| Subject: ...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 2 |
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TxJAG_b
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Date Posted: 12:21:44 04/20/11 Wed
In reply to:
TxJAG_b
's message, "...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 1" on 10:48:20 04/12/11 Tue
Chapter 2 ...For Meritorious Service
A/N 1: Disclaimers can be found in Chapter 1
A/N2: Thanks to JoshuaTree and ElfinKid for beta-ing chapters 1-6 of this story back in 2003-2004. You guys are the best. Special thanks to my friend and beta Karen who helped me see this through to the end. Later on, AeroGirl, Mkim, Soleil, Janlaw, and TZ will provide their help and technical expertise. I am indebted to all of them helping make this dream a reality. Also thanks to Lisa Griffon [Yahoo Shipper Group] for pushing me to take a random thought and turn it into my first full blown, JAG novel.
A/N3: **~~** indicates flashback ( ) indicates the thoughts of a person. *~* indicates scene shift not otherwise indicated by a JAG time stamp. ~~~~ indicates a dream sequence.
A/N4: Reposting of the story up to Chapter 23b because the rest of story scolled off the board and several have
asked for the preceding chapters - so here they are....
***************************
Chapter 2
“Murdered?” Mac was understandably confused; she absently flipped through her copy. “How Sir?”
“Someone on the Marine side of the battle shot Lieutenant Dodge. MP’s right now are holding the Cobra gunship pilot and weapons officer as suspects.”
Lieutenant Roberts blanched, “The Cobra gunship pilot and weapons officer?”
“Just before the Lieutenant was killed, the Cobra, manned by the pilot, 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Lukens and weapons officer Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Buell, was brought down by enemy fire. They were able to crash land and join the ground troops. In the ensuing melee, the Corpsman claims that Lieutenant Lukens and/or weapons officer Buell killed the Lieutenant.”
Sturgis looked over the last section of his copy of the classified report. “Any reasons given, Sir?”
“None, the pilot and weapon officer said they didn’t do it. Everybody else checks out as clean. The local Captain on the scene thinks it was accidental.”
Harm looked grim. “I hear a ‘but’ there, Sir.”
“But the Corpsman claims that before the battle, words were exchanged between the Cobra pilot and the Lieutenant.”
Harm whistled; Bud shifted uncomfortably in his chair; Mac looked from Harm to the Admiral; and Sturgis slowly shook his head.
“What I don’t understand Sir,” began Sturgis after a few moments, “Is why now? Why didn’t they try this one months ago?”
The Admiral smiled. That usually meant trouble. Harm wished he was anywhere but here. “The MEB Commander, Brigadier General, Cody Thornton, requested our help and specifically asked for the four of you. Your reputations precede you.”
The smile evaporated as quickly as it had appeared. “The investigation conducted by the legal team assigned to the case was deemed inadequate. Worse yet, one of the people on the team had to disqualify themselves from the proceedings.” He looked at the four JAG Corps lawyers. “They will be brought up on charges in separate trial proceedings.”
No one moved or spoke.
“People I don’t have to tell you, this is going to be ten times worse than the grenade incident at Camp Pennsylvania if the public gets wind of it. Your job is to make sure that it doesn’t.”
The Admiral got up and walked over to his darkened fireplace. “The MEF Commander also wants the investigation done quickly and quietly. He turned back to face the JAG Corps officers. If you find there is sufficient evidence to support the murder charge, you are to notify the Brigadier General Thornton immediately, so that court martial proceedings can begin. Due process has been seriously bent here and we have to fix it as quickly as possible.”
“The operation at Mirbullah was a black operation. We captured several mid level Al-Qaeda lieutenants and one liberated SCUD missile launcher pointed at Al Nasiriyah.
If this operation is blown because of the murder, several deep cover CIA agents could be compromised.”
Harm again took the lead, “There is more to this, isn’t there Sir? What is the other shoe?”
Chegwidden sighed, “The other shoe, Commander, is that SCUD and SCALEBOARD missiles and launchers from the Mirbullah Iraqi forces are now spread over the southern half of Iraq. Our forces are organized right now in clean up sweeps….”
Mac breathed out the answer that no one wanted to hear “’Operation Desert Scorpion…’”
“Correct Colonel; and other sweep operations the SECDEF and the Joint Chiefs deem necessary. Right now, we don’t know whether or not those missiles contain biological, chemical or radiological warheads. In order for the SpecOps folks to do their job in secret, we have to investigate and analyze the situation that has occurred and if necessary, carry out court martial proceedings without any of this slipping out.”
“You have six hours before you meet your C-5 transport at Dover Air Force Base. They will take you to Baghdad International. From there you’ll take a Sea Stallion to Mirbullah and Camp Puller.”
Bud decided to ask this one, “Sir, why an Air Force transport?”
“Cooperation is being urged by all services. Knowledge about this one goes all the way up the chain of command. The C-5 just happens to be going your way Lieutenant.”
“Tiner has your travel order packets and is arranging transport back to your homes and then to the Air Base. Time is of the essence, people, get to it! Dismissed!!”
All four snapped to attention, “Aye, aye Sir!”
0217 Zulu
Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware
“Welcome aboard, Colonel MacKenzie,” the Airman directed Mac back to her seat. She was strapping on her helmet as she headed toward the grouping of fold down seats. She looked back and saw that Bud and Sturgis were helmeted and already strapped in.
Mac looked down at the flimsy seat and sighed. At least they wouldn’t have to remain belted the whole trip. Also, it was larger than their usual transports – maybe the ride would be smoother…
“Colonel?” It was the Airman again, “Ma’am, can you tell me where Commander Rabb is?”
Mac smiled and shook her head, “He’ll be along, Airman, trust me.”
The Airman nodded as if he didn’t fully believe her. “Whatever you say, ma’am….”
Harm ran the last twenty feet and climbed up the open ramp of the huge cargo aircraft.
The Airman ran over to the Naval officer and grabbed his hand, pulling him further into the craft. “Glad to see you Commander; we were afraid you weren’t going to make it, Sir,”
Harm looked chagrined as the Airman lead him back to the seats.
“Glad you could join us, Commander,” Mac smirked as she shifted in her seat.
Harm sat down next to her, “Don’t push it, Marine,” He said good naturedly.
“Hey, you had as much time as the rest of us to reassign cases,” she replied flippantly.
“You didn’t have the Rogers’ case.” He grumbled.
She nodded understandingly. “True.” The Rogers’ case had been a nightmare to say the least. A double-murder, suicide and undue command influence all wrapped up and intertwined with a tabloid news reporter. High profile, but a big mess.
They listened as the aircrew prepared the craft for takeoff. Mac’s nerves were being rubbed raw by the preparations. Every thump made her flinch. She had to get the noise off her mind. “How do you think the SECNAV’s designates will do in our place?”
Harm shared her nervousness. This wasn’t a Navy crew and all the thumping seemed unnecessary. “If they’re anything like Manetti, the Admiral’s going to have his hands full.”
“At least he’s got Harriet, Tiner and Coates watching his six.....”
*~*
Up front, the Airman opened the door to the cockpit. “The JAG lawyers are onboard and secured, Captain.”
The pilot, an older Air Force Major, continued flipping switches as the engines of the lumbering cargo aircraft rumbled to life. “Thanks Johnny, you’d better get yourself strapped in.”
“Yes Sir,” The Airman pulled the door to and secured it.
The co-pilot stopped his pre-flight checks, “Navy pukes,” he spit out, shaking his head. “Why are they flying with *us*?”
“Orders from the top,” replied the Major evenly, “These guys are to get to Baghdad ASAP. Scuttlebutt says the Joint Chiefs arranged this…”
This comment pulled the navigator away from his checks and into the conversation. “You’re kidding, right? The Joint Chiefs?”
The co-pilot whistled and shook his head, “Man, they must be something--what can they do, leap buildings in a single bound?”
The pilot tapped the altimeter. Satisfied it was registering correctly, he continued his pre-flight check. “All I know is what I’ve heard-that they are the SECNAV’s best and that the case is top secret.”
The co-pilot snorted, “So they send in their supermen to take care of the mess--”
“Their supermen and wonder woman,” The Major broke in smiling.
“A lady?!” The co-pilot choked out.
The Major and the navigator laughed. “Watch yourself Captain,” The Major warned gently, “If you’re not careful, you’ll wind up in sensitivity training,”
The co-pilot understood the implication his comment. “Yessir.”
“Still, she’s not bad looking for a Marine,” the Major said to himself as the co-pilot and navigator finished their checklist.
The radio crackled, TWO NINER HEAVY, YOU ARE CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF…
The Major tapped his mike, “Two niner heavy, Roger.”
*~*
Harm was dozing. Unlike the Marine transports they usually flew in, the ride (though noisy) was similar to ride in a commercial jet. He took advantage and leaned his head back against the pad behind his head. Mac sometime after she had fallen asleep had shifted over and now had her head lying on his shoulder. Harm unconsciously wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Sir?”
“Uh, hummm….” Harm swatted at an imaginary fly that was bugging him.
“Commander?”
Harm opened his eyes, squinting. In his blurry vision he could see a helmeted form standing in front of him.
“Bud?” Harm croaked, “What’s the matter?”
Bud looked sheepishly at the Commander. He shrugged. “Can’t sleep Sir.”
Harm became aware that his arm was protectively wrapped around the Colonel. He quickly removed it, bumping her on the back of the head.
“Ow Harm....” groaned Mac, rubbing her head and glowering at him. Then she noticed Bud standing there looking embarrassed.
“Sorry Ma’am, didn’t mean to wake you…”
“Just me, right Bud?” muttered Harm.
Bud immediately realized the problem he had caused, “Sorry Sir.”
Mac tried to stifle a yawn, “It’s okay, Bud. What’s the problem?”
“He can’t sleep.” Explained Harm somewhat irritably.
Mac scowled at the Commander. He chose to ignore it.
“It’s my first duty overseas since Afghanistan, ma’am.”
She smiled at the Lieutenant.
“It’s completely understandable, Bud.” Mac replied gently.
“Try counting sheep, Bud.” grunted the Commander while he tried to shift into a more comfortable position. There was still plenty of time to catch some more shut eye.
“Harm!” Mac’s brown eyes flashed anger.
“Sorry Mac,” he mumbled apologetically in sleepy tones and then looked over at the Lieutenant. “Okay Bud, what do you want to talk about?”
His eyes lit up. “Well Sir, It’s about this case,”
“The pilot?” Now Harm stifled a yawn.
“And the weapons officer,” continued Bud, “I mean how can they be so sure that these guys did it?”
“That’s why we’re investigating Lieutenant.” Sturgis stood beside Bud.
Now all four of them were up and discussing the case when they should be sleeping. Bud, who had started this was already champing at the bit.
“Yeah,” acknowledged Bud ready to debate what they knew so far, “But come on Sir, there must’ve been hundreds of bullets flying--”
“There were Bud,” replied Sturgis “But the ones that killed Lieutenant Dodge were from a nine millimeter parabellum, fired from a Beretta 92M, you should read your brief more closely.”
“I did Sir,” responded Bud forcefully, “But Al-Qaeda has been using captured American weapons as well as ones off the black market--how do they know that the Cobra crew is responsible?”
“He’s got you there, Commander,” Harm chuckled, impressed by the Lieutenant’s tenacity. It reminded him of his younger self.
Emboldened, Bud sensed Sturgis’ hesitation and decided to push. “And Sir, why wasn’t the Lieutenant wearing his flak jacket? I thought they made it a disciplinary offense not to do so…”
“That’s a good question,” added Mac, now fully awake, “Why wasn’t he?”
“The report doesn’t say....” Sturgis replied with a hint of puzzlement. That bugged him too.
“That’s very odd.” Confirmed Harm who was now fully awake as well. He was intrigued by this obvious piece of evidence that had been overlooked--or was there a reason why it wasn’t mentioned? “Something weird is going on here and we need to find out why.”
“Well, let’s look at the incident itself,” Sturgis replied in matter-of-fact manner as he sat down next to Harm. “The 36th MEU detached its amphibious tractor company from its main body along with the heavy weapons platoon.”
“What about the tank platoon? I thought they always mixed those with the personnel carriers when conducting offensive operations.” Bud settled in on the other side of Mac.
Mac supplied the answer. “The tank platoon became engaged just before Recon reported the town was unoccupied. It was the commander’s discretion to send in the AMTRACs. Plus, he had the weapons platoon to back him up.”
“Reminds me of the Russian disaster at Groznyy….” muttered Sturgis.
“Are you thinking the Captain might be culpable?” Harm sat up and looked directly at his Academy classmate.
“I’m saying it might be a good idea to interview him.”
Harm was about to ask Sturgis more about his suspicions.
“Let’s get back to the flak jacket,” ventured Mac, “so why did Dodge not have his on?”
“Maybe he got careless Mac.” Harm seemed to dismiss her question.
Mac wasn’t buying it. “So where did he leave it? In the AMTRAC? Back at base? Come on Commander, he *must* have left it somewhere.” Bud and Sturgis looked first at Harm who had fired the first shot and then back Mac who had fired back just as forcefully.
“The report didn’t mention where he left it.” Sturgis tried to diffuse the tension.
“Look Mac, we’ll investigate that and all the other pieces that don’t fit when we land,”
Added Harm trying to placate the insulted Marine.
But she was having none it. “Harm, a 1st Lieutenant does not just *forget* his flak jacket.”
“Why Mac? Because Marines are infallible? Harm, maybe because he was irritated by Mac’s needling, unfortunately added gasoline to a smoldering fire.
“No Harm, I didn’t say that--” The color began to rise in Mac’s cheeks.
“Look Mac,” Sturgis tried again, “All soldiers make mistakes…for instance, during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a ranking officer in the 3rd Infantry was killed by his own men because he accidently went behind enemy lines….”
“*Something* made him forget Sturgis,” Mac passionately insisted. She was not going to accept that Dodge had been careless.
“Or someone.” They all looked at Bud. He had been the first to bring up the missing flak jacket. And now it was apparent he agreed with Colonel.
Mac smiled at Bud’s support of her belief. “Thank you Lieutenant.”
“You’re welcome, Ma’am.”
“Well, we’re not going to resolve this right now,” Sturgis wanted to head off any more feuding between the Commander and the Colonel. “Let’s all try and get some more sleep before we land....”
“This isn’t over Commander,” Mac warned quietly as she settled back in her seat. To add insult to injury, she moved closer to Bud, ignoring Harm.
For his part, the Commander swallowed his clever retort. Now was not the time, nor the place to have this conversation. He sighed and turned toward his academy classmate.
“Way to go buddy,” Sturgis shook his head ruefully, “Are you intentionally trying to piss off Mac?”
“Not intentionally,” grumbled Harm trying to find a comfortable spot and failing. “It just happened.”
“Well, if I were you, I’d stop it now and apologize. She’s right you know--you even said it yourself. Something doesn’t add up about Dodge discarding his flak jacket.”
“I know, I know,” Harm said waving his arm wearily. “I didn’t like her discounting your impressions of the Captain.”
“And so the way to do this is by initiating a Navy-Marine war, huh?” He looked at his friend with a mixture of amazement and anger. “Did it ever occur to you that she might have been providing some evidence that might tie back to the Captain?”
Harm blew out a sigh of frustration. “It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. She was supposed to recognize she had cut you off.”
“By you cutting her off?” Sturgis retorted sharply.
Harm grimaced. “Sounds stupid now, doesn’t it? She was trying to support your idea wasn’t she?”
Sturgis decided not to add insult to injury. “Look, just explain to her that you got carried away during our discussion and apologize for what you did,”
He looked to his friend for assurance. “Now would be a good time, right?”
Sturgis was blunt. “The sooner, the better, buddy.”
Harm looked over at Mac and then back at him. “Can’t do it. She’s asleep.” He said half-relieved he didn’t have to face that angry Marine just yet.
Sturgis fixed his eyes on his old friend. He felt sympathy for the man, but this mess was Harm’s fault and it needed to be resolved – soon. “Then I’d do it as soon as we land.”
His words stung, but Harm knew he was right. As Sturgis settled in to sleep, Harm laid his head back and began thinking about how he was going to get himself out of this one.
---TBC…
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