Marker by Geoffrey Baxter
Acrid smoke hung in the cold, sterile air as bright green blood began to form rivulets on the diamond plate floor. Her aim was true and this Raven would tell no tales. As the adrenaline began to wear off, she felt the shakes on the edge of her consciousness. She holstered her pistol and looked the Raven over. She almost retched at the smell. The smallish form, black as the deep, lay splayed out on the deck. There were no signs of life.
The ringing in her ears and the mental haze overpowered her radio. She finally realized that the bridge was trying to reach her. She composed herself and reported in. "Sizemore here. Raven's down and out."
"Good job, Randi. We're towing in the ship now," responded the Captain. "Let's wake everyone up. Break out the scanners."
"Aye, sir." Lance Corporal Randi Sizemore shook her head in vain. The ringing would be there for a few days. She sighed. They would be scanning the whole exterior of the ship, not an easy operation, and dangerous. She cursed. Randi got out a tarp, a mop and a bucket from a closet down the hall as the Captain opened a ship-wide channel.
"Attention all passengers and personnel, attention all passengers and personnel: We have a matter that requires your urgent attention. Please join me in the mess in five minutes. Repeat: the presence of all passengers and personnel is required in the mess in five minutes."
