LTJG Josh Herrick: Revelations

[Mark P]

((Small Temple Off The Beaten Path, Bajor))

 

The trio had three different perspectives on ghosts. Avander, who was open to the idea of variations of ghosts. Sherlock, who was a true believer given her past encounter. And Josh, who wasn’t sure what to believe but had poked fun in jest due to the uncomfortable implications of what ghosts meant.

 

However, it wasn’t only ghosts that could surprise the team, with a Vedek appearing almost out of thin air.

 

Promontory: What now?

Sherlock: Jaysus! Well, not...it's ::gesturing to the man who had scared her:: another Vedek.

Vedek: I’m sorry child, I didn’t scare you.

 

Josh watched as the man reached out, and then assumptively grabbed her ear. It was clear that Aine wasn’t looking to be ‘read’, as she politely pulled away from him, but the spiritual man offered his assessment anyway.

Vedek: You're pagh is strong ::taking a beat while flexing his fingers:: What brings you here children?

Sherlock: ::gesturing to her fellow officers:: My friends wanted to see a temple.

Promontory: Is this how we get to see the ghosts!?

 

There was a nudge between the pair of officers, and the worry in the back of his mind that he may have offended Sherlock has started to dissipate.

Sherlock: You'll have to excuse him, Vedek. He'd heard a story and is now curious.

 

Herrick: Ghosts, or spiritual revelations. From what I’ve read, Bajor has a high incidence rate with these types of things — particularly given the orbs.

 

He sounded like an eager college student, as terrifying as new experiences were, they were just as thrilling.

 

Vedek: I cannot promise you will see anything, that would be the will of the Prophets. But I can help guide you. Unless you have ::beat:: reservations?

Promontory: No, by all means, let’s assess all our paghs!

 

Josh wondered if it would involve an assault on both the men’s ears; and worse yet, what if the Vedek told him his pagh was weak? He wasn’t about to back out in front of the two lieutenants, so he nodded. He had an amusing thought as one of his old school teachers popped into his head, telling him not to succumb to peer pressure — but, in some cases it was a good motivator.

Herrick: Assess away.

 

Sherlock: I too, would like to try.

 

Vedek: Please, children, follow me. ::gesturing towards the large door of the temple:: It is not often I have the opportunity to share this experience with humans.

Promontory: I’m actually only part human.

 

There was no change in the Vedek at the correction. The comment only half-surprised the engineer. There were many hybrids aboard, the Commodore herself a prime example, and Josh wondered what mixture Avander’s was. He was going to ask, but wondered if that was inappropriate for someone he’d really just met properly for the first time. More was added to the growing list of LCARS stalking research he was doing on the crew.

 

The team was led through the doors and into a large central room; the shift from bright daylight to dim candlelight had been abrupt, and it took Herrick a moment to adjust. As they did, he could see the Vedek motioning to him to be the first.

 

For some reason, he thought it would have been Promontory or Sherlock to go first and, if there were no side effects he’d be next. He debated the implications of this but knew a Vedek was likely not out to murder three Starfleet officers.

 

He felt a slight push on his arm and looked sideways to see it was Sherlock.

Sherlock: Looks like you're the first victim.

 

Well, at least they were on the same page about that.

 

Herrick: Wish me luck; I hear exorcisms are becoming all the rage in sickbay.

 

He quickly turned back to the Vedek.

 

Herrick: Not to offend, your… holiness? oO Is that what you call them? Oo We’ve just been through some… harrowing experiences as of late.

 

The Vedek nodded in understanding, and then shifted to a more serious tone.

 

Vedek: Clear your mind.

 

Josh closed his eyes. He’d been told to clear his mind in past mental exercises, but he wasn’t sure what exactly that meant. Even the thought of clearing it caused his mind to race.

He closed his eyes, trying in earnest to do so.

 

The beterat smoke had been stronger inside the enclosed space, and Josh could feel it almost burning through his nostrils down into his lungs. He felt someone grab his ear and his face furrowed.

 

Vedek: Give yourself to the will of the prophets… clear your mind and allow entry so that you may find the answers you seek young man.

 

He was starting to get dizzy as the smoke gained intensity with each breath. He wanted out, this wasn’t at all what he was expecting. But, when he reopened his eyes, he was no longer in the temple. He was back at Starbase 118, where he completed the last step of his co-cadet training mission.

 

((Holodeck 17, Starbase 118, Josh’s Mind Palace))

 

Serala: At ease. I’m Commander Serala, and I’ll begin by handing out today’s assignments. I understand that some of these are not your ideal assignments, but they are only for this training, so do your best.

 

Herrick: What am I doing here?

 

Serala continued on, and was accompanied by the cadets that had been with him at the time, Rivera, De’Vere, Maddix, König, Wroth. This couldn’t be them, there was no way the Vedek had transported him back in time.

 

Herrick: ::waving his arms wildly:: Hello?!

 

Serala: ::turning to Josh:: Clear your mind cadet!

 

The rather abrasive order shocked him, but also reminded him of how regimented the academy had been. Don’t think, just do — at least until the basics were down.

 

Wroth: What do you think he seeks Commander?

 

Serala: He is unsure of himself, his station, where he belongs.

 

Maddix: Is he fit to lead others, to lead us?

 

De’Vere: Will he lift us to the heavens or send us to the ruins?

 

He didn’t enjoy being talked about in the third person, but the gang was not letting him get a word in edgewise.

 

Serala: Should he find it…

 

The world shifted in a blur around him, and he was in Main Engineering, where he saw several officers around him and a PADD in his hand. He was giving a briefing, and the officers were intently looking at him. Then, Serala’s voice came booming from above.

 

Serala: Or, should he not…

 

And the scene changed rapidly in front of him, alarms blaring, the warp core venting, and the flash of a breach. Josh instinctively closed his eyes, and after a few seconds, reopened them..

 

((Central Temple Room, Bajor))

 

It took a second to get his mental footing; he was back where he belonged.

 

Herrick: Was that… the prophets?

 

Vedek: Who’s to say everything isn’t the will of the prophets?

 

Promontory: Response

 

Herrick: It was… interesting… it’ll take some time to understand what I saw.

 

He rubbed the back of his head. He knew what he saw, he just wondered why the prophets, or more likely his subconscious, had decided to surface it in that manner.

 

The Vedek turned to the remaining two officers, offering that same gentle smile as when they’d met in the courtyard.

 

Vedek: He’s fine and unharmed, just as you will be. Who shall journey with me next?

 

Promontory: response

 

Sherlock: I think we should save the best for last, so you go next.

 

Sherlock shot Promontory a grin, and while Josh tried his best to mirror the humorous attitude it would be a hot minute for things to settle in his head.

 

Promontory: response

 

Josh stepped back, and let Avander take his place.

 

Herrick: (under his breath) Good luck.

 

Sherlock/Promontory: Response

 

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

 

Sherlock/Promontory: Response

 

((OOC: Keeping the tags light so that we can react to how Promontory comes out of his experience :) ))

 

---

Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)