"How?"
"You forget that," said Morehouse, turning and pointing at the faulty warp generator.
"But—"
"It is hard to believe that a Guardian, even a raw recruit, could miss such an obvious fault; it is even more difficult to think that such an oversight was made in malice and revenge."
"I—"
"Then how did it happen?" demanded Morehouse.
"I don't know."
"And you won't resign?"
"No."
"Then until you find out how this warp generator got past your inspection, you'll be released from duty," said Morehouse. "You have no status, Hagen. You will wear the uniform in courtesy only, since you are a member of the organization, and you are subject to our rules. Your pay will continue, since we have no recourse, and your stated duty will be one of investigation on one subject only: Ascertaining the base for this near-explosion!"