The Evergreen Files: Banshee; Book One
Chapter One

Two Years Later

Earth drifted through space upon its perfectly appointed axis, gliding around the sun, and twisting within itself, giving day and night to both sides. In the northern mountains of the United Kingdom, Base Superior rested its garrison and crew as the early morning dew settled and wet the green grass of the valley, as news of the slaughter of The Axiom and her adjoined vessels had never reach them. An alarm clock abruptly began screaming, a scream that jolted a young man from his bed with dull sleepy eyes. Sitting on the side of a small cot bed in a long room with nineteen others stretched down the perimeter of the room on both sides. The lifeless lights began to flicker awake, with great effort the man squinted into the dull room and rubbed his eyes before giving off an audible yawn as he saw the other cot bed sheets beginning to move and moan under the abrupt appearance of white light, quickly getting brighter. Getting sleepily to his feet, the man dressed himself in blue patched military fatigues with a white vest, his dog-tags swinging lazily with his sluggish movement “Come on, lads, get up... chow time.” said the man in a deep voice, Now standing in front of his mirror that was hanging just to the wall at the side of his little white cot. The reflection showed a stocky man with short brown hair, a small fringe that would never stay down, rebelliously curling up. Clean shaven and a small scar above his right eyebrow. Satisfied with his reflection he began walking down the small corridor in the centre that was flanked by the nineteen other cots. Picking up a security baton, he began banging the ends of the cots shouting ‘get up’ as the other men began to moan loader, some muttering and swearing under their breaths. Solomon, almost at the end of the corridor of beds was stopped by a sudden low repeating short buzz from the other end of the room, he looked over to see a red flashing light from the terminal from his officer’s desk next to his cot. The room now fully illuminated, ten beds lined up at either side of the room, all brilliant white, not a single stain showing. The floor, a grey tile covering the full room and the walls; a grey steel colour bearing a different propaganda poster above each cot. All the other nineteen men now awake and making their beds neatly. As Solomon finally reached his command console, a message had been delivered to him.

Lieutenant Commander S. Gordon: Orders Class Six.

Captain Commander K. Sinderman requests your presence. you are requested to join a meeting at Briefing Room Seven with General E. Ken. At 08:00

Captain Commander K. Sinderman will await your arrival at Briefing Room Seven. Only upon arrival of both parties will the Room be open to you and the Briefing Commence.

Also, be advised, you are receiving a V.I.P. from your meeting.

Regards,

Synthia Garragh,

Command Secretary Grade 4, Sector Alpha – Delta

“Briefing Room Seven?” muttered Solomon under his breath with a worried look creeping across his face. “where the hell is Briefing Room Seven?” he asked himself. Solomon began to remove his blue fatigues and dress himself in his Officer’s Base Fatigues, Olive Pants with Black attachment straps and a black t-shirt covered by an olive jacket with more black attachment straps. Before leaving, he instructed his men to prepare the room for inspection and get some breakfast. Picking up his portable command console and searching for the unknown briefing room from his officers desk, easily the finest and most cared for piece of equipment in the First Company, First Platoon’s quarters. Mahogany wooden desk and chair with a soft cushion that, even though, not fastened down, never left the chair, the lads knew not to mess with an officers cushion, especially an officer’s cushion from West Yorkshire. The desk had multiple draws down either side, each with a separate lock, a hard wide desk slab with sides that folded in on themselves and curved up to meet the tall back board of the desk. Finally discovering that Briefing Room Seven is only two floors above him, he set off to meet with his Captain Commander. Sinderman stood at the mouth of the briefing room door in a long grey metal corridor, a proud stern man, reaching his fiftieth year of age and sporting sides of grey on his otherwise black full head of hair. His uniform spotlessly clean which was usual for his proud appearance. He greeted Lieutenant Gordon with a nod before speaking through a forced smile and a fake Yorkshire accent “Ey up, lad. Looks big! Calling both me ’n you in like this. I ’ope you ‘aven’t been lookin’ at stuff you sh’un’t be on that, there console!” Solomon forced a nervous laugh whilst clutching his console tighter under his arm and replying with an exaggerated Southerners accent “no sir, nothing bad sir, just government secrets and naked ladies, sir.” both men shared a natural laugh and the tension was lowered just before it was raised again by the door to Briefing Room Seven slide up effortlessly and a young lady stood in the threshold.

“Gentlemen. The meeting will now commence” her voice, soft as silk, softly glided through Solomon as she beckoned them in and motioned them to take a seat with her hands. The room: small and grey much like everything else in the base, a simple metal table sat in the centre of the room bearing six chairs, two of which had been pulled out for the men by the woman. As the men sat, Solomon glanced at the woman and gave an impressed smirk to Sinderman, who returned a serious look and a quick hidden shake of his head without the girl noticing, “General Ken’s daughter...” he whispered as the girl filled two mugs with black coffee. The girl wore a white blouse and a navy-blue pencil skirt. Her hair flowed blonde past her shoulders; her sides tied behind her head to keep them from interfering with her eyes. Before Solomon could respond to Kyril, the door opened again, and an aged General entered the room. General Ken had served in the military his whole life, now an aged man, his uniform had begun to not fit him as it once did. His once slender build now beginning to expand at his waist. “Gentlemen.” said the General as he stepped over to his chair looking around the room with a raised eyebrow, and then gave his daughter in a disproving look. His daughter caught this and spoke defensively “It’s all Synthia could get me on such short notice Pa-pa, I’m sor-” General Ken held his hand up and she immediately silenced. “My Daughter, Gentlemen. Meet Sandra. She began her term here a week ago and she still calls me dad...” he said with a playful sigh and shake of his head with his eyes twinkling at her.

“Nice to meet you, miss” Kyril and Solomon spoke in unison, standing up to shake her hand politely. The General began the briefing which to Solomon’s delight contained information well above his clearance. It involved an Alien species called ‘The Gryph’ an advanced humanoid race with pale skin and dark oval eyes. Only these two distinctive differences could tell the two races apart. “Shortly after the Gryph made first contact with us via Sub Light Communications, both human and Gryph council’s have decided that to greater our understanding of each other, we are to allow colonisation of a shared planet. As a gesture of trust and goodwill, we have decided to do this on a single planet in both solar systems. We are designating Venus or as they will know it as “Sol II”. They are allowing us to settle on Merriden IV, their designation is unpronounceable for us so we are sticking with Merriden IV.” Kyril and Solomon both allowed a small corner smile to appear on their face as they looked at the unreadable word and symbols that the Gryph use for the planet. As General Ken Spoke, his daughter, obviously now working as a secretary, made a transcript. “Now Gentlemen, before I leave you, I must inform you by order of Emperor Syphodias that, we are not making plans to declare war or cause any harm to the Gryph, and want only peace at this moment in time, but however I am to advise you, that you do make your colonies as defensible as possible. They have some...” General Ken paused trying to chose the correct words. “some nasty bloody things down there that will tear your throat out if given even a glimmer of a chance. So then, on that note, cheerio and safe sailing boys.” and with that, he shook their hands and left the room with folders left on the table for the two men to take with them.

The young Generals daughter finished typing on her dataslate and stood straightening her skirt with a soft smile, “so, fellas, I’m Sandra, nice to meet you at last.” thrusting her hand forward as strong as her delicate arms could manage for the men to shake it once again. Kyril stood without hesitation and shook the hand with an introduction and greeting, Solomon slowly raised himself and softly shook her hand raising an eyebrow, “At last?” he enquired. The girl seemed taken aback and slightly hurt “I – I’m coming with you on your journey... hasn’t anyone spoken to you about me? I’ve looked at the folders and everything, the creatures fascinated me that’s why I requested this...” trailing off as her hopes of leaving earth for adventure faded. Kyril stood by the door with a tense confused look. Solomon thought for a moment before remembered his morning memo. “OH!” he suddenly exclaimed, “so you’re the V.I.P.?” Sandra’s smile resumed to spread wide as Kyril raised an eyebrow and frowning the other, it was clear he was not aware of this action. The cold grey room almost felt warm from Sandra’s glow. “Very well, then. Report to me in the Docking Bay holding The Evergreen, by thirteen hundred hours.” said Solomon looking serious. “Yes Sir!” shouted Sandra clicking her heels together with an over excited salute before leaving with a spring in her step. Kyril and Solomon stood in the cold metal corridor discussing what use they could possibly replace for the young miss Ken amongst their ship. As they strolled back to the mess hall making a ten minute walk onto thirty minute journey as they spoke and flipped through the folders. Approaching the open doors to the large room, laughter and loud voices could be heard as their men joked and fulfilled their appetites, the smells invaded nostrils providing the most pleasing scents. “hmm. Apple pie.. I think, I’ll be having that, then” said Kyril as he deeply sniffed the air, Solomon still thinking deep into his folder, suddenly having an idea. “What about Creature studies?...apple pie?... for breakfast?” he asked half heartedly, not knowing Kyril’s response. Sinderman raised his ever moving eyebrows and considered the option with a tense face. As they walked through the mess hall speaking how she could study the creatures on the planet both in theory and in the field, this would certainly keep her out off their way and satisfy her thirst for adventure, they came to an agreement on the terms that she was Solomon’s problem. “Apple pie, aye, lad. Any day could be your last, I’m closer to the end of the tunnel than you, age wise speaking. I’m enjoying every second of it.” laughed Sinderman.

Kyril left Solomon with a farewell to join the Base Command Table to discuss the assignment with General Ken who was already helping himself to his second helping of waffles and honey. Solomon shook his head, ‘sweet things for breakfast... it must be an age thing.’ he thought to himself as he joined the line for the meals ahead. The Mess hall was large and wood panelled with long light wooden great tables each able to hold a company of soldiers. Each table was to house the specific companies assigned to that sector. The first company (Solomon’s Company) was sat at the far left of the room. As the line slowly moved forward, Solomon could make out the face of men he considered his friends, one of which was a new enlistment and he had only met once before, and had just thrown a hard lump of corn bread at the next table which held the ever too serious Second Company, Captain Lucius Deeph glared at the first Companies table from where the bread had been flung from, scowling at every man who met his hard muscular face, unable to decide who threw the bread, he broodingly began to slurp his protein cereal once more, keeping a watchful eye for more unwanted gifts from the first companies table. The floor was cold concrete but some of the base crew had gone into the villages and town near by and bought a wide variety of rugs some time ago now, most had been worn, the vibrant colours now dull and ripped edges. Still, this gave the room a warmer feeling. Solomon’s turn for food finally arrived. The server looked tired and old, his long greasy hair tied back in a scruffy bun, Solomon tried to recall if he had ever seen this sad man smile, but realised he was now taking too long to order his food, and began to think about the delicious breakfast of sausage and eggs he was about to consume. Finally reaching the table his men let out a quick cheer as he sat, welcoming their commander.

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.

Sinderman usually assigned his V.I.P.’s to Solomon for ‘good training’, Solomon didn’t mind, it always gave a nice change to his ever-repeating tedious jobs on base or on ship. Solomon longed to be aboard his beautiful Evergreen, With the thought of The Evergreen in his mind he thought to himself in a hopeful voice ‘I’ll show her The Evergreen’s bridge... that will definitely entice her adventurous side!’ Solomon had made her a copy of the creatures she is to study on their assignment on Merriden IV. Some, almost like the bugs of earth in appearance and harmfulness, cockroaches, mice, some small spiders, crickets, however, then there are creatures that even froze Sinderman’s blood. One creature worthy of special note, the Gryph have named It a ‘Banshee’, the Banshee stood eight foot tall, measured roughly one and a half meters wide at the shoulders, it’s head long and thin, double the size of the average human skull. It’s hair was thick and black seemingly like a mane, a wide mouth filled with hundreds of razor sharp needle like teeth, a small slit in the centre of its face that worked as a nose but also had a note next to the diagram stating ‘can sometimes excrete a gas that can cause severe and violent convulsions, however, this is a rare occurrence, take extreme caution as this creature was first discovered and documented less than one year ago.’ The Banshee’s pale skin, almost blue grey in colour, clung extremely close to its skeleton, making all its rib’s, contoured and visible, it’s eyes black with a light electric blue iris. The description message continued; ‘The Banshee’s favoured method of lone attack is to hide and wait for unsuspecting prey to unwittingly venture near it, then it would sink its razor sharp five-inch needle clawed fingers into the skin of the victim, usually in the vital areas that the prey would use to flee, such as legs and arms. Once the victim is paralysed, the Banshee will then bite into the prey’s throat and extract the prey’s internal organs with its teeth, and then proceed to devour its prey whole. It is not unheard of for a Banshee to work in a horde if enough gathered together and seek victims with a more direct approach or in a populated area’. Solomon shuddered as the Banshee’s eyes sought him through the picture. Eager to release his mind from the Banshee’s glare, Solomon set off down the base corridor towards the elevator to meet with Sandra. They spent the next few hours familiarising Sandra with military procedures, who she answers to, who is at the top, who she can’t boss around (pretty much everybody)

The Docking Yard shone dark orange from the dull light peering over the distant hills as the sun set. Metal, wood, and poly-carbon crates cast long shadows. The room itself was large enough to fit the entire ship personnel of some thirty thousand people, in the middle, a tall and very wide pillar stood high and mighty, midnight blue and proud. This was the entrance to The Evergreen. The pillar rose thirty feet before spreading out to the rest of the massive colonial ship and fifteen feet wide. The Evergreen sat with comfort atop the securing anchors that held her in place and her entrance lift dove down into the dock yard. The Evergreen was Solomon’s true home. Sandra simply stood in awe behind the Lieutenant Commander, she had changed her office dress code to a more militaristic appearance, she now bore a solid colour navy blue fatigues and short naval coat. Solomon cleared his throat and Sandra apologised, “Well, this is the End of the boring stuff... no need to show you how to use guns and bombs, as a General’s daughter, I assume you already know?” Solomon asked, Sandra gave a simple smile and quick acknowledgement before returning her gaze upon the beautiful ship. “Plus, you will be shown all of that stuff in transit.” Solomon said stepping forward, his heavy feet softened by his boots on the hard cold ground. “Well, then... here you are.” he presented her with her own copy of the creatures “There is some serious, unforgiving things on that world, and you’ll be letting us know what we should shoot at, and what we should run from.” his eyes serious, and her eyes bore the shine of excitement.

Sandra eagerly snatched the folder out of Solomon’s hands and began turning the pages. As each page turned her eyes became more fixated and her interest grew higher and higher. Solomon stared towards the mechanical crew in dirty olive overalls that had just entered the docking room and began working. No doubt getting the ship ready for its departure in two days’ time. A wavering voice spoke from behind him “Sir?” spoke Sandra. “Sir, I know this is a lot to ask for but... w-would my Fiancé be allowed to come, sir? Oh please sir! It’s going to be a long mission, and it is a colony ship after all” Solomon froze before spinning on his heel to face her once more. “fiancé?” he asked with a saddening heart. “oh...y-yes, he? Yes, he can, he will however have to go through standard issue training as you will and sign a form that says if he dies, it’s not in any way our fault.” said Solomon flatly, waving his hand dismissively. Sandra’s smile returned as Solomon left. The moment Solomon cleared the docking door, she pulled out her personal tablet and began excitedly and frantically writing a message.

It was soon seven o’clock, the evening meal had already taken place, however Solomon idly sat on his pristine white cot bed thinking of the voyage ahead. Eight thirty soon came, not to Solomon’s knowledge until an unusual ring sounded. Solomon blinked at his tablet that lay next to him on the bed. “that’s a new noise...” said Solomon to himself as he picked up the tablet. he had received a Personally Marked Message, Solomon had never received a personally marked message before, he had only received orders and meetings.

“Solomon, I could really do with a chat tonight, say 9:00pm? I will be at the Mess Hall, sat at your company’s table. I hope you get this message and come; I could do with someone to talk to.”

“Sender: Sandra Ken”

Puzzlement was the look that struck Solomon, glancing up at the scratched hanging clock, and seeing he only had twenty-five minutes to the meeting. He clipped his tablet to his belt and began walking down the cold steel corridors to the Mess Hall. Feeling unusually nervous he dodged the eyes of the base crew he passed and fellow soldiers, hiding his face in a less than formal salute as they acknowledged him. Turning the corner to the Mess Hall entrance, he paused and took a deep breath, prepared himself, and then he entered. The Mess Hall cleaners, still clearing the tables and kitchen could be seen slowly working away, a single blonde-haired woman, in a vibrant low cut electric blue dress sat at the table of the first company. Sandra raised her head once the soft sound of his boots on the hard floor and rugs began to make their advance. Solomon noticed immediately that something was wrong. He hesitated mid stride before beginning again. Sandra’s eyes were puffy and red. It was clear she had been crying. She stood with a weak smile, although holding back her tears, she did look genuinely happy to see Solomon. As she stood, Solomon could see her slender shape, the dress clung to her flesh, revealing most of her figure to the eyes, the dress flowing down her smooth legs, stopping just above her knees. She moved out to welcome Solomon to the table, still smiling through wet lips she spoke with a failing voice as she dabbed the end of her small nose with an already damp tissue “I’m glad you came, I’ve had such a terrible evening.” Solomon sat at the table with a confused look upon his face, his stomach turning in to knots from the wreaking smell from the cleaning products used by the kitchen staff. “But it has only been a few hours since you were having the best day?” corrected Solomon, trying to bring back the happy thoughts of the adventure ahead. “My fiancé left me.” said Sandra after a few moments of silence with fresh tears beginning to fill her sparkling eyes. Solomon nervously and awkwardly moved across and sat next to the sobbing Sandra and softly placed his arm over her shoulder and spoke with a whisper “Hey, it’s all right, lass. Tell you what. D’ya fancy getting out of this stinking place?” Sandra’s hair bobbed up and down as she nodded to Solomon’s suggestion, her golden hair freely flowing over her head and settled upon the table. Solomon helped Sandra to her feet and led her down the cold corridors in her electric blue dress and his base olive naval coat draped over her shoulders. Solomon was surprised how easy it was to make her smile as they walked down the corridors, he blatantly had no idea how to deal with a sobbing woman. “I hope you don’t plan on roaming the field in those.” He jested noting her sparkling blue stilettos.

The Docking Yard was deserted at night, only the security drones sat idle until an unauthorised entry was made. There before them, in all its magnificent beauty, sat the proud blue hull of The Evergreen, with Solomon’s rank of Lieutenant Commander, he could legitimately board the ship any time without cause, “C’mon, then. I’ll show you what it’s all about” he said with a reassuring smile upon his smooth handsome face. Sandra looked nervously around through her still red and swollen eyes at the idle sentry bots gleaming weapons before agreeing to enter the ships Docking Entrance. The tall blue pillar extended from the ship’s hull acted as a large elevator, capable of carrying tonnes of equipment up into the belly of The Evergreen. Solomon sat on an unopened box of ammunition smiling and repeated himself whilst patting the wooden crate that he had sat upon “C’mon”. Once Sandra was sat next to Solomon, her blue dress extremely out of place in the military surroundings. Solomon got up and walked over to the side of the internal pillar and entered his own code and with a judder, the elevator began to rise. The entire pillar began to retreat into the ship, section by section. The Elevator ride was ridden in silence, only the noise of metal and machinery could be heard, Sandra was feeling anxious, excited, and destroyed all at once, she could not show a single emotion at this time without breaking down. Once aboard the ship, Solomon took Sandra’s hand and began to pull, directing her down the dimly luminated corridors of cold metal with ease as a warm feeling ran through her soul. After half an hour of walking through the maze of corridors and doors of this most beautiful ship, Solomon stopped before a door reading ‘Command Bridge’ with no access panels or buttons to press, Solomon cleared his throat and spoke his password. “SolGord-one-one-three-one” and the doors sprung open. The large circular Command Bridge could be seen through the narrow metal door, a scent of vanilla could be found as they entered. A red carpet ran down the main walkway, down to three large luxurious leather chairs with dark wood panelling in their rear sat in the middle of the front area of the room, a blue carpet broke off down the two raised tiers of consoles that surrounded the flanks of the seats on two heights. The Helm of the Bridge could be seen in front of the three luxury chairs, two large high backed leather seats surrounded by complex controls stood at the front of a large, armoured glass viewing window where the metal body leading up to the smooth front nose of The Evergreen could be seen.

Sandra stood speechless in the threshold of the Command Bridge as a smooth female’s voice began to speak. “Hello Solomon, how are we feeling? It’s a bit late for you, isn’t it?” said the voice, Solomon began walking towards the left of the luxury seats and replied as though it was normal for a voice to sound through the room

“Yeah, not too bad... how about you, Eve?”

“I am fine, and thank you for asking Sol. And how is Sandra?”

Sandra remained Silent and Solomon realised how strange this must seem and turned around, gesturing his hand to reply.

“I... I’m fine... thanks...” She sniffed and Solomon began fiddling at a wooden panel from behind the left chair.

“Did I say something wrong, miss? I do apologise if I have upset you in any way...”

Solomon had now pulled a wooden panel off and was clinking glasses together inside. Standing up with two bottles of Red Wine cupped between his arms and a bottle of champaign, Solomon replied to the voice, “Nah, she’s going to be good as new in about half an hour once she’s got some of this down her!” he said with a grin. The voice spoke a final time “Well, have fun, you two. And do call me if you need me.”

Solomon poured a large glass of red wine and handed it to Sandra and whispered with a smirk “Don’t tell anyone about my secret stash, it’s for emergencies” Sandra accepted the glass and drank deeply letting out an unusually loud belch for a non-carbonated drink, much to her embarrassment and to Solomon’s amusement, who returned with a slightly pathetic one that he apologized for his feeble attempt.

“So... who’s Eve” asked Sandra after another mouthful of wine and running her eyes about the room, taking in the magnificence of it. “Eve? She’s The Evergreen. The ship’s Virtual Intelligence.” replied Solomon taking another sip of his drink,

“But... she asked actual questions unprompted? unusual for a machine?” inquired Sandra casting her eyes once more about the room for clues.

“Yeah, well, a few years ago, we decided to make her self-aware...and The Chief Engineer decided it was a good idea to make IT into a HER, she’s been with us ever since... but Terran Command doesn’t know, she pretends to be an idle Ship computer when they are on-board, so please keep her a secret.” he said with a wink and raised his glass to the light, “Ah, so many secrets in such little time!”

Eve chimed up again “I do appreciate your co-operation miss Ken, with your father being the General and all.” Sandra smiled and told Eve to think nothing of it, she was happy to keep this little bit of information to herself. The rooms scent of vanilla persisted, the nose never seemed to become too familiar with the smell and allow it to blend into the background and not be noticed, it seemed to fight for dominance of the scent gland. Only when the command bridge door opened and the scent made itself known, did she actually notice the smell of oil and electrical discharge that she easily became over familiar with that resided inside corridors of The Evergreen. Sandra felt comfortable. At ease. She felt she was welcome here, even if Solomon wasn’t with her, being as friendly as he was, Eve certainly was good enough company, she had even told some jokes. “she’s almost like an Alexa, but actually tells good jokes!” chuckled Sandra as Eve finished a joke about an elf on a shelf.

Solomon allowed some more alcohol to go down before he started on the hard questions. After the second bottle was empty, he gathered up his courage and asked. “So, why did the fella leave then? Are you high maintenance? Its hard to tell with those shoes!” he joked. Sandra gave a sad smile, her thoughts brought back to the moments of sadness, but she felt relieved too. Almost free. After a few moments of thought, she gave her answer. “Well he said I was silly to want to go on this expedition. Said that I was just a Generals daughter and wouldn’t be taken seriously, and that I would probably be given some made up role, just to keep me busy. He said I was stupid if I thought that this would amount to anything.” Solomon didn’t expect an answer so bold and honest, he expected her to shrug it off and just say that her ex was small minded. Then he felt bad. Him and Kyril had created the role for her, made it up so she would be kept busy and out of their way. He let the thoughts and feelings settle in his fuzzy and swimming head, and once he could fully focus on her eyes, he gave her a small smile. “Hey, just so you know, it’s not a silly assignment, in fact, I’ll be getting you on my team, so me and my lot will have the best mind to tell us about these creatures, so study hard, and it’ll be you who keeps us alive, does that sound like it won’t amount to anything and is silly? No, it doesn’t, so you can stand tall, and be proud of yourself Sandra, because I know that you will be very useful. And furthermore, I know, you will not let me down.”

Solomon finished his glass in a mighty gulp and began pouring himself another and gestured to Sandra, who did the same, following by example, a slight tingle was creeping up inside his brain as the warm feeling of the alcohol flowed through his body. Solomon glanced at his watch before walking over to the luxurious chair and placing the wooden panel back into its space, returning with a third glass, he sat next to Sandra where the second tier met the command floor. Sandra, sat on the blue carpet and Solomon seated himself on the red and began pouring the third glass before placing it at arm’s length on the other side of the walkway. Sandra eyed this suspiciously, but before she could make any enquires, the Command Door slid open and a tall man walked in, his uniform spotless and gleaming, Sandra sat gaping and puffy eyed at the man as Solomon didn’t show any signs of acknowledging the figure until he raised the fresh glass of wine above his head for the man to take. The glass was soon taken from Solomon’s grip, “Strange seeing you here at this exact time, Kyril. Fancy that, ’ey. Usual ten o’clock system checks, or come to welcome our newest family member home, too?” Kyril gave a smirk as he eased himself into the closest chair letting out a sigh of relief before turning to the console and pressing a few buttons. A smile spreading wider across Kyrils face as a background of music began and the Eve welcomed Kyril back onto his bridge. “ten o’clock passed a while ago, Sol. It’ll be wake up time soon” said Kyril playfully.

The three finished the wine and champagne before Kyril walked in slight zig-zag motions to his central luxury seat before pulling the rear top panel off and revealing bottles if fine Whiskey. “Bloody good man!” shouted Solomon before revealing he has the same thing in the rear of his seat. “For emergencies.” said Kyril winking at the pair. Sandra let out a laugh, as the tears no longer swelled her eyes. The three drunkenly finished a bottle of the Captains Whiskey as both Solomon and Kyril sat on either flank of Sandra and placed an arm over her shoulders. Sandra felt a lovingly warm feeling of acceptance that she had not felt in years. “We’ll look after you. You’re part of the Family now. We take care of our own” said Kyril with a slight slur. Solomon poured another shot of whiskey for everyone, raising his glass for a toast “to The Newborn”