Ensign Josh Herrick: Only 20 minutes
Mark P
OOC: Closing out this scene with Corelli.
As time wore on in Sickbay, Josh was getting pricklier but it wasn’t due to the drab gray surroundings with which he was already quite familiar. No, it was the proximity to ‘Eli’ and the impatience of almost being done the treatment and consequently being out of his orbit for a while.
The tense moment of who would enter the regeneration chamber passed, with Kovacs giving into Herrick’s almost demand to precede him. Now, it was just Josh and the Chief. He always enjoyed spending time with the man, and this was perhaps an opportunity to unravel a secret or two.
Herrick: (beat) By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask. How were you so familiar with the Nautilus, what was it designed for, what’s it doing out here, …
Corelli: Well, to answer your question: I think technically I was the lead designer in a general sense. Most of the planning came from conversations with one of the Admirals that runs the "ASDB". We had many discussions over several years, and one day plans showed up based on our conversations. It was designed as a super heavy scientific and engineering research platform; I might have suggested that I know how to fix transwarp drive, and I have no idea why it's here. I didn't even know they really built it!
It was an exciting prospect for any engineer to have their grand designs move from PADD to reality; a ‘hall of famer’ type status tended to follow these types of engineers. He wondered what Corelli would design next. But, their encounter, while lifesaving, led to deeper questions. Ones that it seemed Corelli wouldn’t be able to, or perhaps willing to, answer.
Herrick: (disappointed) Hm, it seems a bit ‘hush, hush.’ Not the side of Starfleet that I’m particularly fond of, but I can see how compartmentalization helps increase safety amongst the fleet. So… (beat) what else have you been up to lately?
Corelli: Small things, we built a race ship, I borrowed two engines from the Esh-o; it'll definitely fall apart at the first turn, but its fast in a straight line! I've also been thinking about the future; you know, like, am I happy here, what do I really want, who might take over for me - those kind of questions. I round them up in my mind every few years. The future will be here faster than you know. What about yourself?
Herrick: A race ship?!
Josh had heard that the Denali Invitational would be underway, and again Kammus had designed something that would probably do exceptionally well; he was just being modest. Yet another design in the books. It made Josh briefly reflect on what he’d be remembered for before responding back to the chief.
Herrick: I’ve kept it pretty light; I’ve just been pulling a lot of maintenance rotations from the roster. That last mission on the colony was… more intense than most training sims that we did at the academy.
Corelli: Understandable. Why do you feel that way?
Josh paused, in reflection it wasn’t the mission itself that had caused him angst. It was his brief periods of almost locking up during the mission — which could have killed him, Kel, Corelli, or the Esh-o volunteers.
Herrick: Just, life and death, and all that.
He didn’t want the chief to know he was working through any issues; while the man was friendly, he wasn’t sure what the reaction would be if he knew that he was dealing this claustrophobia. Thankfully Kel had only brought it up before Kammus had arrived in Sickbay. Josh tried to shift the conversation.
Herrick: So, the officers on the Nautilus, they didn’t seem like they were outfitted in the typical garb. ::pulling on his uniform fabric:: Do you know what’s up with that?
Corelli: Well, that ship, the Nautilus, its run by civilians right? I mean, there are starfleet officers on the bridge. But specifically no one at the rank of captain. Its full of technical specialists, engineers, theorists, really crazy brain people. You saw the cargo bay right? It can launch probes or experiments that will fit inside its cargo bay; The whole top opens to space. It saves on waste by utilizing already broken ships. But of course, the first one I chose was to utilize my favorite engine. That's how I solved the problem. But enough about that - you can tour the ship if you want to know more. I only know theory, I haven't actually been back to visit.
‘Really crazy brain people’ stood out to him; the best and brightest warping around on an experimental ship doing experimental research.
Herrick: I’ll have to take you up on that.
The two of them continued to chat until Kovacs finished up his treatment. When he exited the chamber he gave a polite nod to Herrick and a wave to the Chief Engineer; letting them know he was due to begin duty shorty and had to be on his way.
As Josh stepped into the chamber and the doors closed, he immediately felt constricted and short of breath. A light warmth tingled on his skin as he closed his eyes.
Herrick: oO Only 20 minutes… only 20 minutes… only 20 minutes… Oo
[End Scene for Herrick]
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