This is Not a Drill

[Barrier]

Olhauzer checked the interface for what felt like the 20th time that morning. He really didn't want to be doing this, but orders from upstairs were basically the law this far out. He knew that if he tried to weasel out, submit another doctored report, or simply disappear, they'd send someone in-person next time around. And Olhauzer knew his dignity wouldn't survive that meeting.

He looked into the crummy full-length mirror, and adjusted his formal overalls one last time. Just as everything else on the station, the mirror seemed to be worn down with the weight of second-hand use. He looked himself in the eyes, and was shocked to see that the place seemed to be having the same effect on him, too. Surely he didn't have THAT much grey in his close-cropped beard? Where did that middle-aged up-and-comer disappear to?

He checked the interface again. The message did not change. It was time to go.

__

As he walked towards the main offloading dock with an 8-man cordon, Olhauzer started to realize that it was all too late. Because he couldn't bring himself to do the right thing when he took over, everything would go to shit, no matter what he did. He eyed one of the emergency access tunnels, and imagined the airlock at its terminus. He could still send CTS to round up the agitators, and... But that was a sure way to make it all burn now. Half a year ago, maybe.

The smell of rotting garbage and piss increased to the point of nausea, as the overrun recyclers failed to keep up in the main hall. The paint on one of the massive bulkhead walls was peeling again, revealing the ugly industrial alloy underneath, and Olhauzer couldn't tear his eyes away from it. Was that the same place as when he arrived? He would probably never know.

The people gathering for the occasion gave him unfriendly looks. Olhauzer tried to keep his head high, and meet the eyes of anyone who looked his way. But after the third "old-timer" spat to the side and grimaced, he decided not to further antagonize the crews. He noted that tell-tale blue-grey with yellow pips uniforms were few and far between in the crowd, and most were clustered towards to main exit towards to living spaces. It made sense, in a way. His people knew what was coming, and they wouldn't be affected, at least not directly. He arrived at the large shipping crate that would serve as his platform. One of the support staff, whatever her name was, had just finished setting up the gear, and immediately slunk away, eyes downcast. As Olhauser climbed the access hatch, the angry buzzing of the crowd mounted into a dull roar, like one of the supertransport engines on idle.

"I have just received a directive from Pittsburgh," Olhauzer began, his voice cracking on the last word. The crowd's noise fell to a low murmur, as the amplified voice cut through the din. "A directive that will work towards improving the quality of life on this here station!" He looked around before continuing.

"This begins with a number of administrative reforms, that all here will have a chance to contribute to. The profit and prosperity of this operation depends as much on the freighter captain as it does on the head of operations. And I aim to ensure that..." The volume was rising. He was losing them already, as he knew he would with this disaster of a speech. Olhauzer decided on one last throw of the dice.

"DECK THERE!" He shouted in his best approximation of his old chief engineer. That got some of their attention. "What I have here is a prepared document from home office, that I am to read out." He raised his compad for all to see. Then he tossed it behind him. THAT got their attention.

"Look here folks. I know things are going to shit. But all I'm trying to do is ensure that it doesn't get any worse."

"Then get the fuck outta here!" Someone from the crowd shouted, followed by a general laugh.

"Look, it's either me or some fucking hard-ass from Philadelphia! Do you know what went down there? Or Erie??" Olhauzer looked around pleadingly, noting that even some of his security were giving him the stink eye. "You know me already, for what it's worth. Why do you want to take that chance?"

The mood of the crowd balanced on an edge of a bad atmo pullout. Olhazuer noticed a man gesturing to his neighbor, another nodding thoughtfully, and many others looking back at him as if at a very large roach.

"I'm your last chance before the shareholders decide to have you ERASED from the ledger and start from scratch!!" He shouted, his rising anxiety giving his voice a squeaky undertone.

And then the ship dipped back in, and things went to shit.