The judge said, "Tell us about Lieutenant Mannion's part in the mutiny."
"Yes, sir. The first we knew about it was on the morning of November 9, 2366, when the androids we used to keep the atmosphere-generators running refused to perform their regular tasks. I ordered Lieutenant Mannion to go outside and discover what the trouble was. He refused. I ordered him a second time, and he struck me and threw open the airlock. All of the androids rushed in."
"What happened then?"
"I found myself wrestling with Lieutenant Mannion while the androids destroyed all of the Project's equipment and apparatus. In the struggle all 12 of my men were killed by the androids. Finally I succeeded in subduing Lieutenant Mannion and bringing the androids back under control—"
"How was that done?"
"The androids respond automatically to a direct command from the superior officer, no matter what they're doing. Had I been free to give that command the mutiny would never have taken place. But Lieutenant Mannion prevented me from giving the command until it was too late. All of our men were dead and the Project set back more than a year. I placed Lieutenant Mannion under detention, put the androids in permafreeze, and returned to Earth. And here I am."
"Is that the extent of your testimony?"
"It is."
"You may step down, then. Lieutenant Mannion?"
Mannion rose and faced the judge. "Sir?"