Blood and Fire by David Gerrold Page A

We need to satisfy ourselves that there is no alternative.”
    â€œThere is no alternative,” said Brik. “The orders are specific.”

Orders

    â€œ Mr. Brik, ” Captain Parsons’ voice had an edge to it that none of them had ever heard before. “ Shut up. That is an order. ” She picked up her headset, turned it on and spoke into it. “Security to the Officers’ Mess. On the double.” She looked to Brik. “I know the orders, Mr. Brik. I know why they were written. I know what I am required to do. That does not mean I am not allowed to consult with my other officers. If you make any attempt to relieve me of my command, I will have you shot as a mutineer. Are we clear?”
    Before Brik could answer, the hatch popped open and two security men entered. Armstrong and Cappy. Both were carrying rifles. Both looked grim. They looked to Parsons expectantly.
    The captain’s voice was hard-edged. “Commander Brik needs to think about the chain of command on this starship. Unlock the safeties on your rifles. If he attempts to take any action that I do not order, shoot him as a mutineer.”
    â€œWith pleasure,” said Cappy, unlocking his safeties.
    â€œI don’t want you to enjoy this duty,” Captain Parsons replied. “And I don’t want your commentary on it, either.” She looked to Brik. “Do you understand me, Mister? I am the captain of this ship and I will make the decisions. I will not be stampeded into any action—not by you, not by FleetComm. Any questions?”
    â€œNo, Captain. No questions. I understand your situation entirely. But I feel I should inform you that two security guards will not be enough. I also feel I should inform you that they are inefficiently placed. Crewman Armstrong should be in that corner to cover the cabin from one angle, and Crewman Cappy should provide covering crossfire from that corner of the cabin.” Cappy and Armstrong looked at each other and, realizing that Brik was right, moved into the appropriate corners. “Even so,” Brik continued, “I could still put them both out of commission before they could fire their weapons. I tell you this because I want you to know that my cooperation is voluntary and not compelled by threats of violence.”
    Parsons looked at Brik with cold, wary eyes. A Morthan standoff? It didn’t matter. She’d won the point. Brik had acknowledged her authority. And that was the important thing.

    She turned to Williger. “All right, Doctor. Talk to me.”
    Williger hesitated. Parsons realized why and turned to Cappy and Armstrong. “What you’re about to hear stays in this room. If this news leaks before I’m ready to announce it, neither one of you will survive your court-martial. Understand? All right, Doctor, go on.”
    â€œThere’s not a lot to say.” Williger’s voice was paved with gravel. “There’s nothing we can do for the people over there. Not the crew of the Norway . Not the mission team.” She leaned forward, speaking bluntly, despite the two security guards. “Nobody has ever survived bloodworms. Nobody has ever rescued anybody off a ship with a bloodworm infestation.”
    â€œI know that, Doctor,” Parsons said. “But before I issue any order that will haunt me for the rest of my life, I need to confirm for myself that there is no alternative. Do you know why that ship is out here— here ? The other side of nowhere. An uninhabitable, useless star system. A self-destructive orbit. Have you considered the why of this situation?” She glanced to Brik, including him in the question. “That ship is out here doing research. On the bloodworms. There’s no other reason why it could be out here. Korie and I have been wondering about the circumstances of this particular supply mission from the moment we loaded fourteen locked cargo containers and a sealed manifest.