Operation Weather

That matter dealt with, the focus of the courtroom shifted to Mendax’s case. Geoff Chettle, for the prosecution, stood up, put the NorTel manager, who had flown in from Sydney, on the stand and asked him some warm-up questions.

Chettle could put people at ease – or rattle them – at will. Topped by a minute stubble of hair, his weathered 40-something face provided a good match to his deep, gravelly voice. With quick eyes and a hard, no-nonsense manner, he lacked the pretentiousness of many barristers. Perhaps because he didn’t seem to give a fig about nineteenth century protocols, he always managed to looked out of place in a barrister’s wig and robe. Every time he stood up, the black cape slid off his lean shoulders. The barrister’s wig went crooked. He continually adjusted it – tugging the wig back into the correct spot like some wayward child. In court, Chettle looked as if he wanted to tear off the crusty trappings of his profession and roll up his sleeves before sinking into a hearty debate. And he looked as if he would rather do it at a pub or the footy.

The NorTel manager took the stand. Chettle asked him some questions designed to show the court the witness was credible, in support of the company’s $160000 hacker-clean-up claim. His task accomplished, Chettle sat down.

A little nervous, Paul Galbally stood up to his full height – more than six feet – and straightened his jacket. Dressed in a moss green suit so dark it was almost black, with thin lapels and a thin, 1960s style tie, he looked about as understated hip as a lawyer could – and still show his face in court.

Halting at first, Galbally appeared unsure of himself. Perhaps he had lost his nerve because of the technical issues. WMTP files. UTMP files. PACCT audits. Network architec- ture. IP addresses. He had been expected to become an expert in the basics literally overnight. A worried Mendax began passing him notes – questions to ask, explanations, definitions. Slowly, Galbally started working up a rhythm to the cross- examination.

During the questioning someone from the back of the court