I'd reckon they were too bored and tired of merely existing without anything to do they welcomed death with open hands. The less people they needed to see die before them, the better.
Hmmm. That is a valid point. I could've written that bit differently;
"Theres enough food for all of us to make it for another 3 days-" Ken produced a pistol from behind his back. "Or for 2 of us to make it for 2 months." He fired a round into one of the men, killing him on spot, to settle the crowd. "We shall have a trial by combat." He fired once again, killing another male. "And seeing as nobody can fly the ship but me, there is only one spot left. The female position."
Thanks for the idea! I might rewrite it for "Bits of Dread Vol. II" ;)