After three days of sitting in the medical bay, watching some of the more fortunately wounded getting discharged, free to go back to their duties. Solomon longed to be in the armoury with his soldiers. That's when it hit him. How many had died? Only seven soldiers of the first company had been injured in the infirmary when he awoke, they had all been discharged now. How many had died? Who had saved him?
Kyril had come in to visit here and there, never staying for long, and never had much to say. Sometimes he seemed to talk privately with the doctor than Solomon. He was always very talented at avoiding questions. "All is well, Sol" was all he would say before smiling and leaving Solomon alone with the medical staff again. Lyra had not come to visit him at all. Kyril did tease Solomon about the kiss, he deeply regretted it. "Not the best situation, mate. I'd of got her a pint of beer first, not screamed like a lunatic, but that's just me, I'm old fashioned." smiled Kyril.
On the sixth day, the doors opened once more and a woman from the second company was discharged, she had been bitten by a strange insect that forced her into a cardiac arrest. The bright white walls, seemed darker and duller than ever. 'just a bit of colour would be nice.' thought Solomon with a deep sad sigh, he fell back into the fluffy hospital bed pillow with his eyes closed and tried to remember the beach; before it turned depressing and hostile, of course. Solomon heard the slight footsteps of someone approaching his bed, another doctor, here for more damn blood no doubt! Solomon silently cursed the tests he had to endure and purposefully ignored the figure coming to the side of his bed. "Could do with a little bit of colour, couldn't it, this place? Oh well... poker?" said Lyra as she pulled up a chair next to Solomon. A little flustered, Solomon played a hand with her, casting a nervous smile in Lyra's direction only to be met with a steely gaze of a professional nurse. Her white uniform looked loose on her, she hadn't been sleeping well either. Her arm no longer supported the ugly sling, but he could tell her posture was effected by the still hurting ribs.
After half an hour, Lyra packed the cards away and stood up, casually looking around the medical room. Straightened her white tunic and removed her torch pen. "Okay Lieutenant Gordon, let me see into your soul." she said with a smile as she pinned back his eye lids and blinded him with the light. She smelled so good! Solomon cursed her beauty, he cursed his baboon blundering, making himself a fool and kissing her! Her scent was of a sea breeze, that danced over the shore, bringing with it a hint of lavender, he could almost see the clear blue skies with her smell. "Solomon..." said Lyra as she clicked the light off. "You should not kiss a woman like that." she commanded rather sternly, Solomon's light mood quickly sank to the depths. "you kiss her like this." she said softly and she smoothly moved her head in to kiss him. Her lips felt like soft silk, no friction was to be found upon their perfect surface. Solomon felt that the sensations could never be explained by mere mortal stupid words. Solomon felt as if all the problems in all the worlds had vanished, nothing evil existed any more, and never will again. After a few seconds Lyra pulled away with a cheeky wink and started to walk off, before turning on her heel to face Solomon once more, "oh, you're discharged, Lieutenant. you may go." she said with a dismissive wave.
Solomon stood at the armoury doors, gathering his thoughts. His head still ached from the fight with the crimson beasts. Decius had requested Solomon's presence at the Armoury to show 'something good we've found' were his exact words. Solomon placed his hand upon the cold metal door. The Armoury was deathly silent, trying to train his veteran ears to any noise that seeped from the usually boisterous room, the dread of the week long coma still lingered deep within his heart, the Banshees talons that never pierced his chest, still hurt. Taking a deep breath he entered his code and the doors slid open, what lay inside, took Solomon by surprise.
The Armoury was a basic room, filled with the smell of gun discharge and oil lubrication, with the often companion of sweat. Now the room was decorated with bright yellow and blue triangular banners, golden balloons littered the floor and a large red banner with golden writing was hung from the ceiling Welcome Back Lieutenant Commander! Was scribed upon its skin. Solomon was greeted with an explosion of voices crying out "Surprise!" and cheers echoed the corridors. The first squad was ready to receive Solomon first, whooping and cheering, Decius scuttled over to Solomon with a large pint of over-flowing pale amber ale. With a joyful smile, he patted Solomon's back and gave a crisp salute, that Solomon returned best he could, still trying to process the room. The entire first company was here along with most of the other company captains. Sandra sat with a large grin and a full pint of amber alcohol, she gave a small bow and raised her pint to him, flicking back her long hair and suppressed a smile as Decius walked over to her.