Lieutenant Josh Herrick: We Meet Again
Mark P
((Unknown Street, I-Kiyo Dyson Ring))
As the transport glided over the public thoroughfare toward the hotel that the I-Kiyo government offered in exchange for his team’s assistance. He pondered the recent exchange with the Public Works representative in the floral dress, and their deep desire for punctuality.
Herrick: Well, I guess we’ll get a chance to see I-Kiyoan luxury a bit earlier than we anticipated. What d'yall make of that?
Richards: They weren’t kidding about scheduling, that whole encounter with the way this transport pulled up.
Herrick: For something so unplanned, it seemed rather serendipitous.
Richards: It happened all in a very timely fashion did it not?
Lahl: It really did.
Josh’s gut was uneasy, but that seemed to be the norm now. Had things always gone so awry on past missions that his optimism gave way to a nihilistic outlook?
Richards: We will have to make sure we show up on time tomorrow. If we have a choice in the matter.
Lahl: Given how bureaucractic they seem to be. ::Said with a smirk while remembering Lieutenant Herrick’s delay in customs:: I would imagine transport will be there on the dot.
Herrick: (with forced humour) And that means no partying too hard (beat) or chasing people through the streets. Maybe we keep it a quiet night at the hotel?
Richards: That should give me time to find a change of clothes.
Lahl: You know, some people like the rugged look of someone covered in grease. Though yeah, our hosts probably would appreciate you being cleaned up.
Josh wondered if there was a hint of something in the ensign’s statement, perhaps to Anton, the thought hadn’t come out of nowhere. Josh’s interest in conversation waned as they passed through a more modern district where some buildings seemed to float in mid-air, supported only by small metal beams.
((I-Dorf Kiyoria, I-Kiyo Dyson Ring))
A gentle thud, followed by the doors pulling back, was their sign to get out. Lahl was the first, followed by Anton and then the chief engineer.
The hotel itself looked made of an emerald stone, rivaling the public works department in height, with mini waterfalls of ruby pouring down both sides. The walkway leading up to the entrance looked like it had been laid with fragments of precious gems, sparkling in the sun.
Lahl: They weren’t kidding were they, Lieutenant Herrick?
Herrick: They were not, this place is dripping in opulence.
His mind flashed back to the underground ruins on Alpha Brenkelvi II, which also had striking similarities. Did these people share common ancestry?
Richards: Response
As they walked up, they saw folks passing in and out of the entrance which didn’t have a door, but a similar shimmer like the building they’d just visited. Lahl seemed to be growing in excitement, leading the way to the front desk with Anton and Josh in tow.
Lahl: Hello, we’re with the Starfleet team assisting with the Department of Public Works? ::She hoped that the person at the front desk would be able to understand them::
The hotel seemed to have a common uniform, where they had white silk robes but donned floral crowns. To Josh’s surprise, they spoke excellent Federation Standard.
Za’ch’ar’y 96: Let me see here…::the young I-Kiyoan tapped on his console:: What name would that be under?
Lahl: I believe that would be under your name sir, no?
Herrick: Quite right, I’m Lieutenant Josh Herrick, from the USS Octavia E Butler.
Za’ch’ar’y 96: Response
Josh was caught off guard with the question, perhaps a failure in the translation. They were definitely not betrothed nor here for their nuptials.
Richards/Lahl: Response
Za’ch’ar’y 96: Response
Josh’s eyebrow raised; while he was glad they found the reservation; he was surprised that it’d already been updated with the other two officers’ information.
Herrick: And… we each get our own beds? oO We’re not here to consummate anything… Oo
Za’ch’ar’y 96: Response
Herrick: The whole floor?!?
Richards/Lahl: Response
Another holo-interface appeared, with Josh’s face and a smiling emoji next to it. Apparently facial recognition was all the rage on the ring, and he gave a silent shudder at the implications of a surveillance state.
They walked to the elevator, which after scanning their faces, ascended to the top floor of the hotel. And as the doors opened, an audible gasp escaped the cheng’s mouth. All the walls had running water pouring down them gently, and along the bottom edge of the walls, there were flowers in full bloom.
Herrick: I don’t think the president would get this type of treatment. I wonder what they expect of us.
As he finished speaking, the purple I-Kiyoan they’d met just an hour before winked into existence in front of them.
Tr’ac’i 42: You would do well learning how to be discreet in public. You were gathering too much attention. Strangers at the public works department, aliens no less. (beat) The fact is… there’s a problem with the ring.
(OOC: Tr’ac’I 42 is open for anyone to use as they see fit to advance the plot)
Tags/TBC
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Lieutenant Josh Herrick
Chief Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)