The shattered edge

[Yuveraj Khan]

Razin's head swung back and forth, standing with his hands atop his head where a group of marines were keeping him and Captain Levesque covered under Khan's direct orders.

"The safety of this ship, and the concerns of the People's Government take priority," Khan stated, motioning to the two men under guard. "And unless someone has a better idea on how we can buy more time, I would like to hear it..."

"You are going to kill them," Razin insisted.

"Do you take me for a complete monster?" Khan rolled his eyes. "Honestly, have all of your brains leaked out of your ears? We have space suits aboard starships. Each with enough air to supply the crew long enough for us to find a counter to the alien swarm, and recover them. But this is why I am a commissar and you are mere fleet apes..." he tapped his forehead. "We actually think."

Razin felt his hands sink to his sides, "you're not just ordering them to die?"

Khan stared at Razin levelly. "Would you prefer it if I did? Captain Levesque, now that the little mutiny is rendered pointless, get a third of the crew rounded up, into eva gear and out the hatches, quick as you can now... and someone get me Captain Alvarez on the horn, I'd like to know what his brilliant idea is, because unless it's the miracle of prayer, I don't see how it's better than mine!"

---