| Subject: London Series - Part 14........Coordinated Attack |
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Maximus
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Date Posted: 07:05:02 09/20/06 Wed
In reply to:
Maximus
's message, "London Series" on 13:06:25 09/06/06 Wed
London Series: Part 14
Author: Maximus
Part 14 : COORDINATED ATTACK
Northside Military Hospital
Monday, 31 October
09:45 Hrs
Harm and Sarah sat waiting for Dr. Simms to see them. When she arrived from rounds, she invited them in. She explained that the frozen eggs had been taken out of the freezer last night and were very mobile when she had checked earlier and ready for Harm’s little jet fighters. She asked if any doubts existed between Sarah and Harm. Were they really willing to let Harriett be responsible for nurturing these eggs? Sarah answered by explaining that there was not a woman in the world that she trusted more than Harriett. She had always been impressed with how she took care of her own children. Dr. Simms asked again because this was serious business. After receiving the same answers, she asked them to go where they had before and bring back the needed sperm. After receiving the warm glass from Sarah, she excused herself and told them to wait and she would call for them when it was time.
They were allowed to watch as each dish, with one of Sarah’s eggs, received Harm’s sperm and conception took place. Every one of the three eggs looked as healthy as the others. The doctor asked if either of them would accompany Harriett on Wednesday when she came in for insemination. Harm understood that his presence might make Harriett very uncomfortable and suggested that Sarah be there with Harriett for both of them. Even though Sarah showed some reluctance, she understood that Harm was probably right. She agreed. All three watched the eggs until each dish contained 16 cells each. Conception had taken place in a sterile environment between two strong forces of nature. This whole thing was so huge for the Rabbs.
They stopped by and spoke to Mattie and Geri before leaving for a working lunch with Mr. Willow. He told them that only the top 2 floors of the Derby office building were being used by Aziz and Fahd.
Library Command Center
Tuesday, 1 November
09:00 Hrs
Sarah and Mac were discussing how best to use her marines to check out all 7 places that would come under attack. They decided to send 2 person teams to watch what happened everyday for the remainder of the week and log in times. Things like arrival times and hours of operation would all figure in the best time to launch the attack. Mac was to have this information ready for the meeting Friday.
Northside Military Hospital
Wednesday, 2 November
14:00 Hrs.
Sarah had picked Harriett up in the Limo at 09:00 hours and they stopped at the mall to shop for baby clothes. They had rummaged through both the girls and boys sections and bought the very nicest outfit they could find for each sex. They both had ideas but a mutual agreement was necessary between the two before the purchases were made. They bought 2 of the latest style baby bottles and a package of diapers for each. It might not have made much sense to anyone but it meant something to them as they silently communicated together about what the next few months were going to mean to them and each other.
Sarah treated Harriett to lunch at the nicest restaurant they could find and they sat talking until it was time to head to the hospital. It could not have been more sincere or important even if they had been blood sisters. In this life, even though different ranks, they had been there for each other.
Sarah and Harriett were sitting talking in the waiting area when finally Harriett was called into the office to be examined and prepared. Sarah was a bit surprised when she found that Harriett wanted her beside her when the eggs were inserted. Before going in, Sarah called Harm. Harm made his way to Bud’s office and gave him the opportunity to refuse this one last time. Bud assured him this is what he and Harriett wanted. Harm called back and told Sarah and then she went in to be with her friend. The procedure took about 15 minutes and was rather painless. The only thing to do now was to wait a few days to find if Harriett’s cycle was suspended or not. Dr. Simms made an appointment for Harriett so she would come with Sarah on Tuesday the 22nd of November so they both could find if they were pregnant.
They stopped by Mac’s office and “Shanghaied” her into going with them for the biggest Hot-Fudge Sundae they could find. The high calorie-heart stopping amount of milk chocolate was just what two very lovely “maybe” pregnant ladies needed right then. Celebration was definitely called for “big time.”
After dropping Mac back at her office, they spent time with Sarah’s “daughters.” The doctors had had Mattie up trying to walk with a walker today and it had been painful, tiring, but exhilarating. They sat talking and explained what Harriett had accepted today. Everyone was so excited about the possibilities. Sarah found herself thinking that had she known what it was to be a parent to someone like Mattie, she would have found a way to make Harm marry her 9 years ago. She didn’t think she was missing anything now but mourned the lost opportunities.
Geri was doing very well and it was having a large impact on Mattie. These two were growing inseparable as friends. Sarah could see that Geri’s progression was almost complete which meant that she would be going home soon leaving Mattie alone. It might have been a warning sign of impending trouble had it not been for Sarah’s understanding of Mattie’s resolve. She knew she was going to do whatever it took, come hell or high water, to get well and mobile again.
Before leaving, Sarah placed a call to Harm and told him about the walker and turned the phone over to Mattie. Sarah really enjoyed hearing Mattie talk to Harm as her dad. Even though she understood her love for Harm was different than that Mattie had for him, she hoped Mattie would find just how special he truly was. Sarah and Harriett excused themselves as the dinner trays were being delivered and said their goodbyes with hugs and kisses. The trip home was unusual as both “Sisters” felt totally comfortable holding hands and talking. Harriett had become a part of Sarah’s life that was beyond profound.
Command Home
20:15 Hrs.
Manny arrived with General and Mrs. Cresswell in the Limo. Harm and Sarah greeted them and led them into the Blue Room where Manny was stowing their bags. They met a few minutes later in the dining room for evening coffee and desserts. Sarah went over the U.S. attendees expected for tomorrows meeting. The State Department, U.S. ambassador, CIA, and FBI would have representatives there to first see the evidence and hear the U.S. (JAG) side of the results of Golden Net.
Friday would then include the other local bodies such as Scotland Yard, Local Police, English Military, and Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The evidence presented there would be that approved to be shared by the group on Thursday.
General Cresswell thought well of the plan and said he would open the meeting at 09:30. He and Adora shared small talk about how Cammie was doing and inquired about Mattie. After relaxing, the Cresswells called it a day and Harm and Sarah went for their walk before turning in for the night. Before sleep, Harm asked all kind of questions about Harriett and the procedure and about Mattie.
Command Home
Thursday, 3 November
09:00 Hrs
Hazel had prepared a large table in the foyer covered with pastries and having coffee and tea available at one end. The participants were starting to arrive for the meeting in the dining room and were greeted by General Cresswell and Colonel Rabb. Most people started making themselves comfortable after coffee at the large table.
General Cresswell called the meeting to order at 09:30 and made introductions so everyone understood who the individual players were. He made his opening remarks to reinforce how important it was to be careful with information since the creation of an intelligence grid in a foreign country could be an embarrassment to the U.S. if divulged to the host country. Even though the information received would help everyone, the English might not appreciate us watching. He asked everyone to restrict that kind of information to this meeting. He then introduced Sarah a second time as the commander of Golden Net.
Sarah took the podium and introduced Lt. Graves and Captain MacGregor and described their duties. They were two very important officers in everything about Golden Net. She turned to Kate which queued the tape and told the story about Mary Newman and everyone watched every move she made through the time she was rescued. Sarah explained why Golden Net was started and how the chip was inserted in every service member and explained how the chip could be accessed by the satellite. She explained how the rescue was conducted and made a point of how few hours passed from finding her missing to rescue.
She explained the different bad activities that were uncovered during the data analysis by all the groups involved. She talked of the methods that were used to gather evidence and the fact that every mosque in other cities that had been a drop-off point had been bombed and destroyed. They did not understand how or why but was relieved because that only left two drop-off points, one of which received all negatives used for blackmail of individuals.
The current plan of attack was to split the 200 marines of Golden Net into 7 groups and each group with officers from Scotland Yard would make a coordinated lightning attack on all 7 buildings at the same time, locking up everything and everybody therein. All people will be separated into JAG and Non-JAG with all JAG personnel being released to JAG jurisdiction.
(S) “Every piece of evidence will be analyzed by 3 members of my choosing and 3 analyst from Scotland Yard. I will rely on every one of you to supply your best people to be part of my 3. Captain Rabb and I have been in charge of this and I would appreciate it if that remained so.”
“Tomorrow we are all going to meet right here with representatives of the local police, Scotland Yard, English Military and Her Majesty’s Secret Service and tell them the evidence part of this story. I will need your cooperation and your silence. Most of the people that are affected are English citizens and we will want these bodies to receive a lot of credit for stopping these scum bags. We see saving the good name of people in JAG as one of our main responsibilities. All evidence about JAG personal will be retained and/or returned to those involved. JAG and the U.S. Government will determine their punishment if need be.”
Sarah then opened it up to questions and suggestions.
After a lively discussion, everyone agreed to meet with the locals tomorrow.
Command Home
Friday, 4 November
09:00
The table in the foyer was a duplicate of the previous day with more detail given to the tea area. All of the American contingent was early hoping to make the entrance of the local representatives easier and more friendly. The compound group included Top, Bud, Allen, and Manetti. After everyone got comfortable, General Cresswell made introductions of everyone and let the ones he did not know introduce themselves.
He opened his remarks, ”Some months ago I became aware from message traffic and the local commander, that some of my people in this compound were being victimized by people off the compound. Since there was a lack of evidence, I asked the commander at the time to look into it. He called me back a few days later with information leading me to believe the stories were true. I then enlisted the aid of the Marine Corps Colonel you have been introduced too, Colonel Sarah Rabb, and her husband Captain Harmon Rabb, who just so happens to be the new commander of the compound. At this time I will turn the meeting over to Colonel Rabb.”
Sarah took the podium and explained. “After taking command of this problem, I enlisted the aid of different military bodies and offshore teams that could help with the seeking of evidence. I requested and at time ordered people to do things they would not normally do and put themselves at risk to gain evidence. After hearing that, you will understand why we are willing to share all evidence we have or will get, with you with the understanding that it will be “sanitized” and all pictures, negatives, and any thing else which are in any way connected to U.S. military personnel will be turned over and retained by this JAG command. Some of my people have put their lives on the line only because I ask them to and if anything was done improperly, it will be this command that meets out punishment. Is that understood and agreeable with every one here? I will now call your names and I am asking you to answer one way or the other. Mr. Willow?
(Willow) Ok with me.
(S)General McKay-James?
(General) Acceptable with me.
(S) Chief of Police Smith?
(Smith) I agree with that.
(S) Lt. General McDougald?
(McDougald) Aye Lassie.
“Thank you everyone. My plan calls for every piece of evidence I have and every bit we get from now on to be analyzed by 3 of my people and 3 from Scotland Yard. Anything found that my people know to involve our people, will be “sanitized” after it has been viewed and approved by the 3 from Scotland Yard. If needed as evidence to prove a case, it will be available if it can be kept confidential.
Our current evidence implicates 7 locations, 5 in London and 2 in other cities with things like blackmail, prostitution, procurement, passing government information to unknown people, and possible female slavery. Of course most of these activities have been perpetrated against your own citizens more than my people. Four other locations were found involved but have since been bombed by someone. I have received authority from our Secretary of the Navy to enlist the aid of 200 able bodies U.S. Marines to aid you in storming the 7 locations simultaneously to get evidence and bring these people to justice. Everyone and everything at those locations are to be retained for possible evidence. These Marines have been put on alert and await my orders at any time. We have captured things like passports, bloody knives, pistols, drugs and bloody written material which we have no way of knowing how important they may be to you. If you are in agreement with us, I propose the 6 analyst meet here at this very table, here in my home, between the hours 09:00 and 15:45 for the next two days to look at every piece of evidence we have. I encourage you to meet among yourselves and decide which of your people will respond and take an active part in this project.
I propose that command representatives from the bodies who will take action convene here at 09:30 Monday morning, 7 November to hear what the 6 analyst have to say. We should be able to determine our attack plan from that meeting. My husband, Captain Rabb, and I will be available to you anytime over this weekend at the numbers on the cards we are now passing out. If you have a missing murder weapon like a knife or gun, you might want to find if it is what we have. Please understand that we know we are guests in your country but we needed to take actions about injustice against our people. In so doing, we have found people exploiting more of your people than ours. We want to help you. In that vain, please keep everything you have heard today quiet until after we have caught the perpetrators.
Thanks for coming and hope to see you Monday morning.”
Everyone stood and milled about introducing themselves and making connections with others. After more coffee and pastries most excused themselves and left. Mr. Willow asked to have a private meeting tomorrow at 09:00 with both Harm and Sarah and asked them to bring the physical evidence with them.
Library Command Center 13:00 Hrs
After a nice lunch, General Cresswell discussed the limits of JAG’s participation given the evidence collected. Their involvement would begin after evidence was collected but the actual raid would be under the command of Colonel Rabb and the Golden Net marines.
Scotland Yard Saturday, 5 November 09:00 Hrs
Harm and Sarah had enjoyed a walk on this nice cool morning, a good breakfast, and were now setting in casual civilian clothing in the outer office waiting on Mr. Willow. He apologized upon arrival because he had been briefing the 3 Scotland Yard analysts and made sure they were on their way to the compound.
Harm handed him a package containing the bloody knife, pistol, ledger type book and DVD’s. He made a call and an agent appeared to take the evidence to the lab. He explained that he would send it all back with the analyst tomorrow morning.
After offering hot tea or coffee, Mr. Willow finally got down to business. Scotland Yard had been watching Aziz and Fahd for some time and couldn’t charge them with much more than prostitution and if they did, they would be out of jail the next day. After Mr. Willow had asked many questions he said he might be able to finally nail these two. He needed to know who was backing Aziz and Fahd. He needed the big names and was excited to find where the American Money showed up. He confided that he thought they were a front for al-Qaida. He explained that he could not match the 200 Marines that Sarah had pledged but would have at least 10 for each building.
Sarah explained that every unit would have a marine officer in charge that had been briefed on the mission. She asked if he could have a senior man join each group commander as a leadership team. Sarah impressed upon him that the maintenance of the evidence was going to be an important part of this mission.
He agreed that the leadership teams be responsible to make sure that happened. He explained that he would be at Monday’s meeting and could be ready to attack Tuesday afternoon. He handed a file to Sarah as they were leaving and asked that it be returned Monday morning.
Harm and Sarah stopped at the hospital, on their way home, to find Mattie standing at the foot of her bed. Her balance was still shaky but her muscles were working together. They enjoyed their stay and found that Geri would be going home Monday afternoon the 7th. Mattie seemed OK with it and told them that the bathroom problems were done and taken care of. One more step accomplished toward coming home for at least a weekend.
Command Home 15:00 Hrs
As Harm and Sarah passed through the dining room, the FBI analyst asked them to explain some of the evidence. Sarah answered the questions and it was obvious that matching the dates of physical evidence to next day bombings was starting to come clear to him. Sarah avoided saying anything about it.
Harm steered Sarah upstairs to the locked Library where Kate was. After locking back up, Sarah opened the file from Willow. It contained a lot of pictures and information about Aziz and Fahd and what they had done in the past. Sarah told Kate to get it on the Fax to MacDill and copy everything also to CIA California and the data center in Japan. Maybe they could get a hit on the pictures or something.
London Airport 20:00 Hrs
Mr. & Mrs. Cresswell boarded their flight back to the states with the knowledge that actions were now going to take place that would help everyone involved. The General had been impressed again by both Harm and Sarah.
Command Home Sunday, 6 November 16:00 Hrs
All analysts were pleased that the evidence was going to be enough to stop what had been going on. They gave Harm and Sarah a short overview and said they would be ready tomorrow morning. They explained the types of evidence that was needed to be obtained from the 7 places to be raided.
Sarah called Mac and told her to get the marines ready for action on Tuesday. They needed to be in full battle dress because she did not want to lose anyone on this mission. She told her to make sure everyone had body armor and if not, she had 1 day to get it. She told her that she wanted her to command the team going to the Derby 4-story office building since she thought the evidence there was the most important. She told her to put the other 5 platoon officers in charge of a site each and explained that she had asked Top to be in charge of the Blue Moon. That one was going to be for Mary Newman.
She explained that she was going to be on the command radio.
Sarah told her that Kate had the command center duty tonight and suggested she try to have an enjoyable evening because the next few might be rough.
Harm and Sarah tried to take her own advice after the analyst had left. They had invited Hazel, who had the duty, to go with them to Lucinda’s. It was nice to be able to enjoy everyone’s company. Harm told about Geri getting ready to leave Mattie and return home. Hazel wanted to know more about when Mattie would be able to come home. No real answers now but hopefully in the next 3 months.
Command Home Monday, 7 November 09:00 Hrs.
After everyone had coffee, tea, and crumpets, everyone took a seat. The leader of the analyst group spoke of the evidence they had looked at and some of their conclusions. They explained what types of evidence they hoped to find at the individual places to be raided. They told what should be done to concentrate on the “High Value” evidence first and foremost.
After everyone asked questions and gave opinions, they agreed that the raid should happen at 17:00 Tuesday, 8 November. They talked of the 7 places and decided where the staging areas would be for each and staging was to take place at 16:00 since the leadership teams would need to form together.
Sarah told them that assignments had been made and each group should have 27 marines and an officer, the exception being Top who would be in charge of the Blue Moon. She told them her people would be in full battle dress and assured them that all American flags on uniforms would be covered.
The meeting ended after everyone was satisfied that everything had been addressed.
Sarah made a call to the cell phone of the Agent Lewis of the CIA.
Hello !
(S) Agent Lewis, this is Colonel Rabb. I picked up the bag you left Friday night. Do you have anything else?
(Lewis)No. That was the last we got. We were waiting for your instructions.
(S)We’re done. You can return to your other duties. Thanks for all our help. I will make sure the SECNAV knows what you did. By the way, did you ever figure out who was doing all the mosque bombings?
(Lewis) No….. I talked to Patrick who puts packages back together and he said he might have switched the wires by mistake. I really doubt it because he doesn’t usually make mistakes.
(S)Thank You. You guys did a great job.
(Lewis) Thank you ma’am.
As Sarah hung up, she mused “yea, a mistake connected the Red and Green wires together. Sure.” If the CIA crossed them, it would blow up even though the bad guys cut the green wire first like they should. Pretty simple.
Staging area 1 Mile from Blue Moon Tuesday, 8 November
16:00 Hrs
The marines arrived in almost any type conveyance you could think of. They had been on the economy so long that they had learned how to make do. Top met with his counterpart from Scotland Yard and discussed how the raid should take place. Buses were there to take prisoners to debrief and solved the transportation problem to the site. After Top and his counterpart were straight on everything, Top addressed the troops and explained how this was going to go down. Live ammunition was handed out. They were instructed to match force with force if required. Everyone was to be considered suspect until proven otherwise and would be apprehended. Upon arrival, troops would completely surround the building first and then tactical actions would commence.
Sarah got on the command radio and found that the other 6 teams were ready. She talked to each officer in charge and determined the teams had joined together well.
16:55 Hrs
Sarah made calls to all teams, got a time check and gave the Go for 17:00.
17:00 Hrs
All team members approached the Blue Moon in the buses with every bus stopping at a different place around the building. The troops fanned out around the building, covering every entrance and exit. Eight marines carrying a metal battering ram entered the front doors and immediately knocked down the door to the offices. Mr. Aziz was taken prisoner immediately and Top led him out of the building in handcuffs to a waiting Scotland Yard car. He was taken by himself to the interrogation area at the Yard.
All employees and patrons alike were taken into custody and were loaded into the waiting buses for their trip to Scotland Yard. Four team members started surrounding the building with crime scene tape with warnings against crossing into it. Ten team members moved into the office area and started loading everything from file cabinets, desks and any other area into boxes and moved them out to waiting vans. Five team members moved in and took up residence inside the club. Each had a view of either an entrance or exit of the building. All doors were locked with them inside in case something or somebody was overlooked.
Since the Blue Moon seemed totally secure, Sarah started making her calls. The other 4 clubs in London and the Black Cat club were secure but the office building was taking longer.
Mac explained the evacuation of the first and second floors of the building was taking time. Everyone evacuated were being fingerprinted and photographed before being allowed to leave. All entrances and exits to the 3rd and fourth floor were sealed off and the building completely surrounded with troops.
As they talked, Mac said that everyone was now out of floors1 and 2 and Sarah heard Mac order the raid on 3 and 4. Eight team members took the elevator to the fourth floor first and broke down the doors to the executive suite taking Fahd prisoner and cuffed him. Everyone else, on both floors, was ordered to line up at the elevator and hands were laced together with nylon ties. They were carefully moved out and loaded into the waiting buses.
The building was encircled with crime scene tape and warning signs. An 8 man team moved on each floor and started unloading the contents of desks into boxes while all file cabinets were wheeled out to the waiting trucks. Two teams of five marines each were assigned to lock down and continue search of each floor of the building. After vehicles were retrieved from the staging area, a convoy was put together. Each bus contained a driver and 3 armed marines, and cars and trucks carrying the remaining marines and Scotland Yard people set up a guard fore and aft. The caravan took on the appearance of a military convoy and started back to Scotland Yard in London. The trip happened without incident.
Sarah and Harm arrived at the storage area at Scotland Yard where everything collected at each site was being kept separate and was impressed that things were being taken care of. They verified that the team of analyst was concentrating on the office building file cabinets first. Sarah gave the senior analyst for the Americans, FBI’s Mr. James, the complete list of every services person, dependant, and girl and boy friends for the last 7 years. She also gave him a CD with the same information on it which could make use of a computer faster.
Being satisfied that the raids had accomplished what was desired, Harm and Sarah returned to the command home.
Library Command Center Wednesday, 9 November 11:15 Hrs.
Sarah received a call from Mr. Willow giving her an update as to what had been learned so far. Several people in every building had given written evidence about the activities of each club. They explained how the club operated and told where records could be found. The records and negatives were found where they had been told and it was enough to put Aziz and Fahd away for life since many cases would be tried individually with separate prison time allotted to each charge. They were definitely out of business for good. Negatives had been found for 29 people from the JAG list and were being couriered to the compound as they were speaking.
The information on the CD and DVD were found to contain information that would endanger individuals in the British government and an employee said it had been sent to an al-Qaida operative. Mr. Willow was excited about the implications of this. He told them more information was becoming available and a complete report would be sent to Sarah.
16:15 Hrs
Sarah made a call to SECNAV and told him some of the things that had been found. She told him of the negatives and some of the other things being returned about JAG personnel. He was overjoyed that the results would make everything better without the Brits knowing the Grid was in place.
Mr. Sheffield told her that Kate had signed for a package this afternoon with the officer’s promotion material in it. He asked it be presented tomorrow morning, the active date of each promotion. He told her that it had something in it for everyone except her since she received her O-6 just a short while ago. He told her to wrap things up and turn everything over to Kate tomorrow and concentrate on the Admiral Wilson case as of Friday the 11th. He told her to convey his thanks to everyone for a job well done.
He told her that Mac should expect the enlisted transfer orders in on Monday 14 November for everyone except Corporal Clark who was going to Annapolis and PFC Jerry Smith who had performed so well that Harm had asked he be permanently assigned to JAG. Harm would then present his promotion to Lance Corporal which was already effective.
SECNAV thanked her and acknowledged all the hard work of her and Kate.
(SECNAV) Colonel, I am going to schedule a meeting with Harm for the day after Thanksgiving for all JAG troops. Can you accommodate the wife and I from the 23rd through the 26th. Since we will arrive on the 23rd, may we attend the Thanksgiving party the wives are planning ?
(S) Yes sir. We will have room for you. Everyone would be more than honored to have you and your wife as our special guests at our party. Is there anything I need to do in preparation for your visit ?
(SECNAV) Yes. Finish Admiral Wilson’s trial so that is behind us. I’m counting on you to find the truth.
(S) Yes sir. I will sir. Thank you sir.
As the phone line was broken, pride washed over Sarah to know that her first command had been so successful. Her officers were going to be promoted. She quickly found the package and found that every officer including Kate was being advanced one grade.
Sarah immediately called Mac and told her to have the whole unit assembled for inspection at 10:00 tomorrow and all officers in her office in dress uniform tomorrow at 10:30 hours. She told her about the orders to be received for enlisted personnel on Monday. She told her she could pass on the word to Corporal Clark that he had been accepted into Annapolis and would receive those orders at the same time.
19:00 Hrs
Mr. Willow called with other things that had been found. Sarah was definitely on a high about the results. After finding Harm and embracing him in a hug, she realized she didn’t have another officer to help make presentations with her tomorrow. She mentioned it and found him more than willing to assist. The presentation of promotions being one of the most enjoyable duties of an officer, he almost insisted he be allowed to help. Harm called Manny in and told him about needing the Limo tomorrow at 09:30.
Northside Military Hospital Thursday, 10 November 10:00 Hrs
As Marine Colonel Rabb, Navy Captain Rabb, and Lt. Graves stepped out of the Limo, Captain MacGregor called the unit to attention. All three stepped up on the platform and Sarah stepped forward. Sarah passed on the congratulations from the SECNAV for a job well done. She praised the unit for the outstanding way they had discharged their duties. She explained that the unit was to be disbanded and all marines would be returned to their previous stations. The only two exceptions being Corporal Clark who had been accepted at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and PFC Smith who was changing his MOS and would be staying with JAG.
Sarah told everyone that she was very proud of having been their commanding officer and wished them all well. She saluted them and the total unit was ordered to return the salute. Colonel Rabb, Captain Rabb and Lt. Graves returned to the Limo and drove away as the ranks broke into applause.
Manny drove Sarah, Harm and Kate over to the office of Captain MacGregor and they waited in the Limo until all officers arrived. After Sarah, Harm and Kate entered, Mac called all the officers to attention. Sarah asked Lt. Graves to join their ranks. Sarah moved in front of them and passed on the congratulations from the SECNAV for a job well done. She spoke of all the compliments that he had passed on to her.
Her next action was to call all Second Lt’s forward and asked them to repeat the oath. After doing so, Harm presented each with their paperwork and Silver Bar and shook their hand. Sarah came and attached the bar on each officer’s collar. She backed up and saluted them and after it was returned, she asked them to step back.
She then called all First Lt’s forward and asked them to repeat the oath. After doing so, Harm presented each with their paperwork and their Silver Captain’s Bars and shook their hand. Sarah came and attached the bars to each new captain’s collar. She backed up and saluted them and after it was returned, she asked them to step back.
She then called Marine Captain MacGregor and Navy Lt. Graves forward and asked them to repeat the oath. After doing so, Harm presented the Golden Oak-leaf to Marine Major MacGregor and new Shoulder boards to Navy Lt. Commander Graves and shook their hands. He read and presented orders to Lt. Cmdr. Graves assigning her to a new aide position at JAG HQ in D.C. with a report date of 6 December. Sarah came and attached the Oak-leaf to Mac’s collar and shoulder boards on Kate. She backed up and saluted them and after it was returned, she asked them to step back.
She then talked about how advancement could open doors for those who were properly motivated and assured them that she thought it applied to everyone of them. She thanked them for their service and the great job that they had done.
She informed them that she would assume a new duty tomorrow and command was being passed to Major MacGregor for the disposition of the unit and to Lt. Cmdr. Graves for the disposition of Golden Net. She dismissed them. Everyone shook hands and thanked Sarah for everything making one Navy Captain very proud of his wife. They used non-alcoholic wine for the obligatory salute since it was what Sarah had brought for that purpose. Everyone was happy with the result.
Mattie’s Room 12:00 Hrs
Sarah, Harm and Kate all entered Mattie’s room and found her standing at the end of her bed doing exercises. She was regaining muscle coordination and could move about while holding on to things. Harm picked her up and whirled her around. She was laughing when he put her down. Sarah explained why they were there and Mattie had to see the new shoulder boards on Kate. Harm explained that Mattie would probably be seeing a lot of Kate later once they got back to D.C. Sarah told about all the hard work Kate had done and reminded Mattie that she had been with them in the command home for about as long as they had been here and was her right arm. She told Mattie that they were really going to miss her since she was being transferred to JAG HQ.
Command Home 21:00 Hrs
After dinner, everything seemed to get quiet and Harm went looking for Sarah. She found her and Kate in the Library sending “Thank You” wires out to the people at different installations that had worked with them. In it they explained that the duty had been performed and they were now taking new assignments. After they were all sent, Sarah found Harm and held on to him for all she was worth. Later, after they had retired for the evening, Harm held her as tears flowed freely. Golden Net had been very successful but she had a huge feeling of loss. Harm understood and just held on. Everything was going to be better in the morning because she would wake up and they would continue to drink from this same magnificent cup.
TBC
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