Chereads / The Evergreen Files; Banshee / Chapter 17 - Part 17

Chapter 17 - Part 17

Successful Warp Travel was smooth, even when the ships jumped together in formation. Solomon raised himself from his command chair, feeling only slight vibrations in the panelling of the floor. "Sir, requesting to get a full briefing from Miss Ken." said Solomon as he straightened himself up, "I have the Bridge." replied Kyril, Solomon knew this meant he was allowed to leave the room, so he did, with a clear mind, ready for the tasks ahead. The half hour meeting was just so Solomon could escape the bridge for a little bit before the Captains meeting took place, this was a full briefing.

Space Travel was dangerous, and Warp Travel was the fastest way to travel between spots, however, spend too much time in warp travel, the ship's vibrations become more erratic from travelling at such speed and the ship could tear itself apart. So, Jump Routes are established. These routes are mapped at points in space considered to be safe for a ship to speed through the void without smashing into any floaty rocks and come out of warp travel. The ship will travel to this designated point where it will perform checks upon its hull and systems and re-enter warp travel. The trouble was, if you fly into a football sized floating rock at full speed, it will do more than dent your lovely paint work. If you fly into a floating rock at warp speed, however small, it will tear an extremely inconvenient hole in your ship. The Merriden Expedition has thirty-three Jump Routes assigned. Each one within safe reach of the ships capability. Each jump was scheduled to last eleven hours with a thirteen hour rest to perform checks and maintenance.

Solomon made his way down once again to the Research Library to find Sandra. Much to his surprise he found the research area only populated by three balding scientists and two children playing on the data consoles. Solomon exited the library and began walking down to corridor and called out "Eve, where is Miss Ken?" after a few seconds of nothing but Solomon's boots hitting the ground; Eve replied. "Miss Ken is visiting the medical bay, sir." Solomon thanked her and made his way through the familiar metal corridors towards her location.

Upon entering, Solomon found himself in a rather strange scene. Lyra, had gathered around the white bed of a civilian who's head had been bandaged and with Doctor Frederick and Sandra. Sandra and the Doctor had their backs to Solomon, and Lyra's smooth blissful smile could be seen over their heads, the patient was also smiling. Sandra let out a cheer and began dancing giddily. Solomon edged around the crowd quietly for a closer look. Over the doctors' shoulder, Solomon instantly knew what they were up to. "Poker? Three card, or Texas hold 'em?" he asked broadly, making every player jump out of their skin, the patient winced in pain holding his now throbbing head. The doctor began apologising as he scuttled over to his desk and began ruffling paperwork, tidying his belongings and straightening his olive uniform under his white coat, Lyra simply stood hunched over, resting her head onto her hand, supported by the bed, smiling towards Solomon through wanting eyes. Sandra looked nervously from the chips she had just won, to Solomon, to Lyra, to the patient and back to Solomon. She opened her mouth to speak but decided against it. "Well then?" asked Solomon professionally. Lyra gazed into Solomon, not noticing his question, Sandra's mind began racing as she expected a scolding for playing poker whilst on duty. "Are you going to take your winnings then? Or, am I going to have to confiscate them?" finished Solomon taking out his hand, and taking a chip worth 50 credits. "A bribe is required, I think. I won't tell if you don't." smiled Solomon. Sandra sighed in relief as the doctor still flustered, re-arranged his desk to make himself busy until Solomon had left. Lyra raised herself to full height as Solomon made his way to the door, still smiling pleasantly at him, folding her arms, and holding herself in an alluring fashion. "A tip for your favourite Nurse, L.C.?" she said softly, holding out her soft silky hand, her smile widening. Solomon turned from the entrance door and one smooth motion took the chip from his pocket and casually flicked it high in the air, landing perfectly aimed inside her out stretch palm.

Solomon waited outside in the metal corridor grinning as Sandra gathered her winnings together. Once she had emerged from the bright medical room, Solomon and Sandra walked down through the ships never ending corridors discussing the creatures and the environment of Merriden IV, Solomon's mind wasn't really focused on the topic at hand at all. His mind was wondering back to the medical bay and over to Lyra. The vibrations in the floors had become slightly more noticeable after three hours, just above a tremor. Solomon and Sandra sat opposite each other in the library. Sandra sat in her usual chair at the middle table's middle console, typing away and occasionally talking about a creature she found particularly interesting, Solomon sat with his nose in the black book he rented the other day, only breaking away when Sandra spoke. This meeting was the easiest meeting Solomon had ever had, he was reading a personal book and listening to Sandra, taking notes when she spoke. "Basically, the Banshee's are an enigma." explained Sandra, "They turned up about a year or so ago, just out of nowhere, and started stalking people, eventually the Gryph made them officially extinct about six months later... but there is an advisory in the details." Solomon pulled a face of distaste,

"An advisory on an extinct animal that hasn't been seen in six months? Isn't six months a little eager to label something extinct?"

"Oh yes, it states, 'be advised, this creature is officially extinct, however, it is considered highly dangerous and is thought by many to still have a hidden habitat unnoticed and not destroyed in the purge of this creature.' strange, as if they have already turned it in to myth and an old wifes tale."

After another two hours Solomon and Sandra left the library, following the blue arrows and said goodbye as they closed in towards the sleeping quarters. Solomon approached his cold metal door, standing at the frame thinking for a moment, he suddenly remembered, he owed Jake a bottle of Krit for covering the remaining of his shift. Solomon swore softly to himself and called for Eve. "Inform Captain Syn, that I will have that bottle with him tomorrow, please." and Solomon entered his room, loosened his combat pants, threw his olive jacket over a small string chair in the corner, before throwing himself onto his wall sunken bed and draping himself in the quilt and dropping off into a resting sleep.