Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters belong to CBS, Paramount, and Don
Bellasauris. This is for entertainment only.
Classification: G
Category: Drama
Summary: Harm and Mac investigate charges against a Marine who is a
Native
American.
Special thanks to Marianne for her generous time and talent in
helping me to archive this.
Thud, thud, thud, thud...the steady rhythm of Harm's shoes hitting the running trail was the only sound that disturbed the quiet weekend morning. *Two more miles and then I can hit the shower. Keep it up Rabb, just because that new clerk referred to you as one of the older JAG lawyers, doesn't mean you're over the hill yet. You have a least another Three years before you turn forty. Crap!* Harm stopped as a cramp in his calf brought a sudden stop to his workout. Breathing hard and heavy he lifted the affected leg and propped his foot against a tree to stretch it out. As the cramp began to subside Harm sat on a nearby stone to rest before heading back to his vehicle. He wasn't going to get in his usual 8 miles this weekend.
Harm's eye suddenly noticed movement in a small clearing in the wooded area of the park. A grey fox stood not ten feet away observing Harm. He watched the animal fascinated by its stance. The fox did not appear to be afraid, but looked at Harm for at least a full minute before it suddenly howled and then disappeared into the brush. *That was odd. How did a wild animal find its way into the city?* Harm thought as he stood up and limped towards his SUV as the last of the cramp began to dissipate.
***********
Camp LeJeune
Marine training field exercise
Saturday
Sergeant Jimmy Robinson led his squad carefully through the woods. Each man was caring a full field pack and dressed in cammies. Sergeant Robinson held his hand up to signal the men following him to stop as he scanned the field ahead. A tap, tap, tap sound broke the silence. In a tree above the squad a red headed woodpecker stopped its search for food and flew in front of the squad across the field.
Sergeant Robinson stood contemplating his next move. He turned to his men and ordered them to retreat.
The crackling of the field radio was answered and immediately the hand piece was given to Robinson. "What the hell are you doing, Sergeant. I just ordered your squad into Sector 8. What part of my order do you not understand!" barked the voice of the company commander, Captain Bill Stafford.
"Sir, it didn't feel right. I will take my squad around through Sector 7 and will arrive at the rendezvous point at 1400." Robinson explained.
"If I wanted you to go to Sector 7, I would have ordered you to go to Sector 7. Now turn your squad around and finish this exercise as ordered. Do you understand, Sergeant?" the commander spit and discontinued the communication abruptly.
"Sir, are we going back?" A young corporal asked while placing the radio gear back into his pack.
"No Corporal, we will go through sector 7." Robinson ordered and lead his men down a gully towards another region.
***********
JAG Headquarters
Monday morning
"Gee, that's really neat Commander! You really saw a grey fox in the park?" Bud Robert's exclaimed while stirring the cream into his coffee.
"It was probably one of those fluffy pure breed dogs that got loose from its owner." Mac replied dubiously as she suppressed a smile.
"It wasn't a dog Mac! It was a fox!" Harm defended.
"Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie, the Admiral would like to see you both in his office." Tiner interrupted the officers standing at the coffee machine chatting.
"Sounds like we're going to have a busy week." Mac said as she placed her untouched cup of coffee down.
"You must have psychic ability Mac!" Harm teased and quickly downed a sip of coffee before following her into the Admiral's office.
"Enter!" the Admiral responded to the knock, and his two officers filed in. "At ease and have a seat. The SecNav called concerning charges brought against a Sergeant Jimmy Robinson for disobeying a direct order this weekend during a field training exercise at Camp LeJeune. Jimmy Eagle Robinson is a Native American, a member of the Choctaw tribe to be exact. According to the charges, Captain Stafford, the company commander in charge of his battalion ordered Robinson to take his squad to a rendezvous point through a particular sector. Robinson told the commander it didn't feel right and refused to take his men through the sector after being told twice."
"Sir, did the Sergeant have a reason for disobeying the order? What were his feelings based on, and why did the Captain insist that he go through the sector?" Mac asked with a look of uncertainty.
"That sector was purposely booby trapped with practice mines so that the squad would have to maneuver through it for part of the exercise." The Admiral explained as he sat on the edge of his desk his arms crossed in front of him.
"Did Sergeant Robinson know this?" Harm inquired.
"No, it was all part of the exercise, but his refusal to go into the sector resulted in his men failing the exercise. They will need two more weeks to plan another." The Admiral continued. "He gave no excuse."
"So, in other words, Sergeant Robinson cost the Marines more money and time." Harm surmised.
"That's part of it, but he also failed to set an example for his squad." The Admiral added.
"It seems pretty clean cut, Sir. Why are we investigating?" Mac replied.
"The Chief of Naval Operations has already received calls from the Native American lobbyist group in Washington. It has been implied that Captain Stafford is prejudiced against Native Americans and that he did not support his field officer because of this Prejudice. I need you two to go investigate and keep it low key. The SecNav doesn't want the media involved more than it already is. Sergeant Robinson was placed on leave until this is cleared up. Dismissed." the Admiral spoke as he handed the file to Mac.
*********
Camp LeJeune
Monday 1400
After interviewing Captain Stafford and the men of Robinson's squad, Harm and Mac walked across the base discussing their next step.
"He must have had a reason Mac. Look at this guy's record. He has be cited for outstanding conduct and nominated for a medal for his actions in the gulf. His father was Tommy Grey Fox Robinson. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Tommy Grey Fox Robinson was a pathfinder in the war. He would go ahead of the troops and spot enemy targets and radio back their position so that the artillery could fire and clear out the area before the ground troops moved in. On Dec. 24, 1969 his father threw himself on a grenade and smothered it with his body saving the lives of his comrades." Harm defended as Mac shook her head refusing to be swayed.
"Harm, it sounds like you have done your homework, but what he has done in the past and what his father did does not excuse his action on that training exercise. How many times have you wanted to disobey the Admiral, but didn't? Maybe I should rephrase that." She argued and then smiled as she realized whom she was talking with. "How many times have you disobeyed a direct order given by the Admiral?"
Harm stopped and looked at her with an exasperated sigh, "We're not talking about me. Besides I refuse to answer that on the grounds I may incriminate myself." He added with a smile.
"I guess we need to go talk to the Sergeant and see if he has an excuse." Harm challenged. "I still believe the guy did what he thought was best for his squad. I understand he went home."
"Harm, maybe you are making this a little too personal." Mac said softly.
"What do you mean Mac?" Harm shot back defensively.
"Dec. 24, 1969? Wasn't that the day your father was shot down? This is just a little too much of a coincidence don't you think?" Mac continued as she reached out unconsciously and touched his arm.
"Don't go making this about me, Mac. We need to find the truth." Harm spat and walked away clearly upset over the conversation.
Mac stood watching her partner's back, "That went well." She sighed sadly.
********
Philadelphia, Mississippi
Choctaw Indian Reservation
Tuesday
The rented car pulled up to a small frame house where several dark haired children played.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where we could find Jimmy Robinson? I'm Commander Rabb and this is Colonel Mackenzie." Harm said with a smile as he stood next to the car.
"This is his house." One of the children replied and ran into the house. Immediately a man with longer dark hair tied at the nape of his neck came out of the house.
"I'm Billy Robinson, Jimmy is my brother. What can I do for you?" He spoke looking suspiciously at the two officers. Harm reintroduced themselves and explained about the investigation.
"He went to our grandfather's. Are you here to take him to jail?" Billy asked without displaying any emotion.
"No, we just want to find out what happened so the appropriate action can be taken." Mac responded noticing the man failed to look either of them directly in the eye.
"He will return later." Billy responded flatly.
"Later?" Mac pushed.
"Today perhaps tomorrow." Billy added and returned inside the house.
"Well, I guess we better find a place to stay for the night." Harm deducted as they got back into the car. "There is supposed to be a casino on this reservation. It has a hotel connected with it." Harm smiled as they drove down the gravel road.
"I'll bet the Admiral will love that." Mac smiled.
*******
Casino Hotel Restaurant
2000
"Mac did you know that Native Americans have the highest record of service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups?" Harm read a fax Bud had sent and looked up to see Mac watching the people walk past heading towards the gambling machines that lined the area.
"I can't believe this. We are practically in the middle of nowhere and look at all these people!" Mac said amazed as a crowd strolled past.
"Grambling can be addictive." Harm replied and leaned back into his chair. "I have never had much luck myself so I stick with what I'm good at."
"Like flying?" Mac said with an arched eyebrow.
"Well, I didn't say I was 100 percent at what I'm good at." He chuckled, "But yea, chances of me taking off, getting where I need to be, and landing safely is much more likely to happen than me winning over at one of those tables. Have you ever tried...gambling?"
"Like you said it tends to be addictive. I stay away from unhealthy addictions." Mac replied, Her expression suggesting another meaning.
Harm was about to respond when a man wearing jeans and a button up long sleeve shirt approached.
"Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie? I'm Jimmy Robinson." The Native American looked intently from one officer to the other.
***********
"Sergeant Robinson, in order for us to make a recommendation on this you must tell us what happened." Harm sounded a little frustrated as he sat across the brown skinned darked-eyed Marine. Mac watched the man who appeared nonplused.
"Sergeant, I respect the fact that you feel ultimately responsible for the Marines under your supervision, but realize that you must be able to validate your actions with your superior officer." Mac pleaded.
"Colonel, you are right about me being responsible for those young men. This was their first training exercise. They are about as green as that pine tree out there. That's why I chose not to go into Sector 8." Jimmy stated without any evidence of self-doubt in his voice.
"Did you understand why the Captain insisted you go into sector 8?" Harm pushed gently.
"I didn't at the time, but I was told it was necessary for this squad to complete the exercise in order to move into the next level of training. I was told after that the area was booby trapped with dummy mines as part of the exercise." Jimmy replied.
"Were you afraid that one of your men may be injured? What was your reason for not following your CO's orders?" Mac asked.
"I was afraid that my men would be exposed to unnecessary risks at this level of training. I think they could handle the dummy mine field, but..." Jimmy broke off.
"But?" Harm leaned forward.
"I saw a red headed woodpecker in a tree above us. It then flew ahead of us across the field. I knew that my men would be in danger, and we could not cross that field." Jimmy explained softly.
"A red headed woodpecker?" Harm looked incredulously at the man before him and then gave Mac a look of disbelief.
"The Choctaw believe that the red headed woodpecker is a signal bird. If it pecks on the house or tree near your house, that signals danger is near, and one must take precautions. Should a signal bird fly in front of one who has started a trip, he knows danger is ahead." Jimmy Eagle Robinson explained stoically.
"You said that the bird could be warning you of potential danger so you could prepare yourself. You are a Marine Sergeant, why did you retreat? Marines must face dangerous situations as part of their job. You could have told your men to be more watchful. You have had to cross danger zones; you know what must be done. Why was this different?" Mac interrogated using her hands for emphasis.
"The signal bird let me know that this was a danger I would not normally be prepared for. I believe Colonel that I chose the best course of action to protect my men." Jimmy replied firmly.
"Sergeant, do you feel the action taken against you has anything to do with your race?" Harm added carefully while studying the man's demeanor.
"Sir, I don't understand why Captain Stafford did not trust my instincts as the sergeant over my squad. Whether he is prejudiced or not is not my call." Jimmy replied flatly, "If you have no more questions, I must return to my grandfather."
***********
Wednesday
Philadelphia, Ms
"Harm it looks like the Captain is pushing for a court martial. I talked with the Admiral, and he wants you to defend and Mattoni will prosecute." Mac added hesitantly.
"I must wear a sign on my forehead that says I defend the unexplainable!" Harm shook his head in frustration.
Mac smiled and replied, "The Admiral did say something about your experience with these types of cases. He did say Bud would be assisting you, and that I could stick around to keep you out of trouble for a few days."
"I guess I better get some character witnesses while we are here." Harm sighed and picked up his cell phone.
After talking with several members of Robinson's tribe Harm discovered that Jimmy had not lived on the reservation for nearly fifteen years. *Why all of a sudden is he believing the ancient Choctaw legends?*
Harm drove back to the Robinson home. Mac remained at the tribal council office to question some other members of the tribe. As the gravel road took a sharp twist, Harm slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting something that crossed the road ahead of him. He looked into the woods to see a grey fox watching him from the protection of the trees. Harm watched it until it disappeared further into the tree- thickened area. *That was a coincidence.* He thought as he put the car into gear and headed towards Jimmy Robinson's brother's home.
"Jimmy is with my grandfather." Bobby explained.
"Can you give me directions?" Harm asked and was given directions that included at least a two-mile hike up into the wooded hills. Harm called Mac to inform her where he was headed, "I want to go." Mac said after hearing Harm's plan.
"We only have a few hours of daylight. I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Wear hiking clothes!" Harm instructed and drove back to the office. He quickly dialed JAG headquarters and asked Bud to go to Camp LeJeune and investigate the area where the field exercise took place.
"Bud find out if there was any thing in sector 8 that would possibly threatened the exercise or the squad." Harm instructed before disconnecting the call.
**********
They located the trail and began the upward climb towards the home of Jimmy Eagle's grandfather, White Feather.
"I don't have much of a case. Jimmy was injured about two years ago and returned home to recover for about six weeks. He spent most of that time with this grandfather. I hope to get some questions answered about his belief system. Maybe I can use it to justify his decision." Harm spoke as he and Mac climbed up the hilly terrain.
"Do you believe that a bird warned Robinson of some sort of danger?" Mac asked skeptically as she and Harm took a short break.
"It's not important what I believe. It's important what the Sergeant believes, and then make the judge believe that Jimmy really buys into this Indian lore." Harm smiled and reached for Mac's hand to help her up as they continued their climb.
"Did I tell you I saw another grey fox today?" Harm chatted as they hiked.
Mac rolled her eyes, "I didn't realize you were such a wildlife observer."
"There it is." Harm pointed to a small wooden cabin.
Jimmy looked up and smiled. "I was wondering how long it would take you to come here." He picked up a load of cut firewood and walked towards the cabin. "Come meet my grandfather, White Feather. I must warn you. He doesn't speak English."
Harm wiped his head in frustration as Mac suppressed a smile. "Let's go meet White Feather." Harm made a sweeping motion with his hand allowing Mac to enter first.
The ancient warrior sat at a table and nodded at them acknowledging their presence. Jimmy explained who they were, and why they were there. White Feather gestured for them to sit.
Harm and Mac sat while Jimmy poured each a drink, "Spring water, it's purified, so don't worry."
"Jimmy, I need to understand what your cultural beliefs and practices mean to you so I can defend you against the charges. It looks like it is going to go to court martial." Harm explained as he sipped the clear liquid and smiled in surprise at its crispness.
"You probably talked with members of my tribe and found that I have not lived with the people for nearly fifteen years. I joined the military when I was seventeen to get away from the reservation like most young people in my day. I had dreams of being like my father." Jimmy explained. Mac gave Harm a quick look recognizing the similarities between the two.
"My father was a Naval pilot. I can understand your choice." Harm added.
"I was put into a mold of a warrior and was expected to fulfill that role. My first unit was made up of eleven other Native Americans. On one training exercise they took us up into a mountainous wilderness area and told us to find our way back. The first squad to return would get leave time. We were back in four hours. Our company commander thought we were lost because they couldn't find us in the fields. We were already back and taking our leave." Jimmy laughed at the memory. "To be a Native American warrior is to have physical, mental and strength. A warrior must be ready to overcome the enemy and be prepared to face death. So if you think that I was being cowardly, you are wrong. I will face my own death without fear when that time comes. But my responsibility as my squad's leader is to get them back alive." He added more seriously.
"I know you must find it hard to accept our beliefs Commander, but the time I spent with my grandfather two years ago taught me that there is something greater than myself. He taught me to allow myself to look to what nature is telling us. The geese fly south for the winter telling us the cold temperatures are ahead. The robin arrives to tell us spring is almost here. Do you find that so hard to accept?" Jimmy added. "There is so much more that nature tells us if we just pay attention."
"Like the red headed woodpecker telling you that danger is ahead." Harm added.
"Exactly." Jimmy smiled.
White Feather began to speak with Jimmy interpreting, "You have seen the grey fox."
Mac looked to Harm in surprise as Harm nodded affirmatively.
"Every man has an outside shadow which always followed him called the Shilombish. He also has an inside shadow, the Shilup, which after death goes to the land of ghosts. The Shilombish remains on the earth and wanders restlessly about. It takes the form of a fox or an owl. When you hear the barking of the fox or the screeching of the owl it is ominous of bad things. You can tell the Shilombish from a real fox or owl when the real fox barks another fox barks back. When the Shilombish barks there is not response." White Feather said using hand gestures to help illustrate the story.
Harm's eyes were very rounded as he listened to the elderly man's explanation.
"I saw a grey fox on two occasions." He added hesitantly.
White Feather continued with Jimmy speaking for him, "My grandfather believes the Shilombish was my father's shadow. He led you here to help me."
"What do you believe Sergeant?" Harm asked.
"I believe that my father still looks after me. Is your father still alive Commander?" Jimmy responded.
"No he died as a MIA in Russia." Harm added uncomfortably.
"Do you believe that he continues to look after you in the afterlife?" Jimmy asked pointedly.
Mac sensing Harm's discomfort intervened, "It looks like it's going to be dark soon, we need to head back. Sergeant we will need to talk with you again before the hearing."
Harm and Mac headed down the trail, "Harm you don't really believe those myths do you." Mac quizzed. Harm had been thoughtful and quiet as they walked away from the cabin.
"Like I said it doesn't matter what I believe." Harm responded softly.
Mac looked ahead and noticed a red headed woodpecker on a tree ahead of them, "There's a signal bird, maybe we should take a different path," she added with a slight tinge of sarcasm in her voice. The bird took off from its perch and flew ahead of them on the path.
Harm continued to walk down the path and turned to give Mac a reply to her comment when he felt a sharp sting on his leg. He looked down to see moccasin slither away from the path. Mac screamed out, "Harm are you alright?"
"Yea, I should have watched where I was walking." Harm replied.
She ran up to him as he sank to the ground and pulled up his pants leg to reveal a bleeding bite. "Harm that was a moccasin. They are poisonous; I need to get you to a hospital. I'm going back to the cabin. Maybe Jimmy knows a quicker way back." Mac squeezed his arm and then ran back towards the cabin.
Jimmy and Mac returned within minutes. Jimmy looked at the bite and said, "There is no way to get a vehicle up here. It will take a good hour to get back to the road. By then the poison will be spreading, maybe too much. My grandfather is a medicine man. He will know how to treat this. We will take you back to the cabin." Jimmy assisted Harm to stand.
Harm limped as the poison began to cause his leg to throb. "Harm?" Mac felt torn as to what to do.
"Mac, I don't think I can make it back down to the road. Jimmy's grandfather has lived his entire life in these woods. He probably knows what to do." Harm responded and winced in pain as Jimmy guided him back to the cabin.
************
By the time they reached the cabin Harm could barely tolerate walking on the affected leg. His face was flush with the beginnings of a fever. Mac debated whether to leave him and go for help or stay to make sure he would be taken care of.
Jimmy eased Harm on to the bed in the small one room cabin. He quickly removed Harm's shoes and socks and ripped the pant's leg. White Feather muttered directions to Jimmy while Mac took her place at Harm's side and held his hand. The bite was purplish and the area around it was swollen and red. White Feather washed the area and then began to mix a variety of herbs and made a paste, which he applied to the wound that nearly brought Harm off the bed in pain.
Jimmy spread a blanket over Harm and looked to Mac, "He will get worse before he gets better."
White Feather boiled more herbs to make some sort of tea. He offered the tea to Harm who looked doubtfully to Mac before he began to sip the bitter brew. After finishing the tea Harm relaxed into the pillow. Jimmy instructed Mac they would need to have Harm drink the tea every hour through the night.
Harm moved uncomfortably in the bed as the effects of the snake's venom began to spread through out his body. Mac applied a cool wet cloth to his fevered brow. "I give anything for an aspirin right now. " Harm laughed as he shivered.
"You're not wimping out on me Sailor?" Mac teased trying to cover her own fear.
"No if you can survive a night in the mountains with me after being shot. I think I can survive with a little help from Grey Fox." Harm mumbled.
"You mean White Feather don't you?" Mac said gently as she stroked his head with the damp cloth. She had tried repeatly to use her cell phone to call for help, but they were out of range of any tower.
Harm did not respond because he fell into a feverish fretful sleep. Every hour Mac and Jimmy would coax Harm into to drinking more tea while White Feather sang and prayed to Nanapesa, the Great Good Spirit.
By morning Harm seemed to be sleeping more peacefully, and his leg didn't look as swollen. Jimmy handed Mac a steaming cup, "It's coffee. You look like you could use some."
"Thanks." She gratefully took the cup from his hand.
"I'll walk down to the road and get some help. I know the Commander will probably want a doctor to take a look at that." Jimmy offered.
"Tell your grandfather, thank you." Mac smiled and continued in a serious tone, "I saw a red headed woodpecker fly down the path right before Harm was bitten by that snake."
"Colonel, I don't pretend to understand all of this, but I know that if faced again with the same situation and knowing the consequences, I would make the same decision." Jimmy replied and placed his cup on the table. "It is time for the Commander to drink some more tea."
Harm stirred slowly as Mac rubbed a fresh wet cloth on his face, "Wake up, flyboy. It's time to take your medicine."
"What time is it?" Harm pushed himself up slowly to a sitting position and looked around to get his bearings.
"0732" Mac responded without looking at a watch. "Jimmy's going for help to get you back to the road. You don't feel as warm as you did last night. How do you feel?"
"Tired, achy, my head hurts but not as much as my leg. This tea tastes like jet fuel." Harm responded irritably.
"It's good that you feel well enough to complain." Mac laughed while inside she felt a huge sense of relief.
*********
Harm spent the next few days in the hospital receiving IV antibiotics. "The doctor said he couldn't believe you survived that snake bite without antivenin." Mac stood by the bed where Harm sat buttoning the last button of his uniform as they waited for his discharge.
"Many of our modern day medications are credited with to the Native Americans." Harm replied. "I wonder what was in all of that White Feather gave me?" He pondered as a knock on the door preceded Jimmy and White Feather's entrance into the room.
"You look much better Commander." Jimmy smiled while next to him the elder man stood expressionless.
"Tell your grandfather, I don't know where he received his medical training, but it worked for me. Tell him thank you." Harm shook Jimmy's hand.
Jimmy relayed the message and then interpreted White Feather's response, "When my grandfather was a child the Bohpoli who live in the woods took him and taught him to use herbs and medicines. When he grew to be a man he became the tribe's medicine man. The Bohpoli are mischievous little men about two feet in height who live in the woods but are never seen."
Harm and Mac nodded uncertainly as Jimmy continued to speak for his grandfather. "Grandfather said the snake that bit you was the Hoklonote'she. The Hoklonote'she is a bad spirit who can assume any shape desired and can read people's thoughts. The Hoklonote'she read your thoughts and knew you were sent to help me. He did not want you to suceed. The power of the Nanapesa is greater than the Hoklonote'she. Before you leave we wish for you to come to my brother's house for a meal. It is our way to thank you for your help."
"Hey your grandfather saved my six. But we would be honored to come to your house. We leave to go back to Washington this afternoon. As soon as a court date is set, I will contact you." Harm shook hands with Jimmy as they all left.
*********
Everyone sat around a bond fire in the back yard while the children played ball in the yard. A long table full of food was available for the adults to serve themselves first. The children ate after the adults.
Harm and Mac sat near Jimmy and White Feather while other family members and friends talked among themselves. White Feather began to speak immediately signaling everyone into silence.
"Grandfather is going to tell a story." Jimmy whispered to Harm and Mac who politely listened as the old man spoke. Jimmy translated for their guests.
"Once when time was not old enough to be numbered, lived a beautiful maiden. She was very talented and could do all the work that was needed to keep up her lodge to satisfy her mate. But she did not have a mate and longed for him.
One day as she sat under the sun, she heard a Redbird. She talked with the Redbird and told Redbird of her desire for a mate-someone to care for and who would care for her. She asked the Redbird why she had not found the one meant for her.
Redbird had no answer. Everyday for seven passing suns he listened to her story. The Redbird became filled with the maiden's loneliness.
So one day during the Redbird's travels he came to a handsome Indian brave. He saw the Redbird and talked with him. Redbird felt the loneliness in his voice just like the maiden's. Redbird recognized that these two lonely people shared the same dream, to find another who would love and care for them as a mate.
Redbird listened for five days, and then became ill. The brave was very concerned for Redbird because he thought of Redbird as his friend. The brave walked towards Redbird to help him, but Redbird began to hop away. The brave followed Redbird.
The brave did not notice that he was leaving his home. The Redbird was leading the brave to the lodge of the beautiful maiden. When Redbird saw the Indian maiden sitting outside her lodge he flew away. The brave saw the Indian maiden and realized he had wandered far from his home. He went to the maiden to ask where he was.
Redbird watched from a tree as the brave and maiden talked. At first the brave and maiden did not talk freely, but soon they talked as old friends.
Redbird saw this and thought it was good. He had done all he could, and now it would be up to the brave and maiden. As Redbird flew to his home he thought of how Great Spirit had known that someday the two would find each other. Finally the maiden had someone who would care for her, and the brave would have someone for him to care for him." (Story from Choctaw legends written by Tipi Pinti)
White Feather smiled large toothy grin and nodded at Harm and Mac who had listened with great interest to the words.
Mac punched Harm on the shoulder; "It's time for us to head out."
Harm thanked the Robinson's for their help and hospitality before he and Mac entered their car and drove away.
"Harm, I hope that Jimmy doesn't have to face brig time." Mac sighed as she drove them away from the reservation.
"Remember Grey Fox is looking after him." Harm added with a smile. Mac pulled to a stop before entering the main highway. On a hill to their right stood a grey fox watching fearlessly as the car pulled on the highway.
"Harm?" Mac said cautiously.
"I told you I saw a fox. Now do you believe me?"
*********
Back at JAG Headquarters
Harm and Mac strolled into the bullpin to be greeted immediately by Lt. Bud Roberts, "Sir, Ma'am, I've got some interesting information. By the way Sir how is your leg?"
"I'm fine, Bud what did you find out?" Harm pulled Bud towards his office with Mac falling in right behind.
"Apparently they were setting up another field exercise at LeJeune this week and found that someone had mistakenly planted real land mines in Sector 8 instead of dummy mines." Bud's eyes were round as he reported his findings.
"So if Sergeant Robinson's men had gone across that field and accidentally set one off, someone would have been seriously injured or killed." Harm reasoned.
"Exactly Sir. Sergeant Robinson's men were new recruits. This was their first field exercise." Mac added with a smile.
"Bud get me Captain Stafford on the phone. I think I can persuade him to drop the charges against Sergeant Robinson." Harm smiled.
***********
Harm strolled outside to the table where Bud and Mac were eating lunch and announced. "Charges dropped! Captain Stafford said he would personally find the person responsible for the mine mix up."
"That's great." Mac smiled.
"So are you becoming a believer?" Harm picked up the other half of Mac's sandwich and bit down.
"Believer in what?" Bud asked.
"The unexplained, the supernatural?" Harm smiled mischievously as he removed the ham from the sandwich and continued to eat.
Bud's eyes became round and added, "UFO's?"
"I'm not sure I want to go there, but yea, I think there are things that can't be explained with logic or science." Mac smiled.
"Why wasn't I invited to the picnic."? A familiar voice drew the officer's attention away from their discussion.
"Clayton Webb, have a seat." Harm gestured for him to join them and added. "The answer is no."
"You haven't heard the question." Clay looked taken back. "How do you know I want something?"
All three officers gave him a 'you've got to be kidding look.'
"Alright, maybe its just a small favor. But you do owe me a few Rabb." Clay responded a little defensively and straightened his tie.
"Let us finish lunch before you give me indigestion." Harm replied blandly.
"Oh look a redbird!" Mac said in delight and pointed towards the flower bed where a bright red colored bird pecked at the ground."
"At least its not a red headed woodpecker." Harm said sharing a chuckle with Mac.
"My mother used to call me her little redbird." Clay said without thinking.
Harm and Mac looked at each other and at Clay, "Naw."
"The Redbird had done all he could and now it would be up to the brave and the maiden...."
Epilogue Highground Veterans Memorial Park is located near Neillsville, WI. The National Native American Veteran's Memorial is located here. The bronze Sculpture depicts an American Indian soldier in jungle fatigues holding a rifle in one hand and an Eagle Feather staff in the other. The names of all American Indians who died as a result of the Vietnam war are etched into two to the four black granite panels which skirt it's base. Also inscribed is the following tribute to "The Forgotten Warrior"
"The memorial statue was envisioned to serve as a touchstone where the quiet tears of unresolved grief from mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends could be shed in an honorific setting and be strengthened by the groundswell of pride that their departed loved ones stand in an elite company of Native American Warriors who fought in America's longest and costliest undeclared war..."
The end
