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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Vicinity of Militia Camp
Holly Springs Nat'l. Forest, MS
0805 Local
AJ cleared his throat, everyone had, more or less, finished eating. "If one of you would start at the beginning, I'd like to hear the sequence of events. Then we can decide how to proceed."
Mac, Tyler and Perez looked at each other for a moment and then Mac began, starting with her conversation with Lt. Cmdr. Brighton. She kept the narrative concise and dispassionate. Perez and Tyler took their cue from her, adding their parts to the story as needed. AJ listened quietly, some of this he had heard from Rabb. Gunny Walters was a little more intent, he'd only had the bare bones of the story... and Admiral Crowley's version of events. When the narration finally ceased, there was a brief period of silence.
Mac stared at the ground, having to say it had been both a burden and a blessing. The last thirty-eight hours had been a nightmare. For some reason, summarizing it out loud seemed to put it into a context she could deal with. It also brought back into focus the problems she was facing with the Admiral. Maybe it would make her discussion with him a little easier - now he would have the background for her decision. More troubling was that feeling of urgency and unease. It was back and growing stronger. She started reviewing what she'd heard from the others, there had to be a reason for this. Her attention was diverted by the sound of the Admiral's voice.
AJ shared a glance with Walters and then gazed at the rest of the group. Perez and Tyler were watching him a trifle nervously. Mac, on the other hand, seemed distracted and pensive. Chegwidden couldn't decide if it was because of what he had learned from Webb or just worry about Harm. Well, the first order of business would be extracting his officers and Cpl. Bell from the militia. He looked over at Tyler, "Do you still have Commander Rabb's cellphone?" Both Perez and Mac's heads came up as they looked at Tyler. AJ had seen the surprise on both their faces when Tyler had told about contacting JAG headquarters earlier.
"Yes sir," Tyler pulled it out of his pocket and handed it over.
AJ took it and then grinned ruefully, "Anybody know the number of the Memphis FBI?"
"What about 9-1-1, sir?" Tyler asked.
Perez shook his head, "The driver, Mario, said that the local law enforcement people were probably sympathizers with the militia. We'd just wind up with more people after us." He looked over at AJ, "I could call my people on base and have them get in touch with the Bureau."
"No offense, Captain, but someone had to let Captain Koslov know that the Colonel and Lt. Singer would be last out of the JAG offices that night," Gunny Walters said. "Until we know where all the leaks are, we shouldn't contact anyone on base."
Perez didn't look happy as he acknowledged the truth of that statement. Mac looked over at him, "What about Ellie?" She glanced at AJ, "The captain's wife. She's a civilian psychiatrist at the base hospital and... " Mac grinned at Perez, "... apparently, a force to be reckoned with when she's worried or angry. I don't think it will raise any eyebrows when she storms the offices of the FBI - if she hasn't already."
AJ thought it over while Perez watched him anxiously. He was doing his best to maintain a professional demeanor. The Admiral smiled inwardly as he tossed the phone to Perez and said gruffly, "Make the call, Captain. Tell her to contact Special Agent Ramos, he's familiar with the case." He gestured to the far side of the ravine, "Over there, please. We still have plans to discuss." As they watched Perez hurry away, AJ leaned back and said quietly, "Nice work, Colonel." He watched her give him a brief smile and then return to whatever it was she was thinking about earlier. Damn, this was what made her an excellent Chief of Staff. She'd solved his problem and a potential problem with Perez at the same time. He needed to fix this, he had no intention of letting her get herself killed running around with Webb. He had a hard time trusting any organization that thought nothing of sacrificing their own for their perceived view of the 'greater good'. But first... he looked over at Tyler, "I'd like to get a look at the camp later. We'll need to be able to give the Feds an idea of the layout and how many people they'll be facing."
Before Tyler could reply, all heads turned as Perez came back. "Well, Captain?" AJ asked.
Perez smiled as he handed back the phone, "Ellie is on her way there right now. Ramos should be calling us soon."
"You don't look too singed, is Ellie okay?" Mac asked with a grin.
Perez grinned back and then ducked his head, "She decided to save it until she can get her hands on me. It should be ... interesting." They exchanged guilty glances when the Admiral cleared his throat.
AJ gave them a dry look and then glanced over at Tyler, "Ensign?"
"Yes sir, we can go whenever you're ready." Tyler looked a little worried at the prospect of sneaking through the underbrush with a two-star in tow. What if something happened? The man was old! "Ummm, sir? Maybe Capt. Perez or Gunny Walters could come along too, just in case."
AJ narrowed his gaze, "In case of what, Ensign?" He had a pretty good idea what was bothering the young man and judging from the looks on everyone else's faces, so did they.
Tyler floundered about for a moment, how do you tell an Admiral he's a little old to be traipsing through the woods? He looked helplessly at the Colonel who regarded him with thinly veiled amusement. Finally, she relented and said, "Excuse me sir, but I think Ensign Tyler is apprehensive about having someone of your... rank anywhere near any potential trouble."
AJ glared at Mac. She'd gotten through that statement with a perfectly straight face, although he could see the laughter in her eyes. Gunny and Perez were studiously avoiding looking at him at all. He transferred his glare to Tyler, who looked ready to wilt. "Thank you for your concern, Ensign. You'll be relieved to know that despite my... rank... I'm more than capable of running a reconnaisance. But, another pair of eyes won't hurt. Captain Perez can come along too... providing that's agreeable to you, Mr. Tyler."
Tyler nodded vigorously, glad to be off the hook. "When do you want to leave, sir?"
"The sooner, the better." AJ looked over at Mac and handed her the cellphone. "When Ramos calls, fill him in on what's been happening. He's been going over your files so he's familiar with a lot of it."
"Yes sir," Mac answered, she wished she could go along but that was out of the question. She also wished she could pin down what was bothering her. The sense of urgency was growing. Maybe after everyone left, she could concentrate a little better.
Five minutes later, Tyler, Perez and the Admiral headed out. Mac and Walters watched them leave and then looked at each other. "Sorry you got stuck on the babysitting detail, Gunny." Mac said apologetically.
Gunny waved a hand and smiled, "It's okay, Colonel. God wouldn't have invented Gunnery Sergeants if officers didn't need looking after."
Mac raised an eyebrow, "Even the ones that are a pain in the ass?"
Walters had the grace to blush, "We never did discuss that, did we ma'am?"
"No, but don't worry about it, Gunny. I'm learning not to look a gift rescue in the mouth," Mac said dryly. She shifted a bit and gave a slight wince. Her side was better but still sensitive. There wasn't much she could do about her shoulder, so there was no point in complaining.
"Is there anything I can do, ma'am?"
Mac shook her head, "Remind me not to get blindsided next time. This has been inconvenient as hell." She lapsed into silence, missing the look on Gunny's face as she stared at the ground. Goddammit, what was it that had her so fidgety? She glanced back up to find the Gunny still looking at her, "What?"
Walters blinked, "Sorry, ma'am. I guess... I'm just glad you aren't dead." He grimaced to himself as she continued to stare at him. What a brilliant thing to say to a senior officer, especially one that he liked. Oh hell, she was still staring. Could she be that upset? "Colonel?"
"I'm supposed to be dead," Mac said faintly. She was staring at the Gunny but not really seeing him.
"What?" Now the Gunny was perplexed.
Mac focused her attention on Walters. "That's what that militia man said. The one that came across Perez and I, after we'd made it back to the camp. I was supposed to be dead and Perez didn't exist... " She looked around the ravine, "They didn't kill him. Perez and Tyler. They just tied him up so he would be found eventually. They're going to find him, dammit, and he's going to tell what he saw. Oh god... "
Militia Camp
Holly Springs Nat'l. Forest, MS
0800 Local
Koslov looked in the mirror and ran a hand through his hair. The buyer's people would be here today, probably around noon or so. Hopefully, they wouldn't mind the substitution. He had seriously considered taking Lt. Singer up on her offer to join his network. In the end, though, he decided he'd rather have the money. She was still under the impression that she'd be working for him. It did make it easier to handle her. Then he'd see about getting rid of Rabb. Maybe he could pawn it off on one of these neanderthals; he'd learned the value of deniability. If only he could get rid of Trask... but he still needed the pompous jackass.
Koslov shook his head, that pious lunatic had some grandiose plan of uniting all the little ragtag militias all over the country. Then the Right Reverend Trask would quietly subvert local governments, eventually move through the various levels until he had the states and then he somehow planned to abolish the central government. No doubt some pie-in-the-sky plan for Southern revenge of their defeat in the Civil War. Wait... what had he heard them call it? Oh yes... the 'Late Unpleasantness'. These Southerners had a stranglehold on the past, no wonder they never seemed to get anywhere. Koslov cordially hated each and every one of them. They talked slow, moved slow, thought slow. Schedules were a foreign concept, he didn't think any of them knew how to tell time. He snorted disdainfully, Trask would be lucky if he could get even two militias to cooperate with him.
Of course, he had pledged to support Trask all the way to the top. It was the only way he could think of to get his hands on the Reverend's contacts within the other militias. Once he had those, Trask could have an unfortunate accident. With Jarvis' program in place and the militia market secured, he would be well on his way to becoming an extremely wealthy man. Koslov amused himself for a few moments, imagining the look on Crowley's face when he resigned his commission to become a millionaire. Humming to himself, he opened the door of his quarters and halted in surprise. One of the militia hicks was standing in front of his door with a pistol pointed at him. Koslov could see Trask standing a little further back in the hallway. "What the hell do you think... " That was as far as he got before the pistol went off.
Trask walked up and looked in the room. He glanced over at the other man, "Thank you Preston. Have someone clean this up. I'll be having breakfast with Commander Rabb and Lt. Singer and then I'll be in my office." He walked thoughtfully back down the hallway, vengeance might belong to the Lord - but it was satisfying as hell here on earth, too.
Chapter Thirty
Vicinity of Militia Camp
Holly Springs Nat'l. Forest, MS
0835 Local
"Ma'am?" Gunny asked worriedly. He wasn't quite sure what he was hearing. Whatever it was, it was upsetting the Colonel. The damn cellphone ringing made him jump.
Mac stared at the phone, composing herself. She pushed 'Answer' and cautiously said, "Hello?" She listened for a moment and then said, "This is Col. MacKenzie, is this SA Ramos?" She was quiet again, and then continued, "All right Mr. Ramos, but we need you and your agents down here now. The militia is holding Cmdr. Rabb and Lt. Singer. Time is getting critical and the situation is becoming very fluid." Mac listened again and then looked at the phone in growing frustration. She understood about procedure but, goddammit, these people needed to get off the dime. She put the phone back to her ear. "Listen to me, Ramos, Cmdr. Rabb and the Lieutenant ensured my escape by telling the militia that I had died from injuries received during the kidnapping. That lie is about to be found out. So screw your damn procedures, get your people together and get moving, or I swear I'll have your ass! Are we clear? Good!" She ended the call with an angry jab of her finger and looked up to see Gunny Walters watching her.
"We need to get to the militia camp, Gunny." Mac was struggling to her feet as she spoke.
He hurried over to give her a hand. "What are you planning to do, Colonel?" he asked apprehensively.
"Whatever I need to," she answered, eyeing him determinedly. "Once we get close, I want you to find the Admiral. The last thing we need is for them to suspect there's anyone else out there."
Walters sighed, "Ma'am, I can't let you do this. You're going to get yourself killed and that's assuming you'll even make it as far as the camp."
Mac stared at him, "If I don't go, they will kill Cmdr. Rabb and Lt. Singer. My showing up will prevent that - hopefully, long enough for the FBI to make an appearance."
The Gunny shifted uncomfortably, "I'm sorry, ma'am, my orders are to keep you safe. Storming the militia camp isn't the way to do that, begging your pardon."
"You're sorry?! Harm and Lauren are going to die when that militia finds out they've been jerked around. I can stop that." Mac stood toe to toe with Walters, glaring up at him, "And, so help me God, that's what I'm going to do. So, unless your orders include physically restraining me, Gunnery Sergeant, stop wasting my time and get the hell out of my way."
She turned and stalked down the ravine, shoulders tense. If Gunny did decide to stop her, there wouldn't be much she could do. Hell, right now a six-year old could probably knock her down. This would have been a lot easier with Gunny's help, but she'd do without. She didn't have a choice, time was running out.
Gunny stood and watched her march off. Goddammit! The Admiral had told him not to let anything happen to the Colonel. The only way to stop her would be to physically restrain her, a step he wasn't all that anxious to take. It didn't help that he agreed with her. Leaving the Commander and the Lieutenant to die when it could be prevented went against everything he believed in. And he was pretty sure the Colonel would fight if he tried to stop her. That could injure her more - something he was supposed to prevent. On the other hand, the militia could easily kill all three of them as a way of getting rid of any evidence. Walters quietly let loose with an impressive string of profanity and then hurried after Mac.
Militia Camp
Holly Springs Nat'l. Forest, MS
0805 Local
Lauren looked over at Harm, her eyes wide, "That sounded like... "
Harm nodded, "... a gunshot." They were back in the little dining area where Harm had eaten dinner with the Reverend yesterday. He'd been surprised to find Lauren there as well. She told him that Trask had sent one of his gorillas to her quarters and said her presence was requested at breakfast. There'd been little room for debate. Harm resisted the urge to fidget, Singer was nervous enough for both of them. That shot had sounded like it came from within the building. What the hell was Trask up to? Last night, he hadn't questioned any of Harm's theories about Koslov and 'Archangel'.
Harm and Singer exchanged uneasy glances when a beaming Reverend Trask swept into the room.
"Good morning, Commander, Lieutenant. I trust everyone slept well?" Trask continued to grin as they both nodded somewhat hesitantly, "Please, have a seat." He politely held the chair for Lt. Singer. As before, once everyone was seated, the orderlies came out and began filling the table with food. When they left and the Reverend had said grace, he looked over at Harm, "After we've finished, I have a number of things to discuss with you, Commander." He then concentrated on his meal. Trask glanced over at Singer after a few minutes. She hadn't touched anything. "I beg your pardon, my dear, isn't the food to your liking?"
Lauren stared at Trask, "What's going to happen to me?" Her knuckles were white as she twisted her napkin back and forth in her lap. For some reason or other, Koslov had apparently handed her over to the Reverend and the militia.
The Reverend sighed, "Lieutenant, I have a policy of never discussing business while eating. Meals are so much more pleasant that way. Please enjoy your breakfast and I'll be happy to talk about anything you wish afterwards." He turned back to Harm and began a discussion about jazz music. Lauren stared for a moment longer and then slowly began to eat.
Halfway through their meal, a disturbance in the hallway attracted one of Trask's guards. He came back in and went over to the Reverend. "Sir? One of the patrol leaders is in the hallway, he wants to speak to you right now."
Trask dabbed at his lips with a napkin before looking coldly at the guard. "I thought I'd made it plain that I am not to be disturbed while enjoying a meal. Tell the man to wait in my office, I'll be there directly." When the guard remained standing at the table, his eyebrows went up in surprise and then began to lower dangerously. He said softly, "I should hate to have to repeat myself, Harper... "
Harm and Lauren watched the blood drain from Harper's face as he mumbled something and fled. The two shared another quick glance and then looked back at Trask. He was still scowling slightly, then noticed their gaze and smiled, "Please forgive the intrusion, sir, madam." He looked at Harm, "Where were we?"
At last, the Reverend pushed back from the table and sighed, "That was delicious, as always." He looked at the two officers, "I hope you found everything satisfactory?" He smiled happily when they both nodded. They all waited silently as the orderlies came in and cleared away the table. When they had finished, Trask leaned back, "I believe you both had several questions this morning?"
Harm glanced at Singer and then cleared his throat warily, "Well, Reverend, the Lieutenant and I thought we heard a pistol shot a little while ago... ."
Trask tapped a finger on the table, "Ahhh yes... I suppose that's to be expected, the walls are so thin in buildings nowadays." He looked at Harm and smiled warmly, "Our discussion last night helped me make several difficult decisions. I had been putting it off, but this morning I just went ahead and had it done. Now it feels like a huge weight has been lifted. I had no idea it had been vexing me so much."
Harm eyed Trask, he had a pretty good idea what had happened but he needed to confirm it. He asked cautiously, "What did you have done, sir?"
Trask looked at him in surprise, "I allowed Captain Koslov the opportunity to look upon the face of God, Commander." He leaned forward and said conspiratorially, "Personally, I think it will take some time in Purgatory before that happens. He wasn't a nice man."
The Reverend looked over at Singer who was staring at him, white-faced and wide-eyed. "You wished to know what was going to happen to you?" He leaned back again and resumed tapping his fingers, "Well, Commander Rabb wants you released. I agreed to that earlier. However," he nodded apologetically at Harm, "there have been some complications of which I've just been made aware. Were either of you aware that Captain Koslov had arranged to fulfill an old contract made by Charlie Jacobs and some foreign gentlemen? It was to be Colonel MacKenzie, which unfortunately, is now impossible." He gazed sympathetically at the two officers who were staring at him aghast. "Apparently, rather than take the obvious solution and cancel the contract, he was hoping to have them agree to a substitution. Their representatives will be here sometime around noon."
"What are you going to do?" Harm could practically feel the waves of panic radiating off Lt. Singer. She was sitting frozen in her chair. There had to be a way to stop this!
Trask tilted his head to one side, "I really haven't decided yet. It is a great deal of money... " He stood up abruptly, "If you'll excuse me, I really do need to get to work. I'm sure you understand." He smiled pleasantly, "Preston and Nichols will escort you back to your quarters. Perhaps we can have lunch together later today." Nodding to them, he turned and walked out.
Vicinity of Militia Camp
Holly Springs Nat'l. Forest, MS
0850 Local
Mac tensed when she heard the Gunny come up beside her. She didn't bother looking at him. She was unsteady enough that all her concentration was involved in staying upright and moving forward. Mac couldn't help breathing a small sigh of relief when she felt Gunny place a supporting hand under her elbow. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"The Admiral is going to bust me all the way down to crossing guard for this, ma'am," Walters grumbled.
"I'll probably be right beside you, Gunny," Mac said wryly.
He snorted, "You've got the easy part, ma'am. All you have to do is face down a million militia men. I get to tell the Admiral what you're doing. A caring officer wouldn't put a non-com through something like that."
Mac chuckled, "If you're trying to guilt-trip me into letting you face the million militia men and me telling the Admiral, you can just forget it. 'Be Kind to Gunnery Sergeants' was last week."
They were quiet for a moment while negoitating a rough area of terrain. Walters glanced over at Mac, "So, Colonel Custer, any plan for dealing with your million militia men?"
"I haven't decided. It's a toss-up between running like hell and surrounding them. You have any ideas on dealing with the Admiral?"
"I figure the straight-forward approach. Then he can go ahead and kill me on the spot. What the hell, you can only die once, right?"
Mac gave him a sideways look, "Obviously, you've never dealt with Admiral's Privilege before." They gradually lapsed into silence as they drew nearer the militia camp.
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