Mutiny 10

"Work? What work?" The young engineer was still utterly confused. He turned to the companion beside him, tilting his head, his face full of bewilderment.

His companion shrugged, equally at a loss.

"Hey, Captain D'Costa, could you explain what's going—"

The young engineer did not get to finish. His question was cut off by a crisp metallic clank.

The black muzzle of a gun pressed against the tip of his nose. The icy touch froze him instantly, leaving his mind blank.

He saw that every soldier in D'Costa's squad had raised their rifles, aiming them at everyone in the corridor who was not wearing a white armband.

"W-What is this?" His companion's voice trembled as he raised his hands.

"We don't want to hurt anyone." D'Costa's voice remained calm. "As long as you cooperate and come with us. By order of the captain, all non-core combat personnel are to leave the ship immediately."

"Leave the ship? Why? We haven't received any orders!" An older chief technician stepped forward, trying to argue.

"This is the order now." D'Costa did not argue with him. He merely raised his gun slightly in a silent warning.

The same scene was unfolding throughout the Eternal. In the weapons control room, the lounges, the infirmary... the subordinates whom Bartfield and Aisha had identified beforehand as absolutely loyal carried out their duties swiftly and skillfully. With their guns, they drove away colleagues still caught in confusion, shock, and fear, pulling these "outsiders" from their posts and gathering them at several main hatches leading to the external hangar deck.

"Mutiny! This is mutiny!"

"Has Captain Bartfield gone mad?"

"Drop your weapons! Do you know what you're doing?"

All manner of accusations and curses rose one after another, but the armed soldiers remained unmoved. They formed a human wall