Unbroken Curiosity

Chapter 9: The Mutiny

Persicla Burke

It was always a sight to see. Space and time warped in and around itself as the Unbroken Curiosity travelled millions of lightyears in a few seconds. To inexperienced travellers, shooting through a M.A.G. would make one sick, but Burke had spent 20 years serving onboard warships. In her lifetime, the only certainty was the uncertainty of space. It put her at ease, even after the past few day's events.

The Curiosity popped out in another galaxy. Above the ship, the giant superstructure of another Mass Acceleration Gate lingered. "We. Have. Arrived." The robot announced. It stood close by, like always. Burke could only roll her eyes. She hated working with the Sentinel, yet, she had grown to tolerate it.

"How long before we reach the next M.A.G.?" She inquired.

"Six. Hours."

"Great." She sighed. 6 hours to the next M.A.G. Four days to Hen-Sal. Another two weeks, then we are back at Sanctuary... Burke yawned. She had not slept for almost two days, and Energizers only kept one awake for so long. Except for A.E.U., the bridge was empty. Soon the Skeleton Crew would arrive and take over. "Will you be fine if I leave?"

A.E.U. nodded. "I. Will. Call. You. If. There. Is. A. Problem." Its last words were cut off. Behind them, the door to the bridge opened, and a soldier dressed in blue armour entered. An Erothh soldier.

"Where is the Captain?" The soldier asked.

"In the Med-Bay," Burke answered. The soldier nodded. Then, two more soldiers appeared. They wore green armour. Grisom soldiers. Burke noted their weapons: Assault Rifles and Shotguns. It was not uncommon for a member of Grisom to wield guns like that, but Erothh Company soldiers were not permitted to have one on them unless the Captain said otherwise. Burke stared into their eyes . She did not like what she saw. Neither did A.E.U.

"I. Would. Ask. You. To. Reconsider. This. Course. Of. Action." It said in its monotone voice. The soldiers looked at one another and then aimed their weapons at the robot. They opened fire in the blink of an eye. Burke dropped to the floor. The rounds hit the robot's shields. A bright blue sphere became visible around it as A.E.U. moved towards the mutineers, wordless and effortlessly. He disappeared from her view.

Quickly, Burke touched her communicator and shouted over the deafening sound of gunfire: "Call the Captain and Commander."

From the door came a shout. "You son of." Another shout. Then came screams for assistance that died down when the bridge door slammed shut. The gunfire stopped. The call went through. Burke did not know who answered. She only called out: "Mutiny." Before the call cut out. Burke forced herself to stand. A.E.U. was sealing the door with a device that appeared at its wrist. The doorway was covered in blood. Slowly Burke moved towards the Sentinel. Two corpses lay on the floor. One's head was pushed together like a sandwich, and the other had a fist-sized hole in his chest.

Burke looked away, suppressing memories...Screams... Shouting...Death...

"Navigator." A.E.U. called. Its head was staring at her while the rest of its body moved to reinforce the door.

"Yes?"

"We. Must. Hurry. Towards. Hen-Sal. Waystation."

"We cannot hurry..." Four days to survive a mutiny. How many soldiers have turned? All of them? Some? Why now? What has changed?

"We. Can. Reach. The. Waystation. In. Two. Days. If. We. Slingshot. Around. Stars."

"No... We cannot. To Slingshot a ship of this size will damage it, maybe even destroy it."