The Phoenix Conspiracy

by Richard Sanders

  ***

  “We’ve captured engineering,” Erdene reported over the comm.

  “Good,” said the major. “Send in the replacement officers and shutdown the engines. When you’ve overseen that, leave some soldiers from ODB to stand watch. Once we have control of the bridge, we’ll correct the course to … what was it?” He looked to Summers.

  “Xerxes System.”

  “Right, Xerxes System. Then we’ll power up the engines again but not before.”

  “Yes, sir,” the soldier said.

  The major closed the comm and let out a sigh. “Am I correct in assuming the ship’s course cannot be changed from engineering directly?”

  “You are,” said Summers from the other side of the desk. “As for these replacement engineers, how do you know they won’t sympathize with Calvin?”

  “They won’t, because the soldiers with guns won’t let them.”

  “And the captives?” asked Summers.

  “They’ll be processed here at HQ. Where we’ll decide who to detain and who to return to duty.”