US Special Forces capture Mustafa Atef, who is believed to be a very high ranking Al-Queda official instrumental in training the hijackers who attacked the World Trade Center & the Pentagon. As a result, the President convenes the first military tribunal in over 50 years. As none of the JAG staff is eager to defend the accused terrorist, Adm. Chegwidden takes it upon himself to defend him, with Cmdr. Turner volunteering to sit second-chair for the Admiral. Harm & Mac are assigned to prosecute.

The tribunal is held aboard the USS Seahawk, so with the senior JAG staff flying out to the carrier, Lt. Singer is placed in charge of JAG’s Administration Staff, much to the dismay of Harriet and the others. Lt. Singer then takes over the Admiral’s office, conducting a fire drill and generally making a nuisance of herself.

On board the carrier, the staff are reunited with Bud, who as fleet JAG is assigned to assist Harm & Mac.