LTJG Josh Herrick: Trial Run

[Mark P]

((Main Engineering, USS 'Oumuamua))

Piles and piles and piles of PADDs surrounded Josh; he suspected that there were probably over 150 scattered across his desk and on short shelves that lined the sides of the spartan office. He still hadn’t decorated, mostly given the lack of priority compared to all the necessary repairs that were needed onboard.

He wasn’t sure how the Oumuamua was going get back up to peak efficiency without being dry docked for a while at a shipyard — but the crew on loan from the station, combined with the supplementary personnel Starfleet had sent to replace his fallen comrades, and his and Arlill’s teams, were working hard around the clock.

Holodecks had been the fastest system to repair, outside of the exterior hull plating. Miash had apparently had some weekly yoga program that more and more folks were getting interested in, and luckily it hadn’t needed to be cancelled.

Replicators were now mostly working, there were some instances of everything being suspended in jelly but they seemed to have squashed that bug, and now the focus was on communications and sensors.

As he continued to read PADD after PADD, the words started blurring together. He needed a break and decided to step out of the office. As he looked around, he scanned each face. He’d familiarized himself with everyone that was working onboard. However, now there was a fresh, unknown face, looking up at the glowing warp core.

Josh made a slight coughing noise, trying not to shock someone that appeared deep in thought. However, it seemed unsuccessful as she whipped around in surprise.

S. Sherlock: Oh, hi, sorry. I was just looking at your warp core.

Herrick: A OR-300 Mark V; they’re becoming a rarer commodity in the fleet with the Warp XVs out and about now. The Luna couldn’t handle the refit; but it does the job.

He paused for a moment, there was a tinge of green in the officer’s skin — almost invisible in the brilliant blue hue that the warp core was casting off. He suspected she was Orion, given the greenish skin and green eyes, but wasn’t confident in his assessment. He didn’t recall seeing her image in the list of all the transfers, but then again, it could be lost in the jumble of other data in his brain.

Herrick: I’m the acting cheng down here, Josh Herrick.

S. Sherlock: I'm ::pointing to the single hollow pip on her collar:: Warrant Officer Shevon Sherlock. ::suddenly feeling giddy:: I'm a Warrant Officer.

There seemed to be some nervous but excited energy radiating from the NCO.

Herrick: Are you a recent addition to the ‘Oumuamua? If so, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you at first, things have been a bit… crazy onboard lately.

S. Sherlock: Uh ::beat:: no, I'm not assigned here. But maybe? I could ::beat:: possibly?

 

Herrick: oO Ah… so that’s where this nervous energy is stemming from. Angling for a posting. Oo

 

He paused for a moment, looking her up and down as if to size her resume up on personal appearance alone. There didn’t seem to be any nefarious intent behind her statements; both Josh and the gods knew that this ship needed help so maybe they’d pulled the strings of fate.

 

Herrick: Well, permanent personnel assignments are out of my hand — usually that’s between Starfleet, the Captain, and the XO Etan. But, if that’s your desire, I don’t see why we can’t ‘test out the water’ while we’re here at DS9.

 

S. Sherlock: Response

 

Herrick: Do you mind if I do a quick lookup on you? Just to make sure there are no surprises on paper.

 

S. Sherlock: Response

 

He pulled out a PADD from his pocket, oO PADDs everywhere Oo, and looked up her limited information. She was Orion, she’d tried enlisting in the Academy and then switched — decent non-Starfleet background but pretty fresh from Warrant Officer’s school. The image on screen matched the individual in front of him.

 

Herrick: So… what gets you jumping out of bed in the morning?

 

S. Sherlock: Response

 

Herrick: ::smiling:: I meant… What are you passionate about when it comes to ::sweeping his hand around the engine room:: working on a ship or in engineering? Any areas of interest or specializations?

 

S. Sherlock: Response

---

Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)