"Burdens of Heritage"
Author: Haruo Chikamori
E-mail: hhchikamori
Rating: M
Classification: Animal/Tracy Manetti,
Spoilers: N/A
Summary: A relationship borne of a close-working environment at the Pentagon is tested when Animal gets a call from relatives in Japan to come back to Japan to attend a soshiki of a much-loved uncle due to a motor vehicle accident involving a USN serviceman and a Japanese pedestrian.
DISCLAIMER: The characters Harm Rabb, Jr., Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie, Meg Austin, AJ Chegwidden, Bud Roberts, Harriet Sims-Roberts et al. belong (in concept if not name) to CBS/Bellisarius. Animal and all OC characters are the property of Heather and Hugo Chikamori. No profit is being made from this story, nor is any infringement intended.
Author's Note: I've always enjoyed Tamlyn Tomita's performances – yes, including Karate Kid Part II. She brought a certain wry humor to the role of Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti in JAG. God I ~bleeping~ hate ADHD plot bunnies!
JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA, March 2, 2002, 0700hrs
"Rabb, Mackenzie! In my office!" Rear Admiral (lower half) AJ Chegwidden strode through the bullpen enroute to his office. When the two officers made their way to the oak-lined office of the Judge Advocate General, his face was in the file that he was perusing. After seeing over the top of the file folder, that the two officers had come to a brace in front of his desk, he uttered. "I need to send you two to Kochi Prefecture in Japan. An enlisted man off the USS Mind Head has been arrested by Japanese police for running down a Japanese pedestrian, name of Hachirou Minoru Nakamura."
Harm's sudden intake of breath caused the admiral to look up. But Harm's face was not giving any clues to his equilibrium.
"You two will be investigating the incident and then reporting back to me with regards to the prosecution and defense of this enlisted man." The admiral continued. Joint Naval Base Maizuru in Kyoto, Japan was populated by both United States Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force members. "The man involved was Cryptologic Technician 2nd class Michael Mustafa Sabah El-Hashem; top marks on his 1st class examination, he wrote the exam one week before getting into the wreck. He's been a good sailor, and had great FITREPS, but ever since 9-11, he's had a drinking problem. The problem is that Japan's justice system considers drinking and driving very harshly and running down a pedestrian even more so. I want you to go to Kyoto and find out what went on over in Kochi and figure out what we can do to mitigate the political shit-storm that this is going to cause. Get on it!" the admiral growled.
Harm and Mac looked at each other. This wasn't going to be comfortable. As they exited the door, closing the door behind them, Mac asked. "Are you going to tell me exactly what the sharp intake of breath was about?" Harm nodded, but shook his head impatiently as he walked towards his office.
"Come inside my office, shut the door." Mac looked irritated, but did as complied. Harm sat down heavily in his chair as he raised his hand to his forehead and wiped his brow.
"What is it…" prompted Mac.
"I know the deceased. I referred to him as Uncle Hachirou, but my friend knows him way better. He was Vice-Admiral Toshio Nakamura's uncle." Mac's mouth dropped open. "When the Seahawk was in port, Animal and I would go visit, get to eat some Japanese food." Harm shook his head as Mac looked at him with an unspoken question. "Tempura, not sushi, I don't eat any red meat and very little fish. He was a quiet man, liked to walk long distances – I think that's how he stayed in shape. He would have been approaching 85." He looked up at Mac…and said softly. "I can't believe he's gone."
"Are you sure that this Hachirou Nakamura is the Hachirou Nakamura that you remember? Could it be the same person?"
"I don't think there's very many Nakamura's with that exact same name." Harm replied resting his chin on the palm of his hand, his elbow of the hand he rested his chin on, on the table.
"Are you going to be able to stay objective on the case? Because if not, you need to recuse yourself." Mac warned him.
"I can do the investigation, but I will recuse myself if I have to prosecute or defend."
Mac looked doubtful, "But you are going to have to objectively look for any evidence that both sides can use for the court case."
Commander, US 2nd Fleet, Naval Station Norfolk, 0700hrs
"Sir, mail for you." Vice-Admiral Toshio Nakamura's yeoman dropped off a stack of mail with an envelope resting on top, then departing his office. Animal silently surveyed the envelope at the top. Japanese stamps on the top. Taking the envelope in his hand, he used a naval sword letter opener to slice the envelope open at the top, Separating the two halfs of the envelope, he retrieved the contents, a piece of Japanese letter paper, much thinner than the usual correspondence pages from North America. A thin sheet of almost translucent paper with Japanese kanji and hiragana written on it: Upon it, he read the following from his almost 105 year old grandmother; her frail handwriting apparent in the almost birdlike strokes from her calligraphy pen.
私の孫; my grandson;
それはこの手紙あなたへの書き込みを深くつらい. It pains me deeply to write to you this letter
彼は突然と悲痛に車によって打たれたとき、あなたの叔父は、この一週間、彼の健康のために歩いていた.
Your uncle was walking for his health this past week when he was suddenly and grievously struck by a vehicle.
これは、車両の運転者がアメリカの船乗りにほかならなかった私たちの深い恐怖であった。
It was with deep horror, that we found out that the driver of the vehicle was an American sailor.
私たちは、損失を悲しむと謙虚にあなたがあなたの最愛の叔父の葬儀に参加するために日本に戻ることを要求するよりも、より多くの何もしたくない。それはあなたが参加することのために彼の魂を幸せにするだろう。
We wish nothing more than to grieve our loss and humbly request that you return to Japan to take part in the funeral of your beloved uncle. It would make his soul happy for you to attend.
私たちはあなたの米海軍はこの事件を調査するために、それがあるより以上であることが今回の事故をしないでください持っていることを知っている。私たちの傷はまだ新鮮であり、それはそれは癒すために私たちが必要とする時間です。我々は、それが元の痛みを伴う状態に再び開かれることを望むものではない。
We know that your US Navy has to investigate this incident, but please do not make this accident out to be more than it is. Our wound is still fresh and it is time that we will need for it to heal. We do not wish it to be re-opened to its original painful state.
船乗りで怒ってないでください。彼は間違っていたが、彼はまだ若いです。若者はミスをする。彼は彼の過ちから学ぶことが、うまくいけば、彼は結果として大きな男になります。
Please do not be angry at the sailor. He was in the wrong, but he is still young. Young people make mistakes. He will learn from his mistakes and hopefully he will become a greater man as a result.
あなたは葬儀に高知に飛ぶことができます時にお知らせするためにお電話ください。私たちは、それまで待つように葬儀場に伝えることができるようになります。
Please call us to let us know when you are able to fly to Kochi to the funeral. We will be able to tell the funeral home to wait until then.
私はあなたの到着、私の孫を待っています。
I await your arrival, my grandson
あなたの祖母、直子。
Your grandmother, Naoko.
Animal slumped in his seat for a moment, his right hand to his eyes. This wasn't news that he was expecting and it felt as though a knife had been stabbed through his heart. Picking up the telephone he dialled a number. Hearing her cheery voice answering the phone with a "Secnav's Office, Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti"…he asked, speaking through a lump in his throat. "Tracy?"
"What is it? Tosh…" she asked, picking up on his distress and noting the familiarity of his greeting instead of using his rank.
"Can you ask SECNAV Sheffield if I can put in a request for immediate family emergency. I have to go to Japan." Family emergency or not, he still was a United States Naval officer and had to go through proper channels to request leave, but SECNAV Edward Sheffield would be able to expedite it so that he could get on a plane this afternoon.
"Tosh…" the tone of Tracy's voice was sympathetic. "Do you want me to come with you?" she meant to Japan and almost suppressed a leap of joy when she heard him say with almost a puppy-dog-like tone of voice.
"Would you?" Tracy and Animal had been friends ever since he had worked in the office of the Naval Inspector General after getting yanked off active duty and they had a comfortable friendship, periodically meeting for dinner and lunch as well as the occasional out-of-Navy function like the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Virginia Beach, but considering Norfolk was a good three and a half hour drive from the Pentagon if driving rationally, it was quite the distance to be able to cover to be able to see each other regularly. So they kept their friendship alive by e-mail and the occasional platonic meet-ups. Harm used to tease the living daylights out of Animal after seeing some of the photos from Animal's outings with Tracy saying that it looked like Animal and Tracy were dating.
"Look, Tosh, I'll let the SECNAV know that you'll be faxing your request for leave directly to the office and I'll fill one out for myself too. And then you and I need to have a talk so that we can figure out how we're going to do this. You set up the tickets for the flight tonight."
"OK…" Animal was fine with her ordering him to do the things required to get them both on a plane by this evening, as his mind had pretty much gone blank after reading that epistle from his grandmother and he was gratified that Tracy had the presence of mind to be able to get all that done for him.
Calling in his Yeoman after he finished putting together the leave request form, he asked the yeoman to fax the form to the Secretary of the Navy's office then told him that he was going to be taking the rest of the day off as a personal day as soon as he made one more phone-call.
"Yes, sir, will get that done ASAP." The yeoman stated as he hastened to do exactly that.
He made the arrangements for the flight to Kansai International Airport then grabbed his briefcase and his cover. Animal knew that maybe he wasn't in the best frame of mind to be on the road, but he wanted to catch Tracy before she left the Pentagon for the afternoon. Walking out to the car he dialed Tracy's work number yet again.
"Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti, SECNAV's office?" her cheery voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"Hi…Tracy, got the tickets set up. I'm coming up to the Pentagon. Easier to take one car." Animal grinned; a little bit more cheerful now that he had managed to get the tickets ready. "I'm just going to head home and pack a bit before we have to leave.
"OK…SECNAV said that he got your leave request approved and faxed to BuPERS. Then you have to follow me home and let me get packed so we can get to Dulles in enough time for the flight. I requested an early secure too and got it. So I'm just waiting for you, flyboy."
"I requested a red-eye flight so that we could actually pack and get out to the airport before they closed the ticket counter and the TSA checking area." Animal informed her.
"Well, get your butt home…" Tracy's voice was cheerful. "throw your stuff in a seabag…and I'll see you up here at the Pentagon at 1200 hrs. Then we can have some lunch before I have to pack." Her throaty laughter on the other end of the line made Animal's mind think all sorts of inappropriate thoughts. "After all, you have to eat, y'know."
"Wakarimashita." Animal grinned as he walked up to his car and clicked the remote at it to unlock the door.
"anata ga nihongo o hanasu tokiniha watashi ni nani o suru ka wakaranai – (Oh, you don't know what that does to me when you speak Japanese…)" her husky voice murmured softly in his ear clearly through the reception on the cell-phone as Animal's eyes opened wide as he hastened to start his car and was determined to get home fast enough to pack his bag inside of ten minutes.
"Oh…yeah?" he grinned into the receiver of the phone as he started the engine…"Well…Trace…let me hang up so that I can get my butt up there and then…" he teased with a husky tone. "maybe you can show me…"
Her laughter rang through the phone as she let him have it with both barrels with her Virginia accent. "Oh, you are definitely not the gentleman, are you? Are you trying to seduce a good little Virginia girl like me?"
"See you up there, Tracy…Bye for now…" he turned on the husky tone to one hundred percent and hung up. Too bad there wasn't an aircraft that he could ferry up to Joint Base Andrews – Oh well…
Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti's desk, Office of the Secretary of the Navy, The Pentagon; 0745hrs
Lieutenant Commander Korina Spyridoula looked over at Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti when the latter put down her phone, smiled giddily and grinned. "Damned flyboy."
LCDR Spyridoula figured her office partner was in love said. "Romantic trip or something?"
Tracy looked at her shaking her head negative "Uh…no, I'm just accompanying a good friend over to Japan for emergency leave, had to request personal leave."
SECNAV Edward Sheffield came out of his office and both officers locked up in a brace. "Lieutenant Commander Manetti. I know you've requested for personal leave, but I'm going to have to utilize you while you are in Japan. This matter of an accident involving the death of a Japanese citizen in a motor vehicle crash driven by a United States sailor has made things rather problematic in the diplomatic sense. The nationalist elements in Japan have never liked Japan opening up its ports to the United States Navy and any place that has a Joint Naval base like Maizuru in Kyoto have been hit with demonstrations by those same Japanese Nationalist elements calling for removal of US Forces in Japan. You know the language."
"Is it something that I can do while I'm in Japan, sir?" LCDR Manetti asked the SECNAV…
…who nodded; suggesting "I would suggest that you take your uniform with you and be prepared to visit Maizuru naval base."
"Well, sir. It'll be a lot easier with a US Navy admiral to get members of the base to open up. Are you saying that the Secretary of the Navy's office is to liaison with US Consulate in Osaka to get to the bottom of this matter?"
Secretary Sheffield had deduced that the admiral that she was going with would be Vice-Admiral Toshio Nakamura. Frankly it didn't matter to him. They were both in separate commands.
Animal's house, 521 Fairfax Avenue, Ghent, VA. 0810 hrs
Animal entered the house at a run, dropping off his briefcase, while stripping his uniform – he was in a rush. He'd fix the uniform and throw it in at the dry-cleaners when he made it back from Japan. Right now he needed to get things packed and he didn't have to wear a uniform on personal leave, but he'd take his Navy ID with him. Sometimes it would make things easier to deal with if he could get onto a naval base. Besides, getting American things at a Navy PX would be cheaper than having to deal with the matters of trying to get American things at someplace over-priced like a Japanese store dealing in Western style products. Plus he needed to meet Tracy at the Pentagon. So the faster he could get turned around from getting packed the better. Throwing whatever clean clothes he had in his sea-bag, he made sure he had an extra pair of sneakers, then heading out the door and locking it behind him, he made his way to his car, and started it, pulling out of the driveway and onto Fairfax Avenue.
Knowing that the Starbucks was on Colley Avenue, he made his way there. Parking there, he had to make his way into the store as unlike some Starbucks, there was no drive-thru. Ordering a mocha frappucino with three shots of espresso, he sipped it casually as he headed back out to his car, then proceeded north bound on Colley Avenue to W. 26th where he made a right turn which turned into Lafayette Boulevard then a left turn onto Tidewater Drive which would take him up to the Hampton Roads Beltway interchange (I-64) which wound its way along the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
The Pentagon; Washington DC, 1145hrs
Animal pulled off South Washington Road into the Pentagon's South Rotary Road. This was designed to keep drivers along the periphery of the parking lot until one reached the gate, but it was also designed to infuriate anybody O-5 and above and as an O-9, Animal was getting there by the time he had circled the end of South Rotary road and came up to the gate at North Rotary Road. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant gate guard smiled, his M9 in holster on hip and walked up to the vehicle, hands hovering close to his side-arm. "Military ID only, please?"
Animal handed over his ID showing that he was a vice-admiral in the United States Navy and the Marine looked him over once, then twice.
"Civilian clothes today, sir?" The Gunny's smile was still on his face but he looked suspicious. He knew this was the US 2nd Fleet presenting his ID, but he still had to check on it. September 11th, 2001 was too fresh in his mind not to be suspicious of anything.
"Yes, Gunny. Picking up a friend at the Pentagon today – Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti, Secretary of the Navy's office. You can call up and see if she's expecting me."
"Yes, sir." The gunny went back to his hutch and picked up a phone to dial the number; after a moment, he came back. "You check out, sir. Go ahead, sorry about the grilling, but after 9/11, sir, we can't be cautious enough."
"Definitely, Gunny…I wouldn't expect anything less. You have a good day, now, Gunny." Animal nodded as he waited for the barrier to go up and then moved his car slowly forward.
"Ooh-rah, sir! You bet!"
After finding his parking spot in the Pentagon Parking lot which was labelled for the US Second Fleet – only because the US 2nd Fleet was there to meet up with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But it also made for a convenient place to park when one was meeting someone else at the Pentagon too. The name: US 2 FLT was emblazoned in yellow on the black asphalt in the parking spot assigned to him at the Pentagon. Unfortunately O-5s and O-6s had to use the regular parking spaces assigned outside. There was benefit to rank.
Getting out of his car, clipping his VISITOR's badge to his shirt pocket, he walked over to the Pentagon entrance, and entered the Pentagon building. Walking through the Pentagon in jeans and casual shirt was an eye-opener. Nobody even noticed him and it was amusing to see just how the rest of the uniformed staff reacted. Nobody considered him an admiral in civilian clothes though the military cut of his hair differed from the tailored appearance of the civilian workers at the Pentagon. And his satisfied expression didn't leave his face as he navigated the hamster hole that was the Pentagon drawing closer to Tracy's place of work. She was going to work until he showed up and it wasn't but another five minutes before he poked his head in the doorway. "Hi…" he said.
"Hi…" Tracy replied as her face lit up. "Just give me a couple of minutes and I'll be right with you…"
Tracy's Apartment, 3925 Davis Pl NW APT B7, Washington DC 1400hrs
Tracy casually started packing her things as Animal waited quietly on the couch in her living room gazing around her apartment.
"I got the tickets for an 11PM departure." He noted as he looked over at the tickets in his hand. Considering that airline tickets were essentially money, he figured that it was wiser to hang on to them in hand and brought them up to her apartment.
"OK…I think that's about that…" Tracy smiled as she came out of her room with valise in hand and another suitcase.
"Packed enough?" Animal inquired innocently as Tracy gave him an arch look.
"Oh, I'm sure I have…though come to think of it, I could perhaps consider bring another suitcase." She said with an evil smile then laughed as Animal's eyes widened in horror. "How many Starbucks have you had today?" Tracy asked when she saw him sipping his mocha frappuccino.
"Oh…just the one…"
"Really?"
Animal hemmed and hawed for a bit. "OK…two. One on the way up and one at the mall. The one I picked up at the mall is the one I'm finishing right now."
"Well, just warning you that if you drink too many of those, you won't be able to get any sleep on the plane over." Tracy warned then mentioned to Animal. "Tosh, SECNAV Sheffield mentioned that he needs me to do some NAVINSGEN stuff while I'm there, that's why I'm taking my uniform." She motioned to the uniform bag hanging over her large suitcase. "Something regarding a vehicle accident involving a Japanese civilian." The gasp from Animal alarmed her and she said. "What, Tosh, did I say something wrong?"
"No…" he managed to get out through the tight lump in his throat…"...it's just that…the deceased…is my uncle."
Tracy came over to the couch, sitting down beside him. "I'm so sorry…" she whispered, looking at him, wondering if there was really any way to comfort him.
"I just brought civilian clothes, but perhaps, maybe I should have brought some of my uniforms, just to be able to utilize them if necessary."
"If you do need them…" Tracy reassured him, "There's always the PX at Joint Base Maizuru."
"Yeah…there goes my budget for the next month…" Animal rolled his eyes.
They sat there quietly comforting in each other's presence until 1800hrs. Then they opted to head for the airport. Grabbing Tracy's luggage under protest from Tracy that he was going to wreck his back, Animal headed out to his car and they loaded Tracy's luggage into the back. Checking to make sure the main door was locked to the building; they got into the car and started on their way to Dulles.
Washington Dulles International Airport, 1830 hrs
"You did have to catch a red-eye flight, right?" Mac grumbled as she looked over at Harm.
"Mac, that's all there was; I couldn't find anything else." Harm winced as he remembered Bud was on the USS Seahawk; normally Bud would be able to scrounge up tickets with a better flight time than 2300hrs…so he picked the first flight that he could find, Singapore Airlines, Flight 276 direct from DC-Dulles to Kansai Airport. He peered around to see two black haired heads in the line-up ahead of them, both in civilian clothes as were Harm and Mac – US military rules were that if one was flying on civilian aircraft internationally, that they were to wear civilian clothes so as to not make themselves conspicuous. These orders came down after 9/11 as the Pentagon was paranoid that an international incident could potentially occur if terrorists were able to get hold of military personnel. "I picked the first flights that had two seats side-by-side. The rest were all full...hey, isn't that Animal…and who's he with. "Hey! Animal!" and then got the shock of his life when he found him with an Asian woman, pretty brown eyes, and a terrific smile which turned into a quizzical expression. "Hi, I'm Commander Rabb." He said extending his hand to the woman, while Animal looked over indulgently. "We finally meet. Your photos, I'm afraid, do not do you justice."
"Hey, Rabb, quit drooling." He growled.
Harm turned around. "Well…how are you? Uh…sir?"
"I'm not sir right now, Harm. I'm in civvies." Animal said, he gestured to the accompanying woman beside him, "This is Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti."
"Pleased to meet you. Commander Manetti." Harm said.
"Charmed, I sure…" Harm was really thrown off by the Virginia twang. "…sir." She finished as she extended her hand.
"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. United States Marine Corps." Harm's partner extended her hand to shake "
"So what brings you to Dulles?" Animal inquired looking over at the suitcases beside Harm and Mac.
"Investigation." Harm replied briefly.
"Japan?"
"Yes…" Harm explained. "We've been requested to do an investigation involving a motor vehicle accident involving a US Sailor and a Japanese national." He then drew Animal over to one side, "Animal, I think it's your uncle."
"I know it is… Harm." Animal said. "I got a letter from Grandma saying that he was the one that got hit and killed."
"I'm sorry, Animal."
"Yeah…me too."
Chapter Two
Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington DC 1845hrs
"These are business class tickets? That's over $6,800 a ticket. Tosh…" Tracy's eyes widened as she looked at the print on the tickets as Animal pulled them out and handed them over to the Singapore Airlines ticket agent. "How…"
"My family in Japan owns 40% stock in Kansai Electric of which they have transferred 10% of the annual profits into my name to a bank in the United States for my benefit. I work off my salary so the only time I've dipped into it is this time." Animal replied trying to alleviate Tracy's alarm at the extravagant cost of the tickets. Hell, with what money Animal had, he could pretty much swing for an A380 suite, since that was what they were going to be flying on but he figured that would definitely be a bit too forward of a gesture and that would more than increase Tracy's alarm rather than alleviate it. It wasn't so much the ostentatious gesture as it was the fact that with two ejections, Animal's back needed to be well-rested when he got off the plane or he'd stiffen up. "It's so that we don't have to have any worries while we're there. Don't worry, Tracy, everything's on the up and up and I've informed the Navy as well as the IRS as to why I have that much money. So I've been paying taxes on the money since the money was transferred into a holding account in the U.S."
"Wow." Harm said. He was googling Kansai Denki on his smart phone and said. "Forty Percent of Two Hundred Seventy One Million Million YEN?!" Frank was going to excrete bricks…when he heard about this. Frank was worth millions as a VP at Chrysler. Animal had over nine hundred million US dollars in his account and he lived so unassumingly. In fact Harm had thought Animal lived almost at a pauper's level when considering the only thing he spent on was his house and his car and perhaps some camera equipment which was his enjoyment outside of the Navy, but hearing just how much Animal actually had to work with, made Harm's head spin.
He then plucked both tickets out of Harm's hands, looked them over and put them on the ticket counter. "Upgrade please to business class." and slapped down a Bank of America credit card, with a credit line of one hundred thousand dollars and looked over casually at a now gaping Harm and Mac. "I'll pay the amount off when I get back." Six-thousand dollars and an approval on the credit card later and Harm's and Mac's tickets were all upgraded. "Business class is so expensive that hardly anyone uses it; most will fly economy class and then wake up with cramps in their shoulders and back by the time the plane gets into Kansai." Animal explained. "And how many ejections have you had, buddy?" he said to Harm. "You need to stretch out or you won't be functional by the time we land."
"Thanks, Animal." Harm replied, not sure whether to be grateful or insulted by the insinuation that his flying wasn't the best in the world.
"Thank you, Admiral." Mac still looked shocked as the ticket agent slapped destination stickers on their luggage and loaded them onto the conveyor belt leading to the luggage terminal in prep for loading onto their plane.
"Now…we sit around for four hours. Anybody hungry for dinner?" Animal asked. "I'll buy." Harm silently hailed a gracious deity for the magnanimousness of his recently revealed to be filthy rich friend. Nine hundred million…wow.
Joint Naval Base Maizuru, Kyoto, Japan 0900hrs
"Listen, sand-maggot." Gunnery Sergeant Otis Claybourne, Marine security detachment JNB Maizuru, growled at CT2 El-Hashem as he looked him up and down with a malevolent stare "You know just how much of a diplomatic incident that you've created by running over a Jap civilian?" he snorted derisively "Everybody knows you sand-niggas can't drive worth shit. The Japs want your neck. And I got half a mind to give you to 'em. You sure you ain't workin' for Al-Qaeda?"
"I'm working for the United States Navy, Gunny…" CT2 El-Hashem gulped in a deep breath, nervous though he was. "I love my country, sir. It was an honest mistake. I didn't even see him cross the road."
"Tell it to the JAG Lawyers coming out from DC. Right all the way from HQ. You musta pissed them off right proper. They ain't sending you guys from Pearl, they sendin' in the big guns. You just spleen on a stick now, sand-nigga." He wandered down the cell-block. "I'm sure Vice Admiral Henley will be happy to sell the Japs the rope to hang you with…"
Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington DC 2200hrs
"Singapore Airlines Flight 276, Initial Boarding Call. Please proceed to Gate A20. Thank you. Initial Boarding Call…Please proceed to Gate A20…" (Author's note: Gate A20 and Gate A22 are the A380 gates at Washington-Dulles).
"I think that's our flight." Tracy looked over at Animal. "Shall we?" Animal nodded as the group got up. Looking at the long terminal Animal sighted the gate.
"There it is…A20." Animal said as he looked over at Tracy, Harm and Mac. "Let's go…" They had only their carry-on luggage now and headed for the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. That monster of an aircraft looked absolutely enormous. Harm marvelled as they were ushered to the upper deck as the upper-deck had a large business class section. Mac and Harm found their seats in 21D & F, Animal and Tracy were at 15D&F "Works for me." Animal said. Tracy grinned at him.
Due to the separated levels on the A380-800 and the Singapore Airlines seating plan, the A380 was loaded very quickly with the Suites being filled first downstairs and then the entirety of the A380 upstairs except for a small portion of Economy at the very back of the plane being Business Class – the fewer passengers upstairs enabled the aircraft to load and unload quicker as they all didn't have to line up. This was Animal's first time on an A380 so he wanted to make it worth the while. These seats allowed flyers with Singapore Airlines to lie flat on the seat to get sleep.
"The legroom is amazing…" Tracy enthused as she looked all around her seat marvelling at the luxuriousness of the aircraft interior.
"Thought it would be more comfy this way." Animal replied as he settled into the seat and looked around for the overhead light to turn on. "But we'll have to keep our seats upright until we take-off." Tracy smiled at Animal, gratified that they were finally on the plane, despite the long wait.
"I'm going to go to sleep after we take-off, maybe I'll be able to catch the latter leg of the flight if I don't sleep too long." She looked over at Animal who was looking rather exhausted from the day. "You should get some sleep too."
"It's gonna be a fourteen and a half hour flight." Animal explained. "I'll find some time to get some sleep. The takeoffs and landings, I want to be awake for." He laughed slightly. "I can't seem to sleep at those points, mainly due to my being a former naval aviator." As the aircraft filled with passengers, the both of them sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts.
He never said a single word about how rich he was…but that doesn't change anything. Tracy thought to herself sneaking side-long looks at Animal. He's still the same Tosh he was before. Just that he doesn't have to worry about anything again in his life. He makes ninety-three million a year just in interest alone before he even considers his Navy salary. Buying a Mercedes Benz is a drop in the hat for him yet he drives a non-descript 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. He could live comfortably in a thirty million dollar penthouse at the top of the Trump Tower and not have to worry about ever working again yet he lives in a non-descript yet comfortable home not even coming close to one million dollars and serves our country with nary a sideward glance and is one of the most dedicated officers in the Navy. Money doesn't mean a thing to him. And I hope I can say that money doesn't mean a thing to me either, because he still is the same guy that he was before this news broke.
Animal's thoughts were along the line of God, she's beautiful as he looked over at the adopted daughter of a Virginia tobacco plantation owner. Tracy was relaxing in the seat next to him enjoying the opulence of that leather padded seat.
The flight was a transpolar flight which meant that coming into Kyoto; it would be cutting through Russian airspace with clearance. Flying through Russian airspace was risky. What was on Animal's mind was the KAL007 flight that got shot down by Russians, but the agreement between the Russian Federation and airlines with special clearances alleviated some of that stress.
Kansai International Airport, Kyoto, Japan; Midnight Next Day
Travel between continents was fraught with time-changes and it threw people off their travel schedules. Luckily there was a hotel right by Kansai Airport. The Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport allowed travellers to bed their weary heads down in several luxurious suites located at the hotel, as most hotels at midnight were not going to accept travellers so a hotel at the Kansai International Airport was constructed to alleviate that problem and that allowed Harm, Mac, Tracy and Animal to grab their luggage and make their way to the hotel via the passenger bridges from Terminal One. It made it so much easier.
When they arrived at the hotel, Animal booked rooms for all four of them – four single rooms. It was understood that the rules still applied – that a Lieutenant Commander shouldn't bunk with a three-star. Tongues might wag, no matter where the hell in the world they were. "Standard room, OK?" The hotelier asked in broken English.
"Sore wa kekkōdesu (That's fine) " Animal replied to the clerk whose eyes widened in amazement.
"Anata wa nihongo o hanasemasu ka? (You are able to speak Japanese?)" the clerk asked, clearly shocked that he could speak the language. After all, Animal had been mistaken for every Asian ethnicity around, least of all his true ethnicity.
"Hai, watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekiru desu. (Yes, I am able to speak Japanese.)" Animal replied hoping that this conversation wasn't going to last too long, as he was just about ready to hit the sack and try to at least get about six hours of sleep so that he could function. "Watashi wa chōjikan no furaito o motte ita. Watashi wa shitsureida to omoimasuga, watashi wa hijō ni ikutsu ka no kyūsoku o eru kikai o kansha shinaide kudasai. (I have had a very long flight Please do not consider me rude, however I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to rest)" he hoped that point got it across that he would like his room keys or entry-card and be able to get some rest before they had to go visit his grandparents. Evidently the bags under his eyes appeared to get the point across to the hotelier that they required their rooms quickly before the four travellers fell asleep on their feet.
Taking the elevators up to their rooms, they each separated to get whatever rest they could. Animal set his Kyocera 6035 personal digital assistant phone's alarm to ring at 6:30AM, then he could quickly take a shower and get dressed and maybe prepare by having his breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Harm settled into his room and looked over at the small single bed. Disgusted he grumbled. "They must have designed it with the average Japanese height of five feet seven inches. He was going to end up with half his legs off the end of the bed.
Kansai International Airport, Kyoto, Japan; 0600hrs
Tracy Manetti found her eyes opening to see the sun coming up over the horizon, shining through the gap in her drapes just as her cell phone went off signalling her to get up. Opting for a quick shower, she looked in the bathroom in her hotel room. It was very tiny. One would trip over the toilet trying to get in and out of the bathtub. Tracy wryly smiled to herself. Opting to take a shower, she made sure that she had a change of clothes handy and then proceeded into the small cramped bathroom.
In the other room, Mac was doing the same thing, preparing to get ready. They would have to find some way to get up to Maizuru which was clear on the other side of the island. That would mean that they had to go to Joint Base Tokushima (fictitious…US-Japanese base in Japan) and then fly by helicopter, more than likely an SH-60J Seahawk to the other side of the island. They would have to meet Animal and Tracy over there who would probably head over after a four-hour trip by train over there after three transfers, which would really make them happy once they found out that.
The four met up down at the Kansai International Airport - The Brasserie restaurant to have breakfast and get ready for the trip over to Maizuru Naval Base. Animal, hearing the itinerary that it would take to get them to Maizuru, opted to use the telephone to Naval Air Station Atsugi and told them to get a SH-60 Seahawk to Kansai Airport on the double. Tracy figured the phone receiver on the other end melted when Animal told them in no uncertain terms including profanity that would have made a sailor blush that there was a vice-admiral on the line and that he would be supremely pissed off if there wasn't an SH-60F on the tarmac at Kansai inside of two hours. Harm and Mac were looking at each other trying to bite down laughter.
Since the Commander US Forces Japan was a two star admiral and Animal out-ranked him by a star, there was frantic preparation to put a SH-60F in the air so that the crew could pick up the four officers and send them to Maizuru. Putting the phone away, Animal grinned. "Well…at least there's some use for these stars of mine…" shrugging he continued, "Well, better than a four hour train ride…"
Commander Naval Forces, Japan, Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan 0745hrs
"Who the hell ordered a SH-60F to divert to Kansai International? And who the hell has been authorizing it to go from there to Maizuru? We haven't had a requirement to go there for a long while." Rear Admiral Douglas Holmes snarled as he looked over the flight reports from NAS Atsugi.
"Evidently a three-star just outranked you, sir…and put in a request so that he could shuttle a JAG investigation crew over to Maizuru. Evidently it's because of a fatal auto accident involving a USN serviceman." His XO replied as he looked over the reports.
"Shit, why weren't we informed earlier?"
"JAG just sent a crew over and the Judge Advocate General just called to let us know that their investigation team will be in the area and that assets may be requested."
RADM Holmes did not look very happy at all. "Would it be actually possible to hear about this before a three-star admiral sets foot on Japanese soil?"
"Well, according to the itinerary, they left DC at 10PM last night and flew fourteen hours and landed at midnight our time." His XO remarked cheerfully.
Kansai International Airport, Kyoto, Japan; 0820hrs
Having obtained clearance to enter the field, the four ran towards the waiting, rotors still spinning, SH-60F. Animal pulled his IDs as did the other three. "Vice Admiral Nakamura!" he showed the Navy ID to the naval aviator in command of the SH-60F.
"Welcome aboard, sir!" the helo aviator grinned. "You got our boys all worked up prepping this bird for you. So destination is Maizuru Naval Base? Sir?"
"That'd be correct, Commander!" Animal noted the silver oak-leaf on the aviator's flight suit as the other three got on board and got themselves buckled in. When Animal got himself buckled in, the commander pulled on the collective; adjusted his rotor pitch and they were off. Banking to the right, the SH-60F was pointed due west over the mountains.
Maizuru Naval Base, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 0900hrs
The SH-60F landed at Maizuru Naval Base's helipad and the four jumped out and practically duck-waddled off the helipad so that the SH-60F could take-off again. The commander said that they would drop back once the investigation was finished and pick them up taking them directly to Atsugi where they could make their way back to Kansai Airport.
"Well, that made it a hell of a lot easier." Harm stated as he looked over to see a uniformed US naval officer approaching the helipad.
"Who are you guys, and why are you on a JMSDF/USN joint base. You realize that you could be detained for unlawful entry?"
Animal looked over at him with an unimpressed expression on his face. "And you are?" as he lifted his USN ID.
The US Naval officer was crestfallen as he realized just who he was addressing. He didn't realize that with the civilian clothes, the person he was addressing was a United States Navy vice-admiral. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm Lieutenant Ronaldo Hernandez. Naval Base Maizuru Public Affairs Officer."
"Apology accepted. This is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." Animal gestured to Mac, then to Harm. "This is Commander Harmon Rabb, They are heading up the investigation with regards to the fatality. This is Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti; who is from the office of the Secretary of the Navy. You will give them your full cooperation. And right now, I need to find my grandmother." Animal growled. Do you have a phone directory?"
"Yes, sir! Follow me, sir."
"Who is in charge of this base. Secondly, do you have a PX and VOQ?" Animal asked.
"Yes, sir!"
The PAO guided them to his car and gestured to them to get in and they pulled away from the helicopter field and down the road. About a mile and a half down the road, they came to a tunnel that led through the mountain that blocked the airfield from the rest of the base. After a long trip through the tunnel which in reality only lasted about three minutes they came out the other side, and proceeded to go around a circuitous road that led onto the main section of the base.
After a purchase at the PX of a set of service blues with the proper insignia, Animal used the change room to get dressed in the UOD for Japan as did the others retrieving their uniforms. They would get better answers being in uniform than they would in civilian clothes. Trying to locate his grandmother would be a royal pain. But perhaps he would be able to find her by looking for her in the phone directory, then he rolled his eyes. How many Nakamuras would there be? It was like trying to find a Smith in a North American phone directory. Did she leave a phone number in her letter? He then realized that he had left the letter in his luggage in his hotel room at Kansai Airport. They would be returning for the majority of their luggage on their return leg to the United States, however they only brought a change of clothes for a few days here in Japan.
Cursing his bad luck, he muttered to himself. "OK…how am I going to find Grandmother. Maybe I should ask around the neighborhood and see if I can locate her that way…" Tracy looked over at him with a question.
"Did you find anything? Maybe the PAO can help…" she said. "After all if the PAO took the complaint from your family about the fatal accident, then perhaps they have her address."
"You know that's a great idea." Animal said. "It'll also give Harm and Mac a chance to talk to my relatives and get their side of the story for the investigation." Tracy and Animal got up out of the chair and decided to locate the Public Affairs Office; Harm and Mac in tow. When they went in there, there were two JMSDF Petty Officer 2nd classes and two USN lieutenant JGs. The second Animal stepped into the office in service blues, the broad two-inch stripe and two half inch stripes on his jacket, causing the two USN Lieutenant JGs to jump to the position of attention. Animal glowered at the two JMSDF PO2s till they slowly stood at attention as well.
"Lieutenant JG…either one of you tell me where Lieutenant Hernandez is?" Animal growled, his voice ominous.
"Sir, he's in his office." One of the Lieutenant JGs replied.
"I need to find out who took the Nakamura accident complaint and I need the address of the complainer. Am I clear?"
"Aye aye SIR!"
"Commander Harmon Rabb, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti and myself need to speak with the family who made the complaint. For the record…" his voice grew even more ominous. "My name is Vice-Admiral Toshio Nakamura. Commander, United States Second Fleet. And yes, the last name is the same as the complainer who leveled the complaint at our forces here. So get Lieutenant Hernandez out here to deal with this matter ASAP!"
"Yes, SIR!"
It wasn't too long before Lieutenant Hernandez made his way out to the reception desk. "Sir, you were needing to find out about the Nakamura complaint…and you are Vice-Admiral Nakamura, United States Navy."
"Yes, yesterday, I received a letter in the mail indicating that my uncle had passed away from an accident involving a US serviceman. Now I need to locate my grandmother because that letter is in my luggage still at the hotel in Kansai Airport. Do you have an address of where my grandmother resides as she made the complaint to the Public Affairs Office here?"
"Yes, sir…let me grab that file for you…" Lieutenant Hernandez said as he retreated to the back file rooms.
Tracy looked over at Animal and asked him. "Would you like me to come with you?" she asked.
Animal looked over at Tracy with a grateful expression. "I'd really appreciate it." She nodded in reply.
It wasn't too long before Lieutenant Hernandez came out with a file. "Admiral Nakamura? I have an address listed for her at the following: 610 Asekunaka. Here is a map showing the location. You will have to take a taxi. Just give them the address and they will be able to locate it for you, sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Keep in mind that Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb will have questions for you when they get back." Animal said as he put his cover back on and headed out of the PAO to see if he could hail a taxi.
"Yes, sir." Lieutenant Hernandez said, to the rapidly retreating back of the admiral as the four officers left the office.
When he was able to locate a taxi who would stop, Animal strode up to the driver and asked. "Ropyaku ju Asekunaka made onegaishimasu. (please take me to 610 Asekunaka)"
"Hai. Dozo…notte kudasai. (Yes, please board)"
About twenty minutes later, they pulled up along-side a well kept house with a cultivated Japanese garden in the front. "Sen gohyaku en ni narimasu. (The fare is now 1500 yen)."
"Dewa, Sen gohyaku onegaishimasu… (Here is 1500 yen)."
"Arigato Gozaimasu. (Thank you.)" the taxi-driver said as the four officers stepped out of the taxi and shut the door. As the officers crossed the road, the taxi-driver slowly accelerated away along the road.
"Well, looks like we're here."
Naoko Nakamura's Residence, 610 Asekunaka, Maizuru-ken, Kyoto-shi, Japan
"Haha, Yon Beikoku-gun no shōkō wa Iriguchi ni kite iru. (Mother, four American military officers are coming to the door). Futari wa toyojin desu… (two of them are Asian.)" the middle-aged lady said.
"Ayumi. Anata no itoko desu. (Ayumi, it's your cousin). Iriguchi o aite kudasai." Naoko replied.
"Hello…" Ayumi said as she opened the door. "My mother say you my cousin. I am Ayumi."
"Ayumi-chan…" Animal said as he greeted her. "Ohisashiburi desu… (It's been a long time)."
"You serve in American military?" Ayumi looked confused at Animal's uniform.
"Yes." Animal replied, then Ayumi looked over at Tracy, Mac and Harm.
"Ayumi, kochira wa watashi no tomodachi desu, Tracy Manetti, Sarah Mackenzie, to Harmon Rabb. (Here are my friends…)." Animal paused for a long moment. "Shikashi, karera wa jiko o chōsa shite iru. (However, they are investigating the accident.) Karera wa anata to hanashi o suruhitsuyōgāru kamo shiremasen. (However, they may need to speak with you.)" Ayumi nodded at Animal's statement then turned to her mother.
"MAMA…Itoko to tomodachi wa jiko o chōsa shite iru. (Mom, Cousin and friends are investigating the accident."
Chapter Three
Naoko Nakamura's Residence, 610 Asekunaka, Maizuru-ken, Kyoto-shi, Japan
Animal instantly recognized his grandmother, her elderly frame and shock of white hair over a well-wizened face that evoked so many feelings of love and being cared for. "Obachan…Watashi wa sore ga tōchaku suru watashiniha totemo jikan ga kakatta koto o totemo zan'nendesu. (I am so sorry that it took me so long to arrive…)"
Her bird-like hand reached up to caress Animal's face. "Shin'ainaru mago, anata wa sore ga mottomo jūyōna kotodesuga, koko ni kite iru. (Dear grandson, you've come here, that's the most important thing)." Gesturing to all of them…she said. "Watashi wa kono yō na koko de anata o nokoshite shitsureida, de kite kudasai. De kite kudasai. (Please come in, I am rude leaving you out here like this. Please come in.)"
Mac gestured to Harm. "Take your shoes off at the door, we don't wear shoes inside the house." She reminded him of Japanese etiquette. Yosō-gai ni anata no ie ni shin'nyū suru tame ni watashitachi o yurushitekudasai. (Please forgive us for intruding on your home unexpectedly.)" Mac said in Japanese to Animal's grandmother bowing slightly from the waist in respect. Harm's respect for Mac went up a notch as she spoke in Japanese, that she hadn't forgotten from her time stationed at Okinawa.
"(Welcome to my home, you are my grandson's friends, you are always welcome.)" Animal's grandmother returned Mac's bow, silently amazed that one of his friends could speak just as fluent Japanese as someone born in Yamato (old name for Japan).
"Obachan, (Grandmother, How is Yoshitaka taking his father's death?)"
"(Not very well, grandson. He is angry and wants answers.)"
"(That's what we intend to find out.)" Animal looked determined as he looked over at his companions and then back at his grandmother. "(They will not refuse to speak to a vice-admiral in the United States Navy. I intend to find out what happened and I will find out what happened. And if they refuse to talk, they will be up on charges of disobeying a direct order of a superior officer.)" he finished with an obstinate look. " (They will talk if they know what's good for them.)" Animal then allowed Mac and Harm to ask questions of both Ayumi and of his grandmother while he and Tracy talked quietly away from his interviewed relatives. When the interview was done, his grandmother insisted that they all stay the night, have dinner with Ayumi and Naoko and return to the base tomorrow for their investigation. When she insisted, Harm and Mac shrugged their shoulders and accepted the invitation as did Tracy and Animal.
"Harmon, you still fly?" Naoko asked Harm in stilted English. "Harmon fly long time ago. He and my mago (grandson) come to visit all time, ship in port. I make sushi, I make sashimi. They eat sooo much."
"So that's where you got your love for Japanese food?" Mac grinned. "Nakamura-san wa, hāmon wa sushi no subete no jikan o taberu. Kare wa Nihon no tabemono no tame ni ai o kaihatsu shita tokoro, watashi wa shibashiba gimon ni omoimashita. Ima watashi wa rikai shite imasu. (Nakamura-san, Harmon eats sushi all the time. I often wondered where he developed the love for Japanese food. Now I understand.)"
Harm said to no-one in general. "Why is it I feel absolutely left out of the conversation?" he asked piteously.
"You need to learn Japanese…" Mac said smugly.
"Teaching me to learn Japanese would be like teaching a duck to dance." Harm grumbled in return. "It's so nice to see you again. Obasan."
"Mai saitaku mago." Grandma Naoko replied patting Harm on the arm. "My adopted grandson…" Harm grinned, mollified.
"Thank you, Grandma…" Harm replied, giving her a hug which caused Grandma Naoko to laugh and he said to Mac, "Don't get me wrong. Treat her wrong and she can get just as tough if not tougher than Grandma Sarah." He grinned at the much smaller woman who smiled.
"I'm not surprised…" Mac said giving the woman a long glance. "She strikes me as a very tough woman…to have lived over one hundred years and be still spry."
"(Let me order us a meal from the local restaurant so that we can all eat. It was only Ayumi and myself so we only had meals for the two of us.)" Grandma Naoko explained. "(My youngest daughter took on the role of caring for me in my old age…at least until she gets married. I give her a headache every day)" Naoko winked at her daughter.
"(Pay no mind to my mother. She hasn't given me a headache at all. It is an honor to take care of her)" Ayumi laughed. When the food arrived, Ayumi paid the deliveryman and brought the food inside. They gathered at the traditional Japanese table low to the ground on cushioned mats and Ayumi brought out the plates while the rest of them talked. The food was set on the table and everybody sat down around it. The formal Itadaki-masu (Let us eat) was said allowing everyone to partake of the meal in front of them.
"(You are very quiet.)" Naoko stated to Tracy who hadn't spoken very much if at all since setting foot inside the Nakamura home.
Tracy smiled back at Naoko. "(I'm just taking in the family atmosphere, Mrs. Nakamura.)" she said quietly as she gazed around the traditional dining area of the home. "(The home is so fascinating and so different from the United States)" The meal was a relatively quiet affair with casual conversation. Mac, Harm and Tracy excused themselves after the meal to find their beds to which Ayumi had guided them. Animal and his grandmother opted to stay up for a short time to talk about the upcoming trial and to prepare them for the funeral to come of his uncle.
Grandmother Naoko said to Animal, "(You still have not found your true love, have you?)" she said quietly gazing into the central courtyard of her home, the place where she meditated every morning.
"(No, grandmother. My life is either work or rest. Nothing in between.)" Animal replied as he followed his grandmother's gaze out into the center courtyard.
Quoting a Japanese poem, she intoned." naseba naru nasaneba naranu nanigoto mo naranu wa hito no nasanu nari keri (If you try, you may succeed. If you don't try, you will not succeed. This is true for of all things. Not succeeding is the result of not trying.) Mago, jinsei ga dareka o aishite inai ni wa mijika sugiru. Anata no menomaede aisuruhito o miru koto ga dekinai anata no shigoto de hijō ni muchū ni natte wa ikemasen. (Grandson, life is too short to not love someone. Do not become so engrossed in your work that you cannot see someone you love in front of you.)She casually patted him on the back with her hand and said "(With that, my grandson, I will leave you for my rest. Until tomorrow)."
"(Goodnight, Grandma)." Animal said as he, himself, got up and headed for his assigned bedroom wondering what prompted that bit of advice.
Naoko Nakamura's Residence, 610 Asekunaka, Maizuru-ken, Kyoto-shi, Japan 0630hrs
Harm and Mac excused themselves in the morning as they had to return to the brig at Maizuru to interview the sailor involved in the accident. They managed to catch a taxi and with a lot of translation from Ayumi, the cab-driver was notified to take them to Maizuru Naval Base.
Animal noted that his grandmother was sitting in the prayer position as she recited her morning sutra seated on a pillow amidst the wafting scent of incense. Knowing that she was not to be disturbed, he kept his distance until she was finished. By then Tracy had joined him. She nodded as he gestured to his praying grandmother and shook his head to note that they shouldn't disturb her time in prayer.
Maizuru Brig, Maizuru Naval Base, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 0700hrs
Mac looked over at Harm. "Are you going to be OK?" she said noticing Harm's taciturn expression.
"I'll be fine. It's just that Hachirou Nakamura was such an unassuming gentleman. It just seems ironic that he would be killed like that." Harm looked at Mac shaking his head. "I want to know what the hell that guy was thinking that he could mow down a civilian like that."
"You want me to handle the interview?" Mac asked.
"Might be better if you did." He replied looking out the window.
"Well, you can wait in the room behind the two-way glass or you can sit there in the chair and glower like a menacing statue." She jokingly commented as Harm just scowled.
Cryptologic Technician 2nd class Michael Mustafa Sabah El-Hashem was a slight unassuming young man with dark features, closely cropped hair and dark brown eyes who looked less than threatening accompanied by a large African-American Gunnery Sergeant who glowered at him with un-withheld hatred. Mac sensed that the tension could be volatile and told the GSGT to leave. Seeing as how the order came from a Marine officer, the GSGT stiffened, nodded and left the room.
"Crypto Two Michael Mustafa Sabah El-Hashem?" Mac asked the CT2 who nodded. "Sit down. We have a few questions that we wish to ask you."
"Yes, ma'am." He sat down on the chair and waited looking up at the Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.
"So, the accident happened around 2-24 Aseku Nishimachi, five blocks from the decedent's house. The police state that you were going seventy in a fifty km per hour zone and that your breath smelled of alcohol when you were interviewed about the accident."
"Ma'am, that wasn't true. My speedometer was at forty since I was in an area that I was unfamiliar with. I may have had one or two drinks but nothing that would get me inebriated to the point where I was unable to control my vehicle."
"CT2, you state that you have had your Japanese driver's license for how many months?"
"I just received it three months ago. I was driving on an International Driver's Permit for six months previous." CT2 El-Hashem replied.
"Look up procedures…on traffic violations and proper Japanese arrest procedures." Mac asked Harm who nodded. "Remember they don't have Miranda rights over here and they can be interrogated without lawyer present, so American laws do not apply over here."
"According to the law here…" Harm stated dourly as he gave the offending CT2 a dark look. "CT2 El-Hashem could be facing four years behind bars on a charge of Negligent Driving Causing Death. Look up the Kotaka case."
"The Kotaka case?"
"The Tsu District Court found Shingo Kotaka, of Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, guilty of killing one person and injuring two others. The incident occurred December 26, 2001 one day after the law took effect. Kotaka ran a red light at an intersection in the city while driving at seventy to eighty kilometers per hour in a forty-kilometer per hour zone, according to the ruling. His minivan struck a station wagon, killing passenger Masami Doi, twenty-six, from Suzuka. Another passenger was severely injured. The driver, Takahiro Okamura, twenty-six, from Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, was slightly injured." CT2 El-Hashem paled at Harm's stark pronouncement.
"Were you able to get a Japanese lawyer?" Mac asked.
"Ma'am?"
"Were you provided a Japanese lawyer? We are unable to help you as we are not licensed legally under Japanese law and would be unable to defend you in court" Mac notified El-Hashem.
"No, ma'am…the Japanese police never even said that I could get a lawyer. They released me on my own recognizance into US Navy custody."
Just then the door opened to let in a slight Japanese man who was dressed sharply in a tailored suit. Looking up at the interruption, Mac raised an eyebrow in question to the man who bowed and said. "My name is Watanabe Kohaku. Last name Watanabe."
"Mr. Watanabe. What are you doing here?" Mac asked. "I'm in the middle of my interview with Cryptologic Technician Second Class El-Hashem."
"I was notified last night by US Navy request and assigned to defend Mr El-Hashem on charges of drunk driving and Negligent Driving Causing Death. We are not public defenders. There is no public defence until after person involved deemed guilty. However US Navy considers special case. I suggest we work together."
Harm looked over at the Japanese attorney, glowering. "I think I'm going to step out." Harm said giving CT2 El-Hashem another dark look. "For your information, Mr. Watanabe, I happened to know the decedent." He threw back over his shoulder as he exited the room.
"Is that not a conflict of interest?" asked Mr. Watanabe.
"I believe it is, but I think Commander Rabb is recusing himself from the case."
Maizuru Brig, Maizuru Naval Base, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 0930hrs
Mac strode out of the brig at Maizuru with her briefcase in hand after two full legal pads worth of information were written out in full. The Japanese lawyer was perfunctory and it seemed as though the defense of CT2 El-Hashem was a foregone conclusion. He would apologize to the court and then get sentenced. It seemed to Mac that the CT2 was getting railroaded into a guilty verdict. She walked out to find Harm standing by a cherry tree glancing up at the sky.
"So…" Harm said shortly, the statement being an interrogative.
"I don't think he's getting much of a defense."
"Does he deserve one?" Harm asked angrily. "He mowed down a Japanese citizen without due care and attention and even worse he was drunk while doing it."
"Harm, we don't know the entire facts about the case. According to CT2 El-Hashem, he was interrogated without counsel – Japanese police interrogations being just short of brutal – for three hours without food or water, harangued abusively until he confessed, wasn't even allowed a lawyer, and it's the police officer's word against his. And knowing Japanese culture, the justice system will take the word of the law over the ordinary citizen, even if the cop is corrupt…" She looked at Harm. "…even if what the CT2 said was the truth."
"All I see…Mac…" Harm growled as he looked over at her, "…is a man who was taken before his time and in the most heinous fashion possible and I see a friend's family who is in pain because of it. Uncle Hachirou welcomed us into his home, showed us around the tourist attractions; treated me like family. And you're trying to justify what this CT2 did?"
"I'm not trying to justify what CT2 El-Hashem did, I'm just trying to get down to the truth, Harm."
Harm's response was stony silence. Logic didn't fly in this case. Maybe it was better for Harm that he recused himself from any part of the investigation since he was too emotionally attached to the situation. But if he told Admiral Chegwidden that, he'd be yanked back home to Falls Church and he wanted to be there to show his respect to a friend's family member, so he opted to stay silent.
Naoko Nakamura's Residence, 610 Asekunaka, Maizuru-ken, Kyoto-shi, Japan 0930hrs; March 5, 2002
"(I hoped to bury Hachirou at 296-1 Hikamicho Osano, Tanba, Hyogo Prefecture. There is a cemetery there)." Naoko stated, looking somber. "(A headstone and some flowers, perhaps)."
Animal nodded in response as Tracy sat by him. "(I think that would be good, grandmother)" he agreed as he looked grave. "(Harm and Mac are interrogating the person involved in the accident today. We need to get the coroner's report.)" he stated. "(Would you be willing to allow us to get those records?)"
Animal's grandmother nodded silently. The United States Navy needed to close this case and their family needed to heal. "(We will try to get the records.)" She stated simply. Animal nodded, knowing that his grandmother was still grieving the loss of her son, yet she, showing the stoicism of Japanese culture towards death, was striving to show a strong face.
Japanese burial customs were in the Buddhist tradition and were meant to help the deceased make a transition from life to afterlife, and to reincarnation should it not escape from the cycle of rebirth. Hachirou would be given a traditional Buddhist funeral. Grandmother had set the date for the 12th of March, 2002 a taian day in Buddhist tradition which meant that luck would be with them all day.
"(Go have a walk with your dear friend.)" Naoko said as she got up from her seated position. "(It is too nice a day to be inside.)"
Animal agreed and both Tracy and he stepped out of the house and wandered up Asekunaka Road a ways. Finding a small eatery, they stopped in and had a quick bite to eat as well as some drinks from the vending machine. At least they had the foresight to get some money exchanged at the PX into local currency so that they were able to purchase some food as both Tracy and Animal did not want to impose on Grandmother as there were going to be some big expenses coming up for the funeral.
Naoko Nakamura's Residence, 610 Asekunaka, Maizuru-ken, Kyoto-shi, Japan 1430hrs; March 5, 2002
Harm and Mac returned to Naoko's home at 1430 hrs. "We found out some things. The blood alcohol level was considerably under the legal limit. The breathalyzer reading on the formal police paperwork was 0.2"
Animal looked at Mac and asked pointedly. "Are they sure they gave the breathalyzer immediately upon arrest or did they wait?" Mac looked amazed that Animal would consider that point of view.
"Why would you consider the plaintiff's point of view after he ran down and killed your uncle?"
"Colonel, I intend to find out the truth about what happened. There are too many questions here. We have a CT2 that was pulled over for drunk driving with a charge for Negligent Driving Causing Death. Something doesn't add up." Animal replied looking up towards the hills as he pondered the case. "It's not cut and dried and I don't want to send someone to jail if the person is innocent. Look up the hospital records for my uncle." He said, relying on a gut hunch.
Mac wasn't sure why, but noted it down as a possibility.
Harm asked him. "Are you sure? If it turns out that CT2 El-Hashem didn't do it, then what does that do to the closure?"
"Isn't the law important, Harm?" Animal asked. "Justice versus revenge? I want to go see this CT2 tomorrow."
"Your call, Animal…" Harm didn't seem so convinced as to whether the guy was innocent or not.
Animal looked soberly at Harm. "In Buddhism, there is a saying: Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. There is no point in holding on to hot coals, because it only hurts you." He snorted… "Now, I'm no Buddha, but there's a difference between seeking revenge and seeking justice."
Maizuru Brig, Maizuru Naval Base, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 0800hrs, March 6, 2002
Animal stood towards the wall looking out the barred windows of the interview room as both Harm and Mac were waiting for the guard to bring CT2 El-Hashem to the room. The same guard as before brought him in and shoved him roughly down in the seat. Animal noticed this and his ire rose. "Gunnery Sergeant. I will have a word with you later. Make yourself available."
The Gunny gulped and said. "Yes sir."
The CT2 looked rather uncomfortable as he sat quietly in his seat awaiting the verbal condemnation that he figured would take place. All he saw was a Japanese-American vice admiral in peanut butters. And admirals made enlisted personnel nervous.
"Cryptologic Technician Second Class El-Hashem?" Animal asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know why I'm here?" Animal said, his face not betraying any hint of what his emotions were. Here was the man in front of him who was in some way responsible for the death of his uncle. However his thoughts were not bent on revenge. But trying to figure out why certain things happened and whether or not this man was ultimately guilty of the charge of negligence or whether he was railroaded by Japanese police. "My name is Toshio Nakamura; nephew of the decedent." He paused for a long moment to let the news sink in to CT2 El-Hashem's mind. Animal got the reaction he'd been figuring that he would get. The CT2 turned sheet white.
"Sir, I'm so sorry…" he stammered.
"Just tell me what happened."
"Sir, I came back from a few drinks with the boys in my unit at the local bar and if you know sir, there isn't a whole lot of lights on that street. I came back at about 2330hrs from the bar and was driving along Asekunaku and all of a sudden he was right in front of me. I didn't have any time to hit the brakes or anything. The Japanese police say that he was dragged over a hundred feet."
"How many drinks did you have, CT2?" Mac asked.
"Just one, ma'am. The rest of the guys had the majority of the drinks." El-Hashem replied. "It was my first one ever. As a Muslim, I can't drink and it was a dare to get me to violate my religion, sir. They threatened to tell the CO that I went to a bar so I had to."
"So this was the first time you ever had alcohol? So you weren't aware of how much the alcohol would affect you? Then why do you have violations for alcohol consumption on your record."
"Ma'am. I've had accusations thrown at me by my superiors of being Taliban and terrorists. But nothing that I would do would cause me to violate my religion, ma'am." Harm and Mac looked at each other. If the drinking allegations were false, what else was?
"You say that you were pushed into drinking alcohol just this once. But there are no blood-alcohol readings the other times to indicate just how much you imbibed those other times." Harm said harshly. "What makes you think that I believe you?"
"O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, stone alters and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" The CT2 intoned. "Qu'ran – Surat Al-Ma'idah 5:90-91. It is written in the text. I have sinned by partaking of alcohol and I am under penance to Allah."
Mac turned to Harm, "We can't prove those other times, and it's the word of his superiors against his. What we have are facts. He has a blood alcohol level of 0.2 which is below the illegal limit. So the charge of drunk driving can be thrown out." She insisted. "Which leaves the negligent driving causing death."
"Something tells me that the lighting on Asekunaka is very minimal and that most cars rely on their headlight beams…" Animal said as he continued to look at CT2 El-Hashem. "…which means that my uncle could not readily be seen on the road if he was wearing dark clothing – now that is only a hunch."
"Why are you doing this, sir?" CT2 El-Hashem asked puzzled that the admiral would be so interested in the case.
"Because as much as I want justice for my uncle. I don't want revenge. CT2," was the solemn reply.
