those access passes?'
Dr. Vasquez gave more vigorous nods. 'Yes. Same system, smaller scale.'
'Then this pass would've also let Lieut- excuse me, whoever carried it to move unobtrusively around their own ship as well?'
'In theory,' Dr. Vasquez concurred.
The other members frowned at the answer, though Lieutenant Mahris' frown was slightly time-delayed by his need to ensure Captain Nguyen was frowning first. Paul knew what they were thinking as surely as if he could read their minds. Someone sneaking around a ship. Deceiving their shipmates. Not about some minor criminal stuff but about stealing secrets. That just feels so wrong.
Commander Sriracha blew out a heavy breath. 'Thank you, Doctor.'
There was a brief delay then, with everyone waiting until the bailiff returned with a data pad containing a classified information nondisclosure statement that everyone had to sign. Paul signed as well, even though he was already sworn never to reveal classified information. And 'never' meant exactly that. It was a source of some amusement to him that the nondisclosure agreements had been open-ended since some time in the late twentieth century. Death didn't release someone of their obligation. Neither, presumably, would the death of the universe. A billion years from now Paul would still legally be bound by the agreements he'd signed. Not that he imagined he'd be worried about that by then.
'The prosecution rests,' Commander Carr announced after Dr. Vasquez had finally left the courtroom.
'Very well. Does Defense Counsel wish to make any motions at this time?'
David Sinclair stood. 'Defense Counsel wishes to move that evidence in this trial based upon classified sources inaccessible to Lieutenant Pullman's defense be ruled inadmissible and the charges based upon that evidence by dismissed.'
Judge Campbell, hand in chin once again, shook her head. 'Persistence is only a virtue the first few times it doesn't change outcomes, Defense Counsel. Motion denied. The court's ruling on the evidence will not change.'
'Yes, Your Honor. The defense has no other motions.'
'Is the defense prepared to begin the presentation of evidence?'
'Yes, Your Honor.'
'Then begin.'
David Sinclair looked toward the back of the courtroom. Paul looked as well, seeing a portable display screen being brought in by court workers. He'd never seen remote testimony before, though he'd expected to see it in this case. The cost and time commitment required to bring a defense witness up to station made it likely Pullman's defense would make use of witnesses testifying over live communications links to Earth. 'The defense calls as its first witness Dr. Steven Laskey.'
There was a pause as the display was positioned at the witness stand and activated. Dr. Laskey was seated in what must be his office on Earth. Paul wondered if the view from the window in the background, blue sky and white clouds, was real or just a projection.
David Sinclair stood before the display, knowing his own image was being transmitted back to a display before the witness. 'Dr. Laskey, can you state your qualifications?'
'Certainly.' Laskey was a large, broad man with a bluff manner. 'I'm a retired U.S. intelligence operative. I spent thirty years working covert operations, either in the field or behind a desk.'
'What do you do now?'
'I devote a lot of time to consulting on the subject of covert intelligence operations. I don't disclose secrets, but I do help those trying to portray covert ops to present a realistic picture of what it's like.'
'Are you familiar with the evidence against Lieutenant Pullman?'
'Yes. What's been shown me.'
'What's been shown you?' David Sinclair inquired.
'I have no way of knowing what's been kept from you, me and the court.'
'Objection.' Commander Carr was on her feet very quickly. 'The witness is speculating without foundation.'
'Objection sustained,' Judge Campbell replied immediately, cutting off David Sinclair. 'Defense Counsel and witness are reminded to confine testimony to matters of fact.'
David Sinclair looked only mildly contrite. 'Yes, Your Honor. Dr. Laskey, are you familiar with the existence of software such as described in the evidence against Lieutenant Pullman?'
Laskey, apparently unabashed by the judge's rebuke, nodded. 'Oh, sure.'
'What can you tell us about that software?'
'Well…' Laskey shifted position, his expression thoughtful. 'The description in the evidence is mostly right as to what it can do, but as to where you can get it, that stuff can be found in a lot of places.'
'A lot of places? Not just in the hands of foreign intelligence agencies?'
'Hell, no. Name me a college and give me half an hour and I'll provide you with a list as long as your arm of kids with that software who're using it to steal entertainment files or to try to mess with their grades on the campus mainframe. I understand why no one wants to advertise that this software exists, but the fact is it does exist and anyone who wants it can find it without looking too awful hard.'
Paul looked toward Commander Carr, but she was just listening without betraying any emotion.
David Sinclair turned slightly, so he was facing the members' table. 'Anyone can get it?' he asked the witness.
'Sure. That's what I said.'
'Would you regard the possession of such software as proof on involvement in espionage?'
'No.'
David Sinclair let the single word answer hang for a moment before speaking again. 'What about the material regarding dead-drops?'
Laskey shrugged. 'It's a nice set of plans. But it's the same sort of thing you find in role-playing games these days.'
'Role-playing games?'
'Yes. You know, where people pretend they're a spy or exploring some dungeon full of monsters or whatever. I've consulted on some role-playing games and there's easily a half dozen on the market right now that contain dead-drop planning just like what's in your evidence there. Four of those games include mission planning builders that could've been used to generate exactly what was found on those coins being used as evidence.'
'A game? You're saying that games are on the market which contain the same sort of dead-drop instructions as have been entered into evidence against Lieutenant Pullman?'
'Yup.'
'That could've been used to create the dead-drop instructions alleged to have been in various locations which are alleged to be tied to Lieutenant Pullman?'
'Yes, sir.'
'How could you, as an extremely experienced covert operative, tell the difference between real documents describing real dead-drops to be used in real spying or espionage, and something generated as part of a role- playing game?'
'I can't. I don't think anyone can.'
'But,' David Sinclair stated, 'the plans in evidence do contain real locations on this station.'
'Sure they do. That's how people build their missions in the games, by using real world places and things. It's what the instructions recommend. It gives the players a kick to be playing spy in their own town or office complex or whatever. Go to one of the gaming conventions and you'll find people selling spy mission packages they made in their hometown.'
'This physical evidence, then, these data coins with software and instructions for spying, are substantially identical to what any role-playing game devotee would have in their possession?'
Laskey nodded several times slowly. 'If anything, I've seen plenty of game missions that're more complex than that stuff.'
'Would you regard possession of those coins and the material on them as evidence that someone was engaged in actual espionage activities?'
