1835 ZULU

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

Commander Sturgis Turner and Commander Meg Austin enter General Cresswell's office. Aside from the general, they see a blond-haired woman in a Navy winter blue uniform, and a man in his sixties wearing a three-piece business suit.

"Commanders," says Secretary of the Navy Edward Sheffield.

"How may we help you, sir?" asks Sturgis.

"I understand that you are serving as counsel for the Needleman court-martial," says Sheffield.

"Yes, sir, I am the defense counsel for Lieutenant Needleman," says Meg. "The judge in the Article 32 recommended a general court-martial."

"The Iraqi government has requested Lieutenant Needleman's extradition," says the Secretary.

"Extradition, sir?" asks Sturgis. "They don't have an extradition treaty with us, and Needleman is a serviceman and the SOF agreement immunized servicemen from prosecution by the government there. Lieutenant Tracey Needleman is for us to prosecute, sir."

"That seems to be open to interpretation, Commander Turner," says Cresswell. "Captain Krennick, if you will."

"Yes, sir," says U.S. Navy Captain Allison Krennick. "The purpose of the SOF agreement with the Iraqi government was to prevent American servicemen from being prosecuted for actions done during the execution of their duties. Lieutenant Needleman was accused of committing murder while she was off duty."

"It can be argued, ma'am," Meg says to the captain who was her commanding officer over a year ago, "that servicemen deployed to Iraq are always on duty. They have more restrictions on liberty than servicemen serving stateside, for example."

"Lieutenant Needleman was not acting under orders when she detonated that car bomb," replies Krennick. "Her MOS is a civil engineering officer. No part of the job description of a civil engineering officer involves rigging a car with explosives and detonating it on a crowded street to kill someone your lover was cheating with and making it look like an insurgent attack."

"You can save your arguments for the extradition hearing tomorrow," says Sheffield. "Captain Krennick will be arguing for extradition."

"I suppose we will argue on the other side," says Sturgis.

"Correct," says Cresswell. "Your job is to defend her from extradition so she can be prosecuted here."

Sturgis and Meg leave the general's office.

"Looks like we're on the same side on this one," says Sturgis. "Considering we were on the opposite side when Lieutenant Needleman was facing trial in our jurisdiction."

Elswhere, Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts approaches Lieutenant Gregory Vukovic.

"Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" asks the lieutenant.

oooooooooooooo

1957 ZULU

THE PENTAGON

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

"This is an interesting case," says Abdullah Hassan, eating a cashew.

"The news networks are already reporting this," replies Secretary Sheffield.

"The Iraqi people want to know that they are sovereign," says Hassan. "If they can not prosecute those who murder in their country, then they are not really sovereign."

"Is that your position, or the government's?"

"The government's position. I've met the person they sent to argue for extradition; he's a Kurd. Fled to Canada, I think, during the Hussein regime, and came back two years ago, after Hussein's capture."

"I guess the Iraqi parliament had to throw Kurds a bone," says Sheffield. "What better way than to have one of them argue what could be one of the most significant legal cases involving Iraq?"

"As for me, as long as the murderer never leaves prison alive, wherever that prison is, I'll favor it," says Hassan. "Though I am partial to hanging as opposed to leaving her alive in a dark hole..."

ooooooooooooo

2103 ZULU

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Miles Darren hears a doorbell ring, and walks to the front door of his townhouse he shares with his wife. Looking through the peephole, he then opens the door.

"Commander Roberts?" he asks.

"Nice of you to join us," says Gregory Vukovic. "By the way, Miles, remember the rule. No rank at the poker table."

"Sure, Greg," replies Miles, who is a Navy lieutenant and a lawyer.

"Well, my name is Bud," says Bud Roberts. "What game are we playing?"

"Texas Hold 'Em, Bud," says Miles. "Five dollars to buy in, no limit, winner take all."

"Okay, says Bud. He walks to a folding table situated about a foot from the dining table; the surface of the poker table is felt, with a wooden frame around the surface. Three other men sit at the table - Miles Darren, Gregory Vukovic, and Carlos Bullrider - a lawyer and Marine captain. After they all pitch in five-dollar bills, Miles spreads the cards on the table and each of them draws a card.

"I got the Ace," says Greg. "I deal."

"You have to post the big blind," says Carlos.

The players each receive twenty-five non-deonomational chips. The blinds are 1 and 2; Bud places two chips for big blind.

Then Greg deals each of the players two cards; the game begins.

ooooooooooo

2150 ZULU

"Let's show 'em," says Carlos.

Miles and Greg show their cards.

"Looks like you're out," says Greg, taking the pot. "Tens and sixes beat nines and eights."

"I guess I'm the dealer now," says Bud.

oooooooooo

2327 ZULU

Bud and Greg are the only two left at the table. Miles and Carlos watch from a few feet away, an open bag of Doritos chips on the dining table.

Bud is the dealer, and he and Greg put down the blinds. Bud notices that half of his chips - twenty-six of them - are on the table.

The flop is queen, jack, and ten of spades.

They both check. The turn card is an ace of diamonds.

They both check.

Then the river card comes - a nine of spades.

Greg pushes the remainder of his chips - twenty-seven chips- into the stack. "All in," he says.

"I call," says Bud, putting twenty-seven chips into the pile.

Greg turns over his cards, no longer having to do his best to hide what he has. The hand he has is one he had never had before, playing poker. He has a straight flush, eight to queen of spades.

Bud then turns over his cards, and Greg's smile suddenly fades, and he slowly exhales, like a tire slowly deflating via a tiny hole.

One of his cards is a king of spades.

"Harriet will be surprised to hear of this," says Bud, taking the pot and winning the game.

ooooooooooooo

DAY 33

1407 ZULU

U.S. DISTRICT COURT

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia, located on Constitution Ave NW in Washington, D.C., hears federal cases originating in the District of Columbia.

Reporters from various news organizations gather outside the courtroom, due to the fact that a landmark case is being decided inside one of the courtrooms inside the courthouse - the first extradition hearing involving the new elected government of Iraq. News programs have devoted entire hours to this case.

The court hearing is closed, with United States marshals keeping security.

"You may begin your presentation," says the judge, sitting behind the wooden bench.

"Your Honor,"says Shivan Barzani, who had been appointed by the Iraqi prime minister to argue this matter, "the evidence is sufficient to show that Tracey Needleman, a citizen of the United States of America and a lieutenant in its Navy, used an explosive device to kill nine people, as outlined in the appendix in the extradition request. There is no indication that she was acting under orders from her superiors. It is our assertion that the status of forces agreement do not cover the off-duty activities of American service people. Furthermore, your government no longer controls the civil affairs of Iraq ever since a government was elected. Therefore, she is subject to the criminal laws of the nation of Iraq, and we request formal extradition for her trial."

"Your argument, counselor," says the judge.

"Your Honor," says Meg, "Lieutenant Tracey Needleman was on duty at all times during her deployment to Iraq. There are no provisions in the status of forces agreement that allow Iraqi authorities to prosecute American uniformed ervice people for ANY actions done during their deployment there. The actions alleged by Mr. Barzani here are covered under our laws, and Lieutenant Needleman shall be tried under the laws of the United States. I urge you, sir, to reject the request for extradition."

"Very well then," says the judge. "I do have the Article 32 hearing transcripts, and it is clear to me that there would be sufficient evidence to try Tracey Needleman for murder. I will render my decision at Wednesday morning."

They all leave the courtroom.

"You know," says Captain Krennick, "whatever the judge's decision is, it will be appealed."

"I would guess this case has a very good chance of being decided by the Supreme Court," says Sturgis.

"Lieutenant Needleman could be waiting for well over a year before there's a final decision on this extradition request," says Meg.

"If your courts do ultimately reject Iraq's extradition request," says Barzani, "this could set a precedent making it more difficult to extradite Americans, even if they are not in the military."

"Maybe there is a deal that can be reached," says Krennick.

oooooooooooo

DAY 37

1522 ZULU

U.S. NAVAL STATION

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

Cameras aim at Lieutenant Tracey Needleman as she stands inside the courtroom in Norfolk's Naval Station, dressed in her winter blues. She stands beside her attorney, Commander Meg Austin.

"On February 16, 2006, Staff Sergeant Elena Morena admitted to me that she was pregnant and that Major Dennis MacTaggart was the father," says the Navy lieutenant. "I was in a lesbian relationship with her at the time. I managed to figure out Major MacTaggart's schedule. I purchased a burqa at the market and stashed away some explosives and blasting caps the Seabees use in demolition work. On February 27, I took liberty from the base the same time that Major MacTaggart was leaving on business. I parked a car that I had stolen on the street where Major Mactaggart's car would likely pass through. I made sure to be far away, and when the car passed the car I rigged with explosives, I set off the bomb, which killed Major Mactaggart and eight other people. I used this manner to murder him because it would look like an insurgent attack. I tell you that what I said is true, and is not being given under threat of torture or abuse."

ooooooooooo

1711 ZULU

THE PENTAGON

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

"So Lieutenant Needleman will never leave prison alive," says Abdullah Hassan.

"A satisfying conclusion," says Edward Sheffield, sitting in his office.

"At least we do not have a precedent against us if we have to extradite anyone from America again," says Shivan Barzani, sipping a Coca-cola.

oooooooooooo

1940 ZULU

JAG HEADQUARTERS

"You wanted to see me, sir?" asks Sturgis.

"Yes," replies General Cresswell. "I have decided to make you chief of staff for JAG Headquarters. As chief of staff, you will decide personnel assignments, take care of routine issues about headquarters, maintain records. You will also get a bigger office, suitable for a JAG chief of staff."

"Yes, sir."

"I am appinting you this position because you outgrew your shoes, Turner. The O-6 selection board made their decision. Congratulations, Captain Turner." The generals hands Sturgis a box containing shoulder boards with four one-inch stripes.

"I am honored, sir," says the new Navy captain.

"Your first order will be to change your rank insignia reflecting your promotion to captain."

"Aye aye, sir."