I keyed for a general announcement. "This is the Captain," I said.
"Action station, all hands in loose acceleration harness. We're going
after Big Brother. You're in action against the enemy now, and from this
point on I'm remembering. You men have been having a big time letting
off steam; that's over now. All sections report."
One by one the sections reported in, all but Med. and Admin. Well, I
could spare them for the present. The pressure was building now, as we
blasted around in a hairpin curve, our acceleration picking up fast.
I ordered Joyce to lock his radar on target, and switch over to
autopilot control. Then I called Power Section.
"I'm taking over all power control from the bridge," I said. "All
personnel out of the power chamber and control chamber."
The men were still under control, but that might not last long. I had to
have the entire disposition of the ship's power, control, and armament
under my personal direction for a few hours at least.
Missile Section reported all missiles armed and locked on target. I
acknowledged and ordered the section evacuated. Then I turned to Clay
and Joyce. Both were plenty nervous now; they didn't know what was
brewing.
"Lieutenant Clay," I said. "Report to your quarters; Joyce, you too. I
want to congratulate both of you on a soldierly performance these last
few hours."
They left without protest. I was aware that they didn't want to be too
closely identified with the Captain when things broke loose.
* * * * *
I keyed for a video check of the interior of the lift as it started back
up. It was empty. I locked it up.
Now we were steady on course, and had reached our full two and a half
gees. I could hardly stand under that acceleration, but I had one more
job to do before I could take a break.
Feet dragging, I unlocked the lift and rode it down. I was braced for
violence as I opened the lift door, but I was lucky. There was no one in
the corridor. I could hear shouts in the distance. I dragged myself
along to Power Section and pushed inside. A quick check of control
settings showed everything as I had ordered it. Back in the passage, I
slammed the leaded vault door to and threw in the combination lock. Now
only I could open it without blasting.
* * * * *
Control Section was next. It, too, was empty, all in order. I locked it,
and started across to Missiles. Two men appeared at the end of the
passage, having as hard a time as I was. I entered the cross corridor
just in time to escape a volley of needler shots. The mutiny was in the
open now, for sure.
I kept going, hearing more shouting. I was sure the men I had seen were
heading for Power and Control. They'd get a surprise. I hoped I could
beat them to the draw at Missiles, too.
As I came out in B corridor, twenty feet from Missiles, I saw that I had
cut it a bit fine. Three men, crawling, were frantically striving
against the multi-gee field to reach the door before me. Their faces
were running with sweat, purple with exertion.
I had a slight lead; it was too late to make a check inside before
locking up. The best I could hope for was to lock the door before they
reached it.
I drew my Browning and started for the door. They saw me and one reached
for his needler.
"Don't try it," I called. I concentrated on the door, reached it, swung
it closed, and as I threw in the lock a needler cracked. I whirled and
fired. The man in the rear had stopped and aimed as the other two came
on. He folded. The other two kept coming.
I was tired. I wanted a rest. "You're too late," I said. "No one but the
Captain goes in there now." I stopped talking, panting. I had to rest.
The two came on. I wondered why they struggled so desperately after they
were beaten. My thinking was slowing down.
I suddenly realized they might be holding me for the crowd to arrive. I
shuffled backwards towards the cross corridor. I barely made it. Two men
on a shuttle cart whirled around the corner a hundred feet aft. I
lurched into my shelter in a hail of needler fire. One of the tiny slugs
stung through my calf and ricocheted down the passage.
I called to the two I had raced; "Tell your boys if they ever want to
open that door, just see the Captain."