Sgt. Stauch stood vigil outside the Commander's quarters tormented by dark premonitions. The incident on the bridge had alerted him to the fact that the situation between Reed
and Mr. Schultz, both currently within the room he was guarding, was escalating. He was also painfully aware that he would soon be called upon to dispatch the later of the two.
Inside, the two senior officers eyed each other warily.
"You shouldn't have mentioned Alpha-9, Schultz.", Reed said cooly, "I always told you that your mouth would get you into trouble."
Schultz cocked an eyebrow, "It matters little, Commander", he said simply, "because I'm taking command of the ship."
Reed smiled a dark loathsome grin, "I don't think so, Mr. Schultz."
"It's clear you are in no shape to command, Mark", Schultz continued calmly, "and only I know the reason why."
"You know nothing!", Reed snarled.
"On the contrary.", Schultz corrected, "I know everything. I know why you are acting strangely, why you jeopardized this ship and its crew to retrieve Lt. Scott, and most interestingly, I know why
you have sanctioned my death."
Reed gaped, startled by the Huckster's statement. "How do you know about that?!?", he demanded.
"It's all quite simple, Commander.", Schultz went on, "I hold the key to this particular mystery. Information that could jeopardize your career, not to mention your relationship with the young Lieutenant."
He paused for effect. "If I die, this toxic information dies with me."
Reed rose from his seat. He'd drawn his plasma cannon and now had it leveled at Schultz's bulbous head. "Not IF you die, Mr. Schultz, but WHEN."
Schultz stood, keeping his hands in view. "This will solve nothing, Commander."
"Wrong Schultz.", he growled with insane glee, "This solves everything."
"There's still Mr. Jeffy to consider.", Schultz reminded him.
Reed laughed, the sound cold and dead, "Jeffy has trouble remembering his name. He doesn't even recall Alpha-9."
"But he may remember in time.", Schultz argued.
"I'll deal with him if, and when, that time comes, but for now", Reed said taking aim, "one dead Huckster ought to do the trick."
