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Chapter Thirty-Nine
Storage Shed
Militia Camp
1420 Local
Mac struggled for awareness as she fought against the blackness that was trying to devour her. It was terrifying and seductive at the same time. It promised a surcease from the pain and fear that had come to dominate her life of late. All she had to do was loosen her grip, let go and slide into oblivion. It was tempting, she was so tired. Mac wasn't even sure why she struggled except for her innate distrust of the darkness. With an effort she pulled herself one step closer to consciousness. With it came the memory of what she faced and a growing feeling of hopelessness. She found herself wavering, perhaps it would be better... easier... to let go.
Even as that thought manifested, her resolve strengthened. She'd survived too damn much in her life to slip quietly away now. If she was going down, it would be kicking and clawing. The blackness slipped a little further away. With renewed determination, she pushed harder. Abruptly, the darkness fled. In its place, semiconsciousness flowed in, in a roiling, tumultuous miasma of red-tinged gray. She felt dizzy and sick, her extremities leaden. The worst was the noise. It was a painful, deafening roar inside her head that pounded and buffeted, making it almost impossible to think. It was inexorably wearing her down. The darkness crept back in to hover at the edges. It would be a matter of time.
So overwhelmed by the turbulence, she almost missed the voice. It was familiar somehow, she knew this voice. It meant comfort and safety; it would lead her out of the maelstrom. Desperately she clung to its sound. She couldn't quite make out the words but the tone was becoming increasingly anxious. Mac concentrated harder and found the noise lessening. She could almost put a name to it... Harm! That was the voice - Harm! He was calling her, talking to her. Stubbornly, she brought more attention to bear. The noise and tumult receded still further. Now he sounded... exasperated? The words began to filter through... what was he saying? What the hell? Why that...
Mac used her outrage to focus her energies. If she could just make a fist, she'd give him 'reasons'. Dammit, she couldn't feel her hands, or her feet for that matter. Had she managed the fist? Harm's voice changed again, now he was sounding hopeful. If he thought she was going to let the stuff he was saying slide... She concentrated on prying her eyes open. Anger was proving useful.
Harm stared anxiously down at Mac, he was positive she'd squeezed his hand a moment ago. She was so still; please God, he hadn't imagined it. He glanced up to see Bell watching him uncomfortably, he'd completely forgotten about the corporal. Harm cleared his throat and said softly, "Thank you for rescuing her, Tink."
Bell managed to add embarrassment to the uncomfortable look and shrugged slightly, "I wish I'd gotten to her sooner, sir."
"Know what you mean," Harm replied quietly, returning his gaze to the still form beside him. It took him a moment to register that she was looking back. "Mac!"
*******
The Admiral stood silently for a moment after Singer finished her report. It was impossible to know if Trask was actually dead and someone had taken the body, or if he'd survived and managed to escape. From everything he'd just heard from the Lieutenant, added to what Corporal Bell had to say, he fervently hoped it was the former. He looked up in surprise when Perez came pounding around the corner and skidded to a halt. Tyler and Walters both lowered their weapons, exchanging a glance.
"Sir!" Perez rasped out, trying to get his breath. "The Feds are closing in on this area. There's militia falling back. We're going to be caught in the middle."
'Dammit!' Chegwidden looked at the young captain, "How much time do we have?"
Perez looked grim, "Not enough to get Tink or the Colonel to any sort of safety, sir. Ten minutes... maybe."
"Then we'll make a stand here," AJ started rapping out orders, sending Tyler, Walters and Singer flying. He looked back at the Captain, "Keep an eye on their progress." Perez started to turn when Chegwidden stopped him once more, "Don't take any chances, Captain, we've had enough casualities this trip." Perez nodded and was gone.
AJ spun and stalked back into the shed. He silently berated himself, he should have moved to a new location. He'd been worried about possible complications moving Corporal Bell. Now he'd just have to worry about keeping everyone alive. He threaded his way through the barricade to where Harm, Mac and Bell were staying. "Commander?"
The smile on Harm's face gave him the first good news he'd had in a while, AJ quickly closed the distance. When Harm started to stand, he waved him back down with a gruff 'as you were'. He knelt down beside them and looked over at Mac in time to see her eyes flutter open once more. "Colonel," AJ said with a quiet smile. He saw recognition flare in the dark eyes and then change to frustration. He held up a soothing hand, "Take it easy, Mac. Let the drugs wear off." He settled back on his heels and let his gaze take in all three, "We've got a problem." He saw Harm and Bell tense. "The government forces are driving into this area. Unfortunately, they're pushing the militia here as well. It's likely we're going to be caught in the crossfire. There's not much time and I've got the others doing what they can to make this position more secure." He stopped Harm from saying anything with a look, "You three are non-combatants. All I want from you is survival." He stopped and waited for the outbursts.
"Sir," Harm protested, "I'd like to help defend, there's not nearly enough of us."
Tink nodded, "I don't have to stand to be able to shoot, sir."
AJ looked at them. Damn, even Mac managed to look defiant. "No. We're not trying to get into the fight, we're trying to stay out of it. With a little luck, the Feds will push through quickly and we can be evacuated."
"And, hopefully, they won't mistake us for militia and try to blow us off the face of the earth. ... Sir." Harm grumbled.
AJ glared at him for a moment, "That, too." He paused, the ever-present gunfire was becoming noticeably louder. He looked at Harm, "You still armed?" Harm nodded, pointing to the machine pistol lying near him on a small crate. AJ looked at Bell and then tossed him a pistol. He rose to a crouch and swept his gaze across all three again, "Nobody dies. That's an order." He turned and made his way back to the front of the shed.
Harm looked back at Mac. Her eyes were again closed. She was drifting in and out every few minutes and still hadn't managed to speak. However, he had the distinct impression she wanted a few words with him. Actually, if Mac had heard half of what he'd said, what she probably wanted was to box his ears. He didn't care. If it meant she had fully recovered, she could take her best shot.
He looked over at Tink and then at the barricade, "Let me see if I can beef this up at all. Keep an eye on the Colonel, would you?" There really wasn't much more he could do, but it kept him from fidgeting and it certainly couldn't hurt. He was shoving a sack into an opening when Perez came pelting to the shed. He dove over the breastworks the others had hurriedly thrown together in front of the door. Harm instinctively ducked when a few bullets whizzed in high overhead. He scrambled back to Mac's side, taking up the machine pistol and sharing a look of frustration with Bell. They couldn't see a damn thing. He glanced down and rested a hand lightly on Mac's shoulder. Although her eyes remained closed, the physical contact reassured him. Now, there was nothing to do but wait. He was going to hate every minute.
Three militia men turned the corner in their pursuit of Perez, firing as they ran. They stopped in surprise at the sight of a barrier in front of the shed doorway. They scattered to take advantage of whatever cover was available and sent a few desultory shots towards the shed. One man detached himself from the group and ran back the way they had come.
Chegwidden stayed hidden behind the barricade. Walters and Singer crouched there too, waiting AJ's signal to fire. He hadn't been sure of the wisdom of letting the Lieutenant join in the fighting. Vaguely, he wished it was Mac instead - he had no question of her ability in combat. But Singer had argued her point and he needed every able body he could get. Hopefully, if there was a problem, he and Walters could cover. Tyler and Perez would be backup, in addition to watching their flanks. Singer shifted, nervously readjusted her grip on the rifle and shifted again. AJ looked over at her and whispered, "Easy does it, Lieutenant. We're stalling for time." She shot him a look and stayed still.
Clearly, the lack of response was puzzling the militia men. They knew for sure that Perez was in there, they had expected return fire. Suspicious of some sort of trap, the two men remained where they were. AJ was content to wait with them. Every minute brought the Feds closer, if he could get out of this without firing a shot, so much the better.
Tyler and Perez were at opposite corners of the shed. One good thing about the aerating the shed had received earlier, it had left numerous places to look out. Tyler glanced over at the Captain before returning to scanning his side of the shed. He was pretty sure he'd be a lot more rattled if he'd been the one being shot at and chased. Movement at the edge of his field of vision riveted his attention. He shifted to another spot. 'Damn!' Tyler gestured for Perez's attention, jerked his thumb to the outside and held up four fingers. He sank lower to the ground while Perez silently wormed his way through the barricade to signal Rabb and Bell to stay out of sight. As the men slowly crept up alongside the shed, Tyler tracked their progress through the bullet holes. He was aware of Perez coming up beside him. The Captain motioned towards the last two men and brought his shotgun to his shoulder. Tyler did the same, focusing on the front two. They were almost to the corner of the shed. Tyler could feel Perez slowly tapping against his foot. On the third tap, the two opened fire, blowing fist-sized holes through the side of the shed. Two militia men went down to stay, the others hit the ground and began scrambling away in a panic.
Harm jumped in spite of himself, the shotguns going off in an enclosed area made his ears ring. He felt Mac jerk under his hand and allowed himself a slight smile. It was his first indication since he reunited with her that she was recovering motor control. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and returned to surveying the area.
AJ thought he would jump out of his skin when the double shotgun blast reverberated through the shed. At the same time, he caught the movement beside him. He clamped a hand on Singer's arm, aware that Walters had done the same from the other side. Together, they kept her from leaping to her feet in panicked surprise. "Stand down!" he said in a harsh whisper to the still struggling Lieutenant. She subsided, her breathing still rapid. The two militia men were also surprised. It was a full thirty seconds before they opened fire. It died away quickly. Chegwidden could almost feel their uncertainty. Silently, he urged them to cut their losses and bypass his location.
His hopes were dashed when more militia suddenly spilled out of the alleyway. It was little consolation that most were looking back up the alleyway. There were more than enough to overwhelm his little group if they were properly handled. The gunfire flared up again, most of it directed to the alley. AJ swore under his breath when a group broke away and headed for the shed. Obviously, they wanted to take a stand there. They came firing as they ran, no doubt hoping to keep anyone in the shed pinned down until they could reach it. Poor tactics any way you looked at it, Chegwidden was surprised they weren't hitting each other. He held up a hand and waited, letting them get closer. Abruptly, he dropped his hand, he and Walters popped up from behind the barricade and opened fire. A moment later and, to her credit, Singer opened fire as well.
The concentrated barrage wiped out the approaching group and sent the rest of the militia reeling. Confused by the disciplined onslaught from an unexpected quarter, a number of the men threw down their weapons and raised their hands over their heads. The rest scattered - away from the shed - and AJ breathed a sigh of relief. Now they would wait for the Feds.
The black-suited Federal agents flooded into the area minutes later, sweeping up prisoners and weapons. Half a dozen broke off and cautiously approached the shed, checking among the fallen militia men for survivors. Slowly, AJ stood up, hands in the air. Immediately, weapons were focused on him. He took a breath and bellowed, "I am Admiral AJ Chegwidden, the Naval Judge Advocate General. I have wounded that require medical attention."
There was silence for a moment and then an agent yelled back, "Whoever else is in the shed, put down your weapons and come out with your hands up."
AJ scowled and glanced over at Walters and Singer. They, too, slowly rose with hands raised. Behind him, Perez and Tyler appeared in the doorway. Agents swarmed around them, gathering weapons and shoving them against the shed wall. Keeping his growing anger in check, AJ glared as one of the agents approached. "Contact Agent Ramos and tell him I'm here and I have my people back. Some of them are hurt."
The agent stared back, ignoring what Chegwidden had said, "Is there anyone else in there?"
The Admiral looked at him in exasperation, "Yes, I've told you that. I have wounded. Call Ramos!" The agent turned away and gestured. Three other agents started into the shed. With a muttered oath, AJ swung towards the shed, ignoring the weapons suddenly aimed at him, "Rabb! Those are Federal agents coming in! Hold your fire!" He turned back to the agent, "Nothing better happen to them, young man, or I'll see to it your next duty station is in the Artic Circle."
The agent opened his mouth to retort only to be cut off. "McElroy!" An older agent was rapidly approaching. "What's going on?" he said as he came up beside the first agent. He glanced at AJ and others and then did a double-take. "Admiral Chegwidden?" He stuck out a hand and smiled, "I'm the ASAC, Mike Donnelly. You've had Ramos sweating bullets." He took in the scene around him and his expression darkened, "What the hell is this?"
AJ smiled grimly, "I believe Mr. McElroy thinks we're part of the militia."
Donnelly's eyes widened a little, "Didn't you identify yourselves?" Not waiting for AJ's answer, he pinned McElroy with a glare, "Did you have cotton in your ears during the briefing, Mr. McElroy?" He paused while the hapless agent sputtered. "We'll be discussing this at length, once we get back to the office. Meanwhile, why don't you go assist in the mopping up?" He waited until McElroy had left and turned back to AJ, "I'm sorry Admiral." He stopped again when an agent walked out of the shed, followed by Commander Rabb. He took in Harm's appearance and turned to AJ in surprise, "You have wounded?"
Chegwidden growled in frustration, "I've been saying that. No one's been listening. Colonel MacKenzie, Corporal Bell and Commander Rabb, here, all require medical assistance." He looked over at Rabb, "Any problems, Commander?" Harm shook his head.
"I'll have McElroy's ass for this!" Donnelly muttered angrily. He pulled out a handheld and started barking orders, walking away as he spoke. A few minutes later, he was back. "The choppers will land as soon as we finish securing this area. Should be about ten minutes, there's EMTs onboard and we'll evacuate all of you at that time. Again, Admiral, I'm sorry." He shook AJ's hand and then trotted back to his men.
Chegwidden looked over at Harm, "It's over."
"Almost." Harm replied.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1840 Local
AJ and Gunny Walters nodded to the Marine guard outside Mac's door and after tapping lightly, entered the room. Harm was sprawled in one chair with his feet up on another. Somewhere along the line, he had appropriated hospital scrubs to wear. His eyes opened when he heard the door. He swung his feet off and started to rise when he saw the Admiral walk in. Chegwidden motioned for him to stay seated and went over to stand beside him. The three men gazed at the sleeping Marine Colonel and then AJ looked at Harm. "Has she been awake at all?" He'd just spent the last hour buttonholing various doctors on everyone's condition.
"No sir," Harm said, "They gave her a mild sedative in addition to the antibiotics they're pumping in." He gestured towards the IV and then grimaced slightly, "She doesn't know about the diet restrictions yet." Whateverthehell drug Trask had given her had damaged her stomach lining. Harm was pretty sure he didn't want to be in the same room when Mac found out she faced two weeks of a diet in which the high point would be oatmeal.
AJ glanced back at Walters and both men smiled, "I think her doctor's about to qualify for combat pay." He looked down at Harm, "Weren't you supposed to be resting in your quarters?"
Harm shrugged a little umcomfortably, "I can rest here, just as easily. I thought Mac would feel better seeing a familiar face when she woke up." He decided to change the subject before the Admiral pursued it further, "How is Corporal Bell?"
"The surgery went well. With the bullet removed, the swelling will go down and take pressure off the spinal cord. He's looking at a full recovery."
"That's good to hear," Harm said, smiling. "He and Ensign Tyler did a helluva job down there."
"They certainly did," AJ agreed, "I'll make sure that's reflected in their permanent records and I think I'll be discussing their current career plans with them." He looked at his watch and then at Harm, "Have you eaten yet, Commander?" When Harm shook his head, AJ continued, "Why don't you join me? I was going to grab something at the hospital cafeteria. Gunny can stay here with Mac. We won't be long."
Harm didn't really want to leave Mac but an Admiral's request was pretty much the same as an order. Besides, now that Chegwidden had brought it up, he found he was hungry. "Yes sir", he said as he stood up. He smiled at Walters and gestured towards the chair, "Make yourself comfortable, Gunny." Walters waited until the two men had left the room before settling down to keep watch.
Hospital Cafeteria
Memphis NAS
1915 Local
AJ sipped his coffee and watched while Harm finished up the remainder of his salad. "So, Commander, it's obvious that both you and Perez think there's still a threat to Mac on this base and I'll trust your judgement in the matter. Why do you think all of this wasn't orchestrated by Captain Koslov?"
Harm dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, thought for a moment and said, "A lot of it is gut instinct, sir. The first two attempts seemed planned but were poorly executed, like the people doing it were out of their league. I think after the first attempt, Capt. Koslov just took advantage to muddy the waters. He probably got nervous when Tyler and Bell went to the motor pool and then decided to take action on his own. I've got a theory about all this. I'll start checking it out tomorrow morning."
AJ scowled a little, "Not without backup, you won't. I'll have Gunny Walters stick with you."
"But sir, I was hoping he could stay with Mac," Harm protested. "It's not that I don't trust Perez's men, but I'd rather have someone she knows and trusts in the room."
"I'll stay with her, Commander," AJ said. "The Colonel and I need to talk."
Harm nodded a little numbly. With everything that had happened, he'd managed to forget what Mac had planned. Goddammit! The thought of Mac working for Webb full-time scared the hell out of him. He didn't trust any of the CIA operatives to watch her back. ... Well... He knew Clay would do his damnest to make sure she was safe but the very nature of the work was predicated against it. He looked up to see Chegwidden regarding him patiently. Jesus H. Christ, how do you tell a two-star that he better not screw up?
He started to open his mouth when AJ held up a forefinger and shook it slightly, "Don't bother, Rabb. I know the stakes." Chegwidden stood up, "Let's get back, Commander." He grinned wryly, "I will assume you're spending the night in the Colonel's room. I'll have Gunny pick you up in the morning, along with a fresh uniform."
Mac's Room
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1900 Local
Walters sat and watched Mac sleep. He was going to need some decompression time himself after the last couple of days or so. He'd been seriously thinking about asking for a transfer to a combat unit like Galindez had. He smiled to himself, what the hell had he been thinking? All he had to do was hang around the Colonel and Commander Rabb. All the combat he could stand, complete with all the conveniences of home. He would defend his country from the enemies within.
He refocused his attention when the Colonel began to shift. Walters stood up and leaned on the rail of the bed. She continued to move restlessly. He cautiously put out a hand, mindful that the last time she was awake it had been in a hostile situation. "Colonel?" he said softly. "Ma'am? Can you hear me? It's Gunny Walters, ma'am and you're safe. We're at the base hospital in Memphis."
"Memphis?" Mac's eyes opened slowly, her voice soft and rasping, "Gunny?"
"Yes ma'am, just a moment." He poured a glass of water and helped her take a few sips.
"Is everyone all right, Gunny?" Her gaze took in the rest of the room, "Is Harm okay?" Knowing how Harm tended to hover, his absence was scaring her.
"The Commander's fine, ma'am. Admiral Chegwidden made him go get something to eat. They should both be back pretty soon. Everyone else is okay or will be. Corporal Bell's surgery went well, they're expecting a full recovery and the Commander's wounds weren't that serious." He grimaced to himself, he probably should have left off about Rabb.
"What?!" Mac tried to push herself upright only to be stopped by Gunny's hand on her shoulder. She lay back and looked at him in exasperation, "What happened?"
"Corporal Bell was the one Trask had carry you, ma'am. When he got to the buyers' vehicle, he knocked one of them down and started running. He took a round in the back that barely slowed him down and then literally ran into Ensign Tyler. Tyler took down some of the guys that were pursuing you and y'all took cover in a storage shed. Then we found you and a little later, Rabb and Singer found us. Eventually the Feds found everybody and here we are."
Mac stared at him, "Bell will be all right?" Gunny nodded. "How did Harm get hurt?"
Walters ran a hand through his hair, he didn't want to upset her. "He ran into Trask while looking for you. They got into a fight, Trask had a knife. Singer managed to shoot him, eventually."
"Tell me that son of a bitch is dead." Mac's voice was almost a whisper.
Gunny shifted uncomfortably, "We don't know for sure, ma'am. The body disappeared."
He watched her struggle to digest that unwelcome bit of news and then she asked a question that surprised him, "How long have I been here at the hospital?"
Gunny stared at her, "You don't know, ma'am? I thought... I mean... "
Mac offered him a ghost of a smile, "It helps if I'm awake. I'm pretty sure the last time was 4 hours and 53 minutes ago, but it's pretty hazy. I'm not sure where I was."
Walters looked at her for a moment, "What's the last thing you remember?"
Mac's brow furrowed, "Clearly? 7 hours and 21 minutes ago, eating lunch with Trask and feeling everything go numb while he told me he had laced my food with an animal tranquilizer." Her voice shook slightly, "He told me the buyers were there for me and he didn't want a fight. Said it would be... easier... with the drugs. I called him a bastard and he knocked me out of my chair."
Gunny's hands clenched on the bedrail, that son of a bitch! Although the Colonel was still looking at him, he could tell she wasn't seeing him anymore. He heard a slight noise behind him and turned to see Rabb and Chegwidden in the doorway. Judging from the looks on their faces, they'd heard what he'd heard. He looked back at Mac and said softly, "Colonel?" When she refocused on him, he directed her attention to the two men in the doorway. "Why don't I let the Commander fill you in on the rest?" He stepped to the side as Harm came hurrying up. The Admiral followed a little more slowly.
"Harm! Are you okay?" Mac saw the Admiral reach the bedside and tried once more to sit up.
Harm put a hand out at the same time that AJ motioned for her to stay. "As you were, Colonel." He gave her a small smile, "As happy as I am that you're awake, I think the Gunny and I will leave now and catch up with you in the morning." He looked over at Harm, "Do not keep her up past her bedtime, Commander." He gestured to Gunny and the two men left the room.
Harm watched them leave, then leaned on the bedrail and looked at Mac. She looked back a trifle anxiously, "Harm?"
"I'm fine, Mac. They barely qualify as scratches." He was vaguely aware that he was wearing a small, silly grin, "I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling?" Without thinking about it, he brushed her hair away from her forehead and lightly rested his hand on the side of her face.
Mac blinked a little, then decided to enjoy the moment. Reality would, no doubt, intrude soon enough. "Right now, I'm just relieved to be feeling anything."
Harm's smile got a little wider before he assumed a mock serious look, "You have no idea how relieved I am. It's your fault I keep getting gray hairs."
"Excuse me? I think the guy you want to blame is Father Time," Mac arched an eyebrow at him. Trust Harm to take the right approach to keep her from being overwhelmed by her memories. Now if he could just keep the nightmares at bay...
"Ooo, that hurts, Marine," Harm clapped a hand dramatically to his chest while giving her a wounded look.
"Sure that's not rheumatism?" Mac asked innocently, trying not to laugh at his silliness.
"Keep it up," he growled with a glint in his eye and just a hint of a smile, "and I'll show you old."
"I might just take you up on that," Mac grinned, "I like mature men."
"Do tell?" Harm said with a wicked gleam. He leaned in closer.
"Actually, I don't tell... " she said softly, watching as he steadily closed the distance between them. He kissed her gently and then pulled back with a smile. Mac looked at him quizzically. "Harm?"
He tilted his head to one side and his eyes took on a mischevious look, "Think of it as a security deposit. With the wondrous knowledge of my advanced age, I'm aware of how impulsive you young people can be." He waved his hand at the room, "And in my infinite wisdom, it has occurred to me that A.) this is not the most opportune place and B.) you are not in the optimum shape for prolonged face-sucking." Harm settled back looking pleased with himself.
He watched smugly as Mac stared at him, mouthing the words 'face-sucking'. She leaned back into the pillows with a groan, one hand covering her face. After a moment, the fingers spread and one eye peered out, "What if I said I'm a Marine, I can take it?" He shook his head and the hand closed again. She dropped it with a sigh and looked at him, "A security deposit?"
Harm smiled and then said more seriously, "Well, probably more of a token of good faith. I think once we're back in D.C., it's time we had that talk. Preferably, death-threat and injury free."
Mac's reply was cut off when there was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal a somewhat nervous-looking, young doctor. Harm stifled a groan, the room was about to be occupied by a very pissed-off Marine Colonel.
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