TITLE: Robot Sheep

AUTHOR: VIDZ

TIMELINE: sometime after S10, Mac is not a part of Harm's life

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc of the TV show JAG are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fic. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

SUMMARY: Harm's getting old.

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It was Harm's half hour of going around the office, doing nothing, just talking to his people, working on maintaining the bond with his staff.

Unlike some other COs who practiced this, he was careful not to keep to a regular schedule, like always at the same time or always on the same day, in order not to make it forced or pre-planned.

Gotta keep the kids guessin'.

Like a Lord of the Realm he took a stroll through the building, saying hellos to his subordinates for about half an hour.

Just as he was finishing his tour he came upon Pvt Thompson, a snot-nosed kid of 18, barely out of basic, London his first posting.

Typical of an FNG and a newb to boot, he was scared of anyone with authority, but especially of The Man aka Harm, even though Harm had tried several times to get him to relax a bit around him. Or at least not always make Harm afraid he would break his own back. Thompson going all rigid and snapping to attention always made Harm tense too and Harm liked to run a tight, but happy and relaxed ship.

Pvt Thompson was staring at something in his hand, talking enthusiastically to a just as eager Seaman Blakes and Harm couldn't help but steer in their direction to find out what was so interesting.

"It's got Android!" Thomson exclaimed just as Harm was next to them, eyes shining.

"Really?" gasped Blakes, eyes wide "Wow, didn't know they were out already."

"I know a guy that owns an electronics store. They're not supposed to sell them yet, but he owed me a favor. This stays between us, right?"

"Right." Blakes nodded.

Thompson and Blakes snapped to attention seeing their CO standing next to them and Harm ordered them to relax.

This was the moment he'd been waiting, a chance to finally establish some common ground with the rookie and put him at ease just a little.

"Android?" he leaned in with interest "Do you reckon he dreams of electric sheep?"

Thompson looked at him weirdly "Admiral, sir?"

"It's from..." Harm started to explain, but seeing the deepening confusion in both Privates he sighed, giving in. It was pathetically obvious they weren't getting the reference and it struck him only then that they'd been born only well after the movie in question had been filmed.

Their childhood and youth had been filled with the new Star Wars, Event Horizon, Starship Troopers and the like. Only now that he gave it some thought it occured to him that compared to the movies of his youth the new movies lacked substance and were more about special effects than a story and great acting. Similar to music...

"Nevermind. Carry on, Privates." he finally ordered, striding away, one saddening thought clammoring on his mind.

"Dear god, I've gotten old!"

THE END

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