the Light
Chapter 2 (Pt 1)
JAG Headquarters.
He pushed the heavy wooden door, hesitating as unbidden the memory of his last visit to the Admiral's office and of the events that followed washed over him, filling him with something akin to dread. His apprehension grew when he saw that one of the chairs across from the Admiral's desk was occupied, and he narrowed his eyes, trying to get a closer look at the visitor. It wasn't Webb, and almost reflexively the Commander breathed a quick sigh of relief.
"Commander, I'd like you to meet John Nettleback from the Attorney General's office." The Admiral pointed to his guest, and the latter stood up, facing the young aviator.
Middle aged, balding, and slightly chubby with a nice round belly that protruded out of his expensive double-breasted suit, he reminded Harm of a somewhat overdressed version of the Wizard of Oz.
"Commander Rabb," he exclaimed in a surprisingly low baritone, as he grabbed a hold of Harm's hand with both of his, shaking it vigorously. "I have heard of your exploits. I must say, it is an honor to meet you, Commander."
Slightly bemused by such an enthusiastic greeting, Harm looked questioningly from one man to the other. "Attorney General's office?"
Nettleback's smile dimmed a bit. "I am here in connection with your recent ordeal, Commander," he stated hesitantly.
Harm nodded. "I gathered as much," he said, perhaps a bit more harshly than he'd intended. "However, I still don't see the connection between my 'ORDEAL', as you put it, and the office of the Attorney General."
The rosy-cheeked face lost all of its feigned cheerfulness, and the "Wizard" grew completely serious. "Our office is involved because of the impending trial of one Ali Akhbar, who was taken prisoner during your rescue mission."
Harm felt himself tense at these words. "Prisoner?" This time his gaze was directed squarely at his commanding officer.
Chegwidden sighed, throwing a reproachful look at the careless attorney. "Have a seat, Commander," he offered instead of a response, and the latter complied, fighting to keep control of his shaky legs. Nettleback followed suit.
"The goal of the mission, as it was originally drawn up ... was strictly recovery," A.J. said in a solemn, almost emotionless voice after a moment of tense silence. "But the SEAL team that was sent in after you was able to take one man prisoner. He was brought to the States for trial."
Harm kept his gaze fixed on some random spot on the wall behind the Admiral, the words of his C.O. ringing in his ears. Prisoner... One of the men who held him captive for three months... One of his torturers... And he was here in the States all this time ... All
the time that he, Harm, was in the hospital. Why wasn't he told?
As if in response to his silent question, John Nettleback chimed in, his voice apologetic. "I am terribly sorry, Commander. I had no idea that you were not aware of the situation with the prisoner. I-"
"What's my role in this?" Harm interrupted hoarsely, forcing his mind to focus on the attorney's words.
Nettleback hesitated this time and looked to the Admiral before volunteering any more information. Chegwidden nodded in grim silence, urging him to continue.
For the second time in a period of only a few months A.J. Chegwidden was following a directive that went against every instinct he had as a friend or as a parent. And he hated himself for it. But, for the moment, all he could do was sit back and let the attorney handle the situation the best he could. He would intervene, he assured himself, if things get out of hand. The old man tried not to think about the fact that the last time his intervention came almost too late.
Nettleback coughed slightly, clearing his throat. "The cave system where Akhbar was captured contained quite a bit of ammunition, detailed maps of several vital US locations, and quite a bit of other sensitive material - all of which seemed to suggest that another attack on US soil was being planned." He pursed his lips, as if anticipating the disappointment that his next words were going to bring. "Akhbar, however, claims that he is not a member of a terrorist group; that he just happened to be poking around in the cave with his friends when the SEALS showed up and started shooting. He claims he fired back in self-defense." Nettleback paused once again, pulling out a manila folder marked "Top Secret" and placing it in front of him.
"I realize the preposterousness of his claim, Commander," he acknowledged. "However, the thing is ... you are our only witness - the only one who can testify that Akhbar was part of the group that captured you. Without your testimony, no matter how solid
the case against him, Akhbar can walk." Placing his fingertips on top of the folder, he pushed it toward Rabb, watching him intently. "This is the recent photo of the man in question," he stated; a mixture of intense curiosity and regret flickering in his pale gray eyes. "Take a look. See if you recognize him."
Harm watched in a dreamlike state, while the plump visitor opened the folder and pushed it toward him. He glanced down at the photo of a dark-skinned man with a grim and disturbingly menacing expression in his large black eyes, and he looked away almost instantaneously. His breath caught in his throat. And when Chegwidden, alarmed by his sudden pallor, questioned whether he
was all right, it took all of his strength to manage a nod.
"Do you recognize this man, Commander?"
Another nod.
"Will you testify for us then?" Nettleback joined in.
The attorney's voice seemed to Harm distant and muffled, as if coming through layers of thick fog. He considered the question ... at least the rational side of his mind did. His testimony was vital, Nettleback said. Vital. Without it, Akhbar could walk. A free man. Harm visibly shuddered at the idea, earning another worried frown from his C.O.
The silence stretched, and Nettleback fidgeted anxiously in his chair, growing impatient with the wait. The chair squeaked pitifully in protest, snapping Harm out of his musings.
Squeezing his jaws so tight that his teeth hurt, he turned to the chubby visitor and nodded slowly, indicating his agreement.
The expression of worry faded from the rosy-cheeked face, replaced by a beaming smile of relief. "It's settled then." Nettleback stood up swiftly, shoving the folder under his arm. "I will be contacting you soon regarding the trial date."
He bowed curtly to the two officers. "Admiral ... Commander ... It was very nice to meet you both. Good day."