[Jtsummers]

The paid by the foot thing is why I am doubtful of OP's story. There are drawings of where cables go in every aircraft and ship and building owned by DOD. Their accuracy with respect to reality, of course, is not always spectacular but these drawings existed before construction began. The subs routing cables arbitrarily through the ship is not likely to go unnoticed, and is better described as "sabotage" as it makes future maintenance and repairs nearly impossible.

"We're paid by the foot" is exactly the kind of snarky answer I'd expect someone to give if asked, "Why are you doing it that way?" when "that way" is the way the drawings lay out and the person asking isn't a supervisor or monitor of your work.

[ptero]

I would not be surprised if "paid by the foot" is correct. But paid by the foot of the cable installed to an external spec, with no ability to choose routing.