| Subject: London Series - Part 11......Change of Color |
Author:
Maximus
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Date Posted: 06:46:25 09/17/06 Sun
In reply to:
Maximus
's message, "London Series" on 13:06:25 09/06/06 Wed
London Series: Part 11
Author: Maximus
Part 11 Title: CHANGE IN COLOR
Library Command Center
Monday, 26 September
09:30 Hrs
(phone ringing)
(S) Colonel Rabb!
(Mac) Colonel it me, Mac. The Captain asked everyone to call in this morning for instructions. What do I need to know?
(S)What kind of beer do you like?
(Mac) Heineken ma’am.
(S) Since you were a member of the red Shelby crew, go by Gilardies on 49th, just 3 blocks west of the hospital, where a case of Heineken is waiting in your name. We both want to thank you for everything over the weekend. Second thing, who owns the red Shelby? Was he driving when the Mercedes was put away?
(Mac) Thank you, but you really didn’t have to. Everyone enjoyed the trip because the night at Derby was awesome. The owner and driver was Corporal Ramsey Clark. I wish he was an officer because he is such a hunk. He sure did a job on the Mercedes didn’t he?
(S)Yes he did. I am not even going to ask what happened at Derby. Who were the other two in the car?
(Mac) We had a good time. Two sergeants, Cindy Davis and Ray Smith.
(S) Thanks. Please prepare a list of everyone that joined from start to finish because we are thinking of something else to do. I am forming up plans about how we are going to find out what is in the club deliveries and I will call you tomorrow. Thanks again for everything.
(phone ringing)
Colonel Rabb!
(Clark) This is Corporal Clark ma’am. The Captain told me to call in this morning for instructions.
(S) Yes Corporal. Thank you for calling. I understand that the red Shelby Mustang is yours and you were driving yesterday.
(Clark) Yes Ma’am.
(S)What is the name of your favorite beer?
(Clark) Bass Ale ma’am.
(S)Go by Gilardies on 49th, just 3 blocks west of the hospital, where a case of Bass Ale is waiting in your name. As appreciation for your quick thinking yesterday, ask the clerk for the bottle of 20 year old Crown Royal that Captain and Colonel Rabb has reserved for you.
(Clark) Thank you ma’am.
(S)Corporal, I noticed from your service record that your time is about up. Are you getting out or thinking of the Corps as a career?
(Clark)I am undecided ma’am, but I know I need more challenge than this.
(S)My husband, Captain Rabb, felt that he had seen something special in you yesterday and said he would like to interview you if you might consider becoming an officer.
(Clark) I would like that, ma’am. How do I arrange it?
(S)You just did. I will find when he can see you and have Captain MacGregor call you with the particulars.
(Clark)Thank you ma’am. I don’t know what to say.
(S)It’s OK corporal. You said it all yesterday when you saved our butt. Thank you again.
Just like clockwork, the phone rang two more times with calls from Sergeants Cindy Davis and Ray Smith. The thanks of both Sarah and Harm were expressed with the case of beer explained. The 4 people in the Shelby had “went the distance.”
It was great to talk to every one of them but I am glad it’s over. I feel like I should have known more about every one, but it is more important that Mac does.
(phone ringing)
Colonel Rabb!
(H)Hey babe. How is your morning?
(S) All four in the Shelby have called. They are really a nice bunch. Corporal Clark, the red Shelby man, definitely wants to meet with you. When will be convenient for you?
(H)What do you think would impress him to be an officer? My office? Home? Mac’s office? I haven’t done this before.
(S)What about at our home for lunch and then the Library Command Center. Let him see what he has been working on and what Kate and I do.
(H)Great idea. How about Wednesday at noon for lunch and then go up to the command center? Will you and Kate join us?
(S)Yes. We can let him see how it works.
(H)How am I to let him know?
(S) I’ll take care of it. Wednesday the 28th at noon at our home in dress uniform. Right?
(H) Right! Thanks for taking care of it. I love you.
(S) I love you to. See you for lunch ??
(H) In our bedroom ?
(S) Yes.
(H) I’ll be there at 11:45.
(S) Seeeeee youuuuu.
Command Home
13:15 Hrs
The afternoon took on a more mellow tone for both Captain and Colonel Rabb. Sometimes lunch did that to people.
Library Command Center
15:00 Hrs
(phone ringing)
Colonel Rabb!
(Willow) Mr. Willow here. We tracked the plate number you gave me and it was registered to a 2 bit thief that worked over at the Red Fox club. Do you know anyone over there?
(S) No, but I have been watching what has been going on over there.
(Willow) Evidently someone over there don’t like it.
(S) Thanks for the information. I am currently working on something and will be back in touch when I have something to talk to you about.
(Willow) Please be careful. These are the kind of people that don’t play fair.
(S) I will. Thanks again for the information.
(making call)
Captain Rabb!
(S) Hey hon. The black Mercedes was from the Red Fox club. We must be making someone angry.
(H) Maybe you need to use the Limo when you go off compound. It has bullet proof glass.
(S) Please call Top and make sure he knows about it.
(H) You got it. See you at home.
(S) Bye.
16:00 Hrs
(making call)
(SECNAV) Edward Sheffield!
(S)This is Colonel Rabb sir. I need a decision about who to ask for help finding out what is in the packages being delivered by people in JAG.
(SECNAV)What’s the problem?
(S) If I ask Scotland Yard, our JAG people are going to be regarded as accessories to a crime. If I ask the compound security to help, some of the JAG people might get prosecuted for something they have done. What about a CIA or NCIS crew that will stay neutral? What would you do, sir?
(SECNAV) I see your problem. Let me call you later today. I will try to set it up for you.
I received and read your personal report Colonel. Of course you can take the time off for the surgery. Do you want me to send a replacement for the rest of Golden Net?
(S) No sir. I will be in control of the situation after getting back home. Captain MacGregor will be keeping me abreast while I am in the hospital and will act on my orders.
(SECNAV) Trying to have a baby at 37 is a pretty gutsy move. If anyone can do it, I know you will. I am proud of you both.
(S) Thank You sir.
(SECNAV) Please keep me in the loop and call me if you need anything.
Silence….
(SECNAV) Anything else, Colonel ?
(S) Yes sir. I am concerned about Captain MacGregor sir. She has been an O-3 for 3 years and should be up for promotion. She agreed to help us here but it has taken her out of her fighting unit. I doubt if a FITREP signed by me will have the same force as it would if she had remained in her combat unit. I think she deserves O-4 because she is an exceptional officer. I think we should do this before my command and Golden Net is disbanded.
(SECNAV) I will take that under advisement, Colonel. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Anything else?
(S)No sir. Thank you sir.
Compound Security Detachment
Top’s office
17:00 Hrs
(H) The car that fired on us was found to be owned by a man working at one of the clubs we are starting to investigate. Evidently we made someone angry.
(Top) I will reinforce the guard on all shifts. I wonder if this had something to do with the guy we caught a month ago? The guy had a foreign name.
(H) It might. Keep me in the loop. If something starts to look funny, call me.
(Top) Will do.
Library Command Center
22:00 Hrs
(phone ringing)
Colonel Rabb!
(SECNAV) Edward Sheffield here. Since you told me about the CIA agent you met that is looking at one of the drop-off points, I called Kershaw. He has a team with a van in France that has all the equipment needed to do the tests on what is found. They are being re-directed to your location and will be ready on Friday. After the JAG person picks up the package, they can pass it to the van and the contents can be tested and copied as both travel toward the drop-off point. The JAG person can make the final delivery after the team in the van returns the package. How does that sound to you ?
(S) Sounds good. Who will contact me from the CIA ?
(SECNAV) Agent Lewis. He has been told to follow your orders. He will call your office when his team is in place. I told them that you will be the repository for all evidence so please maintain and protect the chain of evidence.
(S) Thank you for the help. I will let you know how it works out.
(SECNAV) How are Manetti’s interviews coming along ?
(S) Harm would really be the one to ask, sir, but…… we are getting a lot of answers and now we can fight the bad guys better.
(SECNAV) Have I ever told you how pleased I am that you and Harm finally got together ?
(S) No sir !
(SECNAV) I want my people to be happy and you two work so well together it reminds me of the wife and I. 34 years and still have the magic. Make all the memories you can because they might be all you have when you are older.
Do you think Harm would make a good JAG ?
(S)What do you expect me to say, he is my husband ?
(SECNAV) Sarah, I have always valued both of your opinions because you do not B.S. me.
(S)Let me answer you by saying I think he would make a better Commander and Chief. Anyway, I doubt if he would take it even if offered.
(SECNAV) What does that mean?
(S) The job is too political. In case you haven’t noticed, the words Harmon Rabb and compromise don’t usually go together. When right and truth are on his side, the concept of compromise becomes foreign to him. Just one of the many things I admire about him.
(SECNAV) You might be right. General Cresswell seems to handle the political part of it quite well.
(S) Yes he does sir. I think he is a man for the times right now.
(SECNAV)I agree. Keep me up to date on Golden Net.
(S) I will sir. Thank you sir.
On the conclusion of the call, Sarah had a long discussion with Harm
about what that was all about. They both agreed they didn’t have a clue where SECNAV’s thoughts were heading.
Library Command Center
Tuesday, 27 September
09:30 Hrs
(making call)
Captain MacGregor!
(S) The testing of the packages has been worked out. A CIA team will be here Friday to work with us. Captain Rabb will be giving us the details on each package pickup.
(Mac) Good. The other three clubs were checked on over the weekend and we believe they operate the same way. The male marines were offered the same female company at the man’s club and also men at the Gay club. I will send a couple of our lady marines to the 5th club if you want but I assume they are all the same.
(S) Thanks. It is not necessary to send anyone else. We have records that a least one person is being blackmailed at every club. That brings up a problem about the don’t ask, don’t tell policy. If the person from Jag admits being at the gay bar and being a homosexual he will be thrown out of the Navy. Maybe we can hang these people with evidence coming from the deliveries. We need to find what is in those packages !
(Mac) I will submit a report with my findings so it will be on file.
(S) Thank you. After what you said about Corporal Clark, call and have him report to the command home tomorrow for lunch at 12:00 for a meeting with my husband, Captain Rabb. Full dress uniform is required and I want him looking sharp. The Captain wants to find out if he is officer material.
(Mac) That is one order that I am happy to obey.
(S) I thought you might. I will be at Northside on Friday and I will talk to you then about the grid we are going to set up with the 14721 chips.
(Mac) Thank you ma’am.
Library Command Center
Wednesday, 28 September
09:30 Hrs.
Sarah made a quick call to Harriett to discuss the Thanksgiving Day Dance being planned by the Navy Wives Club. Since they were the wives of the two senior officers in the compound, they were the defacto president and vice president of the club. Sarah had called Lt. Donato who was in charge of the chow hall and found they could set up the band and dance area in Part B of the chow hall after the brunch ended at 15:00. Food for the party would be available in Part A from 19:00 on for the whole evening for those who were hungry.
Sarah asked Harriett to call the people she had worked with for the USO Christmas Tour to find if some Big name group was going to be on tour in the area. Sarah wanted Air Supply. Sarah asked Harriett to conduct the wives meeting Friday because she would be at the hospital. She told her to find out what everyone wanted to do about decorations, and get suggestions on how to get everyone to attend. Sarah knew this would make Harriet’s day. She was so good at this kind of thing.
Command Home
12:00 Hrs
Corporal Clark arrived on time as directed and was escorted into the dining room by the Master Chief. After being seated a couple of minutes he was joined by Captain Rabb, Colonel Rabb and Lt. Catherine Graves. He stood and saluted and felt completely out of his depth. Each officer made it a point to shake hands with him and make him feel at home. Harm began by explained to him that this was our home and that the “Golden Net” Command Center was actually upstairs in the Library. He of course knew the Colonel as his commander and Lt. Graves as her right hand.
Harm told him that after everyone enjoyed a nice lunch they wanted to show him the big picture of what he was a part of. He explained an officer was closer to or a major part of the big picture as he went through his career.
Hazel had made her special Cordon Bleu with many extras just the way the Rabbs liked it. The Master Chief and Hazel put forth extra effort to make the lunch impressive. The flaming dessert went over big. This was all meant to take enough time to make the Corporal comfortable in these surroundings.
After the lunch was over, everyone went up to the library where Kate had the Mary Newman tape loaded and told the story while showing her every move until she was finally rescued. The corporal had never realized Golden Net had helped her. He was impressed with what the system could do and had done. Kate then called up a movie of him showing every movement he had made since reveille this morning at 05:30 and he was amazed. Sarah and Kate explained about some of the unfinished work to be done and some of the challenges they still faced and how his marine group was going to be important in achieving it.
After Harm realized that everything had made an impression, he thanked Sarah and Kate and led the Corporal back to the dining room for his commercial. After he explained that military life could be much more rewarding as an officer who would be one of the ones in charge of the “big picture,” he asked him if he would like to be one of those. A recommendation to OCS or Annapolis would require a huge commitment on his part and would require him to work hard and apply himself if selected. How badly did he want this, was the question. Harm told him he thought he saw him as officer material and would make a recommendation if he was committed to it.
Harm moved over and poured two cups of coffee as the Corporal took his time thinking this over.
(Clark) I am very impressed with everything sir, and would like to stay in the Corps if I could become an officer. Would you recommend me sir?
(H) Yes. Your commanding officer, Colonel Rabb, has already written her recommendation and mine will accompany hers when it is complete.
(Clark) Thank you sir. What needs to be done now?
(H) We will submit the forms this week and you will be hearing from us when we hear back. Please keep this between us for now. You can tell everyone after you are accepted. You are dismissed and you can return to your unit. Thanks for coming in.
(Clark) Thank you sir.
Library Command Center
Thursday, 29 September
09:00 Hrs
(making call)
Captain MacGergor!
(S) Colonel Rabb here. Fed-ex just delivered 6,500 of the 14721 chips, 75 GPS locators, and a list of GPS coordinates so we can start creating the grid the way SECNAV wants it done. Please make your list of 75 two person teams so we can review them tomorrow after my doctor’s appointment. Please make up some kind of form so we can hand it out with the chips because the ID numbers will need to be recorded for every GPS placement so the computer can deal with it. I will bring the chips with me tomorrow to get started.
(Mac) I will be ready, ma’am.
(S) Thanks.
(intercom buzzing)
Master Chief Manual!
(S) Master Chief, please come to the Library when you get a moment. I need your help.
(Knock, Knock)
Sarah opened the library door and had the chief take a seat with his back to the equipment. She explained that since the Corvette had been fired upon, Harm insisted that she use the Limo when going off compound alone. Since she had a doctor appointment tomorrow she was requesting that P.O. Alverez have the Limo ready at 11:30 hrs for the trip. The Master Chief said he would make it so. She helped him move 4 boxes of things out of the Library into the upper hall and asked they be loaded in the Limo in the morning. He reminded her that should trouble ever arise she should pull up the bottom cushion of the left seat where she would find four 9mm pistols and 3 M-16 rifles with 20 clips of ammo. She thanked him because she had never been told about them.
Command Home
Friday, 30 September
07:45 Hrs
Sarah reviewed with Harm about the 14721 chips and her doctor appointment today. She made sure he knew she was taking the Limo today and about the weapons which could be found there. She told him the CIA van should arrive today and would then be available to find what was in the delivered packages. She asked him to have Lt. James call in today and offer to make a delivery Monday for Aziz. She asked him to start creating a list of delivery people for one person a day during week days.
Northside Military Hospital
Friday, 30 September.
12:30 Hrs.
Sarah entered Mattie’s room finding both girls getting ready to go for their appointment. Sarah asked questions to find if they both knew what to expect to happen today. They said they did. They had kept the videos and had watched them several times. Both girls had different questions brought about by the videos. The sex education video had left absolutely nothing to the imagination at all. Even though it was graphic, good questions were coming to mind 6 days after it was viewed for the first time. Sarah answered the easy ones and told them to talk to Dr. Simms about the hard ones.
Sarah joined both girls as they made their way to the office of Dr. Simms. Sarah went first to the mammogram department as Mattie received her blood test and examination. Sarah had to change into a gown upon her return and wait for the doctor. After Dr. Simms received her preliminary report from the mammogram, she did the normal breast exam on Sarah’s newly pressed pancakes and seemed happy that everything was ok for a person of her age. Sarah received her shots quickly without dwelling on them. As she was getting dressed, Geri was being examined. Sarah joined Mattie in Dr. Simms office and waited.
Dr. Simms came back into her office after Geri had finished and was there. She was pleased with everyone and agreed with all the medication everyone was receiving from their attending doctors. Different infections were part of Mattie and Geri’s routine as they were healing and their doctors had everything under control. When the doctor opened it up to questions, both girls had a few. Dr. Simms was patient and answered every one. Sarah found in the questions that both girls were still virgin which was a relief to her.
The final question was a request. Could they see Sarah’s eggs being fertilized in the petri dishes? Sarah agreed that she and Harm wanted to see that also. Dr. Simms said she thought she could make that happen now that they had the new digital microscope with large screen display. Dr. Simms explained that it was done quite frequently for the med students and she didn’t know any reason it could not be used for them. She said she would arrange it for the tenth of October.
Sarah followed along as orderlies pushed the girls back to their rooms in their chairs. A surprise was waiting in the personage of their teacher who had prepared a quiz about what they had learned from the videos and today. They were not supposed to have school today but their teacher felt this was just too important to pass up. Sarah gave them both hugs and kisses, said her goodbyes, and left them to their test.
Sarah went by Mac’s office to deliver the 14721 chips and GPS locators. She reviewed the list of 2 person teams and asked Mac to dissect the GPS list into straight lines. She needed to be prepared to give each team a GPS Locator and chips so they could easily place one at every listed GPS location to fill out the grid. She reminded her that the ID number of each chip and its GPS location would need to be carefully logged in so the computer could recognize each input.
Sarah gave orders that the grid deployment should start on Wednesday, October 5th since Rosh Hashanah was on Tuesday. She asked Mac to give her daily progress updates on mornings after October 6th.
She told Mac that Harm had agreed to send in a recommendation for Corporal Clark to receive officer training. Sarah asked Mac to be very discreet about any actions she might take in that regard. She assured her that she had her best interest in mind. Anyway she explained that she would pass the approval to her first if and when it came so she could make the presentation. (Sarah just knew that Mac had the hots for him.)
After entering the Limo she reminded P.O. Alverez that they needed to get back home because the Admiral’s flight back to Italy was at 20:00 and the Limo would need to be packed. She asked him to figure what routes to take over to the jazz club on 37th so she and Harm could enjoy some time there after A.J. left.
When Sarah arrived back home, both Harm and A.J. were seated in the Library talking. Sarah went by the kitchen and told Hazel she needed 20 minutes to change and freshen up and she would be ready for dinner. She passed by the Library and apologized for being late. She told them 20 minutes till dinner and told Harm she was going to take him dancing later and asked him to dress. He followed her to their suite and placed his left arm around her breast and used his right hand to rub the stress out of the top of her back. He could see the day had been difficult for her. After a deep kiss, they both changed and returned to A.J. in the dining room. During the meal, they discussed his London travels and it sounded like he had a good time. He told them he would be back for a meeting on October 21st. They all loaded into the Limo and made their way to the airport while getting last input from A.J. Since he was running a bit late he checked his luggage at the curb, said his goodbye’s and rushed into the terminal to make his flight.
After watching A.J. leave abruptly, Harm and Sarah returned to the awaiting Limo. Sarah asked Manny to continue on to her surprise.
Harm and Sarah sat together in a very small booth as they listened to the music which brought back great memories of their favorite place in D.C. They danced when the music allowed and listened the rest of the time. Jazz music had a way of letting their souls touch each other in yet another way. After about an hour their need for each other became paramount and they withdrew quickly to the Limo for the trip home.
The only thing anyone heard as they made their way from the Limo to their master suite was how thankful Harm was for her planning the trip to the jazz club.
Command Home
Sunday, 2 October 2005
22:00 Hrs
This weekend could have been described as a communion for the Rabbs. They had spent a couple hours both days with Mattie and Geri and the rest of it with their attention directed completely at each other. It was like they needed to listen to each others breathing for 2 whole days. It evidently was therapeutic and needed by both after 2 months of marriage. They were now drinking from this same cup together. It was like the pause in time when metal is allowed to cool during tempering to see what the new color was. The color of their “oneness” was changing for the better.
TBC.
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