LTJG Josh Herrick: Wait a minute...

[Mark P]

((Small Temple Off The Beaten Path of the Gratitude Festival, Bajor))

 

Herrick watched as Avander took his place in front of the Vedek, enthusiastic energy radiating off him.

 

Promontory: (excitedly, to the Vedek) Let’s go!

 

Josh wondered what Avander would see. The engineer had received a rather perplexing vision, regardless of the source, that seemed to indicate that the trials and tribulations he’d face as a leader would end spectacularly bad if he failed to gain the required courage and how to lean on others.

Herrick: (under his breath) Good luck.

Sherlock: ::leaning towards Herrick:: Something tells me he's going to like this.

 

Herrick: (teasingly) Maybe he’ll get next weeks LottoLatinum numbers.

 

Herrick reflected on the game’s past winners — 99 out of 100 had been Ferengi — which either meant that other species didn’t trust the lottery, often calling it Rule 1, or perhaps their suspicions were founded.

 

The Vedek spoke a bit louder this time, perhaps as a less-than-subtle hint to the peanut gallery to let Avander focus.

Vedek: Now, my not-so-human human. Clear your mind.

Promontory: Clear and ready—

The elderly man reached for Promontory's ear and held it just for a moment before letting go, surprising Josh and the intelligence officer.

Promontory: So, when is it supposed to start?

Vedek: (enigmatically) You must take your journey elsewhere.

Promontory: (disappointed) Oh. (beat) Well, maybe another time.

 

Herrick: Well, at least we’re Starfleet officers. Best job to find where “elsewhere” is. ::smiling sympathetically::

 

As Promontory rejoined the trio, a sad trombone played in Josh’s head, and Aine stepped in front of the Vedek.

Sherlock: I guess that means I'm up.

 

Vedek: (to Aine) Do not resist the truth, my child.

 

Josh looked Sherlock up and down; she didn’t seem as calm and collected as Avander. There was an eagerness, but it was different. He thought about offering a teasing ‘resistance is futile’ joke, but held back. He didn’t know her well enough should it offend her in some way.

Herrick: ::trying to mimic the zen-like-voice of the Vedek:: Relaxxxxxxxx.

 

Sherlock: ::to Herrick:: This is me relaxed.

There was an edge there that indicated this was not her relaxed, but who was Josh to argue. She turned back to the Vedek and gave him a nod and he reached up to her ear, giving it a firm hold.

Promontory: (to Josh) Is this what I looked like?

Herrick: ::nodding:: It does look a little weird, an officer just standing there in front of a ‘man of the cloth’ in the middle of an almost deserted temple… but stranger things had happened.

 

The Vedek’s voice rose again and Josh quietened down so that he wouldn’t be asked to wait outside. He wondered what Aine’s vision would hold — maybe they’d come face to face with the ghost she mentioned.

 

Vedek: Clear your mind.

 

Sherlock: It is clear.

 

The Vedek suddenly gave her ear a sharp pinch causing her to flinch.

 

Vedek: Now ::beat:: it is clear.

 

As Aine breathed in and closed her eyes, it took a mighty effort on Josh’s part to stifle a laugh. The Vedek may be the only one that could get away with that behaviour. Then as quickly as he’d pinched it, he let it go.

 

Sherlock: ::confused:: I didn't see anything.

Vedek: You saw what the Prophets wanted you to see.

Sherlock: So they don't want me to see anything?

Vedek: Not yet. When you see, you will understand.

 

Sherlock: So, you saw. Great. ::beat:: When do they want me to see?

There was a slight pause, as the Vedek seemingly debated how enigmatic to be.

Vedek: Soon.

Sherlock: I knew it! I coulda put money on that one! I KNEW it!

 

It was hard to tell if Sherlock was being sassy or if she was growing in frustration. Josh suspected it would be a blend of the two. He tried to offer her some consolation, but it seemed empty coming from someone who may have been visited (or hallucinated).  

 

Herrick: The lieutenant ::nodding to Promontory:: didn’t get anything else. Seems to be a luck of the draw thing.

 

Promontory: response

 

The Vedek reached out with his hand to her shoulder as if trying to calm her.

Sherlock: This is crap. If the Prophets know everything, they know I hate surprises.

Vedek: They do know. The Prophets know all that is.

 

It was another enigmatic reply from the Vedek that Josh suspected offered no solace. He offered a slice of his vision; he worried that it seemed like he was holding out on the team.

 

Herrick: Look, mine (beat) wasn’t fun. I won’t lie and say it wasn’t eye opening, but I could have also done without it. Something about the consequences of my actions and all that.

 

Promontory: response

 

Herrick: ::nodding:: Soon does seem better than elsewhere. ::raising a thumb towards Avander:: He might be 100 before he gets his.

 

Sherlock: That's just great.

Promontory: response

The Vedek reached inside one of his robes and pulled out a well-polished silver medallion that reflected brightly even in the smoky, dimly-lit, room.

Vedek: As an old man, I have seen that there are many forks in the road to which I gave myself to the will of the profits. It has led me to this moment, where I trust that they placed me here to give you guidance.

He clasped his hands around hers, the medallion now resting in her palms.

Vedek: Let this be your reminder that not all answers come at once. Once you’ve seen what you’ve needed to, you can come back and present this should you want someone in our order to guide you. Until then, you’ll need to wait. Sooner is sooner than you think. ::giving a knowing smile::

Sherlock: Even the Prophets like to torture me.

Herrick: Well, why should they miss out. ::he leaned in and knocked his shoulder into hers playfully:: I hear they’re in good company with Nilsen… What's going on with that anyway?

Promontory/Sherlock: response

 

Vedek: This weary body needs some rest; enjoy the rest of the festival and peldor joy!

 

Promontory/Sherlock: response

 

Herrick: Thank you Vedek!

 

The group walked towards the entrance doors, and as Josh looked back to give a final friendly wave, the temple was empty.

 

Herrick: What the… he’s… gone?

 

Josh didn’t know if the man was light on his feet and more spry than he let on, or… perhaps Aine’s ghost was indeed real.

 

Promontory/Sherlock: response

 

[Tags and optional end scene for Herrick] 

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Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)