LTJG Josh Herrick: 🎵 It takes two of us 🎵

[Mark P]

OOC:

I'm syncing us back up between the different scenes; and tried to reconcile it chronologically. Based on the scene splitting, by the end of this sim, we have 3 locations on the go:

• Herrick/Sherlock, on Deck D
• Arlill/Toxin, in the Shuttle
• Rouiancet, in the OC

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((Deck A, USS ‘Oumuamua))

 

The ship had transitioned from the calm that came while docked to the station, to a somewhat controlled panic between Shevon and Sherlock, who had escaped Deck A successfully to the OC, which was now starting to manage the situation. As the turbolift started its descent, chugging along despite the explosions just meters above it, the two teams connected.

 

Arlill: =/\= Arlill to Herrick, do you read me. ::a pause:: Josh, do you copy? =/\=

Herrick: ::tapping his combadge:: =/\= I do, Lieutenant. I have Shevon Sherlock with me. The EPS conduits seem to be failing up on Deck A for some unknown reason. =/\=

S. Sherlock: =/\= It started happening just as we got there. =/\=

 

Josh hadn’t noted that clue, but it was suspicious. It had been a simple power failure up until they set foot and started scanning. Whether it was coincidental or intentional, he made a mental note to include it in his report to the command staff.

 

Arlill: =/\= We’re working a potential solution, stand by. =/\=

There were muffled voices in the background, Josh thought he heard Nilsen amongst the chatter. From the voices in the background, it sounded like it wasn’t contained to just one deck.

 

Herrick: =/\= You mean it’s happening on all three decks? What about Deck D... Delta? =/\=

 

He heard another officer on the comm indicate a negative response, so he keyed in an override to take them back up. He had a risky idea, and if Shevon was willing, they might just pull it off. As he looked up from the small panel, he saw Shevon’s expression of surprise.

 

S. Sherlock: Um ::beat:: are we, uh, going back?

Herrick: ::nodding:: =/\= If we can’t determine why it’s cascading, then we’re going to need to detach the pod manually. It takes two, and if my colleague here is willing to, we might be able to separate it from the ship and stem it off… ::feeling another explosion:: before we take us and a good part of DS9 with us. =/\=

 

There seemed to be a consensus from the other side of the comm line.

 

Arlill: =/\= I don’t we have a choice (beat) we need to. =/\=

 

Rouiancet: =/\= This is Rouiancet. Lieutenant, we're trying to shut down the EPS network directly, but (with a glance at Nilsen for confirmation) we're having trouble getting through. (beat, more glances around) That plan might be best. =/\=

 

S. Sherlock: =/\= Yeah, yeah. We can do that. ::looking at Herrick:: We can do that? =/\=

 

Every space farer was tested, freighter folk the most; being in the vacuum of space. He wasn’t sure if he should tell Shevon that typically the mission pod is typically only detached in drydock with a slew of worker bees standing at the ready. This, however, was a controlled environment. His voice carried over the comm, though he was directly talking to her.

 

Herrick: =/\= It is possible. =/\=

 

There was a small lull in the conversation, perhaps as the OC debated different options.

 

Nilsen: =/\= Herrick, Sherlock, if you do this, you will have 15 seconds at the most to get out and into the catamaran. I…I know I couldn’t do that run. =/\=

 

Nilsen wasn’t wrong. The risk of improperly detaching the pod would be that Deck D’s atmosphere would be vacated, and while he could hold his breath, it wouldn’t stop him from getting frozen into a Joshsicle.

Rouiancet: =/\= Proceed with manual detachment. =/\=

 

He wasn’t yet acquainted with the voice well enough to speak over the comm, but given they shared the same perspective, he wasn’t worried if they were an outranking officer. If they were, Josh realized that this person could be ordering them to their deaths. oO Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I suppose Oo

 

S. Sherlock: =/\= We'll, uh, yeah, we'll do it! =/\=

 

The cheng offered a reassuring smile, but he new the individual opposite him could probably see through it.

 

Arlill: =/\= Begin with the detachment protocols, we’ll shut down turbolifts and severe conduit connections simultaneously. =/\=

 

Nilsen: =/\= When you two are in position. Let me know, and I’ll do everything I need to here. ::beat:: And Josh…good luck mate=/\=

 

Arlill: =/\= Don’t think this is going to get you out of paying up for that last poker game! =/\=

 

Herrick: =/\= Well, if my luck holds, this might be a time to actually take up the game. =/\=

 

The line went silent again for a brief while, and Josh looked out the turbolift viewport. The lights that sped by were not slowly chugging along. What should have been a 45-second trip was now three times over it. oO Just get us there, please! Oo

 

Arlill: =/\= Toxin to Josh ::formality out the door:: we’re on our way, as soon as you sever that connection you’ll be cut off, stand by for a beam out. =/\=

 

Herrick: =/\= Acknowledged, wish us luck! =/\=

(OOC: Sync up complete :) )

 

Shevon and Herrick each tapped their badge; once they wore near ready, they’d re-establish an open link. Shevon looked at him and nodded excitedly; he assumed she, like him, just wanted this to be solved as fast as possible.

 

The lift doors wheezed open, and Deck D lay in front of them.

 

S. Sherlock: Right, but, um ::beat:: where do I do that?

 

((Deck D, USS Oumuamua))

 

Herrick: ::stepping out of the turbolift:: Luckily, it’s only a few steps in this direction. It’s a joint-custody lockout, so both of us need to engage the actuator at the same time.

 

They walked a bit further until they arrived at the largest VIP quarters aboard the ship. He wondered why Utopia Planitia decided in their infinite wisdom to place it here when there had been so many rogue ambassadors, but he was just the front-line grunt.

 

S. Sherlock: Response

 

Herrick: Maybe in case the commodore decided she’d have enough of a guest. ::trying to lighten the situation:: Detach them and warp off. =/\= Herrick here, it's go time. =/\=

 

S. Sherlock / Arlill / Nilsen / Rouiancet: Response

 

The pair of them removed the panels and behind each one was two handles, he grabbed both and nodded towards the warrant officer to do the same.

 

Herrick: =/\= Computer, override pod release lockout, authorization Herrick-Gamma-One.

 

Computer: =/\= Authorization Denied. =/\=

 

Herrick: Er… Authorization Herrick-Beta-Two? ::looking to Shevon with an apologetic smile:: Recent promotion…still sinking in.

 

Computer: =/\= Authorization Granted. Proceed when ready. =/\=

 

S. Sherlock / Arlill / Nilsen / Rouiancet: Response

 

Herrick: Here goes nothing… on three... One, two, three…

 

Tags/TBC

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Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)