their uniform and displaying their true identity while also working to deliver classified material to a foreign entity. Is that clear?'
Paul thought Commander Moraine was getting more confused by the moment, but Moraine nodded.
'Good,' Judge Campbell stated. 'Do we need to restate the question again?'
'No,' Commander Moraine answered. 'I didn't think Lieutenant Pullman acted like someone who was stealing classified material.'
Judge Campbell glared at Commander Carr and David Sinclair as if daring either to pursue the question further, then pointed her gavel at David Sinclair. ' Please continue, Defense Counsel.'
'Thank you, Your Honor. Commander Moraine, you just recently took over command of the Operations Department on the USS Michaelson, isn't that correct?'
'Yes.' Moraine nodded rapidly.
'When you took over command of that department, were you satisfied with the procedures in place? Were you satisfied that the department was functioning well?'
'No.' Moraine glanced around half-defiantly. 'No, I was not. Things had to be tightened up, expectations had to be raised, performance had to improve.'
'Was it your impression that those changes had taken full effect at the time of Lieutenant Pullman's arrest?'
'No! Of course not. They'll take time. Not too much time. I won't allow that. I don't ever expect my personnel to settle for substandard performance, but getting changes across and changing attitudes can't happen overnight even with the most dedicated leadership, if I may say so.' Commander Carr gestured to Paul and whispered a question to him as he leaned close, listening intently to Paul's reply, but Moraine didn't notice as she concentrated on David Sinclair.
David Sinclair nodded understandingly. 'Of course, Commander Moraine. Then it's your professional opinion that the department suffered from performance problems. Security is an aspect of performance, isn't it, Commander?'
'Yes,' Moraine agreed warily.
'If the department was suffering from a general problem with procedures and performance, wouldn't that mean security would also be impacted? That personnel would be unsure how to handle material properly and would make mistakes in their handling of material, perhaps through no fault of their own?'
'Objection. Defense Counsel is leading the witness.'
'Sustained. Rephrase your question or drop it, Defense Counsel.'
David Sinclair bowed his head briefly to acknowledge the judge's order. 'Yes, Your Honor. Commander Moraine, when you spoke of a general problem with procedures and performance, did that include the handling of classified materials?'
Paul watched Commander Moraine's eyes shift. She's thinking that if she says there weren't any problems when she took over, then she'll be blamed for anything that goes wrong and won't be able to shift the blame to her predecessor. I know she's thinking that. Which means to cover her own butt she's going to say…
'Yes. Yes, it did include that.'
David Sinclair nodded, speaking gravely. 'It did include problems with handling of classified materials?'
'Yes. That's what I said.'
'Thank you, Commander Moraine. No further questions.'
'Trial Counsel wishes to redirect.' Commander Carr stayed at her desk and smiled again at Commander Moraine, but Paul noted that her arm muscles looked tight. 'Commander, I want you to think carefully about what you just said regarding security procedures in your department. I want you to consider whether or not, on reflection, you really believe significant problems with the handling of classified material exist in your department.'
Moraine looked away from Carr, her eyes shifting again. 'I don't… there were problems.'
'I'm not questioning your assessment that some problems may exist, but I do wish to clarify for the court whether you believe these are major problems, ones which could lead to serious violations of rules and regulations.'
Her eyes refusing to settle on Carr, Moraine nodded stubbornly. 'The department's performance doesn't meet my standards as of yet. Problems exist, through no fault of my own.'
Commander Carr took a deep breath and Paul saw her body relax into what for some reason struck him as a fighting stance. He wondered what was about to happen to Commander Moraine.
'Commander Moraine,' Carr continued in an even voice, 'you've just testified that the procedures and performance of the Operations Department did not meet your standards when you assumed command of that department.'
'Yes. That's the truth.' Commander Moraine was wary, watching Commander Carr as if worried what her next question would be.
'Commander, is it true that you have stated that you expect the equipment in your department to always work quote perfectly unquote and the personnel in your department to always perform quote perfectly unquote?'
Moraine stared at Carr for a moment, then at Paul. Paul tried his best to look totally innocent and surprised by Carr's question.
'Commander Moraine?' Carr prompted. 'Have you stated that your standards insist on perfection in all aspects of your department's operation at all times?'
Her expression still more stubborn, Moraine focused back on Carr. 'Yes. I don't know if I used that exact phrasing, but I do have very high standards and I don't apologize for that. Not one bit. There's nothing wrong with expecting only the best from your personnel.'
Paul tried to look at the members' table without being obvious, trying to judge their reactions. Captain Nguyen was watching Moraine with a carefully bland expression. Lieutenant Mahris was doing his best to mimic Nguyen. Commander Sriracha and Lieutenant Commander de Vaca had their eyes on the surface of the table in front of them, and Lieutenant Kilgary was covering her eyes with one hand.
Commander Carr nodded at Moraine's answer. 'Do you agree that there is a very large gap between procedures and performance that fall short of 'perfect,' and procedures and performance which pose the threat of significant failures, let alone major failures?'
'I don't accept that logic, Commander. I don't accept any lessening of standards or expectations. I have zero tolerance for an deviance from the very highest standards.'
'I see.' Commander Carr canted her head as if interested in Moraine's words. 'Commander Moraine, how many significant or major failures did the Operations Department suffer in the two years prior to your assuming command?'
'I… I don't…'
'Are you aware of any?'
'Not… not at this time.'
'Aside from the case currently being tried here, how many significant or major failures has the Operations Department suffered since your assuming command?'
'I… There haven't been…'
'Any?' Carr prompted again. 'Is it therefore reasonable to assume that the problems with procedures and performance to which you've referred were not of such severity as to pose significant risk of major failures?'
Moraine's face set into lines of granite. 'I'm not prepared to say that.'
'You're prepared to state under oath that serious problems existed in the Operations Department of the USS Michaelson prior to your assuming command and that those problems still existed as of 20 August? Even knowing that such an admission would surely trigger outside inspections of your department to ensure it can operate in a safe and effective manner?'
'Objection, Your Honor!' David Sinclair had a wondering expression. 'Trial Counsel is badgering her own witness.'
'I noticed that,' Judge Campbell remarked. 'Does Trial Counsel intend to continue this line of questioning?'
Carr nodded. 'I would like the court to instruct the witness to answer the question, since it addresses
