The day began with a series of speeches by YLC. He spoke more eloquently than he had yet, accusing Reenk Roink of being the last killer among the crew. Had he been in front of a crowd, the speeches might well have been called stirring, but there were only three men alone in a room. The words echoed off the walls, making YLC seem isolated, a man alone practicing a speech.

After he finished, he glared at Reenk Roink. But Reenk merely laughed and proceeded to casually dismiss all that YLC had said. And so the decision was at an impasse, and the final decision came to Seamus Fermanagh, as they had all known it would.

Earlier he had reviewed the ships logs and even now was looking at some notes. In his mind he weighed the probabilities and went with the one he deemed most likely, voting for YLC.

Hearing that, YLC became dejected and gave up his arguments. He retired to the side of the room, occasionally muttering. As the Captain walked in, he deduced that YLC had been chosen.

He turned to face YLC and told Reenk and Seamus to help him put YLC in the cryo-chamber. Together, the three formed a line facing YLC. Seeing this, YLC stood up straighter and shifted his feet.

“It is not me! Reenk is the one! Has he controlled all your minds? Why are you doing this? Am I the only one left on this ship who is not a lover of the old tyranny?” demanded YLC, yelling and beginning to sweat. He looked at the three men approaching him nervously, his eyes shifting rapidly between them.

“Don’t fight it, YLC, it’s over,” said the Captain. The three men continued to cautiously make their way to YLC. He was shifting his weight, turning rapidly to face each of his opponents.

Finally the three were but a step away from YLC, and Reenk and Seamus reached out and grabbed his arms. YLC tried to pull his arms away, but the grip was firm and he gave up quickly. Then the men holding YLC shifted position to begin to lead him to the cryo-chamber.

Seeing the cryo-chamber in front of him, YLC again began talking, “Guys, it’s not me, you’ve got the wrong man. I’ve been framed, set up by the killers, like a puppet. Can’t you see? Can’t you see this? Why can’t you guys see? Why are you blind?”

With each word he was closer to the cryo-chamber. He did not walk calmly along, but tried to stop from being pulled forward. It was a futile effort. The men holding him were determined, though nervous beyond belief.

Soon half the distance had been crossed, and YLC continued to talk, “This is a mistake! I love this ship, I love our mission! I’ve cared for this ship, I’ve shed my blood and sweat for it! How can you be doing this to me?!”

They were almost to the cryo-chamber now. The lid was open. YLC began to put more effort into stopping his forward movement.

All of his earlier eloquence was gone, his words had become slurred together, “It’s not me!” he screamed, “I’m not the killer! It’s Reenk! Reenk’s the killer, and he’s framed me! He’s playing you all! Why can’t you see that?” YLC’s face was red, and he began to actively fight being thrown into the cryo-chamber. The huddle of men was only a few feet from the chamber, and the men holding YLC tightened their grips and began using all the force they could to push YLC in.

They had managed to pin his upper body in the chamber when YLC gave one last primal roar and surged out of the chamber. He tore loose his arm from Seamus and brought it to bear on Reenk, trying to strangle him. Reenk temporarily slacked his own grip on YLC’s other arm, which YLC took advantage of to begin to strangle Reenk with both hands. Reenk gasped for breath, struggling to tear YLC’s hands from his throat.

The Captain and Seamus both flung themselves on YLC, wrestling him into the chamber and helping to pry his hands off Reenk. But YLC was not through; he began kicking out even as his upper body was stuffed into the chamber. Finally, though, Reenk, Seamus, and the Captain had securely shut the lid over YLC.

His body was contorted under the lid and they could still see him yelling. The three men left on The Prometheus each panted for breath after the struggle. Seamus was bent over trying to regain his breath as Reenk held his throat and the Captain backed a few paces back.

For a moment, no one spoke. The ship was filled with an odd silence, leaving each man to his thoughts. Had they succeeded? Had they finally vanquished the tyrannical threat?

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to be continued very shortly...