“I see,” she said through gritted teeth. “Very well, if you want proper authority, I’ll get it! A call to General Blitzkrieg should settle this. I’d advise you all not to do anything rash until I get back.”
She started for the door, but was stopped short as Lieutenant Rembrandt’s voice shattered the sudden silence.
“All right! I want you all to bear witness to this! As of now, I’m using my authority to declare martial law!”
“What?” Battleax shrieked, any trace of poise or dignity slipping away at the outrage. “You can’t do that! No one in the Space Legion has ever-“
“I’ve done it,” Rembrandt returned grimly, “and it stands until someone overrules it. Someone with more available firepower than I have!”
“But …”
“Lieutenant Armstrong!” Rembrandt barked suddenly, turning her back on the colonel.
“Sir!”
“There is an unauthorized civilian interfering with our operation. Have her removed and held under guard until further notice.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Have you all gone-“
“Sergeant Brandy!”
“Got it, sir. Harry?”
“I’m on it, Top.”
The supply sergeant clicked his fingers and pointed. In response, one of the supply clerks tossed him a pump shotgun, which Harry plucked from the air. Against his bulk, the weapon looked almost like a toy.
Battleax, stood stunned, sweeping the entire room again with her eyes. This time, no one was smiling.
“You’re all really quite serious about this, aren’t you?” she said.
In answer, Chocolate Harry worked the slide of the shotgun he was holding, racking a live shell into the weapon’s chamber with a harsh sound that echoed in the room, and the weapon no longer looked like a toy.