Planetside

Solomon lifted his chin and eyed his reflection in the small mirror over the sink in his bunk. He was freshly shaved and he wore the brand new clothes that Weihan had brought him only an hour before. It was a black and charcoal grey suit in a modern cut. Fashionable and sensible. His hair was slicked back and he couldn't help thinking that he didn't look half bad for a man of nearly fifty.

He tried on the matching wide-brimmed hat that Weihan had rpovided and smiled in approval. Whatever else he could say about the captain, the man at least had taste.

He took off the hat and let it hang on his back by the cord as he headed for the door and stepped out into the corridor. He whistled quietly to himself as he walked, some catchy jingle he'd heard on the the feed. For the first time since he could remember he was feeling somewhat good about things.

He stopped in front of Li Shen's door and knocked lightly, unsure if the monk was even in.

Huang Li Shen was impressed. While the captain's taste in clothes was certainly well-developed, his ability to read people was likewise impressive. Li Shen had seen what Luk Wei Han had acquired for the rest of the crew and worried his garments would be similar. Wasting money on clothes he would likely wear only the once would have been quite a waste.

Upon finding the tunic and trousers the captain had brought him, Li Shen's respect for the troubled young man grew. The monk moved through a few basic stances to test the flow of the outfit when he heard the knock at his door. He walked over and opened it to discover Solomon standing there, likewise in his new suit.

"Nin hao, Mr. Philip. What can I do for you?"

Solomon smiled. He was glad to see that Li Shen didn't seem to be favoring his arm.

"Ni hao", he said with a nod, "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Huang. I uh... hope I'm not intruding. I wanted to check in and see how that shoulder of yours is doing. I'm real sorry that happened."

"Sheh sheh, Mr. Philip, but apologies are not necessary. It was no one's fault but the man who shot me, and his doing so was understandable." Li Shen gave a tired smile. "As I said, it isn't the first time I've been shot, and, given our new lifestyle, I doubt it will be the last. This too shall pass."

Solomon smiled. He had seen the scars on Li Shen's torso at the medical bay, but he gauged that there was no sense in moving the conversation in that direction.

"There's a lot of wisdom in that. If you don't mind me saying, you seem very spiritual for a man your age."

Li Shen's smile faltered slightly, but his tone remained amicable.

"You can only take so much of seeing the worst of humanity before you begin looking for the best." Li Shen stepped out into the hallway past Solomon, heading towards the cupboards. "Tea?"

Solomon stepped aside as Li Shen moved passed him, noting the smile fade momentarily from his face. He hoped that he hadn't insulted him somehow.

"I'd love some", he said as they started walking towards the mess.

"I know what you mean about humanity. I've seen what men are capable of, good and bad. I like to think I still have faith in them. Most of the time. Some days it's harder than others."