Title: Harm and Mac Songbook: War

Author: Rising Sun

Rated: PG-13 (NC-17 available)

Classification: Story

Summary: Mac's POV on the events of September 11, 2001

Spoiler: September 11, 2001: Terrorists using hijacked airplanes attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Disclaimer: JAG characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright infringement intended. All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people are purely coincidental.

Performing in this saga:

"War" is sung by Edwin Star also by Bruce Sringsteen

Feedback: Would be nice.

Author's note: The HMS series is written in a manner that allows for each story to be read as a self-contained story or as part of an arc. This story is part of a potential quintet:

* HMS25a: War

* HMS25b: It's Good News Week

* HMS25c: I don't believe in if anymore

* HMS25d: War

* HMS25e: The Last Farewell

Story Written September 23, 2001

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FRIDAY 1406 LOCAL

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VA

"Enter" The Judge Advocate General called in response to the knock on his door.

"Lt. Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered sir." Mac stood at attention. AJ finished signing the document before him and waived her into one of the luxurious chairs before his desk. Webb sat in the other. She nodded to him in an acknowledgement of his presence.

"I was to present a paper in Honduras on JAG operations in US overseas territories." AJ began.

"Sir?" She was expecting another acting JAG assignment but that didn't explain Webb. In fact nothing explained Webb.

"You'll now present the document as SECNAV has other matters for me to deal with."

"That's where I come in." Webb said.

Mac eyed him and he hesitated, but continued, "You won't be going in as Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, but as Ms. Sarah MacKenzie."

"That tells me nothing Webb." She sounded deadly.

"An easy assignment Mac. We just want an idea of how our troops behave when Uncle Sam is not looking. The place will be crawling with military personnel from sixteen countries including the United

States. If you go in as JAG we won't have a true picture. As Ms. MacKenzie military consultant to the Judge Advocate General you can go in and just observe."

"View it as a paid vacation Colonel. Tiner has the travel details. You leave at 0630 tomorrow. Dismissed."

"Aye sir." She jumped up, snapped to and left.

=========================================

War

Oh no-there's got to be a better way

Say it again

There's got to be a better way-yeah

What is it good for?

War has caused unrest

Among the younger generation

Induction then destruction

Who wants to die?

War-huh

=========================================

FRIDAY 1456 LOCAL

HARM'S OFFICE

FALLS CHURCH, VA

"So there you have it." Mac ended "Bud will probably ha v e to step in to assist you with the Norville Case."

"So when do you ship out?" Harm asked.

I leave from Dulles International at 0630"

"Kind of early no? You leaving on Saturday to present a paper on Tuesday?" He pointed out.

"I overnight in Miami then take the 1120 to Tegucigalpa International, Honduras. Arrive around 1750 local 1550 Miami. By the time I adjust to the altitude I may just be presentable enough to give that speech. But I can't help feeling that there is more to this than is being said."

"With Webb involved I'd say that was a legitimate concern." He concurred, "Have you looked at the paper yet?"

"I have yet to do that." Mac confessed.

=========================================

SUNDAY 1755 LOCAL

Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS

On the trip Mac had done two things: familiarized herself with the Admiral's speech and identified every military person she could on the flight. Even out of uniform they stood out. They had probably tagged her too.

She stepped off the plane and made her way towards the terminal.

"Señora MacKenzie?" A Lieutenant in the Honduran Army approached her.

"Yes, um Sí?" She corrected. Her Spanish was rusty but twelve hours in Miami, six of which had been spent mallcrawling at the new Dolphin Mall,had taken care of that.

"Passport please?" [He spoke English], she thought.

"And you are?"

"Lieutenant Valasquez assigned to facilitate the arrival of personnel to the conference."

"Ah." She handed over the fake passport and followed him.

"If you would kindly wait here." He pointed to the group. She scanned them and sure enough she had tagged the majority of the military, for there they stood.

In no time the Lieutenant returned and walked them through immigration and customs to a waiting military bus and onto the hotel.

=========================================

TUESDAY 0646 LOCAL

PRINCESS HOTEL, HONDURAS

MAC's ROOM

The conference so far had been a joy. The Admiral had been right it was really more holiday than work. Very atypical of Webb. The military ALL had treated her as expected. They were all Officers and Gentlemen and a credit to their various countries and she was reveling in the use of her multi lingual skills.

She's hung out with a group of persons from various countries - that usually happened at such events. She was due to present today and leave tomorrow.

The phone rang. Mac snapped it up.

"Mac!" A voice came through the line. "Turn on your TV! Any channel will do!"

"Who is this?" She asked even as she did as instructed.

"Jackson. Just do it!" He hung up.

The TV was already on and Mac stood transfixed. The World Trade Centre was on fire! What the hell had happened? Even as she tried to absorb the picture for her brain refused to accept the commentary, she watched a plane slam into the second tower. She collapsed on the bed.

Over the next hour and a half Mac watched as first the World Trade Centre then the Pentagon were attacked. What the hell was going on!

Four planes hijacked and used as missiles. She did a quick calculation ... that had to be at least four hundred persons guaranteed dead. That section of the Pentagon was under renovation thank God, but that was still a possible eight hundred casualties. As for the twin towers between workers and tourists ... the potential death count boggled the mind.

After scanning all the Channels regardless of the language she switched off the TV and headed for the Ops Room.

=========================================

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing

Say it again

War-huh

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing

Yeah

War-I despise

'Cos it means destruction

Of innocent lives

War means tears

To thousands of mothers how

When their sons go off to fight

And lose their lives

=========================================

TUESDAY 0810 LOCAL

PRINCESS HOTEL, HONDURAS

OPS

Mac stepped in. "Ma'am?" a Captain approached.

"Talk to me Captain. What is the game plan for today?"

"Well ma'am we'll be briefing every one at 9:00 am by then we'll have the full story or at least the correct story." He gently guided her to the door. She allowed him to ... for now.

=========================================

TUESDAY 0931 LOCAL

PRINCESS HOTEL, HONDURAS

CONFERENCE ROOM

Understandably every thing was running late.

It was agreed by the participants that the conference would continue. What else could be done? But all were warned that there would be mass disruptions to flight schedules as the United States had locked down air travel for the first time since World War Two.

=========================================

TUESDAY 2136 LOCAL

PRINCESS HOTEL, HONDURAS

MAC's ROOM

Mac had presented the paper; dealt with questions and all in all had represented the Admiral flawlessly. Now she was stuck here.

The phone rang. She placed the TV in mute mode.

"Yes?"

Harm's voice came through "Mac you ok?"

"Harm! Oh Honey I have been trying to call all day. I'm fine! You?"

"We're ok. I have the Admiral here."

"Mac?" AJ's voice came through.

"Sir?"

"You are aware of the situation."

"As presented on the TV ... yes sir."

He snorted. "Good. Get back here ... ASAP. Break your cover. Soon as we begin to normalize I want you on the first transport back here. Got that?"

"Aye sir!"

"I'm putting Harm back on." He said.

"Mac?"

"See you soon." She assured.

=========================================

I said

War-huh

It's an enemy of all mankind

No point of war

'Cos you're a man

Give it to me one time-now

War has shattered

Many young men's dreams

We've got no place for it today

They say we must fight to keep our freedom

But Lord, there's just got to be a better way

It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker

=========================================

TUESDAY 2206 LOCAL

PRINCESS HOTEL, HONDURAS

OPS

Mac walked in for the second time that day. "Major!" She addressed the US Soldier.

"Ma'am."

"Where is Colonel Clarke?"

"Not here ma'am I'm in charge may I assist?"

"I seriously doubt that you are in charge Major. Where - is - Colonel Clarke!"

The Major regarded her "Ms. Mackenzie.. " He began to placate her.

She pulled out her id. "Colonel MacKenzie, JAG Corps."

He snapped to.

"Now Major I say again. Where - is - Colonel Clarke!"

"Packing ma'am. He has orders to return ASAP to the US. Air transport is on its way as we speak to collect the Colonel."

"Book me on that transport Major. For I too have such orders."

"Ma'am I ..." he began. Then thought better of it as Mac glared at him. "Your destination ma'am?"

"Falls Church Virginia ... JAG Headquarters."

"Be in the lobby for collection at 0730 ma'am I'll take care of the rest."

"Thank you Major."

"Welcome ma'am." He was relieved when Mac left. Marines were a tough crew; JAGs were no better and women! Women he just avoided. To have all three in one package stand before him was a situation he hoped he'd never deal with again.

=========================================

FRIDAY 1313 LOCAL

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VA

The trip hand been a long one: Honduras to Puerto Rico to Atlanta and finally to DC and into Virginia.

Mac ran the gauntlet in the bullpen of welcomes from colleagues. She now waited for Tiner to buzz her into the Admirals Office and entered on the enter command.

"Colonel MacKenzie reporting." She said.

"Mac! Good to have you back. Effective on your return you are now the Acting Judge Advocate General - for how long I don't know. I have been called in as an advisor to the SECNAV on these Terrorist Attacks."

"Sir?" She was confused. It had been a long rough trip getting here. She hadn't even seen Harm yet. As the words sunk in for the first time in a long time Mac was lost for words.

"Mac?" AJ peered at her.

"Here sir."

He smiled "Let's go change the guard." He walked out ... She followed.

=========================================

War

Friend only to the undertaker

War

War

War-Good God, now

Now

Give it to me one time now

Now now

What is it good for?

=========================================

FRIDAY 1313 LOCAL

JAG BULL PEN

FALLS CHURCH, VA

"Attention on deck!" Some one shouted.

For once AJ left them at attention. "People effective on the arrival of the new JAG I have been transferred to Capitol Hill." He turned to Mac "just as immediately Colonel MacKenzie here is the Acting JAG. Nothing new to you she has done it before therefore I expect you to serve her as you've served me."Mac? A few words?"

"Thank you Admiral. Well people we know the drill and until we receive orders to the contrary we execute our mandate as expected. Dismissed."

Every one retuned to work as she walked AJ to the elevator. As the doors closed she ran the gauntlet again this time for congratulations.

THE END.