Demise

[Boss]

Johnson never even saw the thing that ended his existence as a human being.

We were four, now. Soon to be six.

**************

Mason was in the stateroom. Two went to secure him, while two of us went after Jones. The lights in Mason's room go on, and we file in.

"Captain?" One of us speaks this to the sleeping form, which stirs and half-rises from the bed.

"Yes? What is it, Johnson?" The other of us pulls the door to, then steps to the side of the bed.

"Sir, we've had a...revelation, I suppose." He quirks an eyebrow, seeking more information. The other of us responds. "An enlightenment, if you will." "You would honor us by sharing it."

Mason nods slowly, uncomprehending, then he shakes his head.

**************

Jones was in engineering, keeping an eye on the cruise engine levels when ex-Hollis and ex-Mathers arrived. Mathers held a pipe wrench.

"Sir, wha..." was all he got out before the universe exploded. Shortly after, his mind followed his universe into oblivion.

**************

Something just didn't strike me right about Johnson and Stevens right then. I don't know what it was. Perhaps it was the way their eyes glinted in the dim lights. Perhaps I just had a sort of deja vu. Whatever it was, it made me uneasy. I sat up straighter, reached one hand under the pillow to find that my service pistol was now in Stevens' hand. Pointed at my head.

"What the hell is this, Stevens?" He smiled. Fired.