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Title: Nightingale: New Beginnings
Author: TZMaverick
Classification: Harm/Mac; Skates/Other
Type: Crossover - West Wing & Aero Girl’s story - Clearing Skies
Rating: 13 (Adult Situations, Language)
Spoilers: Up to True Callings, Everything Afterwards Never Happens
Feedback: Welcomed But Not Expected
Feedback email: TZMaverick@xxxxxxxx.xxxx
Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only. These characters belong to CBS, Paramount and DPB.
Author's Notes: This is my opinion and not to offend any other writers but I consider Aero Girl and Startrails68 in the top 5 of all the JAG fan fiction writers available today. (One of my other top 5 writers, is semi-retired.) So, this series (I hope) is totally dedicated to them.
Author’s Note 2: Thank you Laura for giving up your time to ‘Beta’ read my work … Give that I write as I talk sometimes - it makes your job awhole lot more difficult.
Monday 09 September 2002
HQ JAG
Washington, DC.
‘This didn’t turn out the way I had planned for it to work. It was suppose to remove people ahead of me in my quest of becoming the first woman JAG. Instead of that, it places them closer. First there was Meg, the over grown horse from Texas … the rumor had Chegwidden recalling her to HQ, which I got stopped by the brilliant idea of using her for the unknown executive officers slot. Why didn’t I think that she would still keep her designator as a JAG? “Stupid … stupid … stupid.” To compound the problem, Howie asked me to help in selecting the second XO but she had to be a JAG. So, after a weeks worth of research through JAG’s “Golden Boy’s” record, I pull out Catlin Pike’s name. I know that he gets to pick who he works with and everyone he had chosen has a better court record winning percentage than me, after being teamed with him.’ Lieutenant Loren Singer thought as she was packing up her office to move out of HQ. JAG operations had gone through a major building renovation over the summer, and they found room to make a 4th office in the operations section. The paint was barely dried when she requested to move into the new office, and barely two months later, she was being kicked out of it to make room for the two Air Wing JAGs. ‘Shoot … shoot.’ Loren heard someone knocking on her door.
“Enter.”
“Lieutenant Singer, Colonel MacKenzie sent me over here to give you a hand in getting moved and settled into your new office.” Lieutenant Coates smiled as she greeted Loren.
“Don’t I know you? “ Loren suddenly sat down into the chair not believing her eyes as she saw the full Lieutenant stripes on Jen’s sleeves.
“Yes, you do know me. Since we are the same rank now, what should we call each other?”
“By first names, I guess. When did you get your commission?”
“Good, I’m Jen. I pinned on these bars the day I graduated from RIO school. Captain Rabb had something to do with it … I was expecting to be an Ensign or 2nd Lieutenant. We will be seeing each other a lot in the future. Cap told us this morning that this office here would be the one that we would be using.”
“Jen, you lost me there? I thought that Commanders Pike and Austin would be using this office. Just who is from your squadron is going to use it since Captain Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie still maintain offices here?”
“Commander Austin will be sharing Cap’s office, while Commander Pike shares the Colonel’s. As for this office, there will be eight of us, including me, sharing it. Cap asked for two volunteers from each flight to attend law school, and made arrangements with the Admiral to allow us to do some legal work when we are home.”
The news shocked Loren so much, that she didn’t know what to say. She has worked hard to remove two females ahead of her that was in her way to become the Navy’s first female JAG. Now, there were 8 more women plus those two in her way. She got up with a real bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. ‘If they ever found out who was actually behind the assignments, I’ll be shoveling snow for the rest of my career. I’ve got to find a way to transfer out of headquarters.’
23 September 2002
NG Headquarters
“When do we expect the Navy to place their order for the new Tomcats?” CEO Patrick Mounds asked his people sitting around the conference room table.
“Our best guess is January when the new military budget is approved since the contracts for this year are almost completed. It use to be different when their budget went from 1 September to 1 September but after they cancelled the last contract order, they changed to 1 January to 1 January.” VP Ronald Meeks said quietly.
“Ok, we can deal with that. Have the engineers figured out any way to improve our product to make some of the gripes the Navy has about them go away?”
“Yes. The penny pinchers at the crystal palace want to cut down of the number of sub-contractors they have to deal with when they need spare parts for the various fighters they have in the military. Except for the airframe, gun, and radar … we have re-worked the entire bird to fit this concept. Our test pilots all agree that these ‘new’ models exceed what the Joint Tactical Fighter brings to the table. All the ‘new’ parts we used are top of the line items, which are being used in the Air Force and F/A-18 programs. The only new contract the military will need to draw up is with General Electric; they make the new engines for the F-14 Echo. The programming for the AIM-120s is finished and all that is needed there is to have the Navy bring the birds to us to install the new attack computer. We currently have four Echoes ready to be delivered whenever, or if the Navy decides to order them.”
“Sir, do you think the Navy would consider doing a swap out of the 16 birds we just gave them for the Echoes? That way, since they are an operational squadron flying CAPs since 911, they would see that the Echoes are a better deal than the D models.” Eric Weber looked up as the thought crossed his mind.
“Clare, call your friend and see if it is possible?” Ron asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Anyone else have anything?” Ron looked around the table to see everyone shake their heads ‘no.’
26 September 2002
Northrop-Grumman Hanger
St Augustine, Fl.
Four Blue F-14s broke formation, landed on Northrop’s main runway in St. Augustine, Florida, and taxied to the hanger where they picked up the aircraft from just a few months ago. The eight-crew slowly got out of the planes, and after doing their normal arrival ‘dance’, they proceeded inside.
“Welcome back to NG Florida, Captain Rabb. I’m the CEO of NG, Patrick Mounds. Did you have a safe and uneventful flight?”
“Yes, we were headed home from flying a CAP over Miami when we received a call to report here. Do you have any idea as to why we were ordered to come here?”
“Certainly, if y’all will follow me into the conference room. I will explain everything to you as to why.”
Once they were seated around the table, refreshments were offered to the crews. Then Patrick got down to business. “Captain, we here at NG have been working to improve the Tomcat and to get rid of the numerous gripes the Navy has had about them in the past. We think we have them solved, and have received permission from the White House to swap out the aircraft in your squadron with the new F-14E Models. We currently have four finished to start the process, and we will have four per week until all sixteen have been swapped out. In order to broker this deal, we were have aware to you have two spare crews that have to fly different planes every time they go anywhere. Everyone at NG believes that the Echo will make the Navy reevaluate their need to replace the Tomcat for a different airframe.”
Patrick paused to take a drink of water before continuing. “So, we are going to re-do the simulator we just installed at your hanger with the new software and hardware required for the Echoes, give you two planes for your spare crews, and swap out your spare part inventory with the Echo parts. If you turn your attention to the screen in the front of the room, our test pilots and engineers have provided a small slide show to show you the improvements we have made to the plane.” ‘The board thinks we’re giving away the farm on this deal but they’re not looking at the future but only the bottom line. If they would just look at the potential of a contract for the Echoes versus the Supers – they would see that we will break even after the purchase of eight planes.’
40 Minutes Later
“Mr. Mounds, this is strictly off the record, and not to be though of the official Navy’s viewpoint. After seeing what your test pilots and engineers have done with the plane, I feel that you have done an outstanding job in reworking the plane to bring it up to the standards the 21st century Navy requires for it’s planes. When should I send our extra crews in to pick-up their birds?”
“We will have six birds ready to be picked up Tuesday next week, if production goes according to the planned schedule. So if you would send the next four planes in that day, as well as the two crews, they will be able to get their test flights in that day and head home the next day. The reason for the 24-hr delay is to allow us here to ensure the squadron’s markings are the same as the original planes. That way it will not cause your maintenance people more work as well. And if our production goes up the creek, we will notify our White House contact and she will in-turn notify you to reschedule.”
“Very well, since we didn’t have the technical manuals or the needed documents for turning over our planes to you with us, we will send the paperwork with them as well if that’s acceptable with you.”
“Yes, it is very acceptable. Each of you are probably wondering why it seems like we are giving everything away to you and there are reasons why: 1) It allows us to by-pass the normal military testing phase that all planes go through; 2) Since you’re an active squadron, you have been sending planes into the various dog fighting training grounds. Think about the surprise looks that you will receive when you show up having the ability to use the AIM-120s.”
As Patrick paused to looked around the table, he saw the huge smiles on their faces and figured that they had been beaten a few times by the medium ranged missile the Tomcats couldn’t carry yet. They just couldn’t get within range of the Hornets to use their short-legged AIM-7s or AIM-9s against them. Every expert knew that the Tomcat held the advantage over every other fighter in the world except when they were fighting in-between the ranges of their short-legged missiles and their long-legged missiles. The overwhelming odds the Hornet had at the medium attack ranges just magically disappeared and slide back to the Tomcats side due to its superior attack computer.
Patrick smiled as he continued. “3) We would rather sell the Navy the ‘Echoes’ versus the ‘D’ models even if they cost 45 million a copy; and 4) We are using your squadron as guinea pigs and advertisement purposes. We will have tag reps and engineers working real close with your maintenance crews just in case we have overlooked or miss something. So, any improvements your crews and you can come up will be welcome with open arms. I know you ‘all have had a very long day already. We have taken the liberty of getting rooms for you while we’re preparing your new planes. We at NG want to ‘Thank you’ for being so understanding and for the job that you’re squadron and you do for our country.”
Next Day
Somewhere over the Virginia countryside
“Alpha Flight, check in.” Harm said over the flight’s private radio channel. Each plane had taken a slightly different flight path to do some more testing on the ‘new’ bird and was informed to reform at this location over Virginia.
“Alpha 1, this is 2. We’re forty miles west of you and will be there in a few minutes.” Sam’s voice came over the radio.
“Alpha 1, this is 3. We’re fifty miles east of your location.” Cassie quietly stated.
“Alpha 1, this is 4. We’re 20 miles south of you and at angles 65.” Arianna said laughing as she lit up Harm’s plane with her missiles and she could hear his missile warning going off on the open channel.
“Alright, let’s hurry up and form up, so we can call it a day.”
“What’s a matter Hammer? Dino tell you that she wanted to jump your bones?” Another voice was heard over the net, which got everyone laughing.
“Alright, can the chatter … back to business while we form up … then we can go back to joking until we need to get back to business as we get closer to home … I want a complete written evaluation from each of you on these new birds of ours. Ensure the crew chiefs know about the new techs in the pods for them before they start working.” Harm smiled as he heard the groans coming from everyone. He switched to the intercom. “That will teach them to joke about Dino and my bones … right Skates?”
“Whatever you say, Bro.” Skates saw Harm looking in the mirror at her and she stuck out her tongue at him to let him know what she though about the written report he required from her.
“Smartass.” Harm laughed as he switched his radio frequency to the one always monitored by the squadron’s flight ops. “Nightingale Ops, this is Alpha 1.”
“Alpha 1, this is Ops. Read you 5 by 5.”
“Ops, I need to speak with Bluebell.”
“Roger, Alpha 1. Stand-by.”
“Standing by.”
Five minutes later, the radio came alive with Kate’s voice on it. “Alpha 1, this is Bluebird.”
“Afternoon, Bluebird, I need you to do a total recall of all squadron personnel except the personnel deployed to TG with a 60 time limit. Call MWR, and get permission to use the Base Theater for a briefing. Then, call the ‘boss’ because the Nights will be in delta status for the next couple weeks. He should know the reason why. If not, let me know upon arrival. Will brief you about everything when we land in 40.”
“Attention of Deck.”
“Be seated.” Harm said as he walked to the front of the theater.
“Report, Gunny.”
Gunny Sergeant Melissa Ingles stood up and noted the personnel who had walked into the theater with the Captain. “Sir, all squadron personnel present and accounted for.”
“Outstanding. First off, Lieutenant Anne McGuire – Tiny, stand up please.”
Anne stood up. “Sir.”
“Welcome aboard. Everyone, please make her feel welcome to the Nights. She just arrived and is slotted to be one of our back-up RIOs. Bluebell, ensure she has someone to show her where everything is, and where her quarters are.”
“Thank you, sir.” Anne sat down, slightly embarrassed to be called out in the middle of a briefing like that.
“Tiny, you’ll get use to how Hammer commands. I’m your driver, I guess. Lieutenant Carrie Lane – Chevy.” She whispered to the newcomer and held her hand out to give a handshake before standing to address her commanding officer.
“Sir, I’ll escort Tiny around and show her the sights, etc.”
“Very well, Chevy, since she will be your RIO.
“Back to the briefing. Good work, people and sorry about the short notice recall. As of right now the Nightingale is in ‘Delta’ status – which if you don’t know or don’t remember, Delta status is telling everyone that the Nights are not ready to deploy.” Harm heard some moans coming from some of the older more experienced people, since they knew Delta status is the most serious and worse status there was. “The CNO has approved and understands why we are going to Delta. That reason is that the four aircraft Alpha that landed here today aren’t the same planes we took off with 3 days ago. We left here in F-14D Tomcats but landed with F-14E Tomcats. I know you have never heard of the ‘Echo’ model, and these are the first to come of the production line at St. Augustine, Florida. Chief Petty Officer Thompson?”
“Sir.”
“What’re the status of the planes inside the hanger and how soon can your crews get them button up to move Alpha’s four inside?”
“Sir, B2 and D3 will be finished within a hour, after this briefing is over. E1 and E4 will be finished in two. By 1600, we can have the four Alpha’s inside and the door closed.”
“Great. Starting tomorrow morning at 0900, all the maintenance crews will go over the new manuals, and the planes, to see the differences between the Ds and Es. Northrop-Grumman personnel will be arriving in the morning to help with the instruction as well as to rework the simulator they just finished installing. Feel free to ask them questions and make suggestions on how to make the plane better.
“Bravo Flight, Woody, Chevy, Waxy, and Tiny … conference room afterwards. Anyone have any questions?”
Nobody had a question, but Harm figured that they would once they started training on the new planes. “Dismissed.”
Harm stopped to grab a mug of coffee before entering the conference room to sit down in his chair. ‘I’ll be glad to get this finished, so I can go home and crash.’
“Take your seats. This is will short and sweet. Kate, schedule Bravo and the Cod to depart here Tuesday for St. Augustine, Florida. NG said they would have six ‘Echoes’ ready to be picked up then.
“Ladies, you will turn over your four birds to the NG people upon arrival there. The Cod will return as soon as they drop them off, y’all then will chose a new plane, and do a full evaluation test fight using one of NG’s test flight information test sheets. Woody and Chevy, you will need to tell NG to use E1 and E2 for your plane markings. After the test flight, you will stay overnight there with NG picking up the tab for your stay and the next morning, you will need to file six different flight plans to meet over the skies of Virginia. Form up into a whole flight plus two, before arriving back here at home. After you arrive here, I want a full written evaluation on your planes from each of you. Any questions from the crews … if not you are dismissed.”
The twelve-air crew stood up and departed the conference room.
“Anything else you want to tell us about Harm?”
“Yes, when are Charlie 1 and Delta 1 scheduled to finished ‘Top Gun’? Any word of how they are doing? My brain is too fried to remember right now.”
“Both Classes will be ending the week of the 14th of October and last report is that they are both in the top three.”
“Ok, I need you to push 2 ground crews as hard as possible the remainder of this week. Give Cece and Big Red a call. Tell them to depart Fallon this weekend to swap out with two from Alpha, give them A1 and A2 with the understanding that they will be their permanent replacements. Our maintenance crews can do their magic in re-marking them while they are there, so they will need to take the necessary supplies for it. I want them to have the Echoes to finish off their training. Also, let them know that they will have two new ground crews coming in then, so they can brief their ground crews what is happening and that this is just temporary due to the new planes.
“Be sure when ‘Bravo’ leaves, and that they have the documentation for the old Alpha birds stored in their pods. Once, the six get back here next Wednesday. We will send two F/A-18s to El Centro NAS, California to be the ‘Blue Angels’ extras. They will escort the Cod and cover night there. Then, the Cod will return the next day with the two pilots. We will keep the two “F” models for ourselves and rework them into E3 and E4 – so get the maintenance crews working on that whenever they can fit it into their schedule.
“You need to schedule ‘Charlie’ to leave on the 1st of October and ‘Delta’ on the 8th with Sam – Ace leading Charlie and Arianna – Natural leading Delta and before they depart … brief them to inform NG to use A2 and A1 respectfully on the planes they pick-up there, so we only have to remark four planes ourselves.” Harm paused to collect his thoughts and rubbed his temples. “Once ‘Bravo’ and ‘Echo’ return next week, start scheduling daily Pax River range time for a flight of two, it should shock everyone that we’re now carrying the 120s since they won’t let us use the 54s inside the dog fighting practice range there. Start a new log charting the progress of the crews since the old one will be null and void. It will give us a good idea of who to send to the next TG classes which now includes Skates and myself.”
“If I didn’t know any better, Hammer. I would think you want to be the ‘only’ two time winner of the trophy.” Kate jokingly said. “I know, it’s for Skates’ sake since she’s never been through the course and she’s the squadrons lead RIO. Given what you just said, we know one of the crew’s for the next class will be without questions.”
“You can even reconsider Lobo/Go-Go for a return match for any of the other classes. I feel with the new planes, the other teams don’t have a chance at winning the trophy since they started allowing the use of the AIM-120s for it now. That gave the ‘Hornet’ teams an unfair advantage over the normal ‘Tomcat’ teams. Use some of the squadron’s funds to purchase two super large perpetual plaques – one like the “Top Gun’ trophy and another one titled ‘Aces’.” Harm pulled out two sheets of paper. “Here are the current names and dates for the smaller tiles for each plaque. You can use your own ideas for the ‘Aces’ design but I like to see at least 25 smaller tiles on each of them. I think that’s all I can think off right now. Is there anything that needs my attention before heading home?”
“No, sir. Enjoy the rest of your day off. We can take care of business without needing you to hold our hands.” Meg smiled as she thought about how many extra hours Harm had worked in addition to handling his normal, routine job. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kate, Mac, or herself at all … he was being the way he has always been – acting like a big brother, and protecting people that he loved and working harder than anyone. It still amazed her that there was seldom anything happening in the squadron that he didn’t know about. There was only 1 time since they returned to DC that they were able to pull off a surprise on him.
<Flashback – 25 October 2001>
“Come on Harm, I want to get this meeting over with as soon as possible, so we can make our reservation time at Caliso’s. You know how hard it is to get one there. You have any idea what’s so important that Kate called this meeting for?”
“No, unless we got a flash message to go on alert status. It could be since the parking lot is completely full. Other than that, your guess is just as good as any that I could come up with.”
Mac reached out to open the door leading into flight ops, but found it to be locked. Neither one of them had their hanger keys with them, since they were enroute to the restaurant for a quiet, delightful, birthday celebration they had planned to spend together. “Hummm, what’s going on? This door is hardly ever locked unless we’re on alert, but then there’s a Marine guard stationed outside.” Mac spied the hanger doors slightly opened. “Guess we will have to go through the hanger to get to the conference room. Come on, flyboy, get the lead out.” Mac reached over and grabbed Harm’s hand … practically pulling him along behind her.
Harm stopped suddenly when they reached the open hanger door. “Something don’t seem right, Mac. Let me go inside first.”
“Ok.” Mac had to cover the smile that was trying to bust upon her face.
Harm walked into the dark hanger, and there was a shiver that ran down his back because the hanger was never totally dark, even when they closed up for the day. There were always some lights on, but right now even they weren’t on.
“Stay right here, Mac while I go over to turn the lights on. Afterwards, I’m going to find Captain Ingles’ daughter and rip some hide off her Marine backside for allowing this breach in security.”
Mac didn’t argue with him at all, and let him go without making any comments. Harm got to the light switch breaker box, and started flipping every available light on, before turning around to go back to Mac.
“Surprise. Happy Birthday, Hammer.”
Harm looked around the hanger and the entire squadron was present. He noticed two Marines in full combat gear standing beside the open hanger doors. ‘I didn’t even hear or see them standing there. That’s what I get for stealing the first total female Marine recon squad for our security detail. Where’s Mac?’ He look and saw here standing in-between Kate, Meg, Gunny, Beth, and Sam. ‘She knew all about this … wait until I get that Marine green tail home.’
Mac spoke out … “Ladies, no ranks this evening. This is a celebration of Hammer’s 40th birthday. Normal squadron party rules apply.” A large cling could be heard as the two marine guards closed the hanger doors.
<End Flashback>
Friday 26 Mar 2004
Nightingale Hanger
Andrews AFB, MD
Captain Harmon Rabb walked towards the squadron’s hanger, which had been setup to welcome the last two crews home from Fallon NAS. They were the final crews that the Nights needed to be sent there for ‘Top Gun’ school until someone transferred out of the squadron, or if one of them had failed to bring home the trophy. The last twenty-two months had flown by for him, and he was enjoying every minute of it. Many things had happened during this time frame, Mac had accepted his proposal during their vacation in the Bahamas in September. They had decided to wait until June to have the ceremony, and had gotten clearance to use the ‘Rose Garden’ for it. Somehow, word got out that they were finally tying the knot, and requests were arriving almost daily requesting permission to attend. It was driving Mac to tears, from the overwhelming honor that so many people wanted to attend their wedding. It seemed like everyone they had met during their eight years of being JAG partners wanted to come. The last count she had given him on the number was over 800 but that didn’t included the 420 squadron personnel, who wanted to attend as well. The squadron wasn’t schedule to deploy to the Patrick Henry until late August.
Clayton Webb had tried numerous times to get Mac to go on one of his ‘missions’, but since she held two active career designations – both of her Commanding Officer’s had to approve it, and there was no way that Webb could get Harm’s ok to let her go alone, and since he was prevented from accompanying her. Clay tried every trick in the book, including going to the SecNav to override Harm’s ‘no way’. But that didn’t work since the VF-213 wasn’t under the SecNav’s authority since it’s formation and that irritated the SecNav every way it could. He even showed up at the Night’s hanger one afternoon in November, after Mac had returned from flying a CAP and Pax River training mission. Clay tried barging into the crew quarters where she was changing clothes, and got as far as the door, when two Marine military police forcibly prevented him from entering. He stood by the door until it opened, and when Sam exited before Mac, Clay turned to the Sergeant and said, “Didn’t you say that no male personnel were allowed in there? He just exited from there.” The Sergeant’s reply was that there were only two males allowed access to the aircrew areas, and he wasn’t one of them. Then, Sam turned to the Sergeant and told her to handcuff Mr. Webb, which she did. Afterwards, she was to place said prisoner into the back of a pickup, drive to the nearest base gate, and drop him off outside it. Before the Sergeant left, Sam informed Webb that if he ever showed up at the hanger again that he would be shot on sight, and the charges would include spying. When the sergeant returned to the hanger after her trip, she was to locate his vehicle, and have it impounded by the base security force. Unknown to Clay, when a vehicle was impounded on a military installation – they used a flatbed trailer and 10K All terrain Forklift to move said vehicles and the drivers of the forklifts were told not to worry about any damaged it caused to the vehicles. So when the people came to get the vehicle, the forks just happened to run through the doors of Clay’s brand new Corvette, and even more damage was done to it when it reached the impound yard. Everyone congratulated Sam for using restraint in dealing with Clay that day.
Harm opened the door leading into the hanger, which Gunny Sergeant Ingles was waiting for his arrival.
“Attention on Deck.”
“Where’s Lobo, Go-Go, Natural, and Sweets?”
“Here, sir.” Cassie said.
“So, Lobo and Natural, did you four bring home the trophies or not?”
“Yes, sir. We both did.”
“Outstanding. Now, we have sixteen ‘Top Gun’ trophy winners in the squadron. At ease everyone, and have a seat if you have one. For information to all, you will not be transferred out of this squadron unless you want to. As you know, we do rotate crews around to allow each of you the chance of section leaders and flight leaders. I’ve got a confession to make to all the flight crews; so far we have not received any request from any of the other squadrons for a flight leader or higher position. I believe it is beneath each of you to accept anything less than that. So if any of you disagree with me rejecting requests for anything below that … let Bluebird, Dino, Tex, or myself know. I believe Dino has an announcement to make, now. Mac, the floor is yours.”
“As everyone knows, Harm and I have agreed to get married in June and have been granted use of the ‘Rose Garden’. We have set a date and the entire squadron is invited to attend. The date is the 4th, and a non-duty day for those who want to attend but a duty day for those who don’t. Let Lieutenant Jennifer Coates or Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes know if you’re attending or not. The dress standards for those attending are as follows: Aircrew – Dress Whites or Dress Blues unless you’re one of my attendants; Ground personnel – Formal Dresses. We will provide a brand new dress for all including the aircrews as our gift to you. Jen and Beth will setup a date and time for each of you for your fittings at one of the five boutiques we have setup for this. Questions?”
“Ma’am, won’t that be awful expensive for Hammer and you?” Jen asked.
“We have a written presidential order giving us permission to provide each of you this gift. We have not one ‘Top Gun’ trophy winner in the squadron – we have sixteen winners now – there isn’t any squadron outside of the ‘Top Gun’ squadron itself that has more than one winner. We are just as proud of our ground crews, Cod crew, C130 crew, C141 crew, and security force personnel. They are winning trophy after trophy and there isn’t a day that goes by that we cannot put a full squadron of fighters into the air if needed. No, it isn’t expensive for us, and it’s not costing us a penny anyhow. It’s one of wedding presents that we received early. All we ask for a wedding present from you individually is for you to be there at our wedding. We want our ‘entire’ family there and we consider each and everyone of you to be family.”
“Thank you, Ma’am from all our us. Have you got a count of the number of guest yet?” Cassie asked.
“Skates?”
“Ma’am, the last count Bluebell and I have, which is counting the entire squadron of 420 if they all desire to attend is 1389. We have a cap to the maximum number of 2000. The White House security staff briefed us that there’s no more room for more than that.”
An ‘Oh my God, that’s the biggest wedding party since Diana got married,’ was heard in the hanger. Harm leaned over and quietly spoke to Mac. “Are you sure that its ok for you for our wedding to be or get this huge?”
“Harm, you have told me almost daily since we got engaged that whatever I want for our wedding is fine with you. If we do get up to 2000 guests, so be it. Everyone who’s anybody wants to be there … I’ve got a feeling that we will have more than 2000 people wanting to attend, and will have to turn down requests. I know there are a few people who you and I don’t want to attend, and they won’t no matter what. The secret service has been working with my planners and myself, about who’s authorized to attend and who’s not. It was going to be close to 500 people attending anyway, and that’s just people we consider to be family. So, flyboy, take a chill pill … I’m as happy as a lark. Any more questions?” Mac looked around the hanger and nobody spoke. “Returning the floor to you, honey.”
“Last point of interest, the squadron has received orders to report aboard the Henry on the 18th of August. The Cod and most of you will depart on the 16th aboard CRAF aircraft with the point of debarkation of Hawaii. Half of the security force and crew chiefs will depart 2 hours after the squadron aboard our C141B, which will fly onto Japan for it’s final staging base. We will rotate the security force halfway through the tour like normal. All leaves will end on the 10th unless it is an emergency. Mac, you will be going with us – so let the Admiral know that there will not be any squadron personnel available to JAG during our deployment.”
“He’s not going to like that one bit.” Mac mummered.
“Tough titty said the kitty. He should be used to it by now from our last deployment. He’s just ticked that he won’t be able to put the battle group JAG from the Henry while we are aboard. That was his major complaint last time. Who is the JAG there, now?”
“Sir, Lieutenant Singer.” Jen informed Harm. “She left three weeks ago when the Henry left port at Norfolk. She asked me to drop her off there and seemed grateful to leave HQ JAG for some reason.”
“Just as well, she’s probably still teed about learning I asked eight of you to go to law school and her giving up the largest office in the bullpen area.”
“Probably, sir.” Jen smiled as she remembered the day she helped Loren move out of the largest JAG ops office.
“If nobody objects, I declare this party open. Gunny, make sure the shuttle is available for all who have 1 drink because nobody leaves this hanger to drive their vehicles if they have had one, no matter what time they leave unless there is a designated driver.”
Jen walked over to where Harm was seated after returning from changing flightsuits in her room. Anytime a crew or section from the squadron won a trophy, they took the winners outside and hosed them down with a fire hose. “Harm, I’ve got a message from the ‘Top Gun’ CO, Captain Pete Mitchell, to deliver to you since he saw A4 on our aircraft. It was given to me during our ‘Top Gun’ award party.”
“Go ahead, Jen, what did Maverick pass on to you to tell me?”
“Tell Hammer, that’s I’m still pissed at him for sneaking these F-14Es on us. If we knew that if they existed, then we could have made it harder than it was and that you still held the record for the final exercise. He wants you to call him ASAP – something about a broken promise.”
<Flashback – 18 Dec 2002>
“Attention on Deck.”
Quickly an as you were, was given by the commanding officer of the ‘Top Gun’ school, Captain Pete Mitchell – Maverick walked to the front of the room. He turned to face the crews going through the dual classes the school was currently running.
“Gentlemen and Lady. The last two days of school, the top four crews from each class in the running for the ‘Top Gun’ trophy will fly our new final mission. We will draw names out of the hat for your take-off times and which day. This exercise will be a one versus twelve scenario … as you know the F-14s can carry twelve missiles but they will not be allowed to carry the deadly AIM-54s – so that will even the odds with the F/A-18 crews. You have the rest of the day and/or tomorrow depending on which take-off slot you get to plan your tactics for the exercise and to get some rest. Dismissed.”
Harm and Skates had drawn take-off slot number four on the last day. Nobody was saying how they done or was told not to tell how they did because they knew the crews behind them would do everything they could to get 1 more kill just to take home the trophy. Skates talked Harm into going out with her twice to check on their brightly polished Blue aircraft – mostly to walk off her nervous energy. She had been in a real battle with such odds but she had AIM-54s available to use then.
“Skates don’t worry. It will be just fine.” Harm looked at her and hoped to calm her down somehow. Her nervous energy was starting to get to him and it wasn’t something that he needed to feel right now.
“Sorry, I can’t help it. I want this trophy so badly.”
“What’s the biggest asset we have up there and don’t say experience?” Harm asked.
“Our radar.”
“Our biggest liability?”
“Don’t know.”
“It’s the same thing as our greatest asset, our radar.” Harm informed her.
“Huh?”
“They are using A-4s, F-16s, and F/A-18s for their MIGs simulated aircraft. They have changed their radars to match the capabilities of the MIGs, which don’t have a very good capacity. Now if we are down in the dirt or over angels 60 with out radar off, what happens since they don’t use the MIG-29 for their standards for radar?”
“They won’t be able to tells us apart from the ground clutter or see us above them.”
“So, if we play this right. When we take-off this afternoon … go to maximum ceiling … if we get lucky and play with our radar just right … we can drop down on top of a couple … go to AIM-9 and guns … take out two before they know what happened … then drop to nape of the earth and go from there.”
Take off time
“Fallon tower, this is Alpha 1 ready for take off.”
“Roger, Alpha 1. Clear to use runway 17 and good hunting.”
“Alpha 1, rolling and thanks.” Harm slapped the throttles down to activate the after burners, which they hardly needed anymore even for a cat launch. The experimental engines the NG had installed in the Echoes produced over 25,000 pounds of thrust each. He turned the aircraft and headed towards the training range while gaining attitude as he heard Skates calling the training range referees on the special range frequency.
“Harm, we are cleared onto the range from any compass point and attitude we want to enter the range from.”
“Roger, passing angels 55. We should be at angels 70 when we arrive at the range outer marker. Keep your eyes peeled and pick them up ASAP.”
They had just cleared the outer marker. “Harm, picked up a fight of four … bearing 008 – angels 22 – 30 miles, another four at 034 – angels 25 – 90 miles, a pair at 135 – angels 15 – 112 miles, and the other pair at 049 – angles 18 – 100 miles. Looks like they are flying in circles.”
“Good. Shut down the radar. We’re going after the closes set of four first … the lead and his wingman and pray it’s Maverick and Iceman.”
Harm was silently counting in his head … the sun was at his back … 8 … 9 … 10. “Here we go.” He put them into a steep dive and gaining speed as they fell. Within a few moments, they could see the four A-4s heading away from them … soon the missile warning tone started to sound and soon it turned into a solid tone as he pressed the joystick trigger releasing their first AIM-9. As soon as the A-4 pilots hear the tone they broke up into pairs and didn’t see anything on their radars to indicate what direction the enemy plane was coming from. Everyone heard the kill tone sound and the lead A-4 pull into a nose up climb. They knew he was out of the fight while his wingman continued to back left. Maverick finally saw the blue Tomcat on his wingman’s tail and heard the kill tone sound over the frequency. He watch the Tomcat pull what looked to be a 9g turn and head north of their position while they continued to lose attitude. Soon his wingman pulled up beside him and motioned for him to change freqs.
“Mav, do you ever pick him up on radar?”
“No, Ice. I only heard the missile warning sound then the kill tones. Guess he got you with his guns.”
“Yes. Hammer took me out with guns … it’s going to make it hard on the rest of them if he waits to use his 120s after all his 9s are gone. By that time, they maybe going one on one with him and nobody so far including you have beaten him that way.”
“Let’s go down on the deck and see how this plays out then. Wished we had known about these new birds before finalizing and getting the CNO’s approval for the final exercise test.”
As soon as Harm and Skates had taken out the first two, she had switched on radar for a moment to get a fix on another pair. They were going to take out the leader from coming up from below. She had picked the next victims in their test … for they were separated from the other two by a good 35 miles. They easily took out the lead plane and used their gun for his wingman. ‘Four down … eight to go.’ Skates thought as she took another peek on her radar screen. “Harm, the two pairs are trying to join up … angels 18 – 20 miles at 124.” She only got what she thought was a grunt over the intercom as he whipped them around in another hard 9g turn. She took another peek. “They are only 7 miles apart and it looks like they will join up before we can get there.” She felt the after burners kick in, felt them reaching for more sky, and saw the speed indicator rolling past mach 1. It kept moving until it indicated 2.47. When they reached angles 60, Harm leveled the plane out and started to count again.
“Skates, we’re going after one of the wingman first with guns … when I give the signal and tell you which one that I’m going after with guns … turn on the radar and lock up on the other three for a 120 shot ... I want to launch on them before we get close to the gun’s only victim.”
“Roger.”
“Get ready … here we go” He put them into another dive. “I’m going after the northern wingman, now lock the others up.”
She turned on the radar. “Ready, ready … launch 1 … launch 2 … launch 3.” Harm pressed the trigger each time she said launch and three AIM-120s simulated being launched departed the aircraft. Skates kept her radar up to direct each missile into its intended target and since the missiles were still linked to the Tomcat, they didn’t need to use its own radar to pick-up its target. Shortly before they got within gun range of the northern F/A-18, three separate kill tones were heard over the frequency, and the Hornet pilot watched his flight mates go into a nose high climb. He finally saw the enemy plane behind him and started evasive maneuvers but to no avail to change the outcome of the fight. Skates still had the radar up and saw the four aircraft at 090 speed up and started to drop to their attitude as the lone wingman’s kill tone sounded. “They spotted us and are on our 6 at 50 miles and dropping fast.”
“Roger. Kill the radar.”
“Radar, off.”
Harm dived and went into an outside loop to reverse his direction to allow them to get down and below the fast dropping flight. He hoped that their blue aircraft wasn’t within visual sight of any of the other pilots. If they were, then Skates and him would just have to be satisfied with just 8 or 9 kills. He glanced at the fuel gauge and saw they still have close to half of their fuel remaining. ‘Great.’ He lit the after burners again and their luck held up as they slipped under the four incoming planes undetected and unsighted. ‘They know we are around here somewhere but not sure where … let’s play a little game of chicken.’ “Skates take a peak and leave the radar up for now.”
“They’re in a turn – angles 21 – 090 – 70 miles.”
Harm pulled up into an inside loop and headed towards the four planes. Skates saw what they were doing.
“Harm, your not considering going into a head-to-head fight with them are you?”
“Don’t worry, they will break off long before that … ready the last 120 … we launch at 40 miles at the target you select. That will leave us with 2 sidewinders and what’s left in the gun. Give me the closure speed and ranges.”
“Closure rate at 900 knots … range 55 miles … rate up to 1300 knots … 40 miles … launch 4.”
Skates watched her radar as she saw the 120 close the distance, and at 10 miles the radar of the missile activated, and locked onto the flight leader. She saw the flight split into two pairs, trying to confuse the inbound missile, but it didn’t work as the kill tone soon sounded. She felt Harm turn the bird right to go after the remaining pair. Since they pulled up and left to avoid the inbound missile, it left their sixes wide open for them. Harm locked onto one of them for a sidewinder kill, and took out the other with their guns. Which left one single enemy aircraft to deal with, and they still have a missile remaining. On her radar screen, she watched the lone aircraft turn to get onto their six. For the first time today, they heard a missile warning tone. Harm threw them into a very hard pitch out, and the enemy plane over flew them. Soon they had a missile warning tone, but Harm de-selected it to go to guns. A solid lock on sounded, and he pulled the trigger until the kill tone sounded.
“Fights over gentlemen … great work up there, Hammer … call the tanker and refuel. See you two in debrief in 30.”
“Roger. Break. Tank 388, this is Alpha 1. Need vectors to your location.”
“Roger, Alpha 1. We’re at angels 28 at 60 miles – 220 from your location.”
“Copy Tank 388, see you in a bit.”
Debriefing
Top Gun Tac Trailer
Alpha 1 walked into the Tac trailer still wearing their soaking wet flightsuits, and sat down into the overstuffed crew chairs. Maverick, Iceman, and Charlie were in the middle of a private conference and didn’t turn to greet them when they walked into the trailer.
“Hammer, we were just discussing the tactics you used up there today. Ice and I thought that they were illegal, and against the rules of engagement, until Charlie pointed out that no ‘No Joy’ calls were allowed in the final exercise – as she had written it and named it the ‘Viper Kill’ exercise; where anything and everything would be allowed. Therefore, we stand corrected and in two days from now – Skates and yourself will be awarded the ‘Top Gun’ trophy as well as another trophy. Charlie calls it the ‘Super Gun’ trophy, and it will be awarded to any crew who happens to finish the final exercise undefeated like you two just did. You two will be the first recipients of said trophy, as long as you promise me as an officer and pilot that you will not tell anyone the tactics you used today against us.”
“Maverick, I promise you that I won’t pass on that information to my squadron, or anyone else, until our last crew has finished training here.”
“Sir, you can take that to the bank. I’ve never seen or heard of Hammer ever breaking a promise.”
“Thank you, for confirming what I have heard about him, Skates. You both are dismissed. Outstanding flying today.” Maverick stood, shaking his head.
<End Flashback>
Harm heard Beth start to laugh, and he turned to see her bent over from laughing so hard.
“Skates, you didn’t do what I think you did. Did You?”
“Remember Bro, Maverick asked you to promise not to tell anyone. He never did ask me and I didn’t volunteered. By the way, we’re still the only crew ever to receive the ‘Super Gun’ trophy. The best anyone has done so far was 11, which Ace did a few classes ago, and Natural just accomplished.”
“You telling the squadron has gotten me into some hot water with Maverick if you don’t know that already.”
“Go take your punishment like a big boy, Bro. I got it on good information that Maverick doesn’t bite too hard.”
“Just where did you get that info from, may I ask?”
“Charlie.”
Harm laughed as he walked into ops to call Pete Mitchell at Fallon.
“Hello, this is Erica. You have reached the Top Gun offices. How can I help you?”
“Hi, This is Captain Harmon Rabb of VF-213, the Nightingales. I’ve been requested to call Captain Pete Mitchell. Is he in right now?”
“Yes, sir. Please hold on for a moment while I transfer you to his office.”
“Hi Hammer.”
“Hi Mav. I got the message you wanted me to call you from my crews after they got home today. What do you want to talk about? Or do I need to ask?”
“I’ve been putting this off for awhile but you promised me that you would tell your crews about the tactics you used for the final exercise The only reason why more of your crews don’t have a Super Gun trophy is because Ice and I changed our tactics everytime we flew the finals against one of the Nights after the next set tried the same thing.”
“Pete, I didn’t break the promise. You forgot that there were two of us flying that day and you never got Skates to promise not to tell. I just found out that she told everybody that headed your way from here and she has been keeping tabs on how well he or she did. She said the closest were Sam and Arianna at 11. I didn’t ask how the others did, you have that info or do I need to get it from her?”
“That little minx, wait until I see her again. Charlie said that I forgot that point, after she caught me cussing about it after the next class we had. Wait a sec, while I grab that information sheet. I’ll give tail numbers since your squadron only has a single letter and number. You already know A2, A4, and your score. B1, C1, D1, and E2 were 10s; B2, B4, C3, D2, D3, and E1 were 9s; A3, B3, C2, C4 and D2 were 8s. For your information, the next highest score has been a single 6 out of the remaining 126 crews. Your planes and crews are the very best that I’ve ever seen walk through these doors. You don’t happen to have any more coming out here, do you?”
“I’ve only got 1 RIO who’s just a part timer here and she’s got less than 200 hours of flight time under her belt, but she would do very well at your school since Tiny had less than that … she was the RIO in E2. So as right now, unless someone makes a transfer request, or we get a position of flight leader or higher, the Nights won’t be sending anybody else, unless she wants to try for a trophy, because I’ve got a few great drivers who would like another shot at that last mission. I highly doubt she would want a trophy, but I will never say never when it comes to her and what she would want.”
“That’s good to hear and gives my crews time to relax. Your crews have made our lives miserable with that new tactic. Luckily, we do a one-to-one crew debrief for that mission, and the word didn’t go any further than your squadron. Please ask them to keep it to themselves.”
“Sure, I’ll ask them that and before I forget, you think you flight line will be empty enough in the middle of August for eighteen to twenty planes to overnight.”
“Sure will, even with running two full classes, we have plenty of Tomcat parking slots available since the fleet is hardly sending them through here anymore. Just let me know when and we will have a complete row empty for you. I saw your Andrews arrival on television, but I would like to see how impressive it really is in person.”
“I’ll let you know … we will be ‘hot’ and not able to carry the smoke pods, so you can take that into account. We’ll be heading out for our fleet deployment and our carrier is currently in the big pond area.”
“No problem, all our spots are hot parking spots. Well, I must go kick some student’s tails. Talk to you soon. Bye, Hammer.”
“Bye Mav.”
1600Z 04 June 2003
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC.
Mac stood in front of the mirror in the ‘Roosevelt Room’ inside the White House. She was shaking like a leaf from being so nervous about what was transpiring here today. Harriett and Beth noticed how nervous she was and walked over to hug the person each considered to be a sister.
“Relax, Ma’am.” Harriett softly spoke to Mac.
“I’m so scared that Harm will change his mind and leave me standing at the alter.”
“No, he wouldn’t so that, sis.” Beth said before adding. “And he will be a dead man if that happens, because there will be 2020 people lining up to knock some sense into that thick skulled brother of mine.”
“Sit down, Ma’am. While we style your hair and put make-up on you.”
“Please Harriett, it’s Mac or Sarah today. I don’t feel like much of a Marine today … I could bust into tears anytime. What’s wrong with me? I’ve never been this nervous or scared like this before.”
Beth gently turned Mac’s head to face her. “Nothing’s wrong, sis. It’s normal to feel like this when you’re marrying the right man. So relax as much as you can and enjoy the moments. It will be the only time in your life that you’ll ever feel like this since this marriage with last until Eternity.”
That was all it took to make Mac bust into tears. She couldn’t believe that this day was actually real. Who would have thought it would come to this since the day they met outside here in the Rose Garden? I’m fixing to marry the most wonderful man in the world … someone who actually cares about the entire me and not just for different portions of my personality.
“Alright, Mac. That’s enough of that. You have 30 minutes to finish getting dressed.”
“It’s actually 32 minutes, Harriett.”
They finally finished getting Mac ready for her wedding and it was just in the nick of time. As soon as they had settled her veil, there was a knock on the door. Sarah’s wedding dress was a masterpiece of perfection. The color was an off white with red roses embroidered around the neck, bottom, and down the sides of her ten-foot long train. Over her left breast was the only non-red embroidered item on her satin dress, which was a pair of gold aircrew wings.
“Enter.”
“Sarah, you ready look stupendous and I’m truly honored to be the one chosen to walk you down the aisle to marry your sailor.” President Jed Bartlet said after opening the door.
“Thank you, sir. I’m ready.”
Jed held out his arm to escort Mac down the stairs to the assembly room before walking outside down the path leading to the garden. Mac had considered asking the Admiral to give her away but he was mad at Harm and the entire squadron since she told him about their upcoming deployment. When they got down stairs to the exit, Chloe walked up to her.
“Thank you, sis, for allowing me to be part of your wedding party.”
“You’re welcome, Chloe.”
“Sarah, I know you expect me to walk you down the aisle today but I though this gentlemen would be a better choice.” Jed held his hand out to signal the agent standing by another set of doors to open them. When doors opened, one retired Colonel Matthew O’Hara into the room.
“Uncle Matt. How?”
“Colonel, as one of the wedding presents Abbey and I have for you. I gave Colonel O’Hara a presidential pardon.”
“Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much this means to me?”
“I know how important family is and especially when you’re get married. I think its only right to have the Colonel here to give away his favorite niece at her wedding and especially after I read all the reports dealing with the reason he was in prison for. With your permission, I will go outside to join my family and await your arrival. Be happy, Sarah. It’s your dream day coming true.” Jed leaned down and gave Sarah a kiss on the cheek.
“You ready to so this, Sarah?”
“Yes, Uncle Matt.”
The secret service agents opened the doors leading down the path to the ‘Rose Garden’ and Chloe being the flower girl in the wedding procession walked out the door first, followed by the ring bearer, then the first of ten bridesmaids, and finally Harriett. A quiet radio call from the agents let the musicians know that they had started and soon the voice of Patricia Lynn Yearwood could be heard coming though the sound system. Uncle Matt held out his arm for Mac and walked her out the doors with President Bartlet’s nieces carrying her train.
It was the first day of Matthew O’Hara’s freedom … his niece’s wedding day. They turned the corner as Miss Yearwood had just finished a song and the wedding march started to play. He was amazed to see how large a gathering of people had come to his Sarah’s wedding. ‘There must be close to 2000 people here. I see members of Congress sitting in the back rows and more uniforms than you could shake a stick at.’ As they got closer to the alter, he was shocked to see all five former President’s of the United States there and members of the Supreme Court among the attendees. He shook his head when he realize the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would have the honor of marrying Harm and Mac. Matt looked to see Harm standing there in his Dress Whites and his ten Naval groom’s people standing beside him. It actually shocked Matt to see whom Harm had picked to be his ‘best man’, actually he considered she would be called ‘best person’, Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes proudly stood beside Harm with one of the ‘patent’ Naval aviator smiles plastered on her face.
“We are gathered here today to witness and to celebrate the joining together of Harmon and Sarah in the holy estate of marriage. More than a ceremony, this is the most significant moment of human celebration and personal commitment and should not be entered into lightly, but in the freedom of joy and sober responsibility.
“On this, the most important day in your lives, you, Harmon, and you, Sarah, have asked that your gratitude be expressed to all those who are here today — your family and friends — for being with you and sharing your happiness. Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”
Matt spoke. “I do, your honor.” Matt turned and with the help from Harriett pulled back Sarah’s veil back over her head. He turned to sit down in his chair, next to President Bartlet, on the front row.
“You have asked your family present to join you, to be with you at this moment of your greatest joy. You are making a commitment to your families that this joining will increase the love between all of you.
“You now stand here as two individuals at the dawn of your life as one. Through your relationship, you have come to know, respect, and love each other. Although your backgrounds and experiences are different, you share the same goals and ideals. Today, you are making the deepest commitment of your lives as you acknowledge your intention to be married, and with it your promise of trust and devotion to each other. From this point on, you will think first of this union you are now creating, and how you may strengthen it.
“Marriage presents a possibility not only for gratification; but also for enrichment. Marriage should be a means for the development of those personal and social values that we prize so highly: Integrity, cooperation, self-respect and human dignity. Remember that love grows with an understanding mind, a compassionate, helpful heart, and a forgiving, loving nature.
“This ceremony formally unites you in marriage, but only you can unite with each other in your hearts. The bond uniting you is the entire meaning. We hope your companionship will bring you strength, and your life is enriched by affection and mutual respect, bringing peace and contentment.
“A marriage is many things. But a good marriage is a relationship of love. Essentially, to be in love means to have a deep sense of identification with another person. It is to live in the life of that person, feeling his or her joys and troubles as if they were your own. And when two people are truly in love, each is concerned with helping the other become what he or she ought to be. The husband wants to nourish the best qualities of his wife; the wife wants to develop what is good in her husband.
“There should be a sharing of your lives. Your lives should be a life together. But there should also be space in your togetherness. Allow each other room and privacy to be individuals, with hearts and minds of your own. For only by being a whole person can you have something to give to the one that you love. Each of you should keep the freedom of spirit, which individually brought you to stand here together today.
“In sharing the most intimate relationship of husband and wife, there will be times of stress, sacrifice and sorrow. May you face them together, and overcome adversity with the same love, understanding and faith in each other that you feel at this moment.
“Help each other to move beyond distrust, fear and hostility. Remember, that we become what we think about all day, remember that our thoughts turn into actions, just as your thoughts about getting married turned into this action today. Teach your children to strive toward inner beauty not just outward appearance; to seek knowledge rather than achievement; to respect other’s rights and property; to seek tolerance and avoid arrogance; strive for ethical actions rather than controlling others, and, to seek peace of mind not just pieces of property.
“If there is anyone present, who knows of any just cause why this couple may not be lawfully joined in marriage, make it known or forever after keep your peace.
“If you, Harmon, and you, Sarah, have freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners in this holy estate, and you know of no just cause why you may not be so united, will you join your right hands, and now, will you join your left hands.
“Do you, Harmon, solemnly declare in the presence of God and these witnesses that you take this woman, Sarah, to be your lawfully wedded wife? If so, please answer I will.”
“I will.”
“Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, keep her in sickness and in health, and cherish her until death do you part? If so, please answer I will.”
“I will.”
“Do you, Sarah, solemnly declare in the presence of God and these witnesses that you take this man, Harmon, to be your lawfully wedded husband? If so, please answer I will.”
Happy tears flow from Mac’s eyes as she answers the Chief Justice. “I will.”
“Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him in sickness and in health, and cherish him until death do you part? If so, please answer I will.”
“I will.”
“Do you have the rings?” Harm turned to Skates as she pulled off Mac’s wedding ring off her little finger while Mac turned to Little AJ to pick-up Harm’s ring. They placed both rings onto the bible the Chief Justice was. “These wedding rings have neither a beginning nor an end. They are a symbol of everlasting faith and love. May they ever remind you of the solemn vows and obligations that you have this day taken, and keep steadfast therein until the end.”
The Chief Justice handed Harm Mac’s ring.
“Will you place this ring on the bride’s left hand and repeat after me: Sarah, this ring I give you / in token and in pledge / of our constant faith and abiding love.” Harm started to repeat the vow and his voice cracked from the nerves he has had all morning. “Sarah/Mac, this ring I give you / in token and in pledge / of our constant faith and abiding love. I have been in love with you ever since we first met in this very place, the Rose Garden, years ago in the beginning our partnership and friendship. We have been through many ups and downs but one thing has remained constant and that is my love for you and our friendship ... I’m honored that you have allowed me to be your husband.”
The Chief Justice handed Sarah Harm’s ring.
“Will you place this ring on the groom’s left hand and repeat after me: Harmon, this ring I give you / in token and in pledge / of our constant faith and abiding love.” Sarah started to repeat the vow before pausing to take a breath. “Harm, this ring I give you / in token and in pledge / of our constant faith and abiding love. Like you flyboy, I have been in love with you since the beginning. You have allowed me to be the woman that I have become today without forcing me into changing into something I wasn’t ... for that I’m eternity grateful and honored to become your wife.”
“In sharing the most intimate relationship of husband and wife, there will be times of stress, sacrifice and sorrow. May you face them together and overcome adversity with the same love, understanding and faith in each other that you feel at this moment.
“May these rings stand as a sign to you of your desire to live, to love, to create, to build your lives and help the lives of those whom you touch.
“May today’s celebration remain with you as the sign of the partnership you have formed. We hope that you will grow and change with circumstance. We hope that you will not be afraid of making mistakes and that you will always be open and honest with each other. We trust that you will learn to accept the changes of life and its wonder — as at this moment you accept the joy of being married. May the love that you feel and share with us today, continue to grow deeper and stronger.
“This poem from an Apache Indian Marriage Ceremony captures all that marriage can be. These beautiful thoughts have been spoken to wedding couples for hundreds of years in our country.
“Please face each other.
“Now you will feel no rain for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of togetherness and may your days be good and long upon the earth.
“Harmon and Sarah having consented together in marriage and having witnessed the same before this company and thereto having pledged your faith, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the United States of America, I pronounce that you are husband and wife.
“You may kiss and embrace.”
Harm and Mac kissed then turned to walk back down the aisle and saw something they hadn’t noticed before the wedding started. Surrounding their guest were cameras from the four major networks and totally unknown to the happy couple – their wedding was being broadcasted ‘live’ on every television station throughout the country. Later, they found out, it was one of the ‘little’ secrets that the first lady, Abbey Bartlet, had planned for them without telling anyone about it and she had each network expertly edit the wedding footage to provide Harm and Sarah a copy of their wedding. Most of their guest would depart for the Hilton hotel where the reception was going to be. The secret service had requested that they get still photographs of the wedding taken before departing 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It took them slightly over two hours to get the photo secession finished. It was time for them to leave the Rose Garden to walk under the arch of swords.
Skates lead the arch detail out of the garden … once the eighteen officers: Commander Sturgis Turner, Captain Tobias Ingles, Captain Christopher Pike, Admiral Tomas Boone, Lieutenant Rivers, Commander Beth O’Neal, Commander Jack Keeter, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, Commander Samuel MacKenzie, Admiral Morris, Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Captain Ross, Commander Teresa Coulter, Lieutenant Medwick, Lieutenant Jonas, Captain Sebring, Colonel O’Hara, and Lieutenant Commander Hawkes; had taken their places and everyone remaining heard Beth’s Alto voice command:
“Officers … draw … swords.”
“Arch … swords.”
“Blades to the wind.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting for the first time in public Captain Harmon Rabb Junior and Colonel Sarah Rabb.”
Harm and Mac walked down the archway … Skates took the traditional swat of the sword on Mac’s six and said, “Go Navy.” Then Colonel O’Hara added an additional swat at Harm’s six but said, “Go Marines.” They climbed into one of the presidential limos, which would take them to the ‘Hilton’ for their wedding reception.
Mac and Harm lips were almost sore after the entire wedding party had walked through the receiving line to congratulate the happy couple. The entire event was bigger than what Mac had envisioned for their wedding reception but the love and affection they received was overwhelmed her need to have a more private one. More than time during the receiving line process, both Mac and Harm received kisses from the ladies going through the line and even a few of them tried to French kiss Mac. Finally, the last person in the receiving line was Skates and being who she was gave them both an extra long kiss on the lips.
“You two ready to enter the ballroom for your first dance.” Neither Harm nor Mac could talk at the time and just nodded. Skates opened the large ceiling length double doors laughing and commenting about it was the first time she had ever seen either speechless as she announced: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the first dance by the happy couple. Maestro?”
It had been a very long four hours of continuous dancing for Harm and Mac … luckily for them nobody insisted to have a full complete dance with either of them. When they returned from their honeymoon, they sat down to watch the videotape of their reception and it dawned on them then that each had danced with 2024 different partners during that time.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? Everyone grab a glass for the toast please. Since I’m the groom’s best man, or person in this case, it’s my responsibility to make the traditional toast and speech to the happy couple before we bring the cake in for Harm and Mac to cut. Harm, I have known you for a number of years … I owe everything that I am to you. During our friendship, you have saved my life more than once. First when Mac and you were aboard the Seahawk when I went through a ramp strike … then during my court martial. You told me that you never made a promise that you never kept. The friends and family here in this room will know now for sure that you do keep your promises. Unknown to everyone other than Sam and Mac, Harm promised that he would open up and finally telling Mac how he felt about her. It has finally come to this day. Thank you, Brother. Mac, even though we are not blood relatives, I consider you to be my sister and truest female best friend. There is so many more things I could say about you but they don’t compare to this: I’ll always be there for you and love you with all my heart. To Harm and Mac, may your lives together last for eternity.”
Everyone raised his or her glasses and repeated. “To Harm and Mac.”
“Time for the cake. Bluebell and Tex, could you tell the chef to bring the cake in?”
Kate and Meg went out the double doors … soon they return opening both doors are wide as possible. There were four people in chef’s outfits pulling an 8-foot tall wedding cake behind them. The ornament on the top of the cake stood two foot tall; the man was dressed in Naval dress whites and the woman had on a doll’s dress like the one Mac was wearing … above the couple was two blue F-14 Tomcats nose to nose with their call signs painted on the sides – a contrail extended from the toy planes to form a circle around the couple. “Oh my goodness, look at that Harm.” Mac said, as tears started flowing from eyes again. Harm hugged his wife and wiped the tears from her face.
“You ok there, Marine?”
“More than ok, Honey.”
“If you think that is something, wait until we open that partition over there to reveal your wedding gifts.” Beth had to cover her mouth to prevent herself from laughing out loud. “Now, cut the cake you two, and be nice.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
They cut the cake and without any foolhardiness fed each other the piece of cake they selected for the other. Mac’s was slightly larger than what she fed him. “You’re gonna pay for that, flyboy, when I get you alone.”
“Is that a promise or a threat?”
“Promise.”
“Great, bring it on, Marine.”
Beth led them to the closed partition and nodded her head to Kate and Meg, who pulled the folding doors back to their storage locations. The room size was 12x12 and normally used for the orchestra pit to allow more room in the ballroom for guests, but for today, it was used to house all the presents their guests had brought to give them. It was filled wall-to-wall and stacked as tall as Harm stood.
“Oh my goodness, I expected a few but … I’ve got to sit down before I fall, Harm.”
Meg quickly grabbed a chair for Mac to sit down in.
“Ma’am, take this glass of water.” One of the waiters had rushed over from the bar to hand her.
“Thank you.” Mac flashed a grin to the thoughtful young lady.
“Mac, are you ok?” Teresa Coulter asked while kneeling beside her.
“I’m fine, Teresa. I’m just about overwhelmed from the outpouring of approval and love we have received today and that….” Mac pointed to the present room.
“Harm, there’s no way we will be able to open all these presents today and I don’t want to disappoint the people who brought them by not opening them today.”
“I know dear …”
Mac looked up at her strong rock of support and saw him swaying back and forth which alerted her that something was very wrong with him.
“Kate, grab another chair please for Harm.”
Only a few of their closest friends weren’t shocked to see the strong willed aviator/lawyer this emotional from the outpouring they had received today. Once Harm had sat down, Harriett knelt down in front of them both.
“Sarah … Harm … when we started placing your presents inside here and everyone saw how big of a mountain it is … they all agreed that it was alright if you didn’t open them today. Your mates from the Nights will take them to the orderly room and store them for you to open at your leisure after you have returned from your honeymoon.”
Mac stood up and turned to face the crowd and in a voice loud enough for all to hear her. “Thank each of you for your thoughtfulness, we will video tape the entire unwrapping process and send each of you a copy of it. If you don’t mind, I would like to beg your forgiveness for what I’m about to ask. Today has been the most wonderful, memorable day in my life and I’m slightly overwhelmed from the outpouring of love we have received today. I would like to make my escape with my husband and retire to the honeymoon suite the hotel has so graciously offered us for this evening.”
“Sis, before you leave. Harm and you must toss the bouquet and the garter.” Chloe piped out.
“Ok, sis. We can do that, you ready, sailor.”
“Sure.”
They stood up and walked to where the orchestra’s leader platform was.
“All single ladies of legal age form a circle for the tossing of the bouquet.” Chloe announced.
Mac turned her back towards them. “Ready, ladies.”
“Ready.” Chloe told her sister as she watched the large circle of single women gather together … there was close to 400 standing in the circle. “Toss it hard, Mac. It’s a huge circle.”
Mac looked over her shoulder to see what Chloe meant by a huge circle. She tossed her bouquet into the middle of the circle and heard what sounded to be Beth’s exclamation of excitement. And sure enough, Beth had caught the bouquet. Beth wondered how it fell into her hands since she was surround by taller women, but unknown to her, the people surrounding her were other women from the squadron, and they didn’t even trying to hang onto the bouquet – they only wanted to made sure if Mac had thrown it into the middle, it was going to land into Beth’s hands.
“Gentlemen, its your turn to catch the garter.” Chloe announced.
Harm kneeled before Mac while she placed her left foot on his thigh, which allowed him pull the garter from her leg. It was a custom made one with Gold Wings and red roses alternation places around it and was just like the one on her right leg, which she was keeping for their wedding album. Mac could hear the wolf whistles as Harm took his sweet time locating the garter and removing it from her leg.
“Harm turn with your back towards the circle. It’s about half the size Mac’s was. Point your index finger over your shoulder … elevate it some more and to your right … there you go, it should be the right angle to get into the middle.” Chloe had the honor of giving Harm directions since he had his back to the gathering. “Ok, Fox 1.”
Everyone around them broke into a laugh when Chloe used a heat seeker missile radio call when he was told to let go of the other end. Chloe’s directions were true to form and the garter ended up in the middle of the circle. Slowly the circle opened up to allow everyone to see who had caught the garter. Soon a tall Naval aviator was standing by himself with over 2000 people looking at him. Samuel MacKenzie was proud the garter fell into his hands, but was embarrassed to be in the spotlight.
“Miss Elizabeth Hawkes and Mister Samuel MacKenzie will lead the next dance for the honor of being the people who caught the bouquet and garter as the bride and groom slowly make their exit. Maestro?” Chloe proudly announced, as she knew what that meant by wedding lore.
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