Ensign Herrick: Fashionably Late
Mark P
((Deck 8, USS ‘Oumuamua))
Josh was running down the corridor with the speed of an Orithian Saber Cat shouting at folks to ‘make way’. The voice of a rabbit from a classic Alice in Wonderland movie popped into his head.
Herrick: oO I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. Oo
On top of his regular duties, he was given a special assignment. He wasn’t one to refuse orders, especially being fresh out of the academy, and this was one he had enjoyed completing. But now, he was going to be late, and what made it worse was that all the senior officers were probably there already. He didn’t enjoy sticking out, but he seemed exceptional at just that.
It was Josh’s second official 'Oumuamua function that he was attending. The first had been the awards ceremony back when he was first posted to the ship; this one would be a send off to a quintet of officers that were leaving to a ship brought back to the fleet, the Ronin.
He finally arrived at his quarters, slowing down just before slamming into the doors. As they whisked open, he sprinted towards his closet. Opening the small storage space that held 5 outfits, he realized he wasn’t exactly sure what to wear. Given it was his chief, that all the senior officers were going to be there, and it seemed official, he elected to grab his formal dress uniform.
Herrick: oO No time to check, every second counts, get a move on. Oo
After getting everything on, he took a final look to make sure he appeared inspection ready, and then blazed out of his quarters and into the turbolift right around the corner. It was a small blessing that in these high times of self-imposed semi-work-related stress, there wasn’t much room in his mind for anything else — meaning there was no room for the claustrophobia to register.
It only took moments for the turbolift to climb a level, and then let him out a few steps to 7-Forward. He tried to regain his breathing a bit, still slightly ragged from the running earlier.
((7-Forward, USS ‘Oumuamua))
As the doors opened and he walked in, Josh’s suspicions were confirmed. Practically everyone else had arrived and several smaller social circles had already formed. He kept looking left and right, and then Oomph, he walked right into the back of someone.
Etan: Response
As the first officer turned around, the color drained a bit from Josh’s face.
Herrick: oO Well, there goes slipping in unnoticed. Oo … Commander… Etan. It's good to see you again.
Etan: Response
Herrick: ::face falling a bit:: Yeah… I’m just glad we had a chance to work together for some time. The Ronin is lucky to have them.
Etan: Response
Herrick: I hope Klaff had nothing to do with his transfer. ::recalling back to his only interaction with Humanoid Resources::
Etan: Response