by Chris Hechtl
“They are actually pushing it to a Bad Conduct Discharge just to get out?” Admiral Draken said slowly, eyeing the elf in surprise. That it had come to that wasn't a good sign in his book. Not at all. He briefly toyed with the idea of forcing Omar out. But he knew it wouldn't happen. The human had too much on him, plus he was a convenient scapegoat and cover.
The elf nodded emphatically. “Yes. We're seeing a pattern in those who want out of their contract but can't get out due to retention or because their contract just started,” TJAG stated. “We are getting some warning signs, and a few have been headed off without getting to me I'm assuming. Usually counseling from a trusted friend also in service can help. But some of the new officers in charge are abrasive and are causing more conflict than ending it. That's not good.”
“It's impacted the academies and enlisted training as well,” Admiral C'v'll admitted grimly. All eyes turned to the Veraxin. “We're down by half of our recruiting goals for the quarter. Many of the middies have resigned in protest. Thankfully, it hasn't hit the media. Yet.”
“Half?!?” Admiral Childress demanded, staring at him.
“Half,” Admiral C'v'll stated flatly as a few of the flag officer suddenly put on dyspeptic expressions or none at all. “People do not want to serve in the navy.” He left unsaid that they didn't want to serve in the navy not because of the threat of war but because of the stink Childress was creating.
“See, I said sending our people off to war …,” Admiral Childress fumed, turning to Admiral Draken.
“It isn't that,” the commandant stated, interrupting the admiral. Admiral Childress turned to stare at him in surprise. “Patriotism is running high, higher than ever since we got back into contact with the outer Federation. Kids who signed up in junior or high school are changing their minds due to the present problem in the command structure.”
That made more than one spine stiffen in indignation.
Personally, Sherman thought, he was a bit surprised C'v'll had the virtual balls to say anything like that at all, especially in Omar's very presence. Apparently, he'd underestimated the bug.
“It is a form of protest in its own way. We can't address it. We're trying I mean, but we're not making any headway,” Admiral Shren stated.
“Then we need to find another approach or find someone else who can figure it out,” Admiral Childress stated coldly. “I'm not shaking things up just to suit them. That isn't how the system works.”
“I'm not going to fire someone because they can't achieve the impossible,” Admiral Bolt interjected. He eyed Admiral Childress and then Admiral Draken coldly. “And throwing Admiral Logan to the wolves to temporarily protect your own hides isn't going to change the fact that everything we do from here on out is unlawful. Admiral Irons stated that we are in mutiny. I don't know about you, but I don't like putting that as a cap to my career.” He turned to the elf legal expert, but the elf wouldn't meet his eyes. He growled, low and dark, making the elf look up in shock.
Even the Veraxins and T'clock in the room went absolutely still at the growl and subtle lip curl in the Neodog's expression.
“Let's just lower the voltage in this room before it becomes a problem,” Admiral Hill interjected, placing a hand out onto the table lightly to get his attention. Slowly the Neodog's eyes cut to her. “We're still getting a grip on things over at ONI and trying to identify and put out hot spots before they flare up. I know that tension is high and morale is low. I think we should work on a series of carrots to give people something to look forward to. And give them time to get over the impulsive feelings they are currently dealing with,” she said in a sterner voice to get the people in the room to realize their actions. “ … And over time, they'll realize they are doing themselves a disservice and harming their careers.”
There was a long silence. Admiral Hill looked at the expressions imploringly but realized her attempt to get them to see reason had failed utterly.
“If you don't think you can handle the job, there is the door,” Admiral Childress stated, eyeing the Neodog coldly.
Admiral Bolt stared at him, then looked at Admiral Draken. “I will execute my duties to the best of my ability. But it is now clear that I cannot do so in the atmosphere present …”
“Hang on now,” Admiral Draken said almost desperately as Admiral Hill's eyes widened.
“Therefore,” the Neodog said as he rose with quiet dignity. “Since you won't resign, I will. I hereby resign my commission.” He turned and left the room as the others stared aghast at what they'd just witnessed.
@
Admiral Ss'k'ttthhh closed all six of his eyes in pain at the loss of a fellow admiral. He navigated the hallways of the administration complex purely by smell and sound alone as he thought about the situation. As he slithered, he thought about the situation and how it had broken as it had.
He hissed softly to himself. He knew it had been coming, though not so soon. Bolt was just one drip among many. He was too pragmatic, too full of honor and duty to be flexible about the situation.
The great game was afoot, he knew it, he knew he was playing with fire by continuing to back Omar, but he also knew he was good at his job. He also knew that eventually, one way or another, hell would come calling for payment. He might have to pay for his part and role in things but not at the moment. For the moment, he was hanging in there as a loyal officer trying to keep his department and the navy from coming apart.
Hopefully, the brass, the real brass, would see that. He hoped the stories of Irons being a boy scout were crap. The man had survived before the Xeno war after all! The Naga knew about how the navy had been back then—backbiting, politics, the works, just like Bek.
There was one other thing going for him he thought. He got things done. He had quality, and he could deliver. There weren't a lot of ONI specialists who could do that, who could survive and thrive in the halls of power. If he did get through Omar's mess, he vowed to make the leap to the outer Federation where the grand game was really played.
But first, well, first, he had to get there.
@
“The bastard!” Omar snarled. “I'll make sure he'll never get a civilian job. What a flake! A little heat and he folds? Just like that? How the hell did he ever rise to where he was?” he demanded in disgust as he paced his office to vent his rage.
“Omar, damn it, you need to stop pissing off our people like this! What is with you?” Admiral Draken stated. The use of his boss's first name in public penetrated through enough of the man's ire to turn it towards his deputy. The human admiral turned to glare at the chimera. “Oh, now I'm the target? You are taking this out on everyone, and it is seriously compromising the navy. We've got too many good people hovering on the brink of rebellion or resignation. We can't have that.”
“So what, you think I should resign?” Admiral Childress demanded, throwing an angry hand up.
“For the best of the navy … but obviously you aren't interested, so we'll just keep limping along,” Admiral Draken said when he noted the utter obstinance in the other man.
“Who else are we going to lose? I'd say good riddance but … this is getting ridiculous!” Admiral Hill said. Both men turned to stare at her. “Don't they know they are destroying their careers? That much invested and they are just throwing it away like that? Bolt had what, thirty-five years in the navy?”
“Closer to forty,” Admiral Draken stated mildly. “And yes, they are doing it. Doing it in droves in some cases. Some of it is because they don't see a need for a big navy here in Bek anymore, but …,” he shook his head.
“I've kept watch of the economy, and the job situation on the civilian side sucks. So, where do they think they are going to go?” Admiral Hill demanded.
“Anywhere but here it seems. Some who are in probably realized that the economy sucks and have hunkered down hoping to ride out the storm,” Admiral Draken stated. “They are hoping it will pass over eventually,” he said, eyeing Admiral Childress
.
“It will,” the human admiral said. “Irons needs me here,” he insisted firmly. “He'll come around when he realizes I'm not going anywhere and he can't push me out. Not from where he's at.”
“You honestly think he's going to just let you have Bek after you hang Logan?”
“What can he do? From what, a thousand light years away?”
“More like three hundred actually,” Admiral Draken said, still studying the human.
“And if he sends Yorgi?” Admiral Hill asked. “What do we do then?”
“So?” Admiral Childress snorted in disdain at the idea. “Remember, Yorgi resigned the top slot and is a vice admiral now. Even if Irons promoted him again, I'd still outrank him by time in grade. I'll just overrule him.”
“You know that isn't flying well with anyone anymore. Most of the Admiralty is backing you because we put our own people in the right places, but even they can't and won't cover your ass forever Omar,” Admiral Draken stated gently.
“It'll be fine. He hasn't gotten someone here first,” Admiral Childress insisted.
“He hasn't sent someone here yet no,” Admiral Hill stated. “Other than Logan and the junior officers I mean. And yes, I know he doesn't have many flag officers to spare, but we have to plan for his eventual return. We know he's coming.”
“Accidents happen,” Admiral Childress stated nastily. “Space is a dangerous place,” he said. “Ships can get lost getting here just as easily as going through the rapids.”
“I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that,” Admiral Draken said in a cold voice. That brought Admiral Childress up short. “Because the idea of destroying a navy vessel is treason and I'll have to do something permanent to someone who considered it,” he said, eyeing the human with a basilisk eye.
“You wouldn't dare,” Admiral Childress said, meeting glare for glare. It wasn't easy though, his subordinate had golden reptile eyes.
“Boys!” Admiral Hill said desperately, placing a hand between them. “Okay, let's just cool things off. A little planning. What is your end game?” she asked, looking at the human.
“End game?” Omar swirled his drink and then knocked it back in one gulp. “What makes you think I want anything to end?”
“I know you aren't thinking of staying on forever. So, golden parachute. What will you do to ensure a soft landing if things do go south?” the Neochimp persisted.
“A GOTH plan. A backup plan, you know, in case Irons doesn't see reason and you really are forced out,” Admiral Draken stated in agreement.
“I ….”
Admiral Draken finally closed his eyes, this time in pain. “Omar, don't tell me you haven't thought about it. What do you ultimately want?”
“I … no, I hadn't,” Admiral Childress stated. “I haven't done anything wrong!” he insisted petulantly. “I shouldn't have to resign.”
“Some people don't see it that way,” Admiral Hill stated flatly. He shot her a quelling look. She returned it. The act of defiance made him redden in anger. His jaw worked for a moment as he tried to tamp his temper down. Like it or not he needed her support.
“I am not falling on my sword for him or anyone. I'm here,” he growled, unmoved.
“You've been backed into a corner. Which way is out? What do you want as an out?” Admiral Hill asked carefully.
“I …,” Admiral Childress sat back in his chair and scowled. “I'd had it planned out for years. I'd planned on everything, all the changes I wanted to make, all of it. Now … I don't know.” He shook his head.
“Your mother won't live forever,” Admiral Draken reminded him gently. The human admiral stiffened in righteous anger.
“That was what I wanted. To take on the family business as I was supposed to do. But if Irons has his way, most of the damn navy production will switch to federal hands, not civilian! I'll lose everything!” Childress said in despair as he threw his hands up in disgust.
“So, that's why she backed you,” Admiral Hill murmured as she looked away. She frowned. “All this time I thought it was power and to keep the tech in her hands.”
Admiral Childress glanced at her and then away. “It is that too and to keep me, her heir, out of her hair. I've been pressuring her to step down and retire for years ever since I'd been forced to. But the old bitch won't die!” Admiral Childress snarled. His fists clenched and unclenched.
It was clear to the others that part of his frustration was due to being kept waiting for what he thought was his just due. He was forever the prince, waiting for the queen to expire so he could take his rightful place.
“And now, now, the damn medics have gotten their hands on some of the tech Irons sent. She's gotten some of it, so it's a new lease on life!” Admiral Childress snarled again, fists shaking. “She's got another twenty or more years in her! More if more of the damn tech slips out! And I'm stuck!”
“So, this is your only option,” Admiral Hill observed.
“Pity you … if we had played ball with Irons from the beginning, we wouldn't be in the situation we're in now,” Admiral Draken stated.
“The people … they'll see …”
“Right now, all they see is obstinance,” Admiral Hill said.
“Then … then I'll show them something else!”
“Distraction?” Admiral Draken asked. “The trial is making it worse; you know that, right?” He shook his head. “It is putting it front and center, right out in front of everyone's face. You can't hide it forever. Everyone knows about the arrest by now. Trying to keep something like that a secret is like pissing in the wind.” Admiral Hill nodded glumly in mute agreement.
“It doesn't belong in the hands of the public,” the admiral snarled.
“I'm referring to the eyes of the navy actually,” Admiral Draken said dryly. “The public is another matter,” he said with a shudder. “But we're off topic. So, you can't retire and get your inheritance. You are stuck.”
“Yes.”
“And we're on a slowly sinking ship that can go under the moment a ship comes over the hyper wall,” Admiral Hill said. “And those getting out now are like rats. They are the smart ones.”
“What makes us then?” Admiral Draken asked softly.
Chapter 15
The NCIS walk out impacted the trial prep, causing a further delay in the trial to go along with Horatio's lack of legal counsel. Horatio found out about it through a back channel when there was a delay in assigning him fresh counsel. He didn't have all the details, but he hoped things were starting to break his way, but he doubted he was going to get that lucky.
He grimaced when he heard prisoners in the cellblock gleefully filing petitions with the cellblock lawyer to have their cases retried. The legal system was going to be swamped. He wasn't going anywhere, not that he expected to do so anytime soon.
@
Captain JG Reginald Ross groaned as he saw the stack of chips waiting for him in his inbox as he entered his office. “This just isn't my day, hell, week. No, make that month,” he said in fatigue. The day had barely started, and he already wanted to go home. Not a good sign he knew.
Of course, things had been like that for a while. And they were getting progressively worse not better as time under Admiral Shren's thumb went on and on. He took a seat behind his desk and then opened the first set of files.
Of course, the biggest case was right there, staring in front of him. Admiral Logan had fired his counsel, and they needed a replacement. Admiral Shren had put a call out, but there was little effort behind it. He snorted.
He was almost tempted to take Horatio's case, but his own caseload was already too much to handle. Besides, he knew better than to volunteer. It would be a career-ender, no question. He still had a lot he could do, or at least, he thought he did.
It bothered him; hell, it bothered a lot of good people in JAG on both sides of the aisle as well as the judges that they had to deal with the situation. It bothered a few even more that the system was being twisted into a pre
tzel to achieve a specific verdict even before the trial had started. Not that they hadn't seen such things before, but the overt nature and mishandling was making more than one person wince.
The problem was no one was willing to do what Horatio did. There was such a saying about a man looking for an honest man? He shook his head as he tried to get the right quote. After a moment, he gave up. They were stuck; they had to get the job done or risk Childress's wrath.
The problem was if they did cook the trial and Irons got back into contact with them and ousted Childress, those involved would be torched for railroading Logan. The only thing to do was to draw out the proceedings and play for time.
He scrubbed his face as he gamed it out. Most likely Logan would do the same. Did Childress know? Most likely he didn't care. He frowned thoughtfully and then scanned the document and committed as much as he could that was relevant to memory. He couldn't risk writing anything down, nor could he pass it on to anyone obvious, but the right word in the right ear could make its way to the right people in time.
@
Mister Koitz grimaced as he finished giving them the news of Horatio's loss of counsel. He'd had to do it on the golf course, away from the recording devices in the president's office. Just getting them all in one place at the same time was suspicious as all hell he knew. “They've stacked and rigged the entire system against him. I hate that. It makes me sick to see a man like him railroaded.”
“I know. It's not how the system is supposed to work. It throws impartiality out the window,” the president said, ignoring the little bits in the past where the AG's office had been used for partisan purposes. They had done their best with a few reforms to clean up things and were considered clean and above board now. He went through his golf bag, looking for the right club to select.
“Try a six, sir,” his assistant chief of staff said helpfully. “He needs help. Obviously, he's not getting it from his own service,” Sven Sema rumbled. “I've talked it over with Ingrid and the family. We're considering hiring outside counsel. The problem is getting it through security and up to him. Obviously, we'd be doing this as private citizens,” he said as the president pulled a six club out and examined it carefully.
