“Which means that as of ten o’clock, your active status is entirely clear.”

“Thanks, Samuel.”

“If you walk into a civilian courtroom in full tactical gear, the judge might hold you in contempt before you even open your mouth,” Holt said.

“I’m not asking for their permission anymore,” I said.

“I’m presenting the federal record.”

Captain Holt tore a yellow carbon copy off his clipboard and passed it to me across the bench.

“Then get going, Lieutenant Commander,” he said.