LTJG Josh Herrick: Pool Party

[Mark P]

((Outside a Temple, Gratitude Festival, Bajor))

Their visit with the spry man, or potential ghost, had concluded. Josh tried to remain a bit upbeat, but the vision had him deep in contemplation. He hoped for a distraction, even the juggler to make a return, and whether it was his gods or the prophets, an answer came crackling through the other officer’s combadges.

Katsim: =/\=Katsim to Sherlock.  Oumuamua.  Greaves.  Promontory.  Toz.  Anyone!=/\=

Promontory:=/\= Promontory and Sherlock here, what do you need? =/\=

The engineer tried to not read too much into the comm exchange, through the noise it had sounded like Katsim was in danger and, as he looked up and down, you’d definitely pick someone more stacked or a Klingon. He wondered who he’d call in an emergency, but only time and circumstance would tell.

 

Sherlock: Sounds like we lost the signal.

 

Promontory: She sounded in distress, we should try to reach her.

 

The security officer gave a nod to Avander, and he tried to reach the ship.

Promontory: =/\= Promontory to ‘Oumuamua. We’re trying to locate Lt Commander Katsim Peri, she just tried to hail us, but is now non-responsive. =/\=

Some Enlisted Crew Working Whilst Everyone Else Is On Leave (SECWWEEIOL): =/\= This is the Oumuamua. We read her coms traffic but can’t pinpoint a signal. Wherever she is, there’s some kind of interference. =/\=

 

So, the problem is them, not us, Josh reflected.

 

Sherlock: =/\= Look...for...their shuttle. =/\=

 

Herrick: If we can’t reach her, perhaps we can get somewhere near her? If we were able to somewhat triangulate a tangible position.  

Promontory: (nodding) Let’s do it. =/\= Oumuamua, initiate a site-to-site transport to as close as you can approximate the commander’s last position. (beat) And beam us down a tac kit as well. =/\=

 

Sherlock: ::pulling out her Bajoran hold-out phaser:: Do you guys often leave the ship unarmed?

 

Herrick: Well… ::reaching into his pocket:: I’ve got my trusty tricorder. I mean… how often do you think your going to need an energy-directed weapon at a gratitude festival? (beat) ::looking at the phaser in Sherlock’s hand:: Well, maybe “some” people.

 

Aine shook her head, and the other Lieutenant called out to initiate the transport.

Promontory: =/\= Engage =/\=

 

The blue glow of the transporter filled her vision and the ancient city around them faded and was replaced by the nearby wilderness.

 

Sherlock: Grab what you need from the kit, I got us covered.

 

Josh opened the tactical kit and saw 2 rifles, several cricket phasers, a compact med bundle, tricorders and MREs. There were two rifles, and several crickets. He was rated on them all from basic, but he felt more comfortable with the smaller device. He tried to crack a joke as he grabbed it, trying to ease some of the nervous tension he was feeling.

 

Herrick: I’m told size doesn’t matter…

 

Promontory: Response

 

Herrick: Your turn, Lieutenant.

 

Aine and him swapped places while she picked up the rifle. He could hear the tone of her incrementing it up to the third level behind him, and he did the same. After a few moments, the trio regrouped.

 

Josh looked around, they seemed to be near the edge of a dense forest area, to the east was a shallow ravine with crystal clear water.

 

Herrick: So how do we find her?

 

Promontory: response

Sherlock: We can try calling out. Or maybe being closer, the comms will work.

Herrick tapped on his combadge, but it made a fizzling sound. He tried again, and again the small piece of technology couldn’t create a link. He pulled out his tricorder, and was surprised when all the scanning displays read ‘null’.

Herrick: Uh Lieutenants, there seems to be some sort of dampening field around here, I don’t think we’re going to have much luck with comms or instruments.

Promontory/Sherlock : response

 

Herrick: ::shaking his head:: I can’t tell if it’s artificial, I am quite literally getting nothing. Even if we're not being detected, I suspect that we won’t be able to maintain contact if we separate.

 

Promontory/Sherlock: Response

 

In the distance, he could hear sloshing in the water. It wasn’t coming from the ravine itself, given its calm demeanor as it flowed.

 

Herrick: Do you hear that?

 

Promontory/Sherlock: Response

 

Herrick: ::taking a step back into the woods to get a bit more cover:: What do we do?

 

Promontory/Sherlock: Response

---

Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)