JAG s02e01 Episode Script
We the People
Man, you got the air all the way up? Yeah, it's throwing snowballs.
It ain't the heat that's sweating you.
I can't believe we're carrying it.
Who the hell thought this one up? Probably some computer nerd in Washington who ran about a million different scenarios.
You know, when you think about it, it makes sense.
- Who'd believe we'd move it by mail? - Yeah.
- What was that? - What? Sounds like a flat.
- What the hell? - That was a Marine Huey.
I can't see.
Hold on.
Go.
Go.
Go.
Let's go.
We get it? We got it, colonel.
Following in his father's footsteps as a Naval aviator, Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.
Suffered a crash while landing his Tomcat on a storm-tossed carrier at sea.
Diagnosed with night blindness, Harm transferred to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps, which investigates, defends and prosecutes the law of the sea.
There, as a JAG lawyer, he now fights in and out of the courtroom with the same daring and tenacity that made him a top gun in the air.
Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb distinguished himself with actions beyond the call of duty.
Sustaining heavy damage from enemy fire, but believing that Captain Boone was alive but unconscious in the front seat, Lieutenant Rabb steadfastly refused to eject.
And despite his known night-vision impairment successfully completed an extremely difficult night carrier landing.
Lieutenant Rabb's flying skills and valorous actions are in the finest traditions of the Naval services and reflect great credit upon himself, Naval Aviation, the JAG Corps and the United States Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Rabb, you may single-handedly give lawyers a good name.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you, Mr.
President.
- Well done, commander.
- Thank you, sir.
- Very well done, sir.
- Don't overdo it, Mr.
Roberts.
He's a naval aviator.
With his wings comes an ego as big as an admiral's.
One or two stars, sir? I was joking, sir.
Lieutenant JAGs don't joke with admirals, son.
It could get him transferred to a supply ship in the Aleutians.
Joking is strictly an admiral's privilege.
Yes, sir.
So you joined JAG, Bud? Yes, sir.
I'm attending law school at night.
When he gets a night off.
I'm assigning him to your section, commander.
My section, sir? He's here because Lieutenant Austin recommended him as a legal aide before she transferred out.
You disagree? No, sir.
Mr.
Roberts will make a fine aide, admiral.
You're not staying for the reception, sir? No.
Neither are you.
- Afternoon, admiral.
- Afternoon.
Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb.
Major Sarah MacKenzie.
Mac.
Harm.
You two know each other? - Yes, sir.
- No, sir.
Oh, I'm sorry, major.
Of course I don't know you.
I just had a moment of déjà vu.
It must be the uniform.
No, actually, she was in the Navy.
Don't get too familiar.
You're gonna work together.
Mr.
Roberts, do you know any military protocol for entering a vehicle with a senior officer? Sir, yes, sir.
One of the first things I learned at NROTC.
When entering a vehicle with a senior officer, junior officer enters first and senior officer last, so that when exiting the vehicle, the senior officer can exit first and the junior officer last.
You're the junior officer, Bud.
Yes, sir.
I assume something's up involving Marines? A U.
S.
Mail truck was attacked crossing the Marine air station outside Yuma this morning.
By Marines? Well, that's what the FBI agents in the mail truck claim.
I don't believe it.
Neither does the Marine CO in Yuma, but that's not gonna satisfy the president, the press, and most important of all, me.
Well, what were FBI agents doing in a mail truck? Guarding the Declaration of Independence.
Yeah.
Get that chopper over my shoulder.
Corporal, swing it around to the left.
FBI helicopters have been seen flying down State Road 319, which has been blocked by local law-enforcement officers with the assistance of Marines from the air station since early this morning when reliable sources claim a nuclear-weapon convoy was hijacked.
- Local residents say these convoys - How about that? Have become commonplace over the past year as the military reduces their nuclear arsenal to comply with nuclear-reduction treaties.
Attention on deck.
Most of the nuclear weapons that had been transported through this area - are intercontinental - As you were.
Well, I see it's already been leaked to ZNN.
Not exactly, admiral.
I planted a leak that a nuclear weapon was stolen and ZNN bought it.
Oh, that makes me feel better, Mr.
Webb.
Coffee please, Petty Officer Tiner.
Right away, sir.
Introduce yourselves to Clayton Webb, special assistant to the undersecretary, who has point on this for State.
More than point, admiral.
The Declaration of Independence is a federal document.
It's a State Department investigation.
With the cooperation of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, of course.
Just call us JAG, Mr.
Webb.
It's not such a mouthful.
Rabb.
So State lost it? We didn't lose it, Mr.
Rabb.
We had it stolen by Marines.
MacKenzie.
Assuming they were Marines.
- Roberts.
- The hijackers were in a Marine Huey, wore Marine camo and used Marine Recon tactics.
If they're not Marines, they used to be.
And as you people in the Corps like to say, there's no such thing as an ex-Marine.
Or an ex-CIA agent.
Why was it being shipped? Exposure to ultraviolet rays over the years has caused what was thought to be irreparable damage.
Winton Labs in San Diego has developed a molecular-reconstruction process to restore the parchment.
Assuming the hijackers weren't Marines, who could they be? The FBI is investigating a troublesome militia group out of Idaho called The Defenders.
It's led by an ex-Marine Recon colonel.
- What's this colonel's name? - O'Hara.
Colonel Matthew O'Hara.
You know him, major? He was one of the few Marines to come out of Vietnam with a Medal of Honour around his neck, instead of his widow's.
What the hell's this? My fellow countrymen.
This morning, we, The Defenders, took into safekeeping the Declaration of Independence.
- This document declares - My God.
- we have certain inalienable rights.
- He's on ZNN.
Not the least of which is the right of the people to alter or abolish a government that ceases to meet their will.
Is it the will of the people to have drugs poison our youth? To have gangs rule our streets? To live in fear in our skies, our cities and our homes? Why does the most powerful country on the face of the Earth allow these horrors to persist? It is time for that bureaucracy in Washington that calls itself a government to remember that they are empowered to serve the will of the people.
To that end, we, The Defenders, pledge, as did our Founding Fathers, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.
- The video you just received - Colonel O'Hara? Yes, sir.
You realize the resources they had to have to pull that off? Well, actually, all they'd have to do is commandeer the satellite uplink the reporter was using.
Tiner, give me the CO of the Marine Air Station in Yuma.
Yes, sir.
He's got brass.
I'll give him that.
He's a traitor and should be shot.
Since when did we start shooting Americans for saying what they think? He's advocating anarchy, major.
And there are plenty of right-wing nutcases looking for a voice like his to follow.
I don't think he's an extremist.
He stole the damn Declaration of Independence.
That's pretty extreme in my book.
I agree with Commander Rabb.
I think the colonel can be negotiated with.
For what? Free time on TV? He's already got that.
Webb.
The colonel's committed a crime on military property and worse, tainted all of us by being a former Marine.
Now, the only way we're gonna salvage any credibility is to bring him in ourselves.
I agree, sir.
- Let's do it.
- Aye, sir.
That was the FBI.
Your patriot, who wants the will of the people served, just contacted us with a slightly different message.
He'll return the Declaration of Independence in exchange for $500 million.
No need to apologize, General Pike.
It's not your fault.
Well, Mr.
Roberts, you were right.
Three men posing as FBI agents commandeered the ZNN uplink truck at the hijack site.
Marines, FBI, and every law-enforcement officer in a hundred mile radius are in on the hunt, so why do I feel like they're all eating dust? Because Colonel O'Hara wrote the book on desert warfare, sir.
Did they give a deadline on the exchange? - No.
- That's surprising.
- How's the swap to be made? - They wouldn't say.
Wanted to know if we were willing first.
- Are we? - It's not my call, admiral.
I've got a jet on the tarmac waiting for the three of us.
Four.
Mr.
Roberts seems to have some knowledge that might be of value.
Sir, yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
I appreciate the admiral's confidence.
I'll do my best to live up to the JAG standard of excellence.
- Don't change my mind, son.
- No, sir.
Admiral, this officer doesn't have any skills I need.
He has enthusiasm, Mr.
Webb, and knowledge that's already proved useful.
Now, this may be your investigation, but it's my Navy.
He goes.
I guess being adversarial comes from being a lawyer, admiral.
No.
From being a SEAL.
Takeoff's in one hour.
Let's don't judge Mr.
Webb too harshly.
No doubt transporting the Declaration of Independence was his responsibility.
And if it's not recovered, he'll be spending his mornings reading the classifieds.
Yes, sir.
And so will the three of you.
Dismissed.
- Aye, sir.
- Aye, aye, sir.
Do you have anything to pick up? I'm a Marine, Harm.
First to go.
We always keep a packed bag in the car.
Well, I guess that's the difference between sailors and Marines.
I keep golf clubs in my car.
You can fill me in on your colonel while I grab my gear.
What do you mean, "my colonel"? You're both Marines aren't you? It's just a figure of speech.
Come on, major.
We only have an hour.
Fifty-seven minutes.
Interesting.
Don't judge an apartment by its elevator.
Apartment? It's more like a storage facility.
Oh, actually, it's a little bit of both.
- Cold drinks are in the fridge.
- Thanks.
What do you call this decor? Priorities.
Finishing my apartment is low on the list.
Interesting use of a fridge.
I haven't had time to hook it up yet.
I think you just plug it in.
No outlet.
Ever think of hiring an electrician? I like to do things myself.
I have a feeling your colonel is a lot like that.
Well, that's the second time you called him my colonel.
And don't tell me it's just a figure of speech.
This will keep them from drying out.
Cuban cigars are illegal.
What? Are you gonna turn me in? No.
But it gives me insight into your character.
Boy, you are tough.
Colonel O'Hara teach you that when you served under him? I never served under him.
But you know him? Every Marine knows him.
He's a legend in the Corps.
And why would a legend steal the Declaration of Independence for money? He wouldn't.
Material things were never important to him.
You do know him.
And not just as a legend.
We have 33 minutes, commander.
How do you do that? I've got great timing.
Reaction from the White House and Congress was surprisingly mild considering the magnitude of the theft.
This may be due to an apparent groundswell of sympathy for Colonel O'Hara, according to a number of polls, including our own here at ZNN.
Although most Americans said the Declaration should immediately be returned, four out of five believe that the colonel should not be imprisoned.
He seems to have touched a common thread in the American psyche.
Oh, they love you, colonel.
It's not me.
It's the words.
They've forgotten the words and I simply reminded them.
That's all.
I think you're underestimating the impression you made, sir.
America has a very short attention span, captain.
We're nothing more than breaking news.
We'll be as forgotten as Gorbachev in a year if we don't keep reminding them.
I disagree.
America's looking for a hero to follow.
You're it.
If you call for action against the government, the people would act.
Captain Cahill, I didn't spend 32 years defending this country to lead an insurrection.
My goal is to wake Washington, not set it aflame.
With all due respect, sir, if it gains us our objective, what's the difference? All the difference in the world, captain.
Your way is treason.
Mine is loyal opposition.
With your permission, I'll check the perimeter.
Permission granted.
It is time for that bureaucracy in Washington that calls itself a government, to remember that they are empowered to serve the will of Notice how crisp and well lit he is? He was shot with a digital Betacam and halogen lighting.
He's right.
They got their hands on broadcast-quality gear.
Big-buck stuff.
Where'd you learn this, Bud? Night school.
I've been taking a soft-war course called Sat, Lies and Video Rape.
What? It's a play on the movie title Sex, Lies and Videotape.
"Sat" is short for "satellite.
" "Lies" is self-explanatory and "Video Rape" is the process by which - I get it.
- I thought you were taking law courses.
It's an elective.
How's he gonna make his next broadcast? He can't commandeer the ZNN uplink again.
He doesn't have to.
He's news.
We'll let him have it any time he wants.
Well, he's not gonna show up here.
Well, he probably has his own satellite uplink, sir.
He can broadcast to ZNN from anywhere.
Can we locate him when he transmits? Not precisely, sir.
His transponder will have a 2000-mile footprint.
Of course, we could use Rivet Joint to narrow that down.
Excuse me.
What's Rivet Joint? That's classified.
Maybe we should continue this conversation outside.
- Thank you.
- Anytime, commander.
You just earned yourself a flight back to Washington, mister.
Take it easy, Webb.
He didn't give him anything.
Rivet Joint is super secret.
No, it's not.
There was a story on it in Aviation Week last month.
There was? We're working on that leak.
Someone care to fill me in? Rivet Joint is an electronic surveillance aircraft we've been using in the drug war.
I've got it standing by.
If he uplinks to anyone for more than 30 seconds, we'll nail his location.
I want that uplink van confiscated and the news crew held incommunicado as material witnesses.
- Yes, sir.
- You're making a mistake, Webb.
No, Lieutenant Roberts did.
If that local reporter mentions Rivet Joint, the colonel will know my game plan.
He wasn't a local reporter, sir.
He was from Atlanta.
Didn't you recognize him? Keep him away from me.
Thank you, sir.
Ma'am.
Next time, think before you engage your mouth, Bud.
Aye, sir.
Harm, the investigation could move faster if we split our time.
How about if I interview General Pike and you check the hijack site? Makes sense.
We'll meet back at the base.
Have someone stow our gear in the BOQ.
Will do.
Maybe I should go with you, ma'am? - Good idea.
- No.
The general may speak more freely to a fellow Marine.
Let's move it.
Take me back.
- What's wrong? - Nothing.
You and Lieutenant Roberts check the site.
- I've decided to go with the major.
- Why? I get airsick.
- What's up? - You're headed the wrong way.
The base is south.
You wanna tell me what you're up to? I must have got turned around.
You know where Colonel O'Hara's gone to ground, don't you? - How would l? - Damn it, major, enough.
I'm not a fool.
Who is he to you? Colonel O'Hara's my uncle.
Colonel O'Hara is your uncle and you didn't tell me? I thought you knew and were playing it cagey.
I'm not that devious, Mac.
Yeah, well, somebody is.
I got pulled off a double-murder case to work this investigation and I doubt it was because of my vast experience with mail holdups in Arizona.
Well, it wasn't the admiral.
He shoots straight from the shoulder.
Webb, on the other hand, is probably devious taking a leak.
- Who are you calling? - Admiral Chegwidden.
Wait a minute.
What happens when you tell him that Colonel O'Hara's my uncle? He'll ask you where he might be.
And I'll refuse to answer.
I wouldn't do that, Mac.
Not to Admiral Chegwidden.
He's liable to charge you with dereliction of duty.
And he'd have every right.
So please, don't make the call.
Then I'll be the one withholding information.
If Webb and that FBI swat team get ahold of him, who knows what will happen.
So far, no one's been hurt.
Give me a chance to keep it that way.
Let me reason with my uncle, please.
Only if I go with you.
Impossible.
I don't know his militia.
They might believe me going to join him, but not two of us.
Okay.
You go.
I said, okay.
- Hello? - Bud, are you alone? Yes, sir.
I am, sir.
How are things? Weird, sir.
Mr.
Webb is spending all his time in an FBI van that's sprouting more antennas than the ants crawling up my leg.
What kind of antennas? Well Little black ones, sir.
It's about a half an inch long with tiny, hairy feelers that On the van, Bud.
Oh, the works, sir.
I'd say they're capable of scanning everything from smoke signals to satellites.
Well, it sounds like Mr.
Webb has found a place to stay cool.
I wouldn't know, sir.
He won't let me in.
Look at the positive side, Bud.
As long as Webb's in the van, he isn't bugging us.
Are you on to something, sir? No.
We took a wrong turn and we got lost.
We're gonna look for a place to eat, and then head back to the base.
I could use a little of that, sir.
You're not far from Yuma.
There's got to be pizza delivery.
Good idea, sir.
And Bud, if Webb starts getting to you, you have my permission to exercise an admiral's privilege.
Understood, sir.
Stay cool, lieutenant.
You're right.
Webb had you assigned to the investigation in hopes you'd lead him to your uncle.
He's probably monitoring our cell phones.
He may even have a bug in this car.
We'll have to ditch it and pick up another one.
Mr.
Roberts.
- Yes, sir.
- What are you doing? I'm afraid that's classified, sir.
I believe my clearance is higher than yours, lieutenant.
Can you verify that, sir? Take my word for it.
Yes, sir.
I was counting satellites.
- What? - Well, NASA developed it.
All that's required is 20/20 vision and the ability to stare directly into the sun.
By moving your hand rapidly up and down, you create a shutter effect which freezes the images of distant objects onto the iris.
With a little bit of practice, you're able to distinguish between satellites, planes, birds, escaping party balloons.
All I'm doing is going blind.
Well, that's why they stopped using it, sir.
All tied up here at Camden Yards.
Bottom of the ninth, two outs.
Two-two pitch.
Low and away Admiral, sir.
Colonel O'Hara is back on ZNN.
- Count full.
- On a three-two pitch.
Birds trying to hang on here.
- that government has authority only because the people permit it.
Your overwhelmingly positive response has struck fear into the heart of the bureaucracy.
In desperation, they have leaked a rumour to the media that The Defenders are willing to exchange the Declaration of Independence for a half billion dollars.
That is a government lie.
- All we require for the safe return - He's not gonna stay on long.
Of this document are elected officials who are willing to put the needs of the people above their own.
- That was Colonel Matthew O'Hara - Did we get a fix? Somewhere in the Four Corners.
That's over a thousand square miles of desert.
He wasn't on long enough to pinpoint.
- He slides.
He's safe.
- Unbelievable.
When's the last time you saw an inside-the-park home run? Oh, my.
This place is going cra - Forty-six seconds, sir.
- That's good.
I've never been this close to anything worth half a billion bucks before.
Is that all the civvies you packed? Well, yeah.
I didn't know I was going undercover as your date.
Oh, is that the story I'm supposed to tell my uncle? Yeah, you tell him we were on a camping trip, you saw him on TV and you thought you'd pop in for a visit.
Hey, there's a bed back here.
So? Well, it fits our cover story.
Hey, I'd top her off if I was you.
She is a guzzler.
Besides, there's not another station for 74 miles that way.
It gets me everybody with less than half a tank.
That is a big one coming.
You folks look out for flash flooding.
Any bank will honour this? It's a Navy voucher.
Good as cash.
I'm not doing nothing illegal, am I? What could be illegal about renting your pickup? Well, I don't know.
But I don't wanna do nothing illegal.
Not for no 200 bucks.
You mind telling me where we're going? North.
I figured that much out for myself.
I'm taking you with me.
Isn't that good enough? Not if you try and lose me first chance you get.
The colonel must be one hell of an uncle.
He raise you or something? Or something.
I'm just trying to understand why a Marine officer would lay it all on the line.
He's a man with strong personal convictions.
I was talking about you, major.
That's a very nice smile and I'm sure most of the time it gets you what you want.
But I don't know you, commander.
So if you don't mind, I'll keep my personal reasons to myself.
I keep forgetting I don't know you.
Déjà vu again? Only whenever I see your face or hear you talk.
I wouldn't know about your smile.
I haven't seen one yet.
Well, there's not much to smile about.
I guess not.
Sounds like I have a twin out there.
Not anymore.
Thank God.
It's still here.
I don't see any buildings.
They were razed years ago.
And what was left, the desert took, except for this old sign.
Hey, this is my kind of place.
"Eats, live rattlesnakes and UFO information.
" About a mile out there is Red Rock Mesa.
That's where we used to look for them.
What? UFOs or rattlesnakes? - Ichnites.
- Ich-what? Ichnites.
Dinosaur tracks.
Much more fun than hunting their bones.
The tracks tell the story.
Were they hunting, running, playing? I never thought of dinosaurs playing.
Isn't it a hell of a long shot, him being up there, Mac? No.
There's a huge cave.
We camped out for a month and never saw another soul.
A month hunting dinosaur tracks? And drying out.
The colonel's an alcoholic? No.
I am.
I haven't had a drink since I was 19, thanks to him.
So how do we get up there? Only two ways.
By climbing or helo.
Too dark to climb, so unless we sprout wings, he'll have to come to us.
How do we get him to do that? We let him know you're here.
Colonel, there's lights flashing in the desert.
Looks like some kind of signal, sir.
It's Morse code, sir.
S-O-S.
S Sorry, sir.
I can't make out the rest.
A-R-A-H.
Help.
Sarah? What if my uncle thinks it's a trap? He's Marine Recon.
He'll scope us.
And we won't even know it.
You hear that? It's a Huey.
- Mac.
- Uncle Matt.
Who's your prisoner? It's so pure and simple.
And we've spent over 200 years complicating it.
Times are more complicated, Uncle Matt.
Truth is never complicated.
Right and wrong is never complicated.
Sometimes it is.
Very complicated.
Like right now.
Sarah, you didn't come here to join me, did you? Uncle Matt, what did you expect Washington to do? Agree with you on ZNN? Say that they're a bunch of self-preserving bureaucrats and promise to change? I'm not naive, Sarah.
Well, then why did you do it? Because I saw the torch lying there and no one was picking it up.
Maybe she's really his niece, like she says, come to join us, like she says.
Maybe she really captured the guy who was tailing her, like she says.
Or maybe it's just a cover story for our benefit.
Maybe they're really feds here to do a little trading.
The colonel ain't gonna trade it for money.
We're not talking about money, Garret.
We are talking half a billion.
I could buy God for half a billion.
Don't you go getting blasphemous.
Okay.
Maybe not God.
But at least the pope.
How long does it take to eat? That depends.
Is this major a looker? - Seven-point-six.
- Wait.
Wait.
You break it down into tenths? I use the Richter scale.
He's back up on his cell phone.
- Hello? - Thelma, Billie.
I ain't talking to you, Billie.
Not after Saturday night.
- And here I was about to offer - That's not Rabb.
To take you to Yuma for breakfast.
- Where? At Mickey D's? - No.
I was thinking about breakfast in bed at the Desert Inn.
Where'd you get the money? It's Commander Rabb's cell phone.
The Navy rented my pickup for 200 bucks.
What the devil are you talking about, Billie? Said he didn't want to get his car all scratched up in the scrub.
What? What's happening? Rabb and MacKenzie jumped ship and I'm gonna court-martial them for it.
- Sir? Sir? - Let's go.
Looks like they know where the colonel's hiding.
They switched vehicles so we can't track them.
How were you tracking them? How were you tracking them, sir? Admiral's privilege.
- I'm going.
- The hell you are.
I go or Admiral Chegwidden learns that you were wiretapping his JAG team.
How else could you know about admiral's privilege? Under chapter 13, section 5.
2, subheading alpha of the Code of Conduct for federal investigations involving military personnel, wiretapping is prohibited - by any agency or individual who - Get in, damn it.
Get in.
Captain, break camp and load the Declaration into the helo.
- What's up, sir? - This position's been compromised.
We're pulling out at dawn.
What about him, sir? By the time he climbs down to the road and finds a phone, we'll be long gone.
Yes, sir.
I hope you realize that Sarah only took you prisoner because it was the safest course of action for you.
Well, I'd like to think that was the reason, sir.
Believe me, commander, it was.
I love Sarah for coming here as she did, but it was a foolish thing to do.
It must be a family trait, colonel.
Perhaps it is.
She's thrown away a promising career.
Not yet, sir.
If you end this now, colonel, I could recommend the major use her initiative to locate and negotiate the return of the Declaration.
I'd sacrifice my life for Sarah, commander, but not my beliefs.
Which belief is that, colonel? The one I heard on ZNN or a half a billion dollars? That's a damn lie, put out by the government to discredit me and you know it.
Colonel, how did you know the Declaration was being moved? I'm embarrassing the State Department on the Internet so they leaked that the Declaration was being moved in a nuclear convoy, hoping I'd try to take it.
How did you know it was in the mail truck? We followed the convoy from Denver to Flagstaff.
That mail truck split off in the morning and joined up at night.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were doing.
Well, I wonder if Webb came up with that himself or if it was his computer? Webb? No one gives a damn about scratching a government car.
Well, they do if they pay taxes.
Which way did they go? Towards Kayenta.
Well, how long ago? I don't know.
A couple hours maybe.
Let's go.
Sir, shouldn't we find out what they were driving? Good idea.
What are they driving, Mr? Billie? I found them here last April.
They weren't here a year ago.
Two years ago, Sarah.
A year ago you were in Bosnia.
You're right.
That's strange, isn't it? They lay hidden for 150 million years, then re-emerge in a single winter's runoff.
Mac said they tell a story.
Yeah, if you use a little imagination.
These were made by a large carnosaur.
That's a meat-eater.
And these by a sauropod.
- That's - Carnosaur's dinner? With a little imagination, you can visualize the carnosaur stalking the sauropod.
Maybe they were just using the same trail.
That's another way to look at it.
There's always another way to look at something, colonel.
I have a feeling you're about to point one out, commander.
If I may, sir.
You see returning the Declaration of Independence to Washington as an end.
I see it as a beginning.
It proves you didn't take it for money.
And a trial gives you a public forum in which to plead your case to the American people.
- And it would save Sarah's career.
- To hell with my career.
I don't wanna see you in prison, Uncle Matt.
He won't necessarily go to prison.
State set you up because you were a thorn in their side.
If I can prove your Internet revelations are true They are, commander.
Well, it might just may be enough to get you a suspended sentence, sir.
You offering to defend me, commander? Yes, sir.
You realize the implications it might have on your career? Yes, sir.
Where'd you find this sailor, Sarah? In a rose garden, Uncle Matt.
Ready, sir.
There's been a change in plans.
I'll drop you and the men off at the car and go on with my niece and the commander.
- Sir? - I contacted ZNN.
Their reporter and cameraman are waiting at the crossroads.
What are you gonna do, colonel? Return the Declaration of Independence and plead our case to the American people in court.
What about the half a billion? Sergeant, there never was a half billion.
We didn't do this for money.
I don't believe you, colonel.
You're collecting.
We want our share.
Put those weapons down, sergeant.
You with me, Garret? For a quarter of a billion dollars, you better believe it.
Damn it.
I said put those weapons down! - You killed him.
- I didn't wanna do that.
But I'll be damned if I'm letting a half a billion dollars fly away.
Get in, colonel.
You're flying us out of here.
You'll have to shoot me too.
No.
We'll have to shoot your niece.
That's the truck he described.
Yeah, but where'd they go? Listen.
What the? Oh, my God.
Permission to come aboard? Permission granted.
Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand.
Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
It ain't the heat that's sweating you.
I can't believe we're carrying it.
Who the hell thought this one up? Probably some computer nerd in Washington who ran about a million different scenarios.
You know, when you think about it, it makes sense.
- Who'd believe we'd move it by mail? - Yeah.
- What was that? - What? Sounds like a flat.
- What the hell? - That was a Marine Huey.
I can't see.
Hold on.
Go.
Go.
Go.
Let's go.
We get it? We got it, colonel.
Following in his father's footsteps as a Naval aviator, Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.
Suffered a crash while landing his Tomcat on a storm-tossed carrier at sea.
Diagnosed with night blindness, Harm transferred to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps, which investigates, defends and prosecutes the law of the sea.
There, as a JAG lawyer, he now fights in and out of the courtroom with the same daring and tenacity that made him a top gun in the air.
Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb distinguished himself with actions beyond the call of duty.
Sustaining heavy damage from enemy fire, but believing that Captain Boone was alive but unconscious in the front seat, Lieutenant Rabb steadfastly refused to eject.
And despite his known night-vision impairment successfully completed an extremely difficult night carrier landing.
Lieutenant Rabb's flying skills and valorous actions are in the finest traditions of the Naval services and reflect great credit upon himself, Naval Aviation, the JAG Corps and the United States Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Rabb, you may single-handedly give lawyers a good name.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you, Mr.
President.
- Well done, commander.
- Thank you, sir.
- Very well done, sir.
- Don't overdo it, Mr.
Roberts.
He's a naval aviator.
With his wings comes an ego as big as an admiral's.
One or two stars, sir? I was joking, sir.
Lieutenant JAGs don't joke with admirals, son.
It could get him transferred to a supply ship in the Aleutians.
Joking is strictly an admiral's privilege.
Yes, sir.
So you joined JAG, Bud? Yes, sir.
I'm attending law school at night.
When he gets a night off.
I'm assigning him to your section, commander.
My section, sir? He's here because Lieutenant Austin recommended him as a legal aide before she transferred out.
You disagree? No, sir.
Mr.
Roberts will make a fine aide, admiral.
You're not staying for the reception, sir? No.
Neither are you.
- Afternoon, admiral.
- Afternoon.
Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb.
Major Sarah MacKenzie.
Mac.
Harm.
You two know each other? - Yes, sir.
- No, sir.
Oh, I'm sorry, major.
Of course I don't know you.
I just had a moment of déjà vu.
It must be the uniform.
No, actually, she was in the Navy.
Don't get too familiar.
You're gonna work together.
Mr.
Roberts, do you know any military protocol for entering a vehicle with a senior officer? Sir, yes, sir.
One of the first things I learned at NROTC.
When entering a vehicle with a senior officer, junior officer enters first and senior officer last, so that when exiting the vehicle, the senior officer can exit first and the junior officer last.
You're the junior officer, Bud.
Yes, sir.
I assume something's up involving Marines? A U.
S.
Mail truck was attacked crossing the Marine air station outside Yuma this morning.
By Marines? Well, that's what the FBI agents in the mail truck claim.
I don't believe it.
Neither does the Marine CO in Yuma, but that's not gonna satisfy the president, the press, and most important of all, me.
Well, what were FBI agents doing in a mail truck? Guarding the Declaration of Independence.
Yeah.
Get that chopper over my shoulder.
Corporal, swing it around to the left.
FBI helicopters have been seen flying down State Road 319, which has been blocked by local law-enforcement officers with the assistance of Marines from the air station since early this morning when reliable sources claim a nuclear-weapon convoy was hijacked.
- Local residents say these convoys - How about that? Have become commonplace over the past year as the military reduces their nuclear arsenal to comply with nuclear-reduction treaties.
Attention on deck.
Most of the nuclear weapons that had been transported through this area - are intercontinental - As you were.
Well, I see it's already been leaked to ZNN.
Not exactly, admiral.
I planted a leak that a nuclear weapon was stolen and ZNN bought it.
Oh, that makes me feel better, Mr.
Webb.
Coffee please, Petty Officer Tiner.
Right away, sir.
Introduce yourselves to Clayton Webb, special assistant to the undersecretary, who has point on this for State.
More than point, admiral.
The Declaration of Independence is a federal document.
It's a State Department investigation.
With the cooperation of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, of course.
Just call us JAG, Mr.
Webb.
It's not such a mouthful.
Rabb.
So State lost it? We didn't lose it, Mr.
Rabb.
We had it stolen by Marines.
MacKenzie.
Assuming they were Marines.
- Roberts.
- The hijackers were in a Marine Huey, wore Marine camo and used Marine Recon tactics.
If they're not Marines, they used to be.
And as you people in the Corps like to say, there's no such thing as an ex-Marine.
Or an ex-CIA agent.
Why was it being shipped? Exposure to ultraviolet rays over the years has caused what was thought to be irreparable damage.
Winton Labs in San Diego has developed a molecular-reconstruction process to restore the parchment.
Assuming the hijackers weren't Marines, who could they be? The FBI is investigating a troublesome militia group out of Idaho called The Defenders.
It's led by an ex-Marine Recon colonel.
- What's this colonel's name? - O'Hara.
Colonel Matthew O'Hara.
You know him, major? He was one of the few Marines to come out of Vietnam with a Medal of Honour around his neck, instead of his widow's.
What the hell's this? My fellow countrymen.
This morning, we, The Defenders, took into safekeeping the Declaration of Independence.
- This document declares - My God.
- we have certain inalienable rights.
- He's on ZNN.
Not the least of which is the right of the people to alter or abolish a government that ceases to meet their will.
Is it the will of the people to have drugs poison our youth? To have gangs rule our streets? To live in fear in our skies, our cities and our homes? Why does the most powerful country on the face of the Earth allow these horrors to persist? It is time for that bureaucracy in Washington that calls itself a government to remember that they are empowered to serve the will of the people.
To that end, we, The Defenders, pledge, as did our Founding Fathers, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.
- The video you just received - Colonel O'Hara? Yes, sir.
You realize the resources they had to have to pull that off? Well, actually, all they'd have to do is commandeer the satellite uplink the reporter was using.
Tiner, give me the CO of the Marine Air Station in Yuma.
Yes, sir.
He's got brass.
I'll give him that.
He's a traitor and should be shot.
Since when did we start shooting Americans for saying what they think? He's advocating anarchy, major.
And there are plenty of right-wing nutcases looking for a voice like his to follow.
I don't think he's an extremist.
He stole the damn Declaration of Independence.
That's pretty extreme in my book.
I agree with Commander Rabb.
I think the colonel can be negotiated with.
For what? Free time on TV? He's already got that.
Webb.
The colonel's committed a crime on military property and worse, tainted all of us by being a former Marine.
Now, the only way we're gonna salvage any credibility is to bring him in ourselves.
I agree, sir.
- Let's do it.
- Aye, sir.
That was the FBI.
Your patriot, who wants the will of the people served, just contacted us with a slightly different message.
He'll return the Declaration of Independence in exchange for $500 million.
No need to apologize, General Pike.
It's not your fault.
Well, Mr.
Roberts, you were right.
Three men posing as FBI agents commandeered the ZNN uplink truck at the hijack site.
Marines, FBI, and every law-enforcement officer in a hundred mile radius are in on the hunt, so why do I feel like they're all eating dust? Because Colonel O'Hara wrote the book on desert warfare, sir.
Did they give a deadline on the exchange? - No.
- That's surprising.
- How's the swap to be made? - They wouldn't say.
Wanted to know if we were willing first.
- Are we? - It's not my call, admiral.
I've got a jet on the tarmac waiting for the three of us.
Four.
Mr.
Roberts seems to have some knowledge that might be of value.
Sir, yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
I appreciate the admiral's confidence.
I'll do my best to live up to the JAG standard of excellence.
- Don't change my mind, son.
- No, sir.
Admiral, this officer doesn't have any skills I need.
He has enthusiasm, Mr.
Webb, and knowledge that's already proved useful.
Now, this may be your investigation, but it's my Navy.
He goes.
I guess being adversarial comes from being a lawyer, admiral.
No.
From being a SEAL.
Takeoff's in one hour.
Let's don't judge Mr.
Webb too harshly.
No doubt transporting the Declaration of Independence was his responsibility.
And if it's not recovered, he'll be spending his mornings reading the classifieds.
Yes, sir.
And so will the three of you.
Dismissed.
- Aye, sir.
- Aye, aye, sir.
Do you have anything to pick up? I'm a Marine, Harm.
First to go.
We always keep a packed bag in the car.
Well, I guess that's the difference between sailors and Marines.
I keep golf clubs in my car.
You can fill me in on your colonel while I grab my gear.
What do you mean, "my colonel"? You're both Marines aren't you? It's just a figure of speech.
Come on, major.
We only have an hour.
Fifty-seven minutes.
Interesting.
Don't judge an apartment by its elevator.
Apartment? It's more like a storage facility.
Oh, actually, it's a little bit of both.
- Cold drinks are in the fridge.
- Thanks.
What do you call this decor? Priorities.
Finishing my apartment is low on the list.
Interesting use of a fridge.
I haven't had time to hook it up yet.
I think you just plug it in.
No outlet.
Ever think of hiring an electrician? I like to do things myself.
I have a feeling your colonel is a lot like that.
Well, that's the second time you called him my colonel.
And don't tell me it's just a figure of speech.
This will keep them from drying out.
Cuban cigars are illegal.
What? Are you gonna turn me in? No.
But it gives me insight into your character.
Boy, you are tough.
Colonel O'Hara teach you that when you served under him? I never served under him.
But you know him? Every Marine knows him.
He's a legend in the Corps.
And why would a legend steal the Declaration of Independence for money? He wouldn't.
Material things were never important to him.
You do know him.
And not just as a legend.
We have 33 minutes, commander.
How do you do that? I've got great timing.
Reaction from the White House and Congress was surprisingly mild considering the magnitude of the theft.
This may be due to an apparent groundswell of sympathy for Colonel O'Hara, according to a number of polls, including our own here at ZNN.
Although most Americans said the Declaration should immediately be returned, four out of five believe that the colonel should not be imprisoned.
He seems to have touched a common thread in the American psyche.
Oh, they love you, colonel.
It's not me.
It's the words.
They've forgotten the words and I simply reminded them.
That's all.
I think you're underestimating the impression you made, sir.
America has a very short attention span, captain.
We're nothing more than breaking news.
We'll be as forgotten as Gorbachev in a year if we don't keep reminding them.
I disagree.
America's looking for a hero to follow.
You're it.
If you call for action against the government, the people would act.
Captain Cahill, I didn't spend 32 years defending this country to lead an insurrection.
My goal is to wake Washington, not set it aflame.
With all due respect, sir, if it gains us our objective, what's the difference? All the difference in the world, captain.
Your way is treason.
Mine is loyal opposition.
With your permission, I'll check the perimeter.
Permission granted.
It is time for that bureaucracy in Washington that calls itself a government, to remember that they are empowered to serve the will of Notice how crisp and well lit he is? He was shot with a digital Betacam and halogen lighting.
He's right.
They got their hands on broadcast-quality gear.
Big-buck stuff.
Where'd you learn this, Bud? Night school.
I've been taking a soft-war course called Sat, Lies and Video Rape.
What? It's a play on the movie title Sex, Lies and Videotape.
"Sat" is short for "satellite.
" "Lies" is self-explanatory and "Video Rape" is the process by which - I get it.
- I thought you were taking law courses.
It's an elective.
How's he gonna make his next broadcast? He can't commandeer the ZNN uplink again.
He doesn't have to.
He's news.
We'll let him have it any time he wants.
Well, he's not gonna show up here.
Well, he probably has his own satellite uplink, sir.
He can broadcast to ZNN from anywhere.
Can we locate him when he transmits? Not precisely, sir.
His transponder will have a 2000-mile footprint.
Of course, we could use Rivet Joint to narrow that down.
Excuse me.
What's Rivet Joint? That's classified.
Maybe we should continue this conversation outside.
- Thank you.
- Anytime, commander.
You just earned yourself a flight back to Washington, mister.
Take it easy, Webb.
He didn't give him anything.
Rivet Joint is super secret.
No, it's not.
There was a story on it in Aviation Week last month.
There was? We're working on that leak.
Someone care to fill me in? Rivet Joint is an electronic surveillance aircraft we've been using in the drug war.
I've got it standing by.
If he uplinks to anyone for more than 30 seconds, we'll nail his location.
I want that uplink van confiscated and the news crew held incommunicado as material witnesses.
- Yes, sir.
- You're making a mistake, Webb.
No, Lieutenant Roberts did.
If that local reporter mentions Rivet Joint, the colonel will know my game plan.
He wasn't a local reporter, sir.
He was from Atlanta.
Didn't you recognize him? Keep him away from me.
Thank you, sir.
Ma'am.
Next time, think before you engage your mouth, Bud.
Aye, sir.
Harm, the investigation could move faster if we split our time.
How about if I interview General Pike and you check the hijack site? Makes sense.
We'll meet back at the base.
Have someone stow our gear in the BOQ.
Will do.
Maybe I should go with you, ma'am? - Good idea.
- No.
The general may speak more freely to a fellow Marine.
Let's move it.
Take me back.
- What's wrong? - Nothing.
You and Lieutenant Roberts check the site.
- I've decided to go with the major.
- Why? I get airsick.
- What's up? - You're headed the wrong way.
The base is south.
You wanna tell me what you're up to? I must have got turned around.
You know where Colonel O'Hara's gone to ground, don't you? - How would l? - Damn it, major, enough.
I'm not a fool.
Who is he to you? Colonel O'Hara's my uncle.
Colonel O'Hara is your uncle and you didn't tell me? I thought you knew and were playing it cagey.
I'm not that devious, Mac.
Yeah, well, somebody is.
I got pulled off a double-murder case to work this investigation and I doubt it was because of my vast experience with mail holdups in Arizona.
Well, it wasn't the admiral.
He shoots straight from the shoulder.
Webb, on the other hand, is probably devious taking a leak.
- Who are you calling? - Admiral Chegwidden.
Wait a minute.
What happens when you tell him that Colonel O'Hara's my uncle? He'll ask you where he might be.
And I'll refuse to answer.
I wouldn't do that, Mac.
Not to Admiral Chegwidden.
He's liable to charge you with dereliction of duty.
And he'd have every right.
So please, don't make the call.
Then I'll be the one withholding information.
If Webb and that FBI swat team get ahold of him, who knows what will happen.
So far, no one's been hurt.
Give me a chance to keep it that way.
Let me reason with my uncle, please.
Only if I go with you.
Impossible.
I don't know his militia.
They might believe me going to join him, but not two of us.
Okay.
You go.
I said, okay.
- Hello? - Bud, are you alone? Yes, sir.
I am, sir.
How are things? Weird, sir.
Mr.
Webb is spending all his time in an FBI van that's sprouting more antennas than the ants crawling up my leg.
What kind of antennas? Well Little black ones, sir.
It's about a half an inch long with tiny, hairy feelers that On the van, Bud.
Oh, the works, sir.
I'd say they're capable of scanning everything from smoke signals to satellites.
Well, it sounds like Mr.
Webb has found a place to stay cool.
I wouldn't know, sir.
He won't let me in.
Look at the positive side, Bud.
As long as Webb's in the van, he isn't bugging us.
Are you on to something, sir? No.
We took a wrong turn and we got lost.
We're gonna look for a place to eat, and then head back to the base.
I could use a little of that, sir.
You're not far from Yuma.
There's got to be pizza delivery.
Good idea, sir.
And Bud, if Webb starts getting to you, you have my permission to exercise an admiral's privilege.
Understood, sir.
Stay cool, lieutenant.
You're right.
Webb had you assigned to the investigation in hopes you'd lead him to your uncle.
He's probably monitoring our cell phones.
He may even have a bug in this car.
We'll have to ditch it and pick up another one.
Mr.
Roberts.
- Yes, sir.
- What are you doing? I'm afraid that's classified, sir.
I believe my clearance is higher than yours, lieutenant.
Can you verify that, sir? Take my word for it.
Yes, sir.
I was counting satellites.
- What? - Well, NASA developed it.
All that's required is 20/20 vision and the ability to stare directly into the sun.
By moving your hand rapidly up and down, you create a shutter effect which freezes the images of distant objects onto the iris.
With a little bit of practice, you're able to distinguish between satellites, planes, birds, escaping party balloons.
All I'm doing is going blind.
Well, that's why they stopped using it, sir.
All tied up here at Camden Yards.
Bottom of the ninth, two outs.
Two-two pitch.
Low and away Admiral, sir.
Colonel O'Hara is back on ZNN.
- Count full.
- On a three-two pitch.
Birds trying to hang on here.
- that government has authority only because the people permit it.
Your overwhelmingly positive response has struck fear into the heart of the bureaucracy.
In desperation, they have leaked a rumour to the media that The Defenders are willing to exchange the Declaration of Independence for a half billion dollars.
That is a government lie.
- All we require for the safe return - He's not gonna stay on long.
Of this document are elected officials who are willing to put the needs of the people above their own.
- That was Colonel Matthew O'Hara - Did we get a fix? Somewhere in the Four Corners.
That's over a thousand square miles of desert.
He wasn't on long enough to pinpoint.
- He slides.
He's safe.
- Unbelievable.
When's the last time you saw an inside-the-park home run? Oh, my.
This place is going cra - Forty-six seconds, sir.
- That's good.
I've never been this close to anything worth half a billion bucks before.
Is that all the civvies you packed? Well, yeah.
I didn't know I was going undercover as your date.
Oh, is that the story I'm supposed to tell my uncle? Yeah, you tell him we were on a camping trip, you saw him on TV and you thought you'd pop in for a visit.
Hey, there's a bed back here.
So? Well, it fits our cover story.
Hey, I'd top her off if I was you.
She is a guzzler.
Besides, there's not another station for 74 miles that way.
It gets me everybody with less than half a tank.
That is a big one coming.
You folks look out for flash flooding.
Any bank will honour this? It's a Navy voucher.
Good as cash.
I'm not doing nothing illegal, am I? What could be illegal about renting your pickup? Well, I don't know.
But I don't wanna do nothing illegal.
Not for no 200 bucks.
You mind telling me where we're going? North.
I figured that much out for myself.
I'm taking you with me.
Isn't that good enough? Not if you try and lose me first chance you get.
The colonel must be one hell of an uncle.
He raise you or something? Or something.
I'm just trying to understand why a Marine officer would lay it all on the line.
He's a man with strong personal convictions.
I was talking about you, major.
That's a very nice smile and I'm sure most of the time it gets you what you want.
But I don't know you, commander.
So if you don't mind, I'll keep my personal reasons to myself.
I keep forgetting I don't know you.
Déjà vu again? Only whenever I see your face or hear you talk.
I wouldn't know about your smile.
I haven't seen one yet.
Well, there's not much to smile about.
I guess not.
Sounds like I have a twin out there.
Not anymore.
Thank God.
It's still here.
I don't see any buildings.
They were razed years ago.
And what was left, the desert took, except for this old sign.
Hey, this is my kind of place.
"Eats, live rattlesnakes and UFO information.
" About a mile out there is Red Rock Mesa.
That's where we used to look for them.
What? UFOs or rattlesnakes? - Ichnites.
- Ich-what? Ichnites.
Dinosaur tracks.
Much more fun than hunting their bones.
The tracks tell the story.
Were they hunting, running, playing? I never thought of dinosaurs playing.
Isn't it a hell of a long shot, him being up there, Mac? No.
There's a huge cave.
We camped out for a month and never saw another soul.
A month hunting dinosaur tracks? And drying out.
The colonel's an alcoholic? No.
I am.
I haven't had a drink since I was 19, thanks to him.
So how do we get up there? Only two ways.
By climbing or helo.
Too dark to climb, so unless we sprout wings, he'll have to come to us.
How do we get him to do that? We let him know you're here.
Colonel, there's lights flashing in the desert.
Looks like some kind of signal, sir.
It's Morse code, sir.
S-O-S.
S Sorry, sir.
I can't make out the rest.
A-R-A-H.
Help.
Sarah? What if my uncle thinks it's a trap? He's Marine Recon.
He'll scope us.
And we won't even know it.
You hear that? It's a Huey.
- Mac.
- Uncle Matt.
Who's your prisoner? It's so pure and simple.
And we've spent over 200 years complicating it.
Times are more complicated, Uncle Matt.
Truth is never complicated.
Right and wrong is never complicated.
Sometimes it is.
Very complicated.
Like right now.
Sarah, you didn't come here to join me, did you? Uncle Matt, what did you expect Washington to do? Agree with you on ZNN? Say that they're a bunch of self-preserving bureaucrats and promise to change? I'm not naive, Sarah.
Well, then why did you do it? Because I saw the torch lying there and no one was picking it up.
Maybe she's really his niece, like she says, come to join us, like she says.
Maybe she really captured the guy who was tailing her, like she says.
Or maybe it's just a cover story for our benefit.
Maybe they're really feds here to do a little trading.
The colonel ain't gonna trade it for money.
We're not talking about money, Garret.
We are talking half a billion.
I could buy God for half a billion.
Don't you go getting blasphemous.
Okay.
Maybe not God.
But at least the pope.
How long does it take to eat? That depends.
Is this major a looker? - Seven-point-six.
- Wait.
Wait.
You break it down into tenths? I use the Richter scale.
He's back up on his cell phone.
- Hello? - Thelma, Billie.
I ain't talking to you, Billie.
Not after Saturday night.
- And here I was about to offer - That's not Rabb.
To take you to Yuma for breakfast.
- Where? At Mickey D's? - No.
I was thinking about breakfast in bed at the Desert Inn.
Where'd you get the money? It's Commander Rabb's cell phone.
The Navy rented my pickup for 200 bucks.
What the devil are you talking about, Billie? Said he didn't want to get his car all scratched up in the scrub.
What? What's happening? Rabb and MacKenzie jumped ship and I'm gonna court-martial them for it.
- Sir? Sir? - Let's go.
Looks like they know where the colonel's hiding.
They switched vehicles so we can't track them.
How were you tracking them? How were you tracking them, sir? Admiral's privilege.
- I'm going.
- The hell you are.
I go or Admiral Chegwidden learns that you were wiretapping his JAG team.
How else could you know about admiral's privilege? Under chapter 13, section 5.
2, subheading alpha of the Code of Conduct for federal investigations involving military personnel, wiretapping is prohibited - by any agency or individual who - Get in, damn it.
Get in.
Captain, break camp and load the Declaration into the helo.
- What's up, sir? - This position's been compromised.
We're pulling out at dawn.
What about him, sir? By the time he climbs down to the road and finds a phone, we'll be long gone.
Yes, sir.
I hope you realize that Sarah only took you prisoner because it was the safest course of action for you.
Well, I'd like to think that was the reason, sir.
Believe me, commander, it was.
I love Sarah for coming here as she did, but it was a foolish thing to do.
It must be a family trait, colonel.
Perhaps it is.
She's thrown away a promising career.
Not yet, sir.
If you end this now, colonel, I could recommend the major use her initiative to locate and negotiate the return of the Declaration.
I'd sacrifice my life for Sarah, commander, but not my beliefs.
Which belief is that, colonel? The one I heard on ZNN or a half a billion dollars? That's a damn lie, put out by the government to discredit me and you know it.
Colonel, how did you know the Declaration was being moved? I'm embarrassing the State Department on the Internet so they leaked that the Declaration was being moved in a nuclear convoy, hoping I'd try to take it.
How did you know it was in the mail truck? We followed the convoy from Denver to Flagstaff.
That mail truck split off in the morning and joined up at night.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were doing.
Well, I wonder if Webb came up with that himself or if it was his computer? Webb? No one gives a damn about scratching a government car.
Well, they do if they pay taxes.
Which way did they go? Towards Kayenta.
Well, how long ago? I don't know.
A couple hours maybe.
Let's go.
Sir, shouldn't we find out what they were driving? Good idea.
What are they driving, Mr? Billie? I found them here last April.
They weren't here a year ago.
Two years ago, Sarah.
A year ago you were in Bosnia.
You're right.
That's strange, isn't it? They lay hidden for 150 million years, then re-emerge in a single winter's runoff.
Mac said they tell a story.
Yeah, if you use a little imagination.
These were made by a large carnosaur.
That's a meat-eater.
And these by a sauropod.
- That's - Carnosaur's dinner? With a little imagination, you can visualize the carnosaur stalking the sauropod.
Maybe they were just using the same trail.
That's another way to look at it.
There's always another way to look at something, colonel.
I have a feeling you're about to point one out, commander.
If I may, sir.
You see returning the Declaration of Independence to Washington as an end.
I see it as a beginning.
It proves you didn't take it for money.
And a trial gives you a public forum in which to plead your case to the American people.
- And it would save Sarah's career.
- To hell with my career.
I don't wanna see you in prison, Uncle Matt.
He won't necessarily go to prison.
State set you up because you were a thorn in their side.
If I can prove your Internet revelations are true They are, commander.
Well, it might just may be enough to get you a suspended sentence, sir.
You offering to defend me, commander? Yes, sir.
You realize the implications it might have on your career? Yes, sir.
Where'd you find this sailor, Sarah? In a rose garden, Uncle Matt.
Ready, sir.
There's been a change in plans.
I'll drop you and the men off at the car and go on with my niece and the commander.
- Sir? - I contacted ZNN.
Their reporter and cameraman are waiting at the crossroads.
What are you gonna do, colonel? Return the Declaration of Independence and plead our case to the American people in court.
What about the half a billion? Sergeant, there never was a half billion.
We didn't do this for money.
I don't believe you, colonel.
You're collecting.
We want our share.
Put those weapons down, sergeant.
You with me, Garret? For a quarter of a billion dollars, you better believe it.
Damn it.
I said put those weapons down! - You killed him.
- I didn't wanna do that.
But I'll be damned if I'm letting a half a billion dollars fly away.
Get in, colonel.
You're flying us out of here.
You'll have to shoot me too.
No.
We'll have to shoot your niece.
That's the truck he described.
Yeah, but where'd they go? Listen.
What the? Oh, my God.
Permission to come aboard? Permission granted.
Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand.
Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.