>>5932844Calm down, put that derringer back into the holster. You can't shoot your way out of this, there's five of them to one of you. You take a quick glance at your digital wristwatch. 23:24. So you have only dozed off for an hour or so.
First thing first, call Silas. Before you can even pick up the transmitter, the voicetube bursts with profanities, “Do you hear me, you sonofabitch? I will fucking impale you.” Shit, he sounds angry. “Sorry, sorry, I'm here, what's the problem?” On second thought, it doesn't seem aimed at you. “Oh thank god, I thought you were already done for. Never mind all that, then." No, definitely not. Those men outside just narrowly escaped death.
"A group of five, maybe more, is heading towards your cabin. I already pinged Ludlow, just buy him some time to bring the cavalry over." You don't know Ludlow, your chief of security, as well as you would like, but it is obvious the man has a short fuse. And these spacers are jumpy. If he comes in guns blazing, you and Salzar will leave this room in L-bags.
“No, tell him to stand down. Wait, scratch that, have him and his men stay off the main corridor as much as they can. And keep a low profile.” Unlike Silas' nook, yours has to remain close to the bridge, right next to a large hallway. The traffic is annoying usually, but for once you thank it for helping Ludlow's boys blend in.
“Yes, I will relay your orders ASAP. Also, do you want me to come as well?” Well, a potential mutiny does sound like a good reason to abandon your post. “Yes, it will be good to have you here. Ludlow has a rather itchy trigger finger.” Silas bellows some half-intelligible orders to a hapless ensign. “Just keep the door shut tight and hang on. Over and out.”
23:26. Silas will get here in two minutes. Lucky he kept his cool and hadn't done so already. Ludlow should be ready in no more than ten. You would know, this was the first scenario he (literally) whipped his recruits into mastering right after you left port. Even so, it would be better if you can defuse this somehow.
What is your leverage against these men? Threats won't do, they had enough courage to come here, they will have enough courage to stay here. But appealing to their natural urge to protect the fairer sex might just work. Not to mention you had a reputation for being an airhead. Had, because you're unsure how much of it survives the public announcement. Well, you can still act the part of foolish girl getting in way over her head.
To do this, you have to appear harmless. Or even better, unaware of your own harmlessness, like housecat playing tiger. You quickly undress and wet your hair and face in the bathroom sink. After wrapping yourself in the largest towel you can find, you hastily throw on your uniform shirt and cap. Only a foolish girl would think that half-worn uniform is a sign of authority.
