Picard called his next witness. "Kyle McClellan."

Justine's head swiveled round. "Kyle?" she mouthed, as the ensign made his way from the back of the room. He was a tall, blond, calm-looking young man, and he stopped to nod at Justine before entering the witness stand.

"Ensign McClellan, how do you know Ensign Riley?"

Kyle smiled and leaned forward. "We were cadets together at Starfleet academy. I met her in nuclear chemistry 101."

"And how would you characterize your relationship?"

Kyle blushed slightly. "Romantic. We dated for the last three years of the academy."

"Did you consider yourself in love Ensign Riley?"

A sad smile flirted across his face. "Yes. Very much so." Across the courtroom, Justine returned the same smile.

"And why is that?"

Kyle shrugged. "Lots of reasons. She made me laugh. She knew how to party. She was kind to me, and my family liked her too. We used to spend our summers visiting each other. Once we went to Disneyplanet Mars, it was great."

"Why did your relationship end?"

"We… we got assigned to different starships, and … the distance got between us."

"You have been briefed about Ensign Riley's current predicament, have you not?"

"Yes."

"Do you think that Ensign Riley is sentient?"

"Of course, it's ridiculous to think otherwise."

"Do you think that Ensign Riley is of legal age?"

Kyle's blush deepened to an unfortunate tomato-red. "Yes. She's the same age as me, obviously."

"Thank you, Kyle. The defense rests."

Miranda was busy scribbling something on a piece of paper. "Kyle, did you or Justine end the relationship?"

"Justine did."

"And how?"

"She sent me written communiqué."

Miranda approached the witness stand, folding over the paper she had been writing on. "Do me a favor and hold this." Kyle obliged, warily. "Now," Miranda continued. "Do you remember the exact wording Justine used?"

Kyle frowned. "Ah, yes. She said 'I think we should part ways because the distance between us makes this impossible. I want to focus on my career and I'm not ready to settle down."

Miranda grinned, shark like. "Go ahead and unfold that, and read what I've written, please."

Kyle unfolded the paper. He stared at the writing.

"Read what's written there, Kyle."

Kyle licked his lips. "The distance - " he began, haltingly. "Between us makes this impossible. I want to focus on my career and I'm not ready to settle down." Kyle kept staring at the paper, unable to look away.

Miranda tipped her head to one side. "She was only ever following a script, Kyle. If you enjoyed any of it you've got me to thank." She smirked at him. "Prosecution rests."