HONOR AND BETRAYAL PT 24 / 58
***************************
INT
JAG OPS
2200 HOURS
Briefcase in hand and decked out in his dress blues, Harrm
enters the bullpen quite unexpectedly after being on medical for four
weeks. Personnel present are working busily at their desks including
the Gunny, who is diligently keyboarding on his computer while speaking on the
telephone the receiver pinned between his shoulder and his ear. Tiner
exits the Admiral's office and is the first to notice Commander Rabb's entrance,
his expression lighting up as he walks towards Rabb.
TINER
Commander Rabb, (pauses as he reaches Rabb and
extends his hand in greeting) welcome back, sir!
The Gunny immediately takes notice as he hangs up the phone
and gazes toward Rabb and Tiner.
RABB
( extending his hand to Tiner)
Well thanks, Tiner!
The two exchange a hand shake as the Gunny approaches
them.
GUNNY
(as he reaches Rabb & Tiner)
Commander Rabb!.....Good to see you, sir!
RABB
(exchanging a hand shake with Gunny)
Likewise, Gunny!
GUNNY
I didn't realize you'd be back so soon,
sir!.....My roster shows you on medical leave until the end of next
week.
RABB
Well, officially I'm not back per se, Gunny!.......I just felt
the need to get out and kind of get my life back on track, you
know?
GUNNY
Well, I surely can relate to that, sir!
RABB
Really?
GUNNY
Yes, sir! Took a bullet once myself. Laid me up
for a couple of weeks.....but I thought you would of heard about that by
now, sir!
RABB
No!....(adding
curiously) Just a couple of weeks?
TINER
(humorously)
It wasn't anything serious, sir! He took his bullet in
the as....
GUNNY
(quickly interjecting with embarrassment)
Hip, sir!
Rabb and Tiner laugh with amusement as the Gunny glares
irritably at Tiner.
GUNNY
(trying to divert the
attention from himself)
So, how's the shoulder, sir?.......I mean.....if you don't
mind me asking?
Rabb has no time to respond to the Gunny
as Admiral Chegwidden and Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie exit the door of
the Admiral's office and immediately take notice of Harm as he stands and
converses with the Gunny and Tiner. A sudden hushness fills
the atmosphere of the bullpen as the rhythm of the office workers momentarily
comes to a complete standstill. Everyone's attention drawn to
Harm, Mac and the Admiral as the anticipation of what sort of banter would
be exchanged between the most gossiped about individuals and the upcoming
court martial. Admiral Chegwidden immediately notices the
tension in the room.
CHEGWIDDEN
Commander Rabb!........My office if you please!
The Admiral retreats into his office
RABB
(dreadfully)
Yes sir!
Harm and Mac make there way across the bullpen towards one
another. As they meet, each pauses momentarily in greeting both aware of
the fact that they are the center of attention.
RABB
(greeting Mac with a nod and speaking softly so as to keep
their conversation private)
Mac!..........Are you officially back on duty?
MAC
No!....You?
RABB
No!.....(indicating the Admiral's office) What kind of
mood is he in?
MAC
All things considered, .....he's not in too bad of a
mood! Just don't you dare go telling him that you're going to
willfully disobey his orders, Harm!....He may see fit to throw you in the brig
and put you on bread and water for a month!
Mac grins at Harm and then walks off towards her office
leaving Harm somewhat amused by her sense of humor in spite of her own personal
circumstances.
RABB
(slightly smiling as he watches Mac walk away)
Yes ma'am!
***************************
INT
ADMIRAL'S OFFICE
Harm enters to find the Admiral standing by the window gazing
out. He walks to the front of the Admiral's desk, and pauses
as he observes the Admiral for a long moment.
RABB
(trying to gain the Admiral's attention)
Sir?
The Admiral turns from the window and observes Rabb
momentarily.
ADMIRAL
(stepping away from the window and walking toward Harm)
What's the matter, Commander?... Has four weeks of medical
leave gotten on your nerves?
RABB
To say the least sir!.......It will be good to get back to
work!
The Admiral reaches Rabb and extends his hand in
greeting
ADMIRAL
I quite agree!.....You've been missed!
RABB
(somewhat surprised as he accepts the Admiral's hand in
greeting)
Thank you sir!
ADMIRAL
Has your doctor given you a
clean bill of health?
RABB
Well, no sir, not exactly!
ADMIRAL
Then what are you doing here, Commander?
RABB
I just thought I'd get a jump on things, sir.
ADMIRAL
Really! Well, I certainly appreciate the dedication,
Commander! .....How's the shoulder?
RABB
Fine, sir!
ADMIRAL
Still in therapy?
RABB
Yes sir, but my therapist promises that it shouldn't be
necessary for too much longer.
ADMIRAL
Well, that's good! But, it
sounds to me like you're still not quit up to speed as far as returning to
work, Commander. However, seeing you're here, we may as
well make the best of it. (indicating one of the leather chairs standing before
his desk) Have a seat.
Rabb takes the chair as indicated and
Admiral Chegwidden walks to the chair behind his desk.
ADMIRAL
(as he takes his
seat)
When we last spoke,
Commander, you seemed to have a great deal of animosity towards your commanding
officer. Has that changed at all?
RABB
Does it matter, sir?
ADMIRAL
(irritably)
Would I be asking if it didn't?
RABB
No sir, I suppose not!
ADMIRAL
Then I'd like to hear you're answer,
Commander. And please, speak freely!
RABB
Sir, if your question is whether or not I feel any differently
about defending Captain Peterson,.... then no sir,..... my feelings haven't
changed.
ADMIRAL
Feelings of animosity can get in the way of doing ones
job, Commander!
RABB
Well Admiral, the same could be said for being ordered to
defend a man accused of of a violent crime against a close friend and
associate. Wouldn't you agree, sir?
ADMIRAL
(Taking a deep breath, he attempts to remain tolerant of what
he perceives as arrogance on Harm's part)
Commander, I don't believe I should have to remind you that
you are a JAG attorney first and foremost and that it is your duty to defend all
of your clients to the best of your ability.
RABB
I am aware of my duties, Admiral,..... as always!
ADMIRAL
Good!......Because if that
is clear to you, then you must also be aware that your own personal
feelings should have no bearing on how you execute those duties!
RABB
Respectfully, sir!.....I came here this
afternoon in the hopes that you would reconsider both of our positions in
this matter but it is obvious to me that you plan on remaining steadfast
in your decision. With that said, sir, I am prepared to accept
my responsibilities as Captain Peterson's defense counsel. However, as
much as I will strive not to allow my personal feelings in this matter to
interfere or impede my performance as his defense counsel, I cannot
guarantee it with certainty and I am prepared to face whatever consequences that
may befall me should I fail in executing my duties faithfully and to the best of
my ability....Sir!
ADMIRAL
Well, .......I certainly appreciate your candor,
Commander! ..........And it's for the very reason that you've just stated
that I've decided to assign Commander Brumby to act as second chair in
Captain Peterson's defense.
RABB
(objecting)
Sir, Brumby and I......
ADMIRAL
(with determination)
You'll get past it, Commander! Brumby's got a hell
of a lot more experience than Lieutenant Roberts in such cases, and that makes
him better suited for the job.
RABB
What job would that be, Sir? Monitoring my
emotions?
ADMIRAL
(his eyes widening with irritability at Rabb's
arrogance)
Commander, you are treading on dangerous ground here.......in
more ways than one!.....Accept my judgement!.......Work with
Brumby.
RABB
(irritably)
Yes sir!
ADMIRAL
Captain Peterson has no problem with Brumby sitting second
chair in this. The Commander 's already familiar with the case and
will be there to assist you wherever necessary.
Rabb is drawn into silence for a long moment as he observes
the concern in the Admiral's expression.
RABB
(the tone of his voice softening knowing his next question
would anger his commanding officer)
I guess the stakes are really high on this one,
aren't they sir?
ADMIRAL
(his voice rising as his irritability towards Rabb
increases)
Mister Rabb, by that question, just exactly what are you
inferring?
RABB
Permission to speak freely, Admiral?
ADMIRAL
I don't see where you've been having a problem with it so far,
Commander!....So please go right ahead!
RABB
(somewhat hesitantly)
Well, Admiral,.... I feel as though I am being used as some
sort of pawn in the grand scheme of things and quite frankly, sir,........ I
resent it!
ADMIRAL
There is no conspiracy here, Rabb!
RABB
With respect, sir, but Captain Peterson doesn't
want me solely for my lawyering skills! You know it, and I know
it! Someone on up the ranks wants an acquittal, and they don't
particularly care how it comes about. The way I see it, Peterson's going
to win this either way because if I defend him with no holes barred, I'll get
him an acquittal......I have no doubts there. But if for some reason
I fail in some way with Peterson's defense, a mistrial could possibly be
declared or it all could all be overturned on appeal due to an inadequate
defense.
ADMIRAL
You're reaching, Commander!
RABB
Am I, sir?.....You said yourself that my being assigned as
Peterson's defense counsel was out of your hands. Question is, whose hands
is it in? The SECNAV's, or does it go higher than that?
ADMIRAL
(warning in his tone of voice)
Commander! I'd watch what you're
intimating!
RABB
Why, sir?....It's the truth, isn't it?
ADMIRAL
Commander!
RABB
And in the meantime, Sir,
where does that leave me......or more importantly, where does that leave Colonel
MacKenzie?
ADMIRAL
(standing)
Commander, I'm afraid that this conversation is
over!
Rabb's expression reveals disbelief at the Admiral's
indifference. Rabb stands his eyes meeting the Admiral's in a long intense
glare.
RABB
(observing the Admiral's demeanor)
You're in the same sort of predicament as I am, aren't you
sir? You're being torn between performing you duty as a Naval officer and
following your conscience.
ADMIRAL
(sharply and in a tone of voice indicative of a
command)
That will be all, Commander! You are
dismissed!
RABB
(with the snap of his heals,
Rabb reluctantly comes to attention)
Aye, Aye Sir!
Rabb gives the Admiral a final glance of disapproval, then he
turns and walks toward the door.
ADMIRAL
Commander Rabb.
Rabb pauses at the door and gazes back to the
Admiral.
ADMIRAL
I can neither confirm nor deny your
suspicions! But if I know you at all, a pawn you
will not be! .......But just a bit of advice,........tread lightly on this
one or there could be hell to pay for both of us.
RABB
Yes sir!
With those words, Rabb exits the office leaving the Admiral
alone his expression already revealing regret that to a certain
extent, he has inadvertently acknowledged Rabb's suspicions.
>*************************** To be
continued********************