Execution

"We surrender!" Cried Ericka throwing down her rifle and taking off her helmet. The laser-fire ceased, and the advancing soldiers in grey held position, waiting Ericka and her compatriots to come out from behind cover.
Ericka's heart was pounding in her ear. When she and her security team engaged the boarding mercenaries, she'd been leading a squad of twelve. Now, all but three were dead, and they'd killed only four of the attackers. They were backed into a corner, and their foes were relentless. Surrender seemed their only chance at survival.
Ericka stood up, from behind cover and raised her hands.
"We surrender." She repeated. "All of us." She turned to her two living comrades.
Jill was the first to tentatively stand up, leaving her gun on the floor. She joined Ericka in removing her helmet, revealing her dark hair and glasses.
Isa was more reluctant. She stayed on one knee behind cover, showing no intent to move.
"Private..." Said Eicka in an urgent whisper. "...On your feet, we're surrendering."
Isa shifted, but didn't move to join them.
"...That's an order!"
Isa slowly laid down her gun, removed her helmet, and stood up.
"I want it on record," She said, walking next to the Jill, and slowly raising her hands, "That I do not consider this an advisable course of action."

In the minutes that followed, their hands were cuffed behind their backs by the boarding party. The woman in the grey hardsuit seemed to be in charge. She held a hushed conversation with her radio as the prisoners were restrained.
Ericka allowed herself to relax as the shackles closed. It was over. Her life was no longer at risk. Though the didn't relish the prospect of imprisonment, she knew now she'd have time to plan, bargain, escape or await rescue. 
"Um...c-captain..." came the hushed voice of Jill next to her. "What are they going to do with us?"
"They'll probably take us to some kind of holding facility." Ericka replied, her voice calm and measured. "We're prisoners now. There are conventions. Rules on what they're allowed to do to us."
Isa scoffed. "Tell me you're not that stupid. These aren't alliance troops, these are freelance mercs. They don't have rules. Our best case scenario involves getting tossed out at airlock."
"That isn't true!" Snapped Jill, before turning back to Ericka. "It isn't, right?"
"It isn't." Ericka replied, hoping to sound more certain than she felt.

...

They were marched in silence through the corridors of the ship, surrounded by the grey-suited mercenaries. It didn't take Ericka long to realise they were moving in the direction of the airlock.
"Where are we going?" She asked apprehensively.
"No talking." Was the only reply she got from the merc leader.
"How long will we be detained?"
"No talking."
"Do you have enough provisions for us on your ship?"
"What are the conditions of your holding facilities?"
"Will we be ransomed?"
"No talking."
"No talking."
"No talking."
Each time she got that response, Ericka grew more nervous, and the closer they got to the airlock, the louder Isa's words echoed in her head. Still, they marched, Ericka hoping the was wrong, Isa perfectly resigned, and Jill too terrified to disobey.
The reached the airlock, and the inner door was opened.
"Inside." Barked the woman in grey.
"...Why?" Asked Ericka. "Your ship is attached to the other..."
"Inside!" She repeated, her underlings raising their weapons. 
First Isa, then Ericka, and finally Jill entered the airlock and turned to face the inner door.
"Kneel." Came the next command. 
Isa did so immediately, with an expression that seemed to say Let's just get this over with.
Jill opened her mouth and closed it, trying and failing to speak. Her eyes were huge with fear, transfixed on the guns aimed at her. She slowly went to her knees with a quiet whimper.
"You can't do this!" Protested Ericka. "There are laws, rules of engagement, we surrendered! You ca..." She was interrupted by the butt of an assault rifle slamming into her belly. She doubled over, and the woman in grey pushed her to her knees.
As other mercs retreated outside the airlock, the woman in grey moved behind Jill, and drew her laser pistol.
"No..." Jill managed to squeak out, as the barrel pressed against the back of her neck. She gurgled as the red bolt of energy went through her throat, and she fell face-first to the floor.
"Told you so." Jibed Isa, joylessly to Ericka.
"Wait, you can't, just let me..." Ericka was cut off by the still hot barrel against the back of her neck. She screamed in terror, but it was cut short, and the gun fired once again. Ericka fell, gave a final piteous gurgle, and fell silent.
When it was her turn, Isa was comparatively dignified. She closed her eyes, winced slightly at the touch of the hot metal, but made no sound as she was shot, and slumped to the floor.
The woman in grey stepped out of the airlock, closed the inner door, and opened the outer one, sending the bodies out into the cold vacuum of space. They would freeze there, never to be found, never to be buried, never to be remembered or mourned.

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Text by Uncertatron Thank you so much, darling!

I take NO CREDIT for the subject matter, layout, theme, or any other creative aspect of this piece except for the costumes and character design. This is my rendition of a BEAUTIFUL piece done by the BRILLIANT eyeteeth . I'm not sorry for stealing inspiration from you, darling, because it was simply too lovely not to replicate. Hopefully the fact that I'm linking to the original piece by you that inspired this humble tribute will mollify whatever rancor you have at my imitating you: eyeteeth.deviantart.com/art/Ar…

I can't wait to hear what you think is happening in this image, darlings!
Kisses!
Eva