Tinken faced the witness, nodded, and then faced the court.
"The witness' statements regarding the contract are true. However, Judge Hamilton, I will attempt to show that this case is highly technical in nature and as such falls under the jurisdiction of the Technical Court. May I proceed?"
"Counsel for the plaintiff assures me that this is not truly a technical case," snapped Hamilton. "However, if you can definitely prove that the case in point hinges on purely technical matters, what you say may be instrumental in having this hearing changed. Proceed."
"Thank you." Tinken turned to the witness. "Exactly what is the point in question?"
"The point in question," said the witness, "is whether or not the matter transmitter falls under Terran Electric's contract or Venus Equilateral's contract."
"Isn't the question really a matter of whether the basic effect is technically communication or power transmission?"
"Objection!" barked Kingman. "The counsel is leading the witness."
"Objection permitted—strike the question from the record."
"I was merely trying to bring out the technical aspect of the case," explained Tinken, "I'll rephrase the question. Is it not true that the contract between Terran Electric and Venus Equilateral is based upon a certain technology?"
"Certainly."