After breakfast was over and the klaxon sounded to announce room inspection was fast approaching, the tables emptied so the kitchen staff could miserably clean and collect the dishes. Solomon lead his men down the grey concrete and metal corridors leading to the dormitory sector, a thin blue line on the walls showed the men where they needed to go. The grey concrete wall had various colours on its wall with coloured arrows leading where the colours directed.
Base Superior was designated for housing a docked ships entire crew and compliment, it was currently playing host to The Evergreen's crew and soldiers.
A young man marched quickly until he was shoulder to shoulder with Solomon. His baby-ish face, with short mousey brown hair and a pale complexion, hinting at a sheltered life. Solomon knew this man as the soldier who threw the lump of corn bread at brute Captain Deeph. "Nice shot" Solomon whispered so only the young man could here, "Don't let me catch you again. Because, if I can catch you, then Captain Deeph certainly can, and do worse." the boy's smile slowly fell as it held a hint of shame as he tried to explain and constantly returning to "It was just a bit of fun, sir..." upon entering the Dormitories of the First Company, First Platoon, Solomon stood to the side of the metal door, seeing all his men in, giving them each a stern look. Solomon had kept the joker soldier at his side. As the last man marched into the room, Solomon spoke to the young man. "Third day in the platoon, and you're already throwing stale bread at the Captain of the Second Company... this will not happen again. Do you understand, Private Decius?" Decius nodded in understanding, as he turned away to enter the room, he heard the Lieutenant Commander in a low voice "Good lad." followed by a soft chuckle. Minutes later, Solomon entered the dormitory flanked by Commander Kyril Sinderman and another Officer, his face slim and gaunt. His cheek bones very defined and his eyes almost sinking into his skull, his bland grey uniform neat and crease free, looking brand new and never worn. Solomon immediately picked up on the tension in the room, as he felt it himself as soon as he realised who was inspecting his dormitory as he saw him approach with Sindermann. He knew of this man, knew of the feud between him and Kyril. His name badge read "Command Advisor T. Winslow" as the man slowly skulked down the central corridor in the middle of the room, sniffing pompously as he proceeded, the soldiers stood to attention at the side of their own perfect white cots. Barely casting an eye on the soldiers, Winslow kept a stern face, his lips pursed together as he walked as if in a constant but bearable pain. Finally reaching the end, the Command Advisor spoke, his voice cold and chilling the souls of each soldier. Solomon saw Decius shudder as the advisor's words passed thorough him.
"These cots are far too clean. This will not do, no. you are all to receive half rations for two weeks and not dine with the base." Said the Advisor coldly "Are your men spending their nights in other soldiers' cots, Solomon?" Winslow shrewdly asked, the lieutenant face gave no emotion to the insult of his men as he stood proud. To share cots was strictly forbidden and did have harsh consequences.
Kyril cleared his throat and gave Winslow the response.
"I don't think so, sir. Perhaps you ask because you'd like one or two of them in yours with you?, perhaps that strapping one at the end, there?"
"How dare you! Do you have any -"
"I do, Terry. And your mother, rest her soul, will not be pleased to see how you press your grievances on to people who do not require, nor deserve it."
Advisor Winslow stood with his jaw twitching and his scrawny hands clenched into fists at his side. Solomon was preparing to break up a fight, but his men watched with widespread fear, waiting to see if their punishments will be removed or made worse.
"General Ken will hear of your insolence, Commander Captain, Kyril!" spat the advisor.
"Yes, Terry... he will. In fact, he is watching us, right this very moment. See that little camera, up in that, there corner?"
Kyril had moved his arms from behind is back and was pointing to a Camera in the far corner of the room and continued. "Even has a microphone in, that one. I dare say, great stuff this technology. So, shall we forget about the conversation and punishments, then?"
Advisor Winslow glared through furious dead eyes. His pale face tight with anger, as his sadistic mind calculated the path forward. To severely punish the soldiers now as an example would be too easy. After long seconds of the men holding their breath and silence, Winslow smiled and slowly walked through the room and into the corridor humming an oddly delightful tune for someone so cold and calculated. The unease was clear on the faces of all in the room, how could somebody be so hateful, and then switch it off, just like that?
As the day went on, Solomon polished his boots idly, taking his time, occasionally brushing the rough palm of his hand across the soft leather, making sure it was smooth, glancing up on the clock that hung down from the middle of the room, it's worn circular face, scratched from the many years of soldiers throwing small objects towards it when the time for unwanted training or tedious inspections approached. Its scarred face read five minutes to one, Solomon got to his feet with a sudden excitement, his mind began preparing itself for the briefing with the young Miss Ken. Solomon had been in the military for eleven years almost, he enlisted on his sixteenth birthday, although holding a high rank within the Division and ship, Solomon was Second-In-Command of The Evergreen, Kyril Sinderman held the command and this was the first time he had been personally assigned a V.I.P. before Sinderman. Solomon had been assigned V.I.P's plenty in his time in the division, generally babysitting duties, given to him by Commander Kyril after he had been assigned them himself. Kyril despised looking after V.I.P.'s. 'they get in the way, and judge too quickly on subject they have no knowledge of'' are his exact words when he hands them over to Solomon.