The next morning, Solomon walked on to the bridge yawning with a very large mug of strong morning coffee in his left hand and a check-list in his right. Walking tiredly over to the helmsman taking another great yawn, "Bring up today's schedule, please." said Solomon, taking a large gulp from his coffee, the first coffee was always the best, the most important. You can ruin a day with a bad first coffee. A large blue time table became visible on the helm screen, Solomon saw he had only one meeting today with the Captain Commander, the Captains of the Second and Third Company and was expected to be on duty until five that evening. Satisfied the day ahead was a complete bore, Solomon however felt utter bliss flowing through him as he glanced around the beautiful Command Bridge and through the thick view screen into the black void of space, smiling to himself, glad to be home again.
The day passed slowly to Solomon, and after several hours of commanding the Bridge sitting in his luxury chair, responding to the little needs and calls of his crew, Solomon had finally had enough of the room that he was earlier happy to be stuck in. "Eve" said Solomon. "Arrange a meeting with Miss Ken for after my meeting, I want to give her an official briefing on her assignment."
"Yes Lieutenant Commander, I shall inform Miss Ken, right away."
The entrance door of the bridge hissed open and Solomon spun in his chair to see whom had entered, to see Captain of the Second Company and the Captain of the Third Company walking in. Captain Allan Tricks walked through the threshold with the monstrous Captain Lucius Deeph towering behind him, his face vague and thuggish as Allan scuttled like in insect in his way. Both marched into the Commanding Captains conference room holding datapads. Solomon looked at his watch and saw the meeting was fifteen minutes away and began to gather his coffee mug and own datapad. As Solomon waited, standing by his chair, casually discussing the aspect of Merriden IV with the Junior Helmsman the entrance door opened again and Jake Syn entered the room. the misleadingly young captain of the seventh company, although at the age of twenty four, his face featured the very theatre of war, deep lines etched into his skin, his eyes old and tired, his skull a mixture of scars and tattoos. An intimidating view of black images and faded colours drew judgement away from the idea that Captain Syn is indeed a nice enough chap. Before he was assigned to The Evergreen Seventh Company and awarded his Captaincy, Jake served in the Luna Marines and was involved in most of the conflicts of the Luna Rebellion two years ago. That is the conflict that aged the young soldier. Jake has never spoken much about the Rebellion – only what unit he was in and that he was, in fact there. "Lieutenant Commander. I am here to relieve you, sir." said Jake in his usually hoarse tone that made him sound as if he was always on the brink of losing his voice.
"Thank you, Captain." nodded Solomon. "After this meeting, I have a brief with Miss Ken. Shouldn't take more than half an hour. Would you be able to hold the Bridge until then?"
Jake hesitated.
"There will be a bottle of Krit in it for you." said Solomon with a tempting tone.
Jake considered this with delight and nodded. Krit is his favourite alcohol.
Solomon entered the Captains Conference Room and joined the meeting.
Commanding Captain Sinderman stood at the head of the table, flanked on both sides of the oak table by six pale blue but solid looking ghostly figures of the other vessel captains, and one clearly unwanted ghostly spectator. Solomon could make out the gaunt features of Advisor Winslow standing next to the figure of Captain Hyphon, who did not look best pleased with this sudden assignment of such a cockroach on his ship. Solomon could also see the plump features of Captain Gee who seemed oddly pleased with himself. "Captains." said Kyril in a professional commanding tone. "..and Advisor... We are awaiting final check completion from The Judgement, Captain Hyphon, how long do you expect this will take?"
Errol Hyphon looked up broodingly at Kyril and opened his ghostly mouth to speak but was cut off by the ever foul Advisor.
"My Ship, Captain Sinderman, will be ready within the hour, I am taking every joy of getting to know my new toy. We will make way when I am ready." said Advisor Winslow pompously. Kyril turned his head slowly to the gaunt features of Winslow, with a fury set upon his once smooth face. "If I asked you a question Terry, I was not aware. I spoke to Captain Hyphon. The Assigned Commanding Captain of The Judgement. I am well aware that you outrank the good Captain on the ground, but here, I am Commander of this expedition. I am the equivalent of every religions God. I will have either, your cooperation and acting in a professional military fashion, or, I will have you in the Airlock." said Kyril through clenched teeth. "Do you understand me, Advisor." he added.
Winslow Remained Silent.
"We shall be ready within the hour Captain. We will be ready to make way soon." said Captain Hyphon hastily and uncertainly. His eyes could be seen darting to their right as he spoke, probably casting a glare at Winslow who shared the Judgement's Bridge with him.