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