LCDR Aine Sherlock - Tomorrow's Tomorrow

[Aine Sherlock]

((Deck 4 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler))

((Time Index: 2157 Hours))

More people were showing up, which made Aine nervous. She was just about to spill her guts, well, as much as she could push herself to show these kinds of emotions in front of other officers, and the last thing she needed was someone telling Lower Deckers that she almost cried...almost.

Sherlock: I just wanted to come by to say (beat) well, I don't want to say goodbye, because I'm sure we'll see each other again. But...

Etan:  But…?

Sherlock: I'm just (beat) really proud of you. And (longer beat) I'm gon miss ya.

Aine was getting...emotional. Her accent coming out more at the end of her sentence clearly gave it away.

Iljor reached out and gripped her shoulder. It was just enough of a "hug," though she wouldn't have protested if there was more. But he knew her well, and clearly he respected her boundaries, and she respected that about him.

Rouiancet: That goes for all of us.

Etan: Not half as much as I’m going to miss you. :: he said in a voice threatening to crack under the emotion. ::

Maxwell: Aye, it's a shame we didnae serve longer taegether but its been grand. Milly's going tae miss you as well, no that she'd ever admit tae it in public.

Etan: It’ll be our secret, Max.

Aine just smiled at the exchange as Max handed Iljor a picture of the pair of them. And that was really the story of their lives, small time, large impact. Lessons they'd all carry with them for life.

Maxwell: Bit ae something tae stick in your new quarters.

Rouiancet: Or your ready room. Let the new crew know you have a softer side. (beat; raising an eyebrow at Max) Or that you're friends with rough-and-ready marine officers, who wouldn't hesitate to step in and toss a misbehaving lieutenant out an airlock.

Etan: Oh, definitely my ready room. :: he responded with a wink.::

Sherlock: It'll show your crew just how nice you can be.

She couldn't help but give a slight devious grin. Captains were meant to be feared, at least that's what they always told Cadets. And she could just picture his ready room, bare except this picture and his crew seeing they didn't have to fear him. But that they could easily trust in him, which they should.

Maxwell/Any: Responses

Herrick: Errr… Commander?

Aine had been so focused on saying goodbye, she hadn't even noticed Josh had joined them until he piped up.

Herrick: I… just want to say thank you for everything. While it won’t be the same here without you, those on the moo-moo are privileged to have you and I’m sure some plucky ensign’s going to get you in trouble with humanoid resources. (beat) And… I have something for you… a legacy of sorts. oO I hope this is some evidence as to how much your guidance meant to me. Oo

She took in a deep breath and resisted the urge to scold the use of that name. It wasn't the time or place. She just held fast as Josh passed Iljor a shirt he'd made.

Rouiancet: Well, we shouldn't delay you any further. Do you need help with anything?

Etan: Walk with the Prophets, all of you.

Herrick: (nodding) 'Til we meet again sir.

Sherlock: ::adding to Herrick:: Sooner rather than later, yeah?

Rouiancet/Maxwell/Any: Responses

There was a brief moment of silence as Iljor made his way onto the transporter pad, everyone watching and waiting, knowing what was coming next.

Etan: ::nodding to the transporter chief:: Energise.

She could feel her eyes getting a little moist. Someone must have brought onions with them. She quickly blinked them to avoid any tears from showing. She hated this part. But there was always tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

End Scene for Sherlock

LCDR Aine Sherlock

Chief of Security

U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler

R239712AS0