Lieutenant Josh Herrick: The Invite(s)
Mark P
((8-Forward, USS Octavia E Butler))
Lahl: Hey Chief, mind if I sit here? ::She motioned for one of the bottles at the top of the shelf behind the bar from the bartender before turning back to Lieutenant Herrick.::
Josh looked up and to the right, seeing one of his newest engineers, the joined Trill, Kimonzi Lahl. While he wasn’t a fan of having company in this exact moment, he thought better about declining one of his team, lest he create a second Eli incident. Plus, from their time in the transporter room, she seemed friendly enough.
Herrick: Please. ::motioning to the seat::
He watched as the bartender set down the glass and poured the drink she pointed out; it was a heavy handed portion.
Lahl: Man, that entire mission felt like I was running at Warp 9.9. You?
Herrick: (nodding) Definitely a mission for the books.
Lahl: Yeah, what are you going to do with the upcoming down time?
Herrick: Me? I’m taking a bit of time to explore the Dyson Ring. I’ve never seen the technology in person, and I’m also curious about the impact it had on their cultural development. It should make for a good excursion. How about you?
Lahl: I hadn’t thought too much about it, but looking at the technology sounds like a great time. Mind if I join you?
Herrick: (beat) ::nodding:: Sure.
Lahl: Great! Should be a good time. When do you want to go?
Herrick: How about in an hour, if you’re free? That’ll give us enough time to clean up and change.
Lahl: Sounds like a plan.
They continued to make some small talk until Lahl finished her drink; Josh left his half empty — even the root beer seemed a bit flat to him. He knew the replicator duplicated it in the same precise fashion, so his logic dictated that it was his own mental state influencing his perception. Hopefully this would be the distraction he needed.
((Herrick’s Quarters, Compartment 0601, Deck 4, USS Octavia E Butler))
Josh stripped off his uniform, and it felt good. A little too good, and he chided himself for thinking that way. As he stepped bare into the sonic shower, a phantom voice caught him off guard causing him to bang his elbow in the enclosure.
Computer: You had a new message.
Herrick: ::rubbing his elbow:: Play it.
Computer: You’ve received a message from the I-Kiyo Counsel of Public Works. It reads as follows: Esteemed Chief Engineer, we wanted to extend a warm welcome to you in advance of your ship’s arrival here. We have been having some slight difficulties that have been escaping our brightest minds, and we are hoping you will be able to offer help in this area. We realize that you are likely a busy individual, so we would like to compensate you with a stay in one of our luxurious suites, which will also accommodate any assistants you wish to bring. Please help us. Message ends.
Herrick: ::stepping out of the sonic shower:: Well, that message is ominous.
Computer: Did you wish to send that as your reply?
Herrick: (irritated) No.
The Ops team had been hard at work calibrating the computer’s personality since it left dry dock, and while it was less sassy, it still had room to go. A week on the ring did sound inviting, if the Cap or XO approved it. He sent Avander a quick request, hoping that they wouldn’t see a problem with it, and replied to the Counsel with his tentative acceptance. After all, when did Starfleet ignore a plea for help.
(OOC: Brent/Tony, let me know if you’re amenable to the plot going this way, we won’t head over there unless it’s ‘approved’ 😊)
((Some time later, Outside Shuttle Port of I’shal, I-Kiyo Dyson Ring))
Herrick: I don’t seem to understand what the problem is.
Customs Officer: I never heard of this Federation, and I never seen this type of document before.
The officer held up his ident papers to the light, as if that would verify their veracity.
Herrick: I promise that we are here at the invitation of your government. Can I speak to your manager?
The custom’s officer gave a disgruntled sigh, and then waved him through. It seemed a bit of a suspect border crossing if that’s all you needed to say in order to gain admission, but he wasn’t about to argue. After passing through the gate, he turned his head left and right trying to see where the young ensign was.
Lahl: Down here Lieutenant Herrick. ::poking him
in the arm:: Finally made it through the customs house did you?
He turned to the voice and saw her.
Herrick: (smiling) Seems like they didn’t want me to get in; you seemed to float right on through.
Lahl: It’s my charming good looks and the fact that I look like I just graduated from high school. ::smiling up at him “innocently”::
Herrick: I’ll have to speak to one of the nurses about my skin regimen when I get back. Or, maybe they have a hypo to bring me back to my younger years.
Lahl: Anywho, shall we start exploring?
Herrick: Before we do that, what did you think about what I said on the shuttle. If the request gets approved, are you into helping me with whatever they need help with?
He did his best puppy-dog eyes and batted them at Lahl.
Lahl: Response
Herrick: ::nudging her:: They did say it was their best resort on this side of the ring in the additional pamphlet material they sent over.
Lahl: Response
It was a fair observation; they did seem passionate about getting their help. But maybe they were just stuck.
Herrick: We can proceed with caution, but if they need help I’m up for giving it. Besides, it’ll start tomorrow anyway so we have time to think about it today and see where our day takes us. ::looking up:: Wow!
The top of the ring was crystal clear, directly in the centre was the star that they harnessed power and heat from, to the left and right were the curvature of the ring, and the backdrop was a photovoltaic nebula that sparked lightning in irregular intervals.
Lahl/Any: Response
Herrick: Fancy meeting you here, the ensign and I were just about to go exploring toward… ::looking to Lahl::
Lahl/Any: Response
Herrick: Of course, join us!
Lahl/Any: Response
Tags and TBC!
(OOC: Opening it up for one more ;))
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Lieutenant Josh Herrick
Chief Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)