Corpsman Hazon says you have some information that you might want to share with us.”

Butler shot a quick look of surprise at the Marine medic who was headed into the aid station, and then the Captain looked back at the JAG Corps Officers. “Yes Sir,” he looked up at the cab of the truck. “Excuse me for a moment, Sir. WILKINS! GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE PRONTO!!

The Corporal opened the driver’s side door and ran around the front side of the truck to Butler and the others. “Aye Sir!”

“Check this tire while I speak to the Commander.” He tossed the man a tire gauge before turning back to Harm.

“Sorry Sir, our right tire has been running a little low and we haven’t had time to get it replaced.”

Harm smiled good-naturedly. “I understand Captain, is this your usual duty? Being a convoy leader?”

Butler returned his smile, slowly shaking his head. “No Sir, each of the officers in the unit take turns doing this; it just happens to be my day.”

Mac smiled at the man as well. “What is your usual job Captain?”

“POL -- Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants; Fuel dispersal.”

“Fuel dispersal?” echoed Sturgis looking at the trucks. “It takes this many?”

“Aye Sir. Fuel and supplies for the MEU. We truck it from here at Al Nasiriyah where we pick it up, and take it to Mirbullah where we disperse it to the various MEU assets. Sometimes we fly it in using helicopters if we need it in a hurry, but most of the time we just truck it in.”

“Captain, what can you tell us about Lieutenant Dodge and the circumstances surrounding his death?” Mac’s smile had faded. She wanted to know what he kind of information he had that Hazon thought might be so important to them. “Being in POL dispersal, you get to see a lot of things, Ma’am….”

“What kind of things, Captain?” Mac’s beautiful brown eyes bored into him.

Pretty or not, she was still a Lieutenant Colonel who wanted a question answered; he couldn’t just sidestep the question with humorous comment that would have made her laugh. Would be nice to hear what kind of laugh she has, though. “We were ordered to top off all units involved in the cordon and search sweep of Mirbullah that day.”

~~***~~

Hey Lieutenant….

Captain. So, are you gonna check under the hood too?

That’s Cruze’s job, Phil. Are you good to go?

As I’ll ever be…say, how well do you know Sergeant Colwell?

Paul Colwell? Well enough for anybody who transferred in seven weeks ago. Why do you ask? Trouble?

Not sure…maybe…maybe its just nerves on my part.

Phil, Lieutenant – if you got questions about Colwell—

And draw more attention to myself, George? No. Besides, it’s just a feeling, nothing solid….

~~***~~

“What kind of concerns did he have, Captain?” Mac probed.

“He never elaborated, Ma’am,” replied Butler.

Sturgis wanted to know more. “Captain, did he ever--?”

“Sorry to interrupt Sir,” replied a soldier breaking in on the conversation. He handed the Captain his handheld radio. “It’s Major Denton.”

Butler nodded his understanding. He looked apologetically at the JAG Corps attorneys. “Sorry Sirs, Ma’am, but I have to take this.”

The legal officers nodded their understanding.

“Butler here, Major.” The voice on the other end seemed fairly animated. Harm could make out one or two words being said, but the majority of the conversation was lost to the background noise of the aid station. “Aye Sir. We’re moving out right now!” The POL officer scowled at the other members of convoy who were standing around talking or smoking.

OKAY PEOPLE! STOW THOSE BUTTS AND GET ABOARD! THE MAJOR WANTS US IN MIRBULLAH IN LESS THAN THIRTY! LET’S MOVE OUT!! NOW!! MOVE IT!!

The men began scrambling, climbing aboard their trucks and starting up their engines.

He turned to the JAG Corps officers. “Sorry, orders from the top; Major Denton is supporting a sweep operation north of Mirbullah being done by Recon. We have to leave now.”

Harm nodded his understanding. “We understand Captain, but we’d like to finish this conversation after your run.”

“Sure thing Commander,” said Butler as he climbed aboard the revving tanker truck. “Anything I can do to help.” He looked over at his driver as he shut his door, “Let’s go Corporal! Move out!”

The MEU convoy pulled out of the compound and past the Italian infantry guard post.

“Harm, I take back what I said last night,” said Mac as she stood in the smoky dust swirling around them.

Harm was still looking at the convoy heading off into the distance. “You mean about everybody being suspect?”

“I mean about being paranoid Sailor,” she nudged him good-naturedly while smiling wryly at him. “This unit is starting to resemble something out of a grade B detective movie.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her, “What do you mean, Jarhead?”

“Colwell was one of the men who claimed Lukens and Buell were guilty. In a weird way, this case is starting to make sense--”

Nick Hazon came running out of the hospital tent followed by Lieutenant Roberts.

“Where’s the convoy?” asked Bud breathlessly.

The three lawyers fixed the obviously upset combat medic and the Lieutenant with perplexed looks.

“They just left to link up with Major Denton’s unit, Corpsman.” replied Sturgis, not sure he was going to like the reason Hazon wanted to know. “Why?”

The aggravation showing in Nick’s face increased. “I just got off the horn with Denton’s Exec, Major Denton’s not even with his unit!”

“What?!” snapped Harm uncharacteristically. Mac was speechless. She turned back to look at the trucks heading down the street and then back at him.

“Denton’s in Mirbullah,” explained Hazon testily, “A toothache, he reported in on sick call this morning!”

The preacher’s son was still trying to make sense of all this. “What about the sweep?”

Hazon whirled on the bubblehead. “Didn’t you hear me?! Briggs didn’t order any sweeps today!” Nick then realized seeing Bud’s shocked look that he had just yelled at a senior officer. “Sir,” He added as an afterthought.

Mac and Harm looked at each other for a brief moment and then took off at a dead run toward her parked HMMWV.

Events were happening too quickly. Then it hit Sturgis why they were running “Mac?! Harm!!”

The aviator/lawyer looked back at his academy buddy. “You and Bud follow us, Sturgis! We gotta stop that convoy before they roll into Mirbullah!!” Harm started to get in the driver’s seat.

“I’m driving!!” barked Mac as she jumped into the driver’s seat ahead of him. Harm, momentarily stunned, ran around to the passenger’s side and started to climb in.

“Fine! Just don’t drive into any minefields!”

Mac shot him a quick dirty look, hit the starter and stomped on the gas pedal. Harm almost lost his balance as he was taking his seat. The Humvee’s tires spun on the dirt and gravel in the compound.

Harm grabbed onto the doorframe to regain his balance. “Hey take it easy Marine! You want the guards shooting at us?!”

“Get belted Flyboy!” said Mac through gritted teeth, “Or I’ll leave you where you fly out!”

As if hearing Harm, one of the Italian Caporals at the compound entrance began yelling in Arabic and pointing his rifle at the crowd gathered outside the gate. Mac slammed on the brakes, stopping abruptly, throwing Harm toward the windshield. He used his hands as a brace to keep himself from catapulting out of the truck. He started to say something to Mac, but stopped when he saw her expression.

Mac strained to hear what he was saying to the crowd. Her eyes flew open wide as she recognized the phrase. “Harm! He’s saying--!"

A muffled explosion tore through the crowd. People began screaming, crying and shouting. The Caporal was wounded, but he managed to fire a quick burst, spraying a young cloaked woman wearing a hajib and holding a fragmentation grenade. She spit out an angry epithet at the soldier as she fell on her live grenade. The second explosion was more muffled then the first.

Harm looked at the other Italian guard who frantically waved them through as pandemonium broke out in the compound. The navy commander released the safety on his pistol as they passed the crowd and roared into the street.

The crowd, at least those who were not wounded or dying, leapt out of the way.

Harm looked back and saw Bud, Nick and Sturgis in the second HMMWV, tires squealing in protest as it flew through the compound entrance and out onto the wide boulevard.

Both Humvees sped northwest at top speed, trying desperately to catch the convoy before it was too late.

*~*

Firebase Coventry

Leftenant Prine was sitting in his Alvis artillery-spotting vehicle, going over his notes. Since the war ended, his unit’s duties had shifted to peacekeeping, not the normal duties of an artillery unit of his Majesty’s army.

Still, it was what was required, and their little corner of Iraq needed policing just as bad as any other. Prine’s job was to organize the patrols of the village they were in. As he reached for his pen, he heard a commotion outside.

“You there! Halt! Halt!! Halt or I’ll open fire!!”

Prine stuck his head out of the hatch in time to see a young Arab fling a lit Molotov cocktail at his vehicle. Slamming the hatch shut, he heard the bottle break against the armored exterior and whumpf of the gasoline as it splashed on the top.

“Jimmy! Hand me that fire extinguisher!!” The driver tossed the canister to him. Andrew Prine flipped open the hatch and began hosing down the flaming liquid.

“Death to the enslavers!” Yelled the young Arab. Two more British soldiers, noticing what was going on, ran and joined the first two, grabbing the man and pinning his arms behind his back. They quickly subdued him.

*~*

Harm scanned the horizon as Mac kept the accelerator to the floor.

“How could they have disappeared so fast?!” He shouted over the roar of the engine and howling of the speed induced wind.

“Beats me, they must have rockets on those trucks!” his partner fired back.

“They can’t be that far ahead!”

Harm looked to his right and saw a dust cloud disappearing in the distance.

“Mac!!”

“What?!” startled, she shot a quick look of alarm at him.

“They turned off!!” Harm said gesturing with his hand.

“Where?!!” Mac quickly scanned the road from left to right – no sign of the convoy could be seen.

“That turnoff back there to the right!”

“Hang on Sailor!!” Mac wrenched the wheel of the truck hard right, putting the Humvee in a sliding skid as it fishtailed around.

In the second HMMWV, the preacher’s son couldn’t believe his eyes. “What’s Mac doing?!”

Bud quickly saw what the aviator/lawyer had seen. “There Sir! The Convoy must’ve taken that road!!”

“Hang on!” The former submarine officer yanked his wheel hard to the right.

Sturgis put his vehicle into the same skid, fishtailing as he fought to get the truck back under his control. Mac was already five car lengths ahead.

Harm could see the faint outline of the rearguard truck of the convoy.

“Faster Mac!!” he urged.

“I’ve got it to the floor now!!”

As Butler’s convoy approached the checkpoint, Lance Corporal Seth Grearson frantically motioned the fast moving trucks to the right fork in the road. Like a runaway freight train, the convoy rushed past Grearson and his Humvee and soon was out of sight.

“He’s waiting for you!” Shouted the Lance Corporal. Chuckling softly to himself, he was about to get back in his truck when he saw the speeding Humvee carrying that troublesome Navy lawyer and driven by that pretty Marine Lieutenant Colonel attorney.

Quickly recognizing the trouble they could cause, Grearson got back out and motioned for them to take the left fork.

Harm looked at the Lance Corporal who saluted them as they roared past. . Sturgis’ Humvee immediately followed them.

Grearson stood for moment, making sure they didn’t suddenly stop. When he had made sure they were gone from sight, he began grinning to himself.

He walked back to his truck, climbed in, gunned the engine and pulled out, heading up the right fork.

*~*

As they got closer to the outskirts of Mirbullah, they noticed several Humvees blocking the roads leading into town. Marines, Iraqi policemen, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps [ICDC] and Iraqi Self Defense Army soldiers were hunkered down behind the vehicles looking toward the inner city.

“What’s going on?” Mac asked a tall, skinny Sergeant, as she craned her head trying to see down the road past the barriers.

The man in charge of the roadblock turned from the developing battle to address her. “Fedayeen and Al-Qaeda sympathizers ambushed one of our regular supply convoys as it headed through town. The quick reaction force is trying to break through now.”

“Regular supply convoys?!” Mac blanched. “Captain Butler!…”

The Sergeant, noticing her expression became concerned. “Ma’am?”

Harm knew what she meant. “Sergeant! Was Captain Butler leading this convoy?!”

“Uh, Yes Sir, it was his rotation I saw him--” before the man could finish, Mac stomped hard on the accelerator, sending the vehicle careening past the makeshift roadblock.

“Hey, you can’t go in there! Hey!!” The Sergeant could only wave his arms futilely at the speeding truck. The other soldiers and policemen standing at the roadblock looked unsure as to what they should do now.

As the Humvee sped through the nearly deserted streets, the sound of a pitched battle grew louder. A Cobra gunship briefly flashed overhead as it headed toward several palls of black smoke rolling into the sky. Harm noticed there were scattered groups of men and women here and there staring at them, as they roared past. Some were holding RPGs and rifles. Others flashed them peace symbols.

“Mac,” Harm said cautiously as he looked around, “I don’t want to alarm you, but I think we’ve crossed into enemy territory…”

“Where?” She shot back, yanking the steering wheel hard to the right, sending the HMMWV squad carrier into a squealing right turn as she headed towards the sounds of the battle.

Harm looked over at her with an alarmed expression. “I’m not sure….”

She looked at him momentarily, “What do you mean you’re not sure?!”

The former Navy aviator was almost matter of fact about the whole situation. “There are groups of people all around us Mac, with RPGs and rifles, and judging from the way they are looking at us, I’d say we’re not in friendly territory anymore.”

As if to confirm that assessment, a Marine Amphibious troop carrier came lumbering out of a side street, sending the knots of guerilla fighters scattering. Mac slammed on the brakes and skidded to a halt in front of the mammoth carrier. It shuddered to halt and a squad of Marines ran out of the alley and began chasing the scattering civilians.

The hatch on the AAV opened up and its commander, a Lance Corporal, looked incredulously at the two JAG Corps lawyers staring up at him.

“How the hell did you two get here?”

The two lawyers exchanged sheepish looks and then Harm started to explain.

The soldier, obviously annoyed by this new development, motioned hurriedly for them to climb aboard. “Never mind, just get your butts up here on the double, you’re lucky those guerilla fighters didn’t torch you--”

“Lance Corporal!” Mac interrupted in her best Marine voice as she and the Commander climbed on board, “We’ve got to find Captain Butler’s convoy! Now!!”

The AMTRAC commander looked perplexed. “Butler’s convoy? Well if they’re in this Ma’am,” he said referring to the developing melee, “They’re probably trying to find cover like we should be doing.” He switched the channel on his CVC helmet radio as he looked down into the hatch of his carrier. “Move’er out Frank, before we become too tempting a target!”

Chapter 13-16

Email TxJAG_b
Back to FanFic Page