"Hi." "Let's go see them." "I'd like to introduce you." " And you are?" " Curtis Rivers, ma'am." "I don't see you on the list." "You a campaign contributor or a district captain?" "Only a lieutenant, ma'am." " That's the Medal of Honour, isn't it?" " Yes, sir." "Maggie, the lieutenant doesn't need an invitation." " Thank you, officer." " No, thank you." "Ladies and gentlemen?" "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to our gracious host, a man of many talents, Navy SEAL, visionary businessman, and the next United States senator from our great state of California:" "Wild Bill Layton." "Thank you." "Thank you very much, all of you." "But no more "Wild Bill" or I wouldn't even get my wife's vote." "Thank you all for coming." "Thank you, Angela." "Thank you for shelling out 500 bucks for some pretty bad champagne." "As you all know, I'm running for the Senate, and I'm running on the platform of integrity in government and values in the home." "And I promise you I will fight for those values just as I fought for this great country of ours." "To me, politics is a calling." "It's a chance for me to finally give something back." "How about starting with those phoney medals?" "If you ever hit a beach, it was falling out of a chaise longue." "So let's drink to him." "Bill Layton:" "Coward, liar, impostor." "And just who the hell are you?" "Lieutenant Curtis Rivers." "United States Navy SEAL, Team 6." "You dishonour my comrades by wearing this." "Why, you son of a..." "Trespassing, assault and battery, conduct unbecoming, and he's a Medal of Honour winner." "No one's ever questioned Lieutenant Rivers' willingness to fight." "Just his discipline and judgement." "Well, I've never seen a service record like it." "Disobeys an order, but rescues a hostage in Lebanon and is awarded the Medal." "Receives the Bronze Star for heroism in Panama, but goes UA at Little Creek, and now this." "Apparently, Lieutenant Rivers works with a group of retired Navy SEALs" " who expose impostors, sir." " Well, it's easy to see why." "Men who couldn't swim across a bathtub are claiming to have infiltrated the beaches at Mina Saud." "A lot of men, sir." "It seems there are more fraudulent SEALs than real ones." "And I share Lieutenant Rivers' outrage 100 percent." "But we can't have officers punching out every blowhard who says he parachuted behind enemy lines." "Commander, you have a history with the lieutenant." " Well, that's one way to put it, sir." " "Fistfight" would be another." "Still, he trusts you." "Talk sense to him." "If he makes amends, he'll face nothing worse than a letter of reprimand and some anger counselling." "Sir, the man Lieutenant Rivers hit, is he an impostor?" "Well, Bill Layton was never a SEAL." "But apparently he did serve in Vietnam and received the Navy Cross." "So it looks like Lieutenant Rivers picked on a bona fide hero." "Enter." "Sorry to interrupt, admiral, but you're due at Orsati's in 20 minutes, sir." "Oh, right." "Thank you, Tiner." "You're not brown bagging it today, sir?" "You have a problem with that, commander?" "It's an opportunity of a lifetime, admiral." " Charlie, how are you there?" " Just fine, senator." "Well, I'm flattered, senator, and a bit surprised." "There must be a hundred lawyers in Virginia alone, at least as well qualified." "Oh, yeah, but damn few with distinguished military records." "You know if it were up to me, all lawyers would have to serve their country before being considered for a federal judgeship." "Well, sir, I doubt that would be constitutional." "It would be if we could put some more of our men on the Supreme Court." "Tell me, admiral." "May I submit your name to the president, to be a United States district judge?" "Well, sir, I've spent my entire adult life in the Navy." "I've never really considered anything else." "It's a lifetime appointment." "The prestige of filling the constitutional office created by our founding fathers." "And the chance to rule over the great cases of our land." "Senator, you must be a hell of a country lawyer." " Let me think about it." " Think about it the rest of the week." "But after that, I'm gonna have to start listening to the lobbyists and appoint some political hack." "Tell me, A.J., what is this case about a Navy SEAL who slugged Bill Layton?" "I mean, that's a no-win situation." "Oh, it's under control, senator." "Good, good." "I'm glad to hear that." " Layton can go to hell." " You'd rather be court-martialed?" "Than apologise to that impostor?" "I'd rather be shot." " Come on, ladies, pick it up." " You heard him." " Pick it up." " Get it up there." "Do you love it?" "Do you love it?" "Come on now." "You could do time in Leavenworth, Rivers." "I've been in worse places." "Look, you punched the wrong guy." "Bill Layton served honourably and was decorated." "He was never a SEAL and he never earned his Trident." "And you haven't earned the right to be judge, jury and vigilante." "Come on, commander." "This is not about a guy and a ball who claims to have played linebacker for Penn State." "Some of these people are dangerous." "Look." "He was never a SEAL, but he's got a gun." " He's a hired killer." " Report him to the police." "Let them put him on trial." "There's a legal system, remember?" "Yeah, I remember." "It's the one that wants me court-martialed." " Come on, ladies, pick it up, pick it up." " Pick it up." "Let's go." "I can't imagine JAG without you." "I'd miss you, sir." "We'd all miss you, admiral." "Well, I sure the hell would miss all of you and the Navy." "But I don't think I can pass up the opportunity to sit on a federal bench." "A chance to strike the balance between the power of government and an individual." "You've decided to go for it, sir?" "Well, I told Senator Barrington to start background checks, but I reserved the right to reverse myself." "Have a seat." "Well, if I may say so, sir," "I think you'd make an excellent federal judge." " Would I?" " Well, yes, sir, you're..." "You know the law, you're fair, you're honest." "But?" "Sir, nobody questions that you'd be good for this job." " But would this job be good for you?" " Go on." "You're a Navy SEAL." "You're a man of action." "And judges, they sit on their sixes." "And most lawyers come from deep-carpet law firms, and you..." "From a deep carpet jungle?" " Yes, Tiner?" " Commander Rabb on one, sir." "Commander." "Admiral, I've talked with Lieutenant Rivers." "Sir, it doesn't look good." "Well, at least the two of you didn't get in a slugfest." "Stay close to your quarters, you're getting company." "Aye, sir." "Colonel, how do you feel about prosecuting Lieutenant Rivers?" "If it's your order, it doesn't matter how I feel, sir." " But it's hardly just." " "This is a court of law, not of justice."" "Oliver Wendell Holmes." "Wasn't he also in the military before becoming a judge?" "Captain of the Harvard Regiment during the Civil War." "Took a bullet through the neck at Antietam." "He was over 60 when Teddy Roosevelt appointed him to the Supreme Court." "Sir, if Mr. Layton determined that no wrong had been done to him?" "Well, it would be up to Lieutenant Rivers' commanding officer to initiate proceedings." "But as a Medal of Honour recipient, he might get some slack." "You think you could buy me 24 hours to reason with Mr. Layton, sir?" "Campaign headquarters." "Two men with distinguished military records." "It would be a shame if this couldn't be worked out." "Oh, hell." "I mean, even a Medal of Honour winner can make a mistake." "What do you think, Angela?" "We've gotten bad press, Bill." "We can't just walk away from it." "The polls show a 12 percent bump in your unfavourables." "The best scenario, according to the focus groups, is to convict Rivers." "Seventy-two percent say that would clear your name." " This is a political decision?" " Isn't everything?" "Okay, here's an offer." "Bill won't prosecute Rivers in state court if the Navy court-martials him." "If Lieutenant Rivers is convicted," "I could call a press conference and publicly forgive him." "A magnanimous gesture from one warrior to another." " The voters will eat it up." " No, unfortunately the Navy won't." "Lieutenant Rivers' career would be ruined." "In which case, Bill holds a second press conference deploring the Navy's lack of compassion." " Compassion is in this year." " Really?" "I thought it was cynicism." "If you press the case, a good defence lawyer will turn the spotlight on you." "I have nothing to hide, colonel." "Okay, hustle up." "Hustle up." " Let's go, go, go." " Yes, sir." "Commander." "Don't tell me." "Charges and specifications have been drawn up." "Colonel MacKenzie will prosecute." "If you're looking for a defence counsel, I'm available." " I'll defend myself." " It's not wise, lieutenant." "If you wanna assist me with the legal mumbo jumbo," "I wouldn't kick you out of court." " Sit second chair to you?" " Couldn't lose, commander." "I'll have a fool as a client and a washed-up pilot as co-counsel." "I'm not worried about this." "My bigger concern is this gun-for-hire." " Rivers." " We did some research, commander." "The guy's name is Earl Ticktin." "He washed out of the Navy after basic training." "Now he's got three confirmed kills." "That makes him a problem for the police, not for you." "Correct, "not for me," commander." "For you." "I just hired him to kill you." "A hit man?" "You hired a hit man to kill me?" "All right, Rivers, the joke is over." "Un-hire him." "You're not scared, are you, commander?" "I never met a pilot with the guts for close combat." " How close you wanna get?" " Very good." "But save it for Ticktin." "You're gonna need it." "You're gonna make appetizing bait and we'll be waiting for him." "I'm not playing this game with you, Rivers." "This is a police matter." "Look, commander, if you report this," "I'll get stripped of my rank, my pension, and probably wind up in prison." "You think I care?" "You can't help yourself." "This is how it's coming down." "I contacted Ticktin by e-mail through an anonymous server in Europe." "When you're dead, I send $10,000 cash to a mail drop in Mexico." "Ten thousand dollars on credit?" "Should I be offended?" "It's a bargain rate." "I think he has a thing about Navy officers." "Hi, Rivers." "Vic, Pops has got you right where he wants you." "You're crazy, lieutenant." "I got him this time." " Fifty bucks on Pops." " You're on." " How'd you do that?" " Brain power." "That our boy?" "Yeah." "Commander Rabb, Pops Munchak, Vic Velasco." "They're the real deal." "They'll cover your six." " This is your team?" " That's us." " Buy you a drink?" " No, thank you." "Take it easy, commander." "If a phoney SEAL ever set foot in here, we'd spear his skull with a cue stick and use his eyeballs for cocktail olives." "You gotta forgive Velasco." "He's got a steel plate in his head." "It's not a plate, it's screws." "Four metal screws." " And they're all loose." " At least I got an excuse." " Excuse for what?" " Forgetfulness, Grandpa." "Relax, commander." "I'd trust Pops and Vic with my life." "I'd trust them with your life too." "That's the first time I heard that story today." "So, what do you say, commander?" "You gonna help us?" "I don't have much choice, do I?" "I never believed in the draught so if you want out..." "Your call, commander." "I'll cancel the hit if you want me to." "But I think you ought to look at something first." "The young guy, got in an argument with Ticktin in a bar." "Ticktin came back with a gun and blew him away in a parking lot." "Other two, contract killings." "Both with homemade bombs." "One for insurance money, and the other for revenge over a business deal gone bad." "Two women lost their husbands." "Five children lost their fathers." "Why haven't you gone to the FBI with this?" "FBI has it." "They were following a lead in Mexico that turned out to be a dead-end." "And in the last murder, there was a possible sighting in the mountains near Ocotillo Wells." "That trail went cold also." "Let me tell you what this case is not about." "It's not about William Layton's military record." "And it's not about Lieutenant Rivers' medals, honours or motives." " Why not?" " Because then she'd lose." "This case is about the undisputed fact that Lieutenant Curtis Rivers entered a private fundraiser and assaulted William Layton in violation of Article 128." "This breach of discipline cannot be tolerated in the military or any society where respect for the law is paramount." "Thank you." "Your Honour, Lieutenant Rivers would like to deliver his own opening statement." "Very well." "Proceed, lieutenant." "I'm a Navy SEAL." "A direct descendant of the Scout and Raider units that invaded North Africa in 1942." "I'm a child of the Underwater Demolition Teams that stormed the beaches of Normandy." "I humbly follow those who clear the way for landings on Pacific islands whose names are synonymous with words like:" ""Courage,"" ""honour,"" ""country,"" "and "death."" "My predecessors spilled their blood in the snow of Korea, and the rice patties of Vietnam." "No Navy SEAL has ever surrendered or left behind a dead or wounded comrade." "That is bravery and selflessness." "It represents an ideal as embodied by this uniform and insignia." "And to me, this uniform is not just made of cloth, the insignia not just made of metal." "Oh, no." "They represent the flesh and blood of all those who came before." " They were..." " Objection." "Your Honour, this is a court-martial, not a history lesson." "Counsel, and that seems to include the defendant, please, approach." "Lieutenant Rivers." "Do you think Commander Rabb could perform the duties of a Navy SEAL?" "Maybe on weekends, ma'am." "Then what makes you think you could do the job of a trial lawyer?" " Because I know the truth." " The truth?" "Obviously, lieutenant, you haven't been to law school." "Opening statements should summarise the evidence you intend to submit." "The issue here is an alleged assault consummated by battery." "Not the history of the Navy SEALs, no matter how illustrious." "The objection is sustained." "Yeah, this one always seems to come up, sir." "Have you ever failed to pay social security for a maid or a housekeeper?" "Maid?" "I wash my own clothes, clean my own quarters." "Yes, sir." "You know, sir, I'm not sure that I should be asking you these questions." "Judiciary Committee will, lieutenant." "So fire away." "Aye, aye, sir." "Have you ever smoked marijuana?" "No." "What, are they gonna ask for a urine sample?" "Probably not during the hearing, sir." "And finally, they wanna know if there's anything in your background that may reflect on your fitness to sit on the federal bench?" "I've killed men under the rules of war." "It's something I gotta live with every day." "It's made me appreciate the value of human life and the laws that guide it." "That's an excellent line, sir." "It's not a line, lieutenant." " Colonel MacKenzie." " It's me." "Mic." " Do you miss me, love?" " You know I do, Mic." "So when are we gonna see each other again?" "Tonight, in my dreams." "I'm in San Diego." "I'm trying a court-martial." "You're joking." "Oh, beauty." "It's only a hop, skip, and a jump from Sydney." "I'll tell you what, I'll meet you halfway in Hawaii." "Or Bikini Atoll in the Marshalls." "We'll set off our own nuclear explosions." "Right, I'll just walk out on the trial, let Harm will get a dismissal." "Harm's with you, is he?" "Harm's against me." "You're with me." "Remember I love you, Sarah." "Me too, Mic." "Maybe we should go over your defence while I'm still alive." "I've already plotted it out, commander." "Oh, do you wanna tell me about it now or after you're convicted?" "Isn't it a crime to wear military insignia that you haven't earned?" "It's a misdemeanour under 17 U.S. Code 702." "Well, I went to old Layton's reception to make a citizen's arrest." "It's not gonna work." "You didn't try to arrest him." "You repossessed his Trident by force and then punched him." "Look, I hit him after he took a swing at me first." "That's self-defence." "So you feel you were in danger of imminent bodily harm?" " From that windbag?" " Yeah, that's what I thought." "Hold it!" "Tango 1 o'clock!" "Clear." "Sorry, I must have lost a step." "That's all right." "We'll get him next time." "Next time." "This guy rolls his own shells." "The casings are 7.62 millimetre." "No manufacturer's stamp, soft-dent primers." "He uses hollow points too." "Would have made sausage out of anybody they hit." "The man takes pride in his work." "Commander, that possible sighting of Ticktin up in the mountains..." " What about it?" " It was a guy on a bike." "A white and blue motorcycle." "What are we waiting for?" "We had a report that someone on a motorcycle was exploding homemade bombs and shooting transformers off power poles." "I didn't think much of it." "Then the FBI comes up here and tells us a contract killer just blew someone away in his driveway." "The guy's business partner confesses to hiring him." "And supposedly the money drop was near here in the Vallecito mountains." " You check it out?" " Sure." "But there's a lot of territory to cover." "We came up empty." "Can we take a look at your files?" "It's an open investigation so I'm not supposed to, but what the hell." "We do pretty good on drunk and disorderlies, but we don't get too many homicide investigations." "Maybe you two have some ideas, especially since this guy's an ex-SEAL." "He wasn't a SEAL." ""Last possible sighting:" "Mexicali, Mexico."" "Some gringo was setting off explosives in the hills." "We asked the Mexican authorities to look around." "If you ask me, I think the next time we hear from this guy is when there's another body to bag." "You have no idea why someone tried to kill you?" "Just a random jog-by shooting, I guess." "Harm, no pilots' bravado." "What's going on?" "Well, maybe Rivers was the target." "He's the guy who goes around hitting people." "What aren't you telling me?" " My trial strategy?" " No, I already know that." "The law's against you." "The facts are against you." "You're gonna try to smear the prosecution witness." "You know, I hope you're not involved in one of Curtis Rivers' crazy schemes." "You know me better than that, Mac." "Come on." "I just did my duty to the best of my ability." "Without ever asking for a thank you or a medal." "As for Lieutenant Rivers, well, you know, he's a comrade in arms." " I feel only compassion for him." " Compassion is big this year." "Well, let's hope the members think so." "That will be all for now, ladies and gentlemen." " Thank you very much." " Thank you." " Good morning, colonel." " Good morning." " Any last-minute advice?" " Oh, we'll keep it simple." "I'll ask if you invited Lieutenant Rivers to your party." "And then have you describe how he assaulted you." "Oh, hell, colonel." "It was just a shoving match between a couple of guys who have seen a lot worse." "I'll describe it, but I'm not gonna whine about it." "That's the right note, Bill." "Proud but humble." "I hope you don't plan on using hand signals or semaphore during the testimony." "Whose side are you on anyway?" "Nobody's side." "I represent the United States of America." "Before the members come in, we have a motion in limine." "Let's hear it." "The government asks that the defence be precluded from enquiring into Mr. Layton's military record, as it's irrelevant to the charges." "Your Honour, Lieutenant Rivers acted out of a sense of duty by confronting a man he believed claimed military honours he hadn't earned." "The issues are whether Lieutenant Rivers trespassed and committed an assault." "It's irrelevant if Mr. Layton claimed to be General Schwarzkopf or the queen of England." "Motion granted." "It was a fundraiser for my campaign for the U.S. Senate." "Lieutenant Rivers crashed the party, insulted me and then assaulted me." "Please tell us what happened." "He grabbed me by the lapel and tore off my Trident pin." "My lawyer told me that's an assault and I was justified in defending myself." " Move to strike, Your Honour." " Granted." "The members shall rely on the court's recitation of the law, not Mr. Layton's nor his lawyer's." "What happened after Lieutenant Rivers tore off your Trident?" "Oh, we danced back and forth a little bit." "I'm afraid I'm not as graceful as I used to be." " Did the defendant strike you?" " Oh, yes, ma'am, he sure did." "And what injuries, if any, did you suffer?" "Nothing that would earn a Purple Heart." "Just a little, you know, strained neck, that's all." "Thank you." "Nothing further." "Who's doing the honours?" " I am, Your..." " I am, Your..." "Seldom has justice had so many eager advocates." "Your Honour, there are different kinds of beaches to storm." " This one's Commander Rabb's." " Wise choice, lieutenant." "Who threw the first punch, Mr. Layton?" "I did, in self-defence." "Did Lieutenant Rivers make any move to strike you before you swung at him?" "Look, in front of my wife, my friends, and my supporters, he called me an impostor and a coward." " He said my life was a lie." " So you took a swing at him?" "I did what any man would have done." "But don't get me wrong, commander, I respect Lieutenant Rivers." "Hell, I'd like to have had six just like him in my platoon when we went in country." "But he was way out of line here." " You served in Vietnam, Mr. Layton?" " Objection." "Your Honour prohibited this line of enquiry on the motion in limine." "Mr. Layton opened the door, ma'am, when he volunteered information about serving in country." "It goes to credibility." "The door is indeed open, and the horse has departed the barn." "Objection overruled." "Did you serve in Vietnam, Mr. Layton?" "Yes, I did." "And I'm as proud of my record as Lieutenant Rivers is of his." "I just didn't go around tooting my own horn about it." "Too many men a lot braver than me died over there without anyone pinning a cross on their chest." "Were you a Navy SEAL?" "I didn't go through training at Coronado or Little Creek." "I earned my Trident in the field, commander, when we rescued three Navy pilots from a North Vietnamese POW camp." "Mr. Layton, only one American was ever rescued from captivity during the entire Vietnam War." "He was Army Special Forces." "Officially, that's correct." "You see, commander, the Pentagon didn't crow about our mission for fear that Ho Chi Minh would retaliate against other POW's." "So who can corroborate this story, Mr. Layton?" "No one." "The rest of Foxtrot Platoon disappeared in Cambodia." " Never heard from again." " You are the sole survivor?" "Actually, I was on a solo recon down near Nha Trang at the time." "I never made the mission." "I've felt guilty about that ever since." "So there's not a single person in any branch of the military, or office of the government, who can corroborate this story." "Surely, commander, you are aware of the nature of Black Ops?" "Even if my C.O. Were still around, he would deny ever knowing me." "In other words, Mr. Layton, you can't prove any of this." "I'm not on trial here, commander." "I haven't tried to prove anything." " And you've succeeded, Mr. Layton." " Objection." "Counsel is arguing with the witness and commenting on the evidence." "Commander, please refrain from editorial comments." "I'm sorry, Your Honour." "I think we've heard enough about Mr. Layton's military prowess." "Do you have any further questions, commander?" " Not at this time, ma'am." " Then the witness may step down." "Noting the hour, we'll recess for the day." "I have sentencing hearings tomorrow morning, so we'll reconvene at 1330." "Everything's right on track on your nomination, A.J." "But it's just like your SEAL training, when they start using live ammo, keep your butt down." "Always good advice, senator." "Oh, I am looking forward to your confirmation." "You know, it's gonna be refreshing to have a federal judge who doesn't get all weak-kneed every time a warrantless search or a pretrial detention comes up." "Actually, I'm a firm believer in the 4th and 8th amendment, sir." "Well, yes." "Yes, we all believe in the Bill of Rights." "By the way, A.J., how's that trial coming with Bill Layton out in California?" "Lieutenant Rivers is the one that's on trial." "That's not the way I've been hearing it." "Did I ever mention that Bill Layton is a friend of mine?" "And a very bright light in my party." "From the sound of it, your man is giving him a very, very tough time in cross-examination." "Well, if he didn't, he'd be derelict in his duties, sir." "There are different kinds of duties, admiral." "A federal judge should recognise that." "We've got a fresh load of documents in the office." "All right, we'll wade through them until it's time for court." "God, I have enough to keep me busy back in my quarters." "Look, commander, this afternoon why don't you let me take a shot at Layton?" "You already had your shot at Layton." "I'll see you in court." "Don't be late." " Rabb." " Commander?" "It's Carson up in Ocotillo Wells." "We think we found Ticktin's cabin." "FBI forensics will be up here tomorrow." " Wanna have an advance look at it?" " I gotta be in court at 1330." "You've got time if you hit the road right now." "I'm on my way." "Here's a guy who served with Layton in Public Affairs." "Well, you give me the info, I'll call him." "I'm getting copies of all orders awarding Navy Crosses during Vietnam." "Why don't you just check and see if Layton's Cross is really classified." "Incoming." "It's Ticktin." ""Still on the job." "Just wanted you to know."" "He's still out there." ""Good." "When can I expect results?"" "Sorry, traffic was insane." "I hope I'm not too late." "No, commander." "You're right on time." "You just caught me, commander." "A neighbour spotted Ticktin at the cabin." "FBI is on their way up there." "So is the Highway Patrol SWAT Team." "I'm heading up to maintain surveillance till they get there." " You wanna come along?" " If you can give me 30 seconds" " and let me use your phone." " It's right there." "What do you mean "unavoidably detained"?" " Are you in some kind of trouble?" " Just cover for me, Mac." "Stipulate with Rivers to recess, apologise to Judge Helfman." "I'll see you tomorrow at 0900." " The judge won't be happy." " If this goes well, she'll understand." " If what goes well?" " I gotta go." " Need a weapon, commander?" " I got one in the car." "Good." "You may need it." "Next time, colonel, please tell Commander Rabb to show up to make his own motion." "Yes, ma'am." "But if you have no objection, we'll continue in recess till 0900 tomorrow." "Your Honour, I object." "You object to your own lawyer's motion?" "Well, he didn't consult with me and I'm ready to continue on with the cross-examination of Mr. Layton." "Your Honour, I'm sure Lieutenant Rivers will be enthusiastic, but the prosecution suggests that we do not continue until he's adequately represented." "Your Honour, I can do this if you just give me the opportunity." "The lieutenant has a right to represent himself." "Proceed." "Mr. Layton, yesterday you testified that you took a swing at me." "Is that correct?" "I defended myself after you tore off my Trident pin." "Then you hit me." "Your Honour, could you ask the witness to stop making speeches?" "You asked him to repeat testimony that's unfavourable to your case." "And you got what you asked for." "Okay." "You also testified yesterday that you were a Navy SEAL." "For the Black Ops, yes." "But you can't produce one shred of evidence that supports your claim that you were even in combat." "How about my Navy Cross?" " Could I have a moment, please?" " A moment it is." "The cabin has a view of the road." "We'll hike in from here." "You're gonna need this radio." " How long till the FBI gets here?" " Not long." "Let's head in." "Mr. Layton, let's talk about your Navy Cross." "Tell us how you earned it." "Riverine Operations on the Mekong Delta." "Why don't you tell us about it." "Well, under heavy fire, I..." "I was able to capture a North Vietnamese major on an ambush and abduction mission." "I was down on the Rach Muoi Creek." "Later under my interrogation, he revealed the whereabouts of secret stockpiles of weapons." "But weren't you in the Public Affairs office in Saigon during your tour of duty in country?" "Until I transferred to a combat unit." "So why don't you tell us what your duties were in the Public Affairs office before you became the Rambo of Rach Muoi Creek?" "Mostly I wrote newspaper releases for hometown papers." "Detailing the exploits of others who were awarded decorations." "Sometimes." "And day after day, week after week, citations would go across your desk describing the true stories of heroism, isn't that true?" "Yes." "It must have been pretty tough for you, you know, being deluged with the gallantry of others while you just pecked away at your typewriter." "It was all right." "I got my turn." "Was this one of the press releases you wrote?" "Objection." "Irrelevant." "Lieutenant, I'm giving you some latitude," " but tie this up and move on." " Yes, ma'am." "Overruled for now." "Well, it looks like it could be one of mine." "Why don't you read it for the members, please." "It's just a report about some Petty Officer Miguel Mora from Key Biscayne, Florida who won the Navy Cross." "Read on." ""For extraordinary heroism and valour, at the risk of his own life," "Petty Officer Mora, while under heavy fire, captured an NVA major on Rach Muoi Creek and obtained information regarding stockpiles of enemy weapons."" "So that creek must have just been crawling with NVA majors just waiting to be abducted and interrogated." "Because one month later, just one month after you reported Petty Officer Mora's medal, an identical citation awarded you the exact same medal for the exact same conduct." "Isn't that true?" " Those things happen." " Who was your commanding officer?" " Name one other man on that mission." " It was Black Ops." "I took an oath." "You took an oath when you walked in here." "Who were the other members of your squad?" "What did they look like?" "Where were they from?" " That was a long time ago." " A long time ago?" "I will never forget the men I served with." "Not their faces and not their hometown stories." "They were my brothers." "You forget your brothers here, Mr. Layton?" "You're not a Navy SEAL." "You weren't a hero either, were you, Mr. Layton?" "You were and you are just a liar, a fraud and an impostor." "There's the cabin." "There's his bike." "I'll cover the front of the cabin from down below." "You swing around right and get a view of the rear." " Got it." " Let's move." "Wanna keep going, commander?" " I got you covered." " I hope you're a good shot." "The best." "Load my own shells." "Hollow point." "Insert the primers myself." " Seven-point-six-two millimetre?" " Yep." "Soft-dent primers for an easier trigger pull and a steadier sight picture." "Just keep going, commander." "Commander, can you read me?" "What, you think you and Rivers can trap me?" "Since you got a bunch of medals?" "Because you're officers?" "Medals won't do you any good now." "Fire in the hole, flyboy." "Not even close, Ticktin." "It's different when someone's shooting at you, isn't it?" "Drop the weapon, Ticktin." "Drop it." "Well, you were right about one thing, Ticktin." "Medals don't make the man." "The defendant shall rise." "You may publish your findings." "Commander Rabb." "Thank you for gracing us with your presence." "Perhaps you could stand alongside your client." "Yes, ma'am." "You may continue." "Lieutenant Rivers, on the specifications of trespassing and conduct unbecoming of an officer, this court martial finds you not guilty." "On the specification of assault consummated by battery, this court martial finds you guilty and sentences you to forfeiture of one day's pay." "This court martial is closed." "Congratulations, lieutenant." "This morning, when Bill Layton withdrew from the Senate race, some of my colleagues suggested that I cut you adrift, admiral." "But I said, no." "I know that in time, you will learn to be a team player." "And what team would that be, senator?" "Oh, admiral, all I'm saying is that when you are a sworn judge, it would be helpful if you would remember who got you that appointment." "In my copy of the Constitution," "I seem to recall something about the separation of powers." "Oh, admiral, sometimes it is necessary to distinguish between the platitudes of civic lessons and cold, hard realities." "And if I disagree?" "Well, then you'd be making a big mistake, A.J." "No, sir." "The mistake was yours." "Welcome back, colonel, commander." " Thank you, sir." " I heard the news, admiral." "Congratulations, sir." "I'll miss you." "Why?" "Are you leaving us again?"