Short Stories

---

Mutiny

Things that were brewing have come to a head. I had heard rumors that perplexed me, rumors I couldn't comprehend because it had never been done before. Never had it even been considered. It all seemed unlikely, impossible and suicidal. As I walked the corridors of the main building towards the conference room I felt uneasy in my soul. Lights flashed outside the hallway windows as attendees flew in from far away outposts. This meeting was mandatory. Groups were gathering all about me, heads bent together conspiring. We were all flowing towards the same room but when I neared they would separate, ceasing their conversations. Alliances were forming. The dividing line was being drawn. Teams were building, along with tension. Some of my old pals were involved in the plotting. They wouldn't talk to me now, we didn't see things the same way anymore. We were alienated. I never dreamed it would happen. There's still the chance they could sway their allegiances back to the Boss before it was to late. Hopefully that's want this upcoming meeting would accomplish, renewed cohesion.

The Rebel leader had organized several discreet meetings, recently. His following had grown, but it was smaller than the faithful by two thirds. He thought he could win more over to his side. It was time for a new management. The Boss made all the rules and it was time to vote him out, to form a democracy. Actually He intended to build a monarchy. It was his turn to be in charge. He lied to his audiences. They would only find out about their mistake when it was too late.

Rebel had been given every opportunity for contentment. He had been the Boss's right hand man with lots of authority. Apparently authority corrupts because He now felt like His plans for the organization were superior. Those in His take over scheme were preparing for a hard battle. The majority of us were peaceful and had never held a weapon.

I found the Boss, his son and their third partner, sitting together in the conference room. They didn't look worried but they did look concerned. They too, had hoped this would settle down. That the guys would realize their mistake before action was taken. The Boss had started it all, the organization, I mean. This was his baby, without him this fantastic construction company wouldn't have taken off the ground. He was responsible for creating works of art out of nothing. Boss had pulled us together out of thin air and produced a universe of wonderful masterpieces that are still on display in museums all over the world. How could Rebel dream He had the right to what wasn't his. How did he think he could do it better, he didn't possess the same talent. There isn't always strength in numbers. Boss had the real power on his side.

It was starting. I could hear the mob approaching. Boss ,his son and silent partner, stood up and faced the crowd. The faces that once shown beautiful and bright with admiration for Boss were now dulled and ugly. The Loyal congregated behind the trio. Thousands of us, we were greater in number twice over. There was us and "them", no neutrals. No fence sitters. Boss held up his hand to stay us from impulsive action. This was his battle. The opposition was against him only.

"What is it you want?" Boss asked Rebel. He already knew.
"It's my turn to be in charge. Step down peacefully or suffer the consequences."
"I'll give you one minute to reconsider your actions then I'll take action."
"It won't happen.” Rebel snarled. Where was his beauty? Everything about him was dark and unrecognizable now.
"Do any of you wish to change your minds?" Boss was definitely being fair as he questioned the mob. No one spoke up but ten walked over to our side, heads hanging. I smiled at them, relieved. Ten were better than none, that would be ten more for dinner. The loyals cheered loudly, hugging the lost sheep, so to speak.

We all took a deep breath of air. We had all been friends, partners, comrades. All loyalty now mutated into division and adversity. I wanted to cry, to run up to each of the remaining rebels and shake some sense into them but if Boss couldn't persuade them I would fail also. Rebel had been a great leader for the conspiracy. He had once been my best companion till he became discontented and ambitious, or should I say, greedy.

Boss stepped forward, holding his arm up to remind us to remain motionless.
"All right then!"

Thunder sounded outside. Lightening cracked through the windows, the building began to shake. We, the loyal, all looked at each other and backed up. This wasn't going to be good. Tears poured down my face, as I glanced about I saw many wet eyes. We were going to loose a lot of good amigos who'd gone sour.

The lights went out, the doors flew open and wind whipped inside simultaneously. The rebels clustered together and drew their weapons, long forks used for bailing hay, turning every which way, looking for a target to pierce in the darkness. They better get used to black outs and chaos. The wind zeroed in to the center of the room and tangled the rebels up lifting them like a ball of twisted yarn, pulling them out of sight.

The Loyals rushed to the window and watched the wind tunnel speed away with its heavy load. Away and away it flew, picking up speed and more mass from debris that got in its way. A single large object came into its path. We could see huge creatures walking about, eating grass, craning their necks and chewing on tree tops, butting each other with enormous horns, and fighting over or chewing on dead carcasses. They were living their lives unaware of the huge meteor that was forming and hurling in their direction. Suddenly they looked up at the sound of a sonic boom as the jumble of entwined bodies entered their atmosphere.

Bang. We all closed our eyes reflexively, then slowly opened one eye at a time. A huge black cloud hovered in the air and slowly dissipated,(over months) The air chilled from lack of sunlight began to warm slightly and we saw bodies strewn about the little planet, pitchforks that hadn't had a chance to be used littered the ground. Thousands of large green lizards lay motionless while smaller reptiles were gnawing on them, revenge was tasty. Tall furry, tusked animals were buried under sediment with grass still in their mouths, while tinier mammals huddled in pacts, peering out from under bushes. The explosion certainly didn't effect all equally. At least life would continue on the globe. Size didn't determine survival.

Rebel lay flat on his back, the air knocked out of him. Eventually he got to his feet and dusted himself off. His "buddies" began to regain consciousness. All hideous victims of major third degree burns, flaming red and contorted, no one recognized anyone. They were now aware they had made the wrong move. No longer unified in purpose they realized they had been beaten in one blow. Dissension was rampant and they all took different directions to avoid each other. Anarchy was going to reign for some time now. Look out World, you're under new management, thought Rebel. He boldly looked upward and shook his fists at the heavens, he was no longer able to soar beyond the gravitational pull of this bleak planet.

We all turned our attention back to Boss, who said,” Okay, guys, take a breather, It's going to take me a week to clean things up. Just sit back and watch!" Rolling up his sleeves he went to his drawing board. Son stared out the window, he knew what was in store for him.



Luke 10:18
Isaiah 14:12-17

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE