seats to the other members of the court. Nguyen, as most senior, would sit in the center, the other officers alternating taking seats to either side in decreasing seniority.
Lieutenant Kilgary appeared to sweep her eyes across Paul when she took her seat, but didn't react. He hadn't expected her to. This wasn't exactly the time or place for renewing acquaintances. Lieutenant Pete Mahris looked pretty much like he had the last time Paul had seen him, during commissioning ceremonies at the Academy. Paul noted that Mahris had twisted his chair very slightly so that he could more easily watch Captain Nguyen out of the corner of his eye, no doubt the better to ensure he followed Nguyen's lead on events.
Judge Campbell waited until she was sure the members of the court were all seated, then looked out across the courtroom. 'You may be seated.' Then, after a brief pause while everyone took their seats again, she pointed her gavel at Commander Carr. 'Continue, trial counsel.'
Commander Carr turned to face both the member's table and the judge. 'I have been detailed to this court-martial by order of the fleet judge advocate general's office. I am qualified and certified under Article 27(b) and sworn under Article 42(a). I have not acted in any manner which might tend to disqualify me in the court- martial.'
Lieutenant Owings then stood up at the defense table. 'I have been detailed to this court-martial by order of the fleet judge advocate general's office. I am qualified and certified under Article 27(b) and sworn under Article 42(a). I have not acted in any manner which might tend to disqualify me in the court-martial.'
Judge Campbell turned her head toward the defense table. 'Lieutenant Bradley Pullman, you have the right to be represented in this court-martial by Lieutenant Owings, your detailed defense counsel, or you may be represented by military counsel of your selection, if the counsel you request is reasonably available. If you are represented by military counsel of your own selection, you would lose the right to have Lieutenant Owings, your detailed counsel, continue to help in your defense. Do you understand?'
Brad Pullman gave a brisk nod as he answered. 'Yes, ma'am.'
'In addition, you have the right to be represented by civilian counsel, at no expense to the United States. Civilian counsel may represent you alone or along with your military counsel. Do you understand?'
'Yes, ma'am.'
'Do you have any questions about your right to counsel?'
'No, ma'am.'
'Who do you want to represent you?'
'I wish to be represented by civilian counsel, Mr. David Sinclair, along with my detailed military counsel, Lieutenant Owings.'
'Very well,' Judge Campbell stated. 'Mr. David Sinclair, your qualifications to practice law have been provided to this court?'
Paul's brother nodded, his civilian suit looking out of place amid the military uniforms on all sides. 'Yes, Your Honor.'
'Counsel for the parties have the necessary qualifications, and have been sworn, except for Mr. David Sinclair, who will now be sworn.' The judge waited while the bailiff marched to the defense table and swore in David Sinclair, then she said, 'I have been detailed to this court by order of the judge advocate general's office of the Commander, United States Space Forces.'
Commander Carr walked away from her table, then once again turned to face the members of the court- martial and the judge. 'The general nature of the charges in this case allege the commission of acts of espionage against the United States by Lieutenant Bradley Pullman. The charges were preferred by Commander, United States Naval Space Forces, and forwarded with recommendations as to disposition to Commander, United States Space Forces.' She fully faced the judge's bench. 'Your Honor, are you aware of any matter which may be a ground for challenge against you?'
'I am aware of none.'
'The government has no challenge for cause against the military judge.'
David Sinclair looked over at Lieutenant Owings, nodded and made a gesture. Lieutenant Owings stood. 'The defense has no challenge for cause against the military judge.'
Judge Campbell focused her attention on Pullman. 'Lieutenant Pullman, do you understand that you have the right to be tried by a court-martial composed of members and that, if you are found guilty of any offense, those members would determine a sentence?'
Pullman kept his voice and actions crisp and confident. 'Yes, Your Honor.'
'Do you also understand that you may request in writing or orally here in the court-martial trial before me alone, and that if I approve such a request, there will be no members and I alone will decide whether you are guilty and, if I find you guilty, determine a sentence?'
'Yes, Your Honor.'
'Have you discussed these choices with your counsel?'
'I have.'
'By which type of court-martial do you choose to be tried?'
'By members, Your Honor.'
'Very well. The accused will now be arraigned.'
Commander Carr spoke with a crisp authority that more than overmatched that of Brad Pullman. 'All parties and the military judge have been furnished a copy of the charges and specifications. Does the accused want them read?'
Pullman glanced down at David Sinclair, who looked at Lieutenant Owings. Both lawyers nodded to each other; then Owings answered. 'The accused wishes the charges to be read.'
Paul wondered why, then noticed how his brother was intently watching the members of the court-martial. He wants to see how they individually react to the reading of each charge. Clever.
'Very well.' Commander Carr looked down at her data pad and began reading, looking up often to scan the members and gauge their reactions as well. 'Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, is charged with violations of the following articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.'
'Article 92 — Failure to obey order or regulation. First specification. In that Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, did onboard USS Michaelson, CLE(S)-3, then docked at berth seven alpha of United States Naval Space Station Benjamin Franklin, on or about 20 August 2102, violate a lawful general regulation, to wit: Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5520.5 dated 1 July 2100, Security and Handling of Classified Materials Onboard U.S. Navy Ships and Installations, by wrongfully and without authorization downloading Top Secret documents from the combat support data systems of the USS Michaelson onto portable and transportable storage media.'
Paul, knowing the boilerplate part of the charges by heart, concentrated on watching the members, trying to gauge their reactions to the charges, and on watching Brad Pullman to see how he took hearing the charges against him being read in all of their grim formality.
'Second specification. In that Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, did… violate a lawful general regulation, to wit: Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5520.5 dated 1 July 2100, Security and Handling of Classified Materials Onboard U.S. Navy Ships and Installations, by wrongfully and without authorization removing Top Secret materials downloaded onto portable and transportable media from onboard the USS Michaelson.'
'Article 106a — Espionage. First specification. In that Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, did… with intent or reason to believe it would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of the South Asian Alliance, a foreign nation, deliver operational orders and annexes classified up to and including Top Secret and pertaining to U.S. Naval operations then soon to be carried out, to an agent of the South Asian Alliance.'
'Second specification In that Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, did… on or about 20 August, 2102, with intent or reason to believe it would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of the South Asian Alliance, a foreign nation, attempt to deliver intelligence reports classified Top Secret which directly concerned current knowledge of foreign military capabilities, to an agent of the South Asian Alliance.'
'Third specification. In that Lieutenant Bradley Fielder Pullman, United States Navy, did onboard USS Michaelson, CLE(S)-3, on or about 20 August, 2102, with intent or reason to believe it would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of the South Asian Alliance, a foreign nation, attempt to commit
