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  “Uh, no, Captain. Chief Havers simply thought it might be a good idea to uh, have someone in government along when you, uh, confronted the mu—the officers in question,” He stammered. He was beginning to have second thoughts after seeing the captain's rumpled appearance and haggard, red-eyed expression but Havers’ determination convinced Montingham to carry on. And if the executive officer continued in charge, he might never become governor of Onceover.

  “I don't ... well, you're here, come along. Government, you say? Maybe I'll put you in Callahan's chair.” He laughed inanely, drawing an assenting chuckle from Havers.

  Montingham started to decline the honor but Havers elbowed him in the ribs before he got any words out. He smiled nervously but followed the other two men as they headed out of the room.

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  * * *

  Chapter Four

  The door of the conference room burst open without warning. Travis rose halfway to his feet then stalled for a moment as he saw it was Havers back again. Then he continued on into a full standing position as he spotted the captain behind him and ... Governor-to-be Montingham? Why in hell is he here? he wondered.

  “What's the meaning of this?!” Gordon said loudly. “What are you people doing meeting behind my back?”

  All eyes in the room except Grindstaff's and Sissy's tracked toward Travis, knowing he was the focal point of the outburst. Sissy stared at the captain while Grindstaff tapped surreptitiously at his wrist.

  “I'm holding the department head meeting just as you directed, Captain. Will you join us?” He gestured with his hand toward his own seat. He didn't know what Havers thought he was up to and hadn't yet seen the three men in security detail uniforms.

  “No, I won't and I gave no such order,” Gordon said belligerently. “The last thing I told you when I left the control room was to continue searching for earth!”

  Travis narrowed his gaze, trying to gauge whether the captain had recovered or not. From his words and appearance, he didn't think so. And apparently Gordon had evidently either forgotten or conveniently wasn't going to mention the meeting in his office between the two of them.

  “Sir, it's not possible to search for earth as the astrogator and I both have explained to you. We have already set course for the nearest star cluster, just as I suggested and you approved. We have to find a habitable planet and stop there. We have to colonize.”

  “I gave no such approval. Astrogator Coffeehouse, I want this ship put on a course for earth immediately!”

  Grindstaff tapped his wrist again, then waited.

  Sissy looked helplessly to Travis then back at the captain. Her countenance firmed. “Sir, it's impossible. I can't do it.”

  “Then by God I'll put someone in place who can! Chief Havers, I order you to arrest everyone in this room immediately!”

  His finger pointed specifically at Travis but his maddened gaze was wide enough to include all.

  “Take these people into custody!” Havers said loudly and grinned viciously. Three of his specially selected underlings pushed into the room with hand lasers drawn and ready.

  “Put the cuffs on them,” the security chief ordered with a smirk.

  Travis felt his heart drop. What in God's name did that fool think he was doing? Couldn't he see the captain was sick? Or didn't he care? Probably the latter, he thought as the cuffs tightened around his wrists. All he could see ahead was disaster with a megalomaniac like Havers and an obviously deranged captain at the helm. And God knows what that blustering idiot Montingham was up to. He had no standing at all aboard the ship other than as a passenger, despite his insistence on being called “Governor".

  * * * *

  First Sergeant Eduardo Gomez burst into the platoon ready room and came to an abrupt halt, hands on his hips and dark eyes scanning for able bodies. The possibility Captain Grindstaff had warned him of moments earlier had already happened.

  “Heads up, troopers! First Platoon, all available, grab your weapons and assemble on me immediately! Two minutes! Laggards, stand ready to assist as backup! Go!”

  Such was the first sergeant's authority that the Smith twins and the other troopers in the room scarcely took time to exchange glances and barely a minute passed until more than thirty men and women hurriedly formed into ranks.

  “Sergeant Wong, you're in the lead. Sergeant Patterson, rear guard. To officer's country, on the bounce! Mission brief on the way. Let's move!”

  As the grim-faced armed men trotted through the corridors, idlers and passersby hurriedly gave way then stared in stark surprise at their retreating backs. Sergeant Gomez called a halt at the first intersection holding an intership buggy and promptly appropriated it from two surprised and speechless logistics crewmen. A half-dozen troops led by Gomez crowded aboard.

  “Sergeant Patterson, find another buggy if you can but head the rest of the troops toward the main conference room regardless. We'll meet you there.” He turned his attention to those in the buggy as it departed, speaking loudly enough so the ones left behind could overhear. “Our mission is to suppress a mutiny against Acting Captain Callahan by Security Chief Havers and his men. Captain Gordon is sick and no longer capable. Acting Captain Callahan is in command of the ship until further notice. We shall take Security Chief Havers and anyone assisting him into custody. Without violence if possible but don't let that dissuade you if necessary. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, First Sergeant!” came the unanimous reply, even from the troopers trotting along the hallway behind them, almost as fast as the vehicle was moving.

  The buggy turned a corner and entered a freight elevator to the upper decks of the ship. A minute later the door opened at the far end of officer's row.

  “Weapons ready!” Gomez ordered. “Double time!”

  At the first turn the group of soldiers very nearly ran squarely into Havers’ men and their captives. They were roughhousing their handcuffed prisoners along the corridor with smirks and pithy comments about how the mighty had fallen.

  “Halt, you people!” Gomez said loudly. His commanding voice reverberated back and forth along the passageway like claps of thunder. “Drop your weapons immediately or be fired on!” When he saw some hesitation, he called out again, “Now!” and aimed his hand laser at the nearest security man's chest. That it happened to be Havers could have been arbitrary but he had never liked the security chief to begin with. If shooting was called for, he intended for that man to go first.

  Two of the guards dropped their weapons. Havers and the other tried to resist.

  Grindstaff kicked out and knocked the handgun of the guard nearest him aside, falling in the process for lack of balance from his hands being cuffed.

  Havers growled and swiveled to aim at Gomez. “Kill those army bastards!” he began yelling but his voice cut off like a ruined soundtrack.

  The laser beams and bullets of Gomez's squad may have been a microsecond behind his own shot but not any more than that. Havers was cut to pieces and fell with an astounded expression of disbelief on his face.

  “Sergeant Wong, cut those cuffs off the captain and the other officers then stand by for orders.”

  His words caused a momentary confusion on Wong's part until she figured out that the first sergeant was talking about Travis Callahan rather their own captain or Samuel Gordon. The former captain was standing to one side but totally indecisive. His mouth moved as he gibbered unintelligibly. Grindstaff had already managed to free himself in any case.

  “Are any of you hurt?” Gomez asked. His eyes scanned the group looking for blood or burns.

  “We're fine, Top. Thanks. You made it here at least a minute sooner than I expected,” Grindstaff said.

  “Yes, thank you, Sergeant Wong,” Travis said. We truly appreciate your fast action.” He shook his hands to get the circulation back in them while staring at Havers’ bloody remains.

  Knowing how the security chief had operated, Gomez figured he must have purposely pulled the
cuffs far too tight on Callahan but he saw the color was returning to them and turned to other matters.

  “Sergeant Wong, please detail three men to escort Captain Gordon back to his cabin. I'll send the surgeon for you, sir.”

  “I don't need a surgeon, damn you,” Gordon said with momentarily regained bravado. “I order you to...” His gaze finally tracked to the body of Havers. All the wounds hadn't been coagulated by the intense heat of the laser beams and two of them were from bullets. He lay in a slowly widening pool of blood.

  Gordon gulped and swallowed his gorge. His face paled.

  “Grab him!” Travis ordered when he saw what was happening.

  PFCs Thomas and Jerry Smith caught Gordon just in time to keep him from a nasty fall. They eased him down to the deck as gently as possible, away from the blood.

  “Put him on the buggy, then take him to my office instead of his cabin,” Doctor Parham said. “I'll be along shortly. Do you know where it is, Tom?” He knew the twins from having seen them recently for bruises collected during a bout of overly strenuous martial arts training.

  “I'm Jerry, but yes, sir,” the Smith twin answered.

  “Sergeant Wong, perhaps you'd better go with them,” Gomez said.

  “Right, First Sergeant. I'll see that our twins stay out of trouble. Is there anything else?” She divided her attention three ways, not absolutely sure who was in ultimate command at the moment.

  Gomez and Grindstaff both nodded and she and her helpers departed.

  “And now,” Travis said as he caught Montingham by the shoulder. “What was your role in this contretemps? I don't recall you being placed into the line of command.”

  “I ... Chief Havers asked me to accompany him in order to...” His voice trailed off as he stared at the body of his former companion.

  “Sir, I think we'd better have the body removed before we have another casualty, don't you?” Gomez asked Grindstaff.

  “I think you're right. See to it if you will, Top.”

  “I'll take care of it, sir,” Gomez said. He tapped at his wrist com to get a stretcher party on the move then stood by and listened to the conversation between Acting Captain Callahan and Elias Montingham. He figured he would have more work in a moment.

  “You haven't answered me, Mister Montingham,” Travis said.

  “I ... I think perhaps I need some legal advice.” His eyes roved the group of men and women who had moments ago been in handcuffs while he fantasized about his chances of taking command of the ship from Havers.

  “Perhaps you do but for the time being you're confined to your quarters. Is that clearly understood?”

  “You can't order me around like that!”

  “Or perhaps you'd rather go to the brig?”

  “I ... all right. I'll go to my quarters but I demand to see a lawyer.”

  “Mister Montingham, I don't think you understand your position. You seem to have assumed a role in an illegal action by the security section of the ship. As acting commander of Carlsbad, I am the law. Now get out of my sight.”

  “Tregor, Bindle, escort Mister Montingham back to his quarters,” Gomez ordered.

  “Yes, First Sergeant! Come along, sir.” Trevor placed his hand suggestively on the holster of his laser.

  Montingham departed quietly.

  “And now, I believe we should resume our meeting,” Travis said but then pointed to the three men Havers had brought with him. “Oh yes. You three men are relieved of security duty. Report to Mister Masters’ office in Logistics at 0800 hours tomorrow morning for reassignment. If you have weapons checked out, be certain they have been turned in first. Understand?”

  They nodded, clearly comprehending who was in command now.

  “Is that all, sir? Do you need us for anything else?” Gomez asked.

  “No, I believe the situation is under control now. If Major Grindstaff has nothing further for you to do, you're free to go. And again, thank you.”

  Grindstaff nodded at him and Gomez departed. He felt much better with someone besides Gordon now in command. The few times he had encountered the man aboard ship he had looked right through him and ignored his greeting.

  * * * *

  Once they were all back in the conference room and coffee had been sent for, Travis was ready to convene the meeting again. He still felt shaky inside and he now knew what having a gun pointed at him felt like. It wasn't fun at all. It made him wonder how soldiers could make a career of a profession where it might happen any time, but on the other hand he was damn glad the soldiers had been handy! He hated to think what might have happened had Grindstaff not been so astute in his evaluation of Havers and what he might do. He took a deep breath to calm himself and began.

  “After that ... unexpected interruption I believe we're ready to resume our business.” He smiled ruefully. “Major Grindstaff, you have all our thanks for your prompt and very, uh, practical action. I believe it might be well to put your company in charge of such police duties as are necessary in the ship from now on. Does that meet your approval?”

  Grindstaff replied with a simple nod rather than speaking.

  “Are there any objections?”

  “No, but I'll be the first to tell you that I think it's a wise move, Captain,” Brandon said. “I've been aboard this ship for almost six years now and I've seen Chief Havers gradually replace the old guard with men of his own ... temperament, shall we say. I really don't think they can be trusted to properly police the ship, especially given our circumstances.”

  “Thanks, Brandon. I should have thought of it immediately but I didn't realize quite how far gone Captain Gordon was nor how much the yearning for power had engrossed Chief Havers.” As he responded, Travis suddenly realized he had been called “Captain". The term felt strange when applied to his person. He had always aspired to command a ship of the COESS Lines but never in his wildest dreams had he wanted to attain the position in the fashion it had happened. It would take some getting used to. And he made a vow to keep reminding himself he was acting captain. “I'm also open to suggestions but I now believe it would be wise to announce plainly that Gordon is ill and has been relieved of command by the surgeon, and that as the officer next in line I have assumed command of the ship. I think it is also wise to announce plainly that the ship is lost and we don't expect to ever see earth again but we have excellent chances of finding a habitable planet to live on, to colonize. Does that meet with everyone's approval?”

  Nods met his gaze as it traversed the circle of officers at the table.

  “Fine. I'll get that drawn up in formal language and published at the same time I make the announcement. I'll leave open the possibility of Captain Gordon recovering and taking the helm again but ... yes, Major?”

  Captain Grindstaff smiled at his honorary title when in hearing of the ship's captain. “Captain Callahan, it's your decision of course, but it might be well not to mention that Captain Gordon may recover. If he does, well and good but I personally see no sense in letting the issue stay open publicly. It might fester among other malcontents such as Havers.”

  Travis scrubbed his chin with his knuckles then nodded slowly. “Thank you. I believe you're right. We'll do it that way. And, people, use this as an example. The change in command has been sudden and has already met with difficulties. I have the final say in decisions but I need the best advice I can get, so don't be afraid to speak up. Okay?”

  The others nodded agreement.

  “Fine. Now what I see as the main problem in the future is how we should be organized once we do find a place to live. It's not an immediate problem but it definitely bears thinking about. I'm sure you're all aware that we have far more passengers than crew and that's not even counting the army company we're carrying. Somehow we all have to be integrated into a working group once we land because at that time, my legal authority will cease.”

  “Won't you keep the ship in commission in case it turns out that we can't live on the planet we select?” Masters as
ked.

  “You're forgetting something, Brandon. At most of our ports of call there are vessels waiting to transfer personnel and supplies from orbit to ground. We use the ship's tenders only where transportation isn't available, such as newly colonized planets. Carlsbad has only two tenders. Can you imagine transferring all our cargo and passengers and crew to the earth in them?”

  “I can't,” Sissy said.

  “I can't either,” Brandon agreed with a hint of embarrassment. “The captain's right. It really had slipped my mind. Even if we used the tenders, they simply don't have a big enough power core to fuel nearly as many trips as it would take to unload us and everything else. That's not even counting the way we use the tenders for energy sources on relatively new colonies and like we'll have to do when we find a home.”

  “Oh. So we have to ground the ship, then?” Sissy asked. A frown formed on her face. “That won't be easy, you know.”

  “Right,” Travis said. “But once we commit ourselves that's the only logical solution so we'd better be damn sure we can live on whichever planet we select. Once we're down, the ship can't take off again. Hell, even landing it will be ticklish. I can't even remember a case right offhand.”

  “I can,” Sissy said. “Or rather I've read of a case, way back in the early colonizing days. It was actually a survey ship, although a large one. Something went wrong and half the impellers wouldn't function. That's why the planet was named Dead End. The crew was stranded there for two generations.”

  “So I hope everyone can see what we're facing,” Travis continued. “And that's not the only problem. We can't take too long to make a choice or our supplies will run out. Hydroponics can carry us a little while but not very long. That's according to the figures Brandon worked up for me. We need to be certain a place is habitable but on the other hand, we can't take too long to decide. And there's one other problem, which may be the most difficult one to solve. What do we do with that consignment of prisoners we have onboard?” He was gratified to see the serious expressions on everyone's faces. It told him they appreciated the difficulties they would all be working under. The trick now would be to convince the rest of the crew and passengers. “We'll defer that last one for a day or two. I brought it up because we need to think about it and any input will be welcome, believe me.”