Guinevere gave a single nod to Commander Veyron.
"I recognize that I've been over-indexing on participation. I'll shift into a more active-listening mode. If you'd like me to respond, I'm comfortable with a raised hand system or a verbal check-in at natural pause points. Please proceed at whatever pace feels right for you, Commander."
Veyron looked at Octavian. Octavian looked at the wall. The wall, as always, offered nothing.
Veyron straightened in his chair. "Let's start over. You are here because you broke the law. Do you deny it?"
"Don't answer that," Kael said immediately, his hand landing on her arm. "That's a compound question designed to—"
"Kael, it's okay." She gave his hand a squeeze. "I believe in accountability. It's the foundation of any healthy relationship between an individual and the community they've wronged."
She sat up straighter.
"Yes, Commander. I did."
"No, she didn't," Kael insisted. "She was with me the entire night."
