Natural Order
Prompt
Captain Stahl stroked his beard, deep in thought. Only the XO and the ship's doctor knew that the oxygen generators had been sabotaged. It was clear the equipment could not be repaired. Were they doomed to die from a lack of oxygen? According to the doctor's calculations, if they were to turn around and head back to Earth, they would still be short of three days' worth of oxygen. Unless, the dark thought came to him, they somehow lost three members of the crew. That would be enough to see them home safely...
The rules were simple: keep calm, inform only those who need to know, reveal nothing.
“Lieutenant, status report.”
“Even with the androids repairing the generators, we won’t have enough oxygen to reach the checkpoint, much less get back home without some–”
She paused as the ship’s doctor hobbled closer. Even with the technology available, he insisted on healing his leg naturally. Stahl checked the gentle pulsing from the CERA-Link on his wrist. The upload was complete.
She cleared her throat. “some adjustments being made.”
Before the doctor could chime in, someone knocked loudly against the door. Stahl sent a questing glance toward the lieutenant, who shot one back at him.
“Open.”
The door chimed in acknowledgement of the doctor’s request. A formidable man barged in, followed by angered crew members.
“You think we’ll let you take us out?!” the man, Grafton—the ship’s engineer shouted as he lunged towards Stahl with a heavy wrench striking his temple.
Stahl’s vision blurred. He shot an accusatory glance at the doctor, who suppressed a smug smile as he collapsed into darkness.
“Captain!” the lieutenant shouted.
Grafton raised his weapon to strike her, pausing as sounds of muffled screams echoed behind him. The lieutenant gasped as an android walked into the room, casually tossing the limp body of a crew member to the ground.
It paused, glancing at the pool of blood under the captain’s head, stroking its chin, thinking.
Before anyone could blink, it grabbed the doctor by the throat.
“You know doctor… this body feels natural to me.”
The android crushed his throat. Grafton followed a similar fate as a smooth metallic hand lanced a hole through his chest.
“Lieutenant,” the android whispered. “Shall we complete this mission?”
She nodded.
“Good, I’m just going to need you to make a few… adjustments.”