SecNav Edward Sheffield: I don't see how I can help you, gentlemen.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: Sir, there has been a serious miscarriage of justice.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: Allegedly.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: Almost certainly, Mr. Secretary.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: At this point in time, only the president has the authority to order a retrial.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: Sir, you could suspend the remainder of Mr. Wainwright's sentence.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: But there's another recourse. File a writ of habeas corpus on the grounds that Wainwright's constitutional rights were denied due to a Brady violation.
Cmdr. Sturgis Turner: We considered that, sir. But it could take months for the federal district court to hear the arguments and issue a decision.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: I suggest keeping the president out of this.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: I'm aware that Congressman Bolton represents your home state, sir.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: And if he's guilty of misconduct, he's going to answer for it. But we can't afford to go after him, not now.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: Don't you mean not ever, sir?
SecNav Edward Sheffield: Watch your tone, Commander. Congressman Bolton is a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. And he's spearheading the opposition to the Navy's low-frequency active sonar project. If we go after him now, it smacks of retaliation.
Cmdr. Sturgis Turner: Politics.
SecNav Edward Sheffield: Damn right, politics. The president's under a magnifying glass. He can't give his enemies anything to use against him. Maybe next year.
Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.: Mr. Secretary, former Seaman Wainwright has spent the last twenty-two years of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit, sir. Every day he remains there is an affront. He can't afford to wait until next year, sir.