Within the hour Solomon had spoken to the other six captains of the voyage, all of which gave their opinions on how they should fix his ship and fix his crew. One of the Captains, Captain Hyphon, Commander of The Judgement had even suggested they make voyage without The Evergreen. He was instantly shot down by the others. "We should wait! It won't take them that long!" spat Captain Gee of The Infinity. Seven ships are to make voyage into the traitorous paths of space towards the Merriden system, a thirty-three-day haul through the void of unknown dangers. Solomon knew they would need every ship they could get, to safely make it to the Merriden system. Rogues and Pirates make small convoys of vessels easy targets for their blood thirst. Solomon understood the reasons for staying, but he couldn't help but feel selfish, he wanted to just leave with them if they'd let him, but he couldn't leave The Evergreen. He quickly dismissed the selfish thoughts, it would be like cheating on a true love, like burning your own home. Unspeakable.
A new sun had risen since the Evergreen had been grounded. Solomon awoke in a foul mood; he could still feel the annoyance towards Decius for tampering with his beautiful ship. It was the swelling hatred in his brain that prompted him to visit Decius in the brig. Automatically directing himself through the complex maze of metal corridors of the Evergreen, Solomon finally reached the Brig doors. He stood at the face of the door, breathing heavily. He hadn't received permission to see Decius, in fact he hadn't asked. It was his soldier, basically as far as the military was concerned, Decius was Solomon's property, metaphorically speaking. "SolGord-one-one-three-one" he uttered to the door, but it didn't open, but instead gave a deep beep of unconformity.
"Eve. Why isn't my code working?"
"I'm sorry, sir. I have been given strict instructions to not allow any person access to Private Decius."
"Eve..."
"I'm sorry Solomon. This order comes from High Advisor T. Winslow, and frankly, and unfortunately, he outranks you whilst we are still on site at Base Superior, sir."
"Eve, I'm sorry, but I'm bypassing your circuits, I know I said I wouldn't do it again after that last time, but I need this. Inform Captain Sinderman of my actions if you must"
Eve fell silent as Solomon removed the silvery metal panel at the side of the silver door frame. His fingers shifting wires as he searched for the correct terminals on the correct circuit board. after a minute of poking and pulling, the door slide opened with a satisfying hissing sound. Solomon got to his feet, grinning as his personal communicator opened.
"Solomon, what the hell's going on!?"
"Sorry, Captain. I need to see why my newest team member did this."
"Hold the phone... you just bypassed MY Eve... to talk to Decius?"
Solomon paused in his steps and answered slowly before continuing "...yes...sir.."
"Well, why didn't you ask Eve to open the damn door?"
"I did. She told me, she was under Strict instructions from High Advisor Winslow, not to allow any person to see the prisoner. And apparently, that idiot outranks me." Responded Solomon waiting a few seconds to add "Sir" at the end.
There was a tense moment of silence, Solomon continued to make his way through the brighter than usual corridor, his boots echoing with a thud against the hollow grill floor to the inner door and started to bypass that circuit board too. "Solomon!" Barked Captain Kyril over the headset "Stop bloody taking my ship apart! I'll open the sodding door for you myself!" Solomon ceased his actions as the inner door turned green and opened. "I'm on my way down to you. Do not dismantle anything else! It took nearly a week to put right last time you stuck your grubby fingers in my Eve!" came Captain Sindermans irritated voice over the radio.
Solomon squared himself up to Decius's cell door. The bars cold and solid, unwavering, and unyielding. Decius instantly stood with a salute to his commander. His eyes swollen and watery, his lip fat and quivering. Water streams could be seen carving their way through the dirt on the young man's smooth face.
Solomon stood like stone, deliberately not returning the salute of his soldier, this would always be seen as an insult to any person in the military. "Sir, I swear! It isn't me who's done this!" said Decius through fresh tears, Solomon stood firmer, watching the man break down into a sobbing mess onto the wet metal floor. Decius's whole body began to quiver as he started hyperventilating into his cupped hands. Solomon watched, trying to find a reason Decius would lie to him, but he didn't know Decius that well, in fact, he'd only formally met him not long before he threw bread at Deeph. If Decius had not done anything wrong, why would he lie about where he was? Solomon was deep in thought when he heard the inner door slide open and heavy feet make their way inside. "That was quick Captain" said Solomon over his shoulder but turned when he heard a very distinctive grunt. Lucius Deeph stood before him, the monstrously large man dressed in his constant combat armour of an olive combat pants and jacket, covered in a midnight blue armour chest plate. His eyes fixed on Solomon.
"Captain Deeph.... why are you here, may I ask?"
Lucius merely growled lightly and dismissively at the Lieutenant Commander as he passed and swiped his card over the Cells key-reader. The light changed from red to green with a beep. Of course, his bloody card would work, but the second in command of the damned ship and primary ground forces commanders wouldn't! "Lucius... what the hell are you doing?" asked Solomon hastily. Lucius Ignored his superior officer and entered the cell, pulling the tiny shivering prisoner from his corner that he had begun to cower in from the approaching beast. Lucius stood Decius in front of Solomon and growled into Decius's ear. "It's okay. Tell him where you were." Solomon was taken aback for a moment. "I...I... was fighting with Captain Deeph...he saw..." whimpered Decius but was cut off by the Inner Door sliding open once more. Captain Sinderman entered the room proudly, however surprised by the presence of Captain Deeph, and the whimpering prisoner, no longer in his sealed cell. A moment passed as all the men stared at Sinderman, and Sinderman stared back. "Well... this 'ought to be good..." he said resting a shoulder on the nearest wall, folding his arms, and raising his eyebrows.