Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction

Gate, that most of 'em decide to go to hell where the devil is offering
free housing with heat and hot water."
"Oh, well, in that case, I think the first thing I'd do is monkey
with the air supply," Jan said, moving the view to the main
reprocessor. "It's the most vulnerable part of the ship that can take
out the crew quickly without doing any damage to the ship itself.
There must be a dozen ways I could bugger it. I could dump it, stop
circulation, drop oxygen content, raise carbon dioxide levels,
introduce a poison gas, or ..." she moved back to the rear of the unit,
"... convince the fire safety array that there's a major flash fire on all
decks, and suffocate everyone."
"Good," Erica replied, nodding. "Pretty much the same answers I
came up with. Then what happens?"
"I'd need some help," Jan said, changing to a section view and
highlighting the bridge and engineering. "Couple of gunsels on the
bridge with me, three more in engineering, at least. Those sections
will seal off and go on their own air supplies as soon as the security
system triggers. Maybe a couple more bad-guys in gas-masks
roaming the corridors to keep the peace."
"OK," Erica said, "so how do you convince the crew to ram the
planet?"
"I'm just a really mean sumbitch," Jan countered, "plus I put
extract of neutered pussycat into the coffee, which makes everyone
extra special scared and cooperative. Actually made the coffee taste
better, so they drank lots of it."
"Mmmm, creative move, that," Erica admitted, taking the
computer back and pressing a code into the keyboard. There was a
muffled whump, and the image shook slightly. "But just a little too
late. New trick we're considering installing. Before the drug takes
full effect, someone in engineering summons up enough testosterone
to punch in a code that sets off a charge in the main fuel control
assemblies. The c-prime system is dead as a doornail, and can't be
repaired without returning to Earth. Which, of course, we can't do
without a c-prime engine. Whatcha gonna do now, Miss Smarty
Pants?"
Jan took the computer and moved the view back to the engines.
Erica was right, the damage was beyond repair. "Ooh, that makes me
mad. Guess I'll just have to kill everyone."
"Hmm, guess I've changed my mind. You're hired again. Here's
the scoop: we've been taken over by armed hijackers who've taken
the bridge and engineering. We've blown the engines to protect
Earth, and now they're really mad. You're so grateful to have your
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