JAG (1995–2005): Season 7, Episode 9 - Dog Robber: Part 1 - full transcript

PILOT:
We are 30 seconds out.

TACO, turn on the NPD.

Gear switched on.

We are 20 seconds
from on top.

Electronic camera on, sir.

Here she comes.

She's hot.

PILOT:
TACO, initiate report to FICPAC.

Deep Sea,

this is Birmingham 5-3-1.

Confirm nuclear weapons
onboard Chinese cruiser.



Hull number 1-5-8.

Photographs to follow.

Deep Sea,
this is Birmingham 5-3-1.

Unidentified bogies approaching
from the west at high speed.

Going to full power.
Turning 0-9-0.

They're coming
straight at us.

He's too close.

Damn!

( grunting )

This is Birmingham 5-3-1.

We've been rammed
by a Chinese MiG.

We are experiencing severe
flight control problems.

Unable to maintain altitude.

MAN:
After the incident,
the EP-3 landed safely



at Fuzhou Airbase.

The Chinese government claims

that for the second time
in seven months

an American
surveillance aircraft,

like the one behind me here
outside Seattle,

has violated their airspace.

The aircraft collided
with a Chinese MiG

over the Straits of Taiwan

and was forced to land
at Fuzhou Airbase.

The crew of the damaged EP-3
has been detained.

The Chinese authorities
are still searching

for their missing pilot,
Lieutenant Kwan Li,

( intercom buzzes )
who is believed lost at sea.

TINER ( over intercom ):
Admiral, SECNAV's on line two.

Yes, Mr. Secretary?

Admiral...

you've heard that the Chinese
have done it again?

CHEGWIDDEN:
Yes, sir.

SECNAV:
It's a damn shame.

Yes, sir, it is.

Same MO, same results, Admiral.

It's déjà vu all over again.

We have every right to find out

if the Chinese
have nuclear weapons

that close to Taiwan.

Sir, how badly has our
intelligence been compromised?

It depends on how much time
between the incident

and the time the Chinese
came aboard the plane.

How do we find that out?

A.J., I need a favor.

RABB:
Yeah, I understand the wives

of the enlisted men
are pretty upset.

Upset? They threatened

to burn down
the base exchange.

How'd that book end up there
in the first place?

It got in under the radar.

You know, Sturgis,
removing a book

from base exchange
is censorship.

Wait, wait a minute.

Let me read you
just one passage

from this
idiotic tome.

Look, here.

( chuckles )

"The height of a
navy wife's hair

"stands in inverse proportion
to her intellect.

"The higher the hair,

the dumber the
sailor's wife." Huh?

Look, I don't like this crap
any more than you do.

But if the base exchange
can sell Playboy,

it can sell Big-Haired Women
of the Seventh Fleet.

At least that's what
the author is claiming.

That woman would do
anything to sell a book.

You know, this damn thing
doesn't fit.

Let me see it.

I think it's
from a '70.

No, let me see it.

How'd you do that?

See, I have
a soft touch.

You... you push
too damn hard.

So, when are you going to call
Congresswoman Latham anyway?

I'll get to it in my own time.

Why do you keep
forcing her on me?

Because a guy like you
needs a woman.

Yeah, we all
need a woman.

But why her, and
what's the hurry?

Well, the sooner
you get with somebody,

the sooner you'll lighten up.

From what I've seen
of Bobbi Latham--

and, uh, I kind of like
what I've seen--

I don't think
she takes direction

any better than you do.
( telephone rings )

Rabb.

Oh, good morning, Admiral.

SECNAV?

Aye, sir, I'll get on it
right away.

You're using your wrists
too much, sir.

You need to lock
your wrists

and swing with
the shoulders.

So, when the hell did
you become a golf pro?

And don't "sir" me.
I'm retired.

Good to see you, Harm.

You, too, Admiral.

Grab a cold one?

I'm on duty, sir.

That's what brings
you here, duty?

Secretary of the
Navy has asked me,

as an old family friend,
to speak with you, sir.

Why doesn't he just pick up
the damn phone himself?

Admiral, I think
he's afraid

you'll turn him down.

Well, that's bull.

I-I have nothing
against him personally.

He did try to send
you to Leavenworth.

Well, except that.

What's the Secretary want?

You, Admiral.

I'm retired.

Yes, sir, there are
indications of that.

What the hell is
this thing anyway?

Well, I was told
to get a hobby,

so I thought
I'd take up golf.

You got
a better idea?

The SECNAV would like you to
return to active duty, Admiral.

Harm, I had to fight
like hell to get approved

to teach a course
at the academy.

There's no way the senate's
going to confirm me

in a three-star command,
not with my record.

Well, Admiral, that's not
what the SECNAV has in mind.

He would like you to be
his personal assistant

and troubleshooter.

Well, I don't take dictation.

You'd still have your
two stars, Admiral,

and you'd act on
behalf of the SECNAV

when he can't rely on
his regular channels.

So I'd be his dog robber?

( scoffs )

"Dog robber," sir?

You never heard that, Rabb?

It's an old military term
for an officer's aide

who has the ability
to get things done.

Usually off the record,
under the radar.

Well, it'd beat the hell out
of miniature golf, sir.

Hey, that is not
a child's toy.

I paid good money for that.

I think they saw
you coming, sir.

You know, if you'd have come
to me three months ago,

I'd have turned you down flat.

But a lot has changed
since September 11.

The country needs you, sir.

SECNAV:
There are ongoing negotiations

at the highest levels

between the Chinese
and the American governments

for the return of the
aircraft and its crew.

Has anyone reminded the Chinese
that this is an act of war?

There are questions about
how the aircraft

got into Chinese hands, Admiral.

They claim they acted only
in response to our actions.

RABB:
There have been
reports, sir,

of the Chinese
harassing our pilots

in international airspace.

If the midair collision
is a result of that,

it could be considered
an act of aggression, sir.

So, who knows the truth?

The crew aboard the aircraft.

So far, no American
has been allowed

to speak directly
with them.

Where are they now,
Mr. Secretary?

Confined to barracks at Fuzhou.

Sir, what's the United States'
response to this?

It's a delicate
diplomatic matter.

Right now we need
the Chinese to help

in the war
against terrorism.

I want Commander
Rabb assigned

to my staff T-A-D.

For how long?

For as long
as it takes

the commander
and Admiral Boone

to get to China and
bring our people back.

There's a C-20 leaving
from Andrews in an hour.

At Kadena Airbase,
Okinawa,

you'll transfer
to a COD

which will fly you out to
the USS Thomas Jefferson.

Captain Hubbard
is expecting you onboard.

What then, sir?

You and the admiral
will be flown

to the Chinese airbase at
Fuzhou, where you will confer

with a General Shin-Wa Chen.

He has agreed to meet

with an American
military delegation

only if it's led
by Admiral Boone,

whom he knows personally.

MAN:
You will speak of this mission
to no one.

Lieutenants Harrison and Quincy,

you have diplomatic clearance
to land at Fuzhou.

You will drop off Admiral Boone
and Commander Rabb.

Do not, under any circumstances,

allow Chinese personnel
to board the aircraft.

Don't even shut down
the engines.

Return immediately.

Just one change, Captain.

I'll be sitting
in the left seat.

Admiral, when was the last time
you flew a COD?

I've stayed current.

Well, with
all due respect, sir...

Ray...

don't make me pull rank.

Yes, sir.

As you wish.

Lieutenant Barrett

and Lieutenant Crawford,
you will escort the COD

until you are relieved
by Chinese MiGs.

What are the rules
of engagement, sir?

Do not fire
unless fired upon,

unless, in your judgment,
attack is imminent.

Do not cross
into Chinese airspace.

And do not offer
any other provocation.

Yes, sir.

That is all.

Carry on.

Let's go draw some
flight gear, Commander.

Aye, sir.

Excuse me,
Admiral?

Nice to see you again, sir.

Where do I know you from,
Lieutenant?

The Seahawk, sir.

I was a nugget during
your last tour as CAG.

Lieutenant
Carl Barrett.

What kind of marks
did I give you?

Well, sir, you weren't
any harder on me

than you needed to be.

That bad, huh?

Did you ever fly with
the admiral, sir?

A few times.

The commander here
saved my life.

Well, I guess you've
got it made, sir.

Well, the admiral's no harder
on me than he needs to be.

( man speaks indistinct
over P.A. )
Lieutenant.

( knocking on door )

Good evening, sir.

People are
looking for you.

Hopefully they'll find me
in Camp Lejeune, sir.

I'm requesting orders back
to a force recon unit.

But I'll need
your endorsement, sir.

"Second Reconnaissance
Battalion."

Yes, sir, they need
a company gunny.

And I need to be back
in the fleet

where the action is.

You know, Gunny, I
only have one regret.

What's that, sir?

I'm not going with you.

You've done
an outstanding job here.

That door will always be open.

Thank you, Admiral.

Be safe, Victor.

Not until we're all safe, sir.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

♪ ♪

Fuzhou Control, this is
the United States Navy C-Two

Birmingham 2-5.

We are at 10,000 feet,
20 miles off your coast.

Request permission to land.

MAN ( over radio ):
United States Birmingham 2-5.

You are cleared for landing,
runway 3-4.

Wind is north by northwest,
ten knots.

RABB:
Roger, Fuzhou Control.

Stonewall, this is Greyhound.

We are entering
Chinese airspace.

BARRETT:
Roger, Greyhound.

Breaking off
and returning to the ship.

Good luck and Godspeed.

Here comes our
Chinese escort.

Stop. Stop here.

( man speaking Chinese
over P.A. )

BOONE:
Thank you for extending
the invitation, General.

I'm sure you would offer me the
same courtesy, Admiral Boone,

if the situation

were reversed.

But that would
never happen, General.

We would not hold
an aircrew hostage.

Or commandeer one
of your aircraft.

Admiral, I never understood why
you were removed from command

for what you did in Vietnam.

American navy cannot
afford to lose

men of your capability.

RABB:
The admiral was not

relieved of command,
General Chen.

He requested retirement.

Or was it to save face?

What's past is past, General.

Not in China.

We have long memories.

Now, this is twice
in the past year

an American spy plane
has flown into our airspace.

After you rammed it.

I want to see our aircrew.

That will be arranged.

And I want the EP-3 secured.

It is well guarded.

May I speak bluntly, General?

That was always your habit, Tom.

You keep your damn technicians
out of our aircraft.

You must understand,

I will not release
the aircraft or the crew.

We'll see about that.

( knocking on door )

CHEGWIDDEN:
Enter.

You wanted to see us, sir?

Yes.

Any of you familiar
with Article 114 of UCMJ?

No, 114 sure doesn't
come up a lot, Admiral.

It has now.

Early Saturday
morning,

two midshipmen from Annapolis
were caught dueling.

Isn't that an internal
academy matter, sir?

They were dueling
in Rock Creek Park.

D.C. police took exception.

Pistols, sir?

Antique sabers borrowed
from their families.

Was anyone hurt, Admiral?

They were fighting
without the benefit

of masks and chest pads.

Both were somewhat
worse for wear.

Had they been
drinking, sir?

You'd think so, but no.

Just a couple of damn fools.

Don't suppose
the name

Captain Franklin
Buchanan

rings a bell?

Oh, yes, sir.

Then-Commodore Buchanan

commanded the Confederate
ironclad Virginia

at the Battle
of Hampton Roads.

He sank the
USS Cumberland

and the USS Congress.

I believe a
Lieutenant Morris

commanded the Cumberland.

They teach you that
at the academy?

I'm a Civil War buff, Colonel.

ROBERTS:
Sir, what does all
this have to do

with last
night's duel?

Both participants--

Midshipmen Second Class Morris
and Buchanan--

fifth generation descendants
of the two men

who fought
the Battle of Hampton Roads.

Turns out the war between
the States isn't over yet.

Where are they
now, sir?

They've been
turned over to

Naval District
Washington

for prosecution.

Colonel,
you'll be trial counsel.

Commander, you and
Lieutenant Roberts

will defend.
That'll be all.

ALL:
Aye, aye, sir.

BOONE:
How did you get
here, Lieutenant?

Sir?

The admiral wants to know

how the EP-3 came to be
in the possession

of the Chinese,
Lieutenant.

Well, I landed it here, Admiral.

Against standing
Op orders.

There was no way my aircraft
was going to make it back

to the Philippines,
or... or anywhere,

for that matter, sir.

I had to make my decision fast

and this was the
closest airstrip.

Why didn't you contact the
Jefferson for orders?

Our radio went out
mid-transmission, sir.

So, you took it upon yourself
to hand our classified plane

over to the enemy.

Respectfully, Admiral,
that's not how I saw it.

Well, how did you see it,
Lieutenant?

I felt it
was my duty

to preserve the lives of the men
and women under my command.

Besides, what were
my options, sir?
Ditch.

Sir, no one has ever ditched an
EP-3 and lived to tell about it.

Then you bail out.

I had two
crewmen injured,

one with a shattered leg,
the other unconscious.

They'd never have made it.

None of us would
have made it.

The closest rescue
was four hours away.

We would
have died.

Every man and woman
aboard that aircraft.

That's why
it's called war, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant, nothing we say
in this room is secure.

Now, I'm going to ask you
a question,

and I want you
to write out the answer.

How much time elapsed
from the moment

the MiG hit
your aircraft

to the time
you landed it here?

RABB:
Has anything like this incident

ever happened before,
Lieutenant?

Yes, sir.

Almost every time we
went on a mission,

there was some form of
harassment by the Chinese.

Especially over the
coast of Taiwan.

But still, I feel
badly for the Chinese
pilot, Lieutenant Li.

Well, he damn near
got you killed.

I know, but he was really nice.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant?

Three or four times,
he'd flown up beside us.

He'd wave at us,
and once, he held up

a handwritten sign
with his address.

BOONE:
What was he looking for,

a pen pal?

I don't know, sir,

but I don't think he
meant us any harm.

He just got
unlucky.

Did you witness the aftermath
of the collision with the MiG?

No, sir, I couldn't see him
after the point of impact.

We'd lost our starboard
engine and were heading down

through the undercast.

I understand
Lieutenant Li's been admitted

into China's canon
of revolutionary martyrs.

BOONE:
Wherever he stands
in the pantheon,

he was a lousy pilot.

It's his fault
you're here.

So, what happens now, sir?

Now, we find a way
to get you out of Fuzhou.

BUCHANAN:
Midshipman Morris dismissed
the battle as merely

a matter
of superior technology.

At Hampton Roads,

Captain Buchanan
just plain kicked ass.

Pardon the expression, sir.

My great-great grandfather
brought

his ship under fire, and...

Sailed in close to
the USS Cumberland

and using his cannons
at close range,

left her a burning wreck.

Sure know your stuff, sir.

I don't suppose you had

a great-great grandfather
in the war.

Uh, no, he was...
otherwise occupied.

So, anyway, sir, you can see

why I got mad

at Midshipman Morris,
for disparaging

what my great-great
grandfather did.

Why we had to settle it
like gentlemen

on the field of honor.

What I see, Midshipman, is
what a foolish thing you did.

You ran the risk of
doing serious injury

to Midshipman Morris,
and to yourself.

You embarrassed the navy,
the academy,

and the memory of
your great-great grandfathers.

But you'll help me, sir.

Yes, I will, because it's
my job, and I'll do it well.

But while I'm defending you,
I need you to prove to me

that you're worthy of my trust.

Yes, sir.

What started the argument,
Midshipman Morris?

Midshipman Buchanan accused
my great-great grandfather

of bad seamanship,
when everyone knows

that a wooden ship is
no match against iron.

And that was cause
to risk your life

and that of Midshipman Buchanan?

Well, Colonel... it's
a matter of pride.

Well, that's a concept
I can grasp.

Colonel, pride's more
than an abstract.

See, you're not a man.

For which I thank God every day.

No offense meant, ma'am.

I don't know
if you know this, Colonel,

but men sometimes can
kind of get stuck

on a point of pride
and get real stupid about it.

I'm sure the
colonel knows

that, Midshipman.

So, you see, ma'am,
you kind of get backed

into a corner that
you can't get out of.

And... and you start acting
pretty stupid

and stuff gets started
that you can't stop.

That sort of thing.

You ever known anyone
that's happened to?

Not right offhand,

but I'm sure someone
will come to mind.

CHEN:
Now that you have spoken
with your people,

there is a matter
of the apology.

I'm sure the United States
would be happy to accept

any apology that your country
is willing to give, General.

I see you have not lost
your sense of irony, Tom.

No, that's
straight talk, Shin-Wa.

There is a matter of
invading Chinese airspace.

General, your jet collided
with our EP-3

in international airspace.

In that, your country
is clearly at fault.

That is a matter of debate,
Commander.

Now, this has happened once
before, on April 1 of this year.

I believe that is
your April Fool's Day.

Then, as now, your
pilot was a cause

of the downing of
one of our aircraft,

so we consider the incident
to be an act of aggression.

An EP-3 has
a maximum airspeed

of 300 knots, General.

Your MiGs fly
at over 1,100.

On the day in question,

the pilot of your MiG flew
directly at our aircraft

and took off four feet
of its right wing.

Now, where in that

are we at fault?

It is a fact
your aircraft landed

on a Chinese airfield.

Surely, you do not dispute
our claim to that airspace?

General, our EP-3 landed here
at Fuzhou Airbase

because of damages sustained

in a collision
with your jet.

Commander, we're going
around in circles. Let's go.

Admiral Boone...

Always before, I found you
a reasonable man.

However, you have changed
with the years.

Well, we all get older.

Perhaps you are
not too old

to learn that sometimes

it is better
to say you're sorry.

Well, we're in the right country
for it, aren't we?

How is that?

As you once told me yourself,
the Chinese have as many words

for "sorry" as the Eskimos have
for "snow."

RABB:
I thought that went well, sir.

What have you been
smoking, Commander?

Admiral, Lieutenant
Hildon informed me

that there were
exactly 24 minutes

from the time
of the incident

until the aircraft touched
down here and was boarded.

That's six minutes short
of the minimum time necessary

to destroy
all the codes.

Under the best
of circumstances.

Hmm.

( men speaking indistinctly
in Chinese )

Sir?

That is an
American aircraft!

It is the
sovereign property

of the United
States government!

Now, get the hell off!
( gun barrels cocking )

MAN:
Talks are ongoing between

Chinese and American diplomats
over the fate of the EP-3 crew

that has been detained
by the Chinese military

on the airstrip at Fuzhou.

So far, these talks
have yielded no results.

The Chinese are demanding
an apology

from the American government

and restitution for the loss
of a MiG aircraft and its pilot.

There's no way that's
going to happen.

Really?

The last time
there was an incident,

we ended up
saying we were sorry.

Probably going
to happen again.

But we didn't mean it.

Besides, who cares what
a bunch of bureaucrats

in Armani suits
say to each other?

I do.

I mean, we apologize
and they keep our plane?

It's not right.

MacKENZIE:
I'm also going to charge
Midshipman Buchanan

and Morris under Article 116:
breach of the peace,

Article 128: assault,
and article 134:

assault with the intent
to commit murder.

Why not just charge them
under Article 114, ma'am?

It's been a hundred years

since anyone's been charged
for dueling, Bud.

Makes it interesting.

My life is already
interesting.

Here's my offer:

the midshipmen plead
to all charges,

agree to a punitive letter
of reprimand

and resign their appointments.

That'll end their careers
before they begin, ma'am.

Come on, Colonel.

Aren't we talking about
kids screwing around?

Look, I know you boys
like to stick together...

Been a long time
since someone called me boy.

You know what I mean.

When you were
at the academy,

I'm sure you didn't do
anything as stupid

as what these guys did.

Uh... you're wrong.

Was Commander Rabb involved?

Fortunately for both of us,

the statute of limitations
has run out.

What's your offer?

The midshipmen have agreed
to be tried together,

prepared to plead
to conduct unbecoming...

restitution
to the District of Columbia

for expenses incurred
during their arrest...

TURNER:
The convening authority
suspends the sentence...

ROBERTS:
And they go back
to the academy

where they face
a conduct board.

No deal.

Why are you taking such
a hard line on this, Mac?

I've interviewed
both of them.

I don't think
they're officer material.

You're quick to judge.

It wasn't a hard call,
Commander.

Right now we're fighting
a war against terrorism.

People out there are
risking their lives

and sometimes dying
for their country,

and here you have two boys
with nothing better to do

than to challenge each other
to a duel.

Now, I might feel differently
if either of one of them

had shown a spark
of remorse,

or even had a clue
that what they did was wrong.

No deal.

( knocking on door )

Enter.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Lieutenant, you have
an urgent phone call.

It's Commander Rabb
in China.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Commander?

Lieutenant, I need you
to do me a favor.

Name it, sir.

You remember Uncle Scrooge?

I know my ducks, sir.

Good. You remember Uncle
Scrooge's giant money bin?

Are we speaking in code, sir?

Yes.

Cool!

Now, you remember that there
were certain bad boys

trying to break
into the money vault.

Answer yes or no.

Yes.

Great.

This is one of those
bad boys.

ROBERTS:
I'm tracking you, sir.

RABB:
Okay, now, you remember
how old you are?

Yes.

Take your age, add six years.

Okay, now what?

Now go to the computer
on your desk, Bud.

Standard JAG menu,
double click the second icon

in the right-hand column.

Okay, got it, sir.

Now go to Google.

Type in "Chinanet,"
the name of one

of the bad boys trying
to break into the vault,

your age plus six years.

( keyboard clacking )

Got a hit, sir.

Now find out whose address
that is,

and if it's being used
currently,

then call me back,
and I'll tell you what to do.

ROBERTS:
Yes, sir.

Awesome.

Huh? "Awesome"?

( phone ringing through line )

Good afternoon.

This is Lieutenant Roberts
calling from the JAG Corps

on behalf of Commander Rabb.

I need to speak
with Director Webb, please.

Yes, I'll hold.

( distant thunder rumbling )

Good afternoon, Director Webb.

I need a favor.

MacKENZIE:
Officer Crumley,

can you describe
what you observed

when you came across
Midshipmen Buchanan and Morris?

They were fighting, ma'am,
with these old-fashioned sabers.

Was there
the possibility

that one of them might have
suffered grievous bodily harm

or even death?

Well, those swords
are old, ma'am,

but plenty sharp.

Can you identify this exhibit?

Yes, ma'am.
It's one of the swords

they were fighting with.

And what actions did you take

to prevent them
from injuring each other?

I drew my sidearm, ma'am,
and I ordered them

to put down their
weapons or I'd shoot.

Did they comply?

Oh, yes.
They got real polite.

What do you think
would have happened

if you'd not chanced by?

Objection.
Calls for speculation.

Sustained.

Officer Crumley,
from what you observed,

did it appear these two
were attempting to inflict

grievous bodily harm
upon each other?

TURNER:
Objection.
Leading the witness.

Sustained.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

JUDGE BLAKELY:
Commander Turner?

Officer Crumley,
how far away were you

from Midshipman Morris
and Midshipman Buchanan

when you first chanced
upon them

on that dark night?

Oh, a hundred yards,
give or take.

Hundred yards?
So how do you know

they weren't just
fooling around?

I know hostile intent
when I see it.

At that distance?

100 yards
in the dead of night?

Argumentative,
Your Honor.

Move on, Commander.

Have you seen many duels,
Officer?

No, sir.

That was my first.

So you're not
an expert?

No.

So in fact, you had no idea

what was going on.

Objection.
Sustained.

Is it fair to say,
Officer Crumley,

that you had no
certain knowledge

of what was in the minds
of the two young men

engaged in horseplay?

Objection, Your Honor,

Fighting with swords

as sharp as razors
is not horseplay.

Please ask counsel to
stop editorializing.

Commander,
rephrase the question.

Did you know
what was in the minds

of Midshipman Morris
and Midshipman Buchanan

on the night in question?

No, sir.

I'm not a mind-reader,
but I know what I saw--

murderous intent.

In the dead of night?

Your Honor.

Give it a rest, Commander.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Thank you, Officer.

( man speaking Chinese
over P.A. )

Did you get through?

Yes, sir.

We should know
something soon.

I just got a call
from Beijing.

The diplomatic
talks are stalled.

Lieutenant Li is going
to be buried tomorrow.

State funeral,
full honors.

General Chen will be
delivering the eulogy.

If something doesn't
happen soon,

they'll have her
stripped bare.

MacKENZIE:
Midshipman Morris,

whatever possessed you
to enter into a duel?

Objection. Hasn't
been proven

that my client
was in a duel.

Your Honor, Midshipman Morris
was arrested

with a saber in hand.

A saber with which
he was attempting

to strike
Midshipman Buchanan.

Your Honor, when is counsel
going to ask a question?

I'm sure she's working up to it,
Counselor.

Midshipman Morris,
why did you accept

Midshipman Buchanan's challenge
to duel?

Tradition, ma'am.

Tradition?

Is it an academy tradition

to try to kill your fellow
midshipmen?

Objection. Argumentative.

Sustained.

You went to Rock Creek Park,

pursuant to a prior agreement,
to fight with sabers?

Yes, ma'am.

Did you intend
to injure Midshipman Buchanan?

Some, I guess.

Isn't it true
that if you

strike a man with a saber,
you can take off his head?

Yes, ma'am.

So, with premeditation,

you entered into a fight
to the death.

Objection.

Counsel's making
her own conclusions.

Sustained.

No further questions.

JUDGE BLAKELY:
Lieutenant Roberts?

Midshipman Morris,
did you intend

to cause grievous
bodily injury

to Midshipman Buchanan?

No, sir.

Were you forced
into this confrontation?

I'd say the blame
is about equal, sir.

Midshipman Morris, do you
dislike Midshipman Buchanan?

Well, I did, sir.

Or thought that
maybe I should

because of what happened at
the Battle of Hampton Roads.

But the last
couple of days...

we've been on
restriction together

and he's really
a pretty good guy.

ROBERTS:
Did you ever want
to see him dead?

No, sir.

Well, then how did it get
so far out of hand?

I guess I started it, sir.

Ragging on his
great-great
grandfather.

And after a while, mostly
I just wanted him to shut up.

Midshipman Morris,
are you guilty

of violating Article 114

of the UCMJ
against dueling?

Yes, sir, and so is
Midshipman Buchanan.

But we both regret it, sir,

and wish that we had not
been so darn stupid.

Why is that,
Midshipman Morris?

Right now, there's more
important stuff going on

in the world than refighting
some old battle, sir.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Colonel?

( sighs )

I'd like to reserve the right

to conduct a re-cross,
Your Honor.

Meanwhile, I request
a recess

to speak with opposing counsel.

Good idea, Colonel.

I don't know
how we got this far.

They got a lot of techs
on that aircraft.

So far today,
they've taken off

at least three consoles
already.

A few more days,
we're going to have

to reinvent all of
our hardware and
rewrite every one

of our damn codes.

( steady beeping )

Hello, Buddy.

Millie?

Uh-huh.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I'm on leave
from the Naval
Historical Center.

I wanted to be closer
to the action.

You still married?

Yeah.

You still happy?

Very.

Well, if that changes,
give me a call.

Uh, are you familiar
with TESAR?

Absolutely.

It's a strip mapping SAR

that provides continuous
O.S. imagery.

Hmm.

Well, what you are
looking at are images

that are formed on board
a Predator aircraft.

And sent to the Predator
ground control station

via a K-U band data link.

You really know your stuff,
Lieutenant.

Yeah, well, I-I try
to stay current.

I never should have let you go.

( sighs )

Okay, here we go.

Um, I diverted the Predator
by several degrees.

And now you have 45 seconds
to find

what you're looking for.

ROBERTS:
Uh, hold that and zoom in.

There.

That's it.

( laughs )

Oh, thank you so much.

Any time.

BOONE:
Sorry to disturb you, General.

Come in.

I enjoy your company, Tom.

Please, sit.

I was just writing

the funeral oration
for Lieutenant Li.

Well, I would consider it
an honor

if you would read it to us,
General.

( clears throat )

"Like an eagle, he soared

"above the clouds.

"as light as a feather
in the breeze

until his life was snuffed out
like a candle in the wind."

I think I will amend
that last.

A little too much Elton John,
huh, General?

Precisely.

That's Lieutenant Li's MiG
on a runaway in Manchuria.

That photograph was taken
this morning, General.

Where did you get this?

The commander downloaded it
on his laptop.

Lieutenant Li
sent an e-mail

from the air base in Manchuria
where you had him hidden.

He wanted his girlfriend
to know that he was all right.

We traced the e-mail

and had our satellite snap
the photo of his jet.

BOONE:
You covered up the fact

that Lieutenant Li survived
the incident.

Instead, you decided to make him
a martyr, first class.

Now one billion of your people
are singing his praises,

but what happens, General,

when they find out
that you've lied?

You created
this fallen hero.

It puts you in a bad light,
Shin-Wa.

And it puts you at odds

with the civilian leadership
of your country

who are trying
to find a diplomatic solution.

( sighs )

What do you want?

I want 19 American airmen
and one aircraft.

RABB:
Lieutenant Li
is still alive, General.

Make sure he stays that way.

Call the USS Jefferson,
Admiral Boone.

Tell them you are flying
your men out in an hour.

I will send back
the EP-3

when I am done
with it.

One piece at a time.

Ma'am.

MacKENZIE:
Commander Turner
and Lieutenant Roberts

have been kind enough
to allow me

to further interview
both of you.

Under the rules
of evidence,

they are both here,
and I understand

that you have waived
your Article 31 rights.

Yes, ma'am.

We understand, ma'am.

Okay, let's get down
to the facts.

Midshipman Morris, did you
intend to do Midshipman Buchanan

grievous bodily injury?

No, ma'am.

As you can see,

neither one of us
are any good with a saber.

I feel really bad
about everything.

Midshipman Buchanan, did you
force Midshipman Morris

into dueling under duress?

You might say that, ma'am.

Because I didn't give him
room to back out

and not look like a coward,

I guess there's
a sort of duress in that.

Lieutenant,
since Midshipman Morris

was forced into this duel
under duress,

it could be argued
that there was in fact
no prior agreement

and he's innocent
of all the charges against him.

Yes, it could.

In fact, that's exactly
what I was going to argue.

Commander Turner,
since Midshipman Buchanan

had no intent

of grievous bodily harm
to Midshipman Morris,

it could be argued
that he too is innocent

of the charges against him.

I intended to argue
that very thing.

Ma'am, why
the change of heart?

Midshipman Buchanan, are you
familiar with the expression

"Don't look a gift horse
in the mouth"?

That's okay, Sturgis.

I'd like to answer that.

When I first questioned
these young men,

I misjudged them.

I didn't see that once
you get past the, uh...

Idiocy, ma'am?

Thank you, Midshipman Buchanan.

I didn't see
the goodness in them.

But I now see
that they both

have the makings
of fine officers.

My bet is that you

and Commander Rabb were very
much like them in your time.

You wouldn't be far wrong,
Colonel.

Make me an offer.

( man speaking Chinese
over P.A. )

MAN ( over P.A. ):
All squadron reps,
report to flight control.

All squadron reps, report
to flight control.

Lieutenant Barrett
and Crawford--

you'll be stationed
50 miles off the Chinese coast.

Admiral Boone, Commander Rabb
and the crew of the EP-3

will be aboard the COD

when it departs
from Fuzhou Airbase.

What's our
ordnance, sir?

You'll be configured

for close escort.
Full ammo.

What are the rules
of engagement, Captain?

Do not fire unless fired upon.

Do not cross into Chinese
airspace for any reason.

It took a lot for Admiral Boone
to broker this deal,

so keep cool.

Don't screw it up.

The most important thing

is that we get our people
out safely.

Any questions?

Yes, sir.

What about the EP-3?

Well, once the Chinese
have downloaded our secrets

and stripped our technology,

they're going to ship it back
to us in pieces.

That stinks, sir.

Yes, it does.

BARRETT:
I got them.

Check ten left at 40 miles.

Roger that. I got them, too.

Birmingham Strike--

we are holding hands
with the COD.

Stay tight, Stonewall.

Cranberry, you have the lead.

I want to look you over.

Roger. I have the lead.

Cranberry,
you have fluid

streaming from
your left fuel dump vent.

Roger, Stonewall.

All gauges normal.

Can't take the chance,
Cranberry.

Need you to return to Birmingham
immediately.

Wilco, Stonewall.

Returning to Birmingham.

Good luck. God bless.

It's getting lonely
up here, Admiral.

Oh, one's enough.

Good night, Greyhound.

Admiral, we just lost
our other fighter escort.

Stonewall,

this is Greyhound.

Do you copy?

RABB:
Stonewall, do you copy?

RABB:
Birmingham Strike,
this is Birmingham 2-5.

We've lost our fighter escort

and we do not have radio contact
with him.

CONTROL:
Roger, Birmingham 2-5.

X.O., call PRIFLY,
launch the spare.

Aye, aye, sir.

Birmingham 2-5,
the spare is on its way.

Until then, you're on your own.

Mark your coordinates.

Roger that.

18 degrees, 31 minutes
north latitude.

113 degrees, 14 minutes
west longitude.

Boss, this is the captain.

Strike Ops, stand by to initiate
search and rescue operations.

What the hell is going on, sir?

Whatever it is,
I got a bad feeling.

( indistinct conversation )

BARRETT:
Birmingham 2-5,
Birmingham Strike,

this is Birmingham 4-3.

I am inbound.

Fuel state: 3.9.

All weapons expended.