common fight."

As the audience in the courtroom burst into a roar, Benjy Edwards jumped
to his feet.

"Your honor," he appealed, "I insist that the _Capella_ unit be allowed
to take the stand and deny the charge--"

"Your honor," interrupted Alfie, "the _Polaris_ unit makes no charge.
They freely admit that the _Capella_ unit could not, I repeat, sir,
could not have struck the first blow. And the _Polaris_ unit--"

"Your honor--!" cried Edwards. "I insist."

The cadet judge rapped his gavel. "_Polaris_ counsel will speak."

"Thank you, your honor. I just wanted to say that the members of the
_Polaris_ unit defer to the _Capella_ unit. I submit, your honor, that
it was nothing more than a misunderstanding and that both sides should
be punished or freed."

"Is that all?" asked the cadet judge.

"Yes, sir," said Alfie.

"Counsel for the _Capella_ unit may speak now. Do you insist on having
your defendants brought to the stand to swear they did not start the
fight?"

"Your honor--" began Benjy. But Alfie had already planted the seed.