Ensign Herrick: Close to Freedom

[markanthonyparker]

((Deck 7, Sickbay USS ‘Oumuamua))

Sickbay had been quiet, the beeps and chirps registering in Josh’s mind as ambient noise. He was glad that he was going to be out of here soon. He was sure medicine was an exciting field, however as a patient, the lack of privacy combined with the lack of doing anything was… wearing.

Herrick: (quietly) What to do, what to do.

Corelli:  I think you've done enough all ready, right?

Johnson: Or maybe a little too much, hm?

Herrick: ::turning slightly on the bed to face the door:: Chief! I had heard that you were not caught up too badly; it’s good to see you.

 

Corelli: Sorry to have put you directly in the line of fire on your first day.

 

Herrick smiled slightly; his expression meaning to convey that it’s just ‘another day at the office’.  The stress of meeting another new person eased up with her initial jovial participation in the conversation. It was clear that Kammus fostered camaraderie within his team and that it would make joining them easier.

 

Herrick: And, I don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Ensign (cough) Herrick.

 

Johnson: Lieutenant Sasha Johnson.  Looks like you’ve had an interesting

introduction to the Oumuamua already.  Still, you look pretty good

despite that.

 

Corelli: Right, you don't look sick, what you need is a Well Bay!

 

At the sound of Sasha’s grown, and Michele’s smile, Josh broke out into a wide grin. It was exactly the type of joke his father would’ve said to add further levity to the dull surroundings.

Johnson: Feel free to ignore him.

 

The younger engineer raised an amused eyebrow as the Chief responded back.

 

Corelli: No, I mean, sick bay is always so boring and grey.  You need a whole rain forest, with high humidity, mist on your face.  Green plants with leaves taller than me!  Anyway, I wonder if you're allowed to have coffee. Do you like coffee? Its an earth drink!  Maybe we can sneak a cup in.  Do they allow drinks in sick bay?  If they don't we can just tell them it's holograpic....

 

Johnson: All right there, Kammus, reel it in.  It sounds like you’ve already been on the caffeine, so I’m not sure we need to pump *more* into you.

 

Herrick: I mean… he’s got a point. I was wondering if I’ll get a feedback form on my stay here. (looking at Winters) Friendly staff, 5 out of 5.

 

He shifted his gaze to the Sickbay ceiling.

 

Herrick: Décor… 1 out of 5, and that’s being generous. ::he smirked:: Impractical bed-side replicators for coffee, raktajinos, and ice cream, would make my review… more forgiving.

 

Johnson: The question is, will the caffeine help or open a time portal and we have to deal with the Department of Temporal Affairs *again*.

 

Josh was still struggling to piece together the last mission from the gossip from around the ship; but it was hard to tell what was real and what was embellished. Replacing a crew of Vulcans, saving the Gelfling race, a pair of Q-like beings — it seemed like a lot was exaggerated.

 

Corelli: Response

 

Johnson: Never mind.  Forget I said anything!

 

Winters: I would suggest we do what we can to avoid another Temporal investigation. My interview was less than ideal.

 

Herrick: oO Perhaps it’s all true if the DTI was involved. Oo

 

Corelli: Response

 

Johnson: Seriously though, did they say you could be dismissed, or are you doomed to forever stay in Sickbay, even if you’re not sick?

 

Herrick: I think they’re just waiting to see if this dermaline gel is going to do anything more for my back. It seems like they can’t get it all the scarring to heal up. I guess you can call it my first battle wound… (winking) with an EPS conduit. I haven’t heard anything yet.

 

Winters: Dr. Kel had to leave but your treatment has been completed and his notes indicates he wants you to rest up for the next twenty-four hours before jumping back into duty.

 

Herrick: Thank the gods! ::he paused and looked to Winters:: No offense! You are good company, but it’ll be good to be home.

 

The first thing Josh would do when he got back to the shared quarters would be to paste a poster on his bunk’s ceiling. He was debating between an image of the shipyards or a poster of his favourite leaked holo-adventure, Insurrection Alpha.

 

Winters/Corelli/Johnson: Response

 

Herrick: Not that I’m looking to get out of work ::winking to the pair of Engineers and then looking back to the Lieutenant covering for Kel:: is there any restricted work duty? I don’t want to hurt anything further.  

 

Winters: No, restrictions once you're back on duty but Dr. Kel does want to see you break in a week just to see how your doing. Until then, you're free to go.

 

Herrick: I think that I can manage that. (smiling) He’s friendly enough. And, (cheerfully) just in time for the ceremony planet side.

 

Josh paused for a second, realizing that he’d monopolized the chief’s time since he walked through the doors. His next sentence came out a bit more awkward than he intended. Even though Kammus didn’t appear in bad shape, thankfully, it still didn’t mean that was the case internally.

 

Herrick: Are you… Did you… Does the nurse need to look you over as well? I don’t know if Exet just gave you a patch job to hold you over.

Corelli/Johnson: Response

Winters: I'll be right here holding down the fort until Dr. Kel gets back. 

Corelli/Johnson: Response

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Tags! and TBC!

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Ensign Josh Herrick

Engineering Officer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)