Cmdr Herrick (Joni): Not a Democracy
Mark P
((The Evening Star))
As far as arranged sham TV marriages went, Josh certainly could have done worse than Trake. But he wasn’t certain any level of spark would materialize on screen, given he had an entirely different level of relationship with the man. He also wondered what Feredo would have made of the whole situation; thankfully, he’d departed the Thor before this whole fiasco started.
At least that would wait until they were on their new luxury crew liner -- the Solar Empress -- unless they somehow escaped first. Right now, whoever was controlling the autocue seemed to have had enough of their chit-chatting, and they were in the midst of improvising a song.
Herrick: (dancing with the others) ♪♪ Let’s get it started in here. ♪♪
As Herrick’s croon trailed off, the captain picked up right after him.
Promontory: ♪♪ Solar Empress, you must confess? Are you real, no or yes? ♪♪
Despite the top portion of his feet complaining about continuing to be in heels, Josh continued to dance and jive with the folks on the dance floor. It was Alora, though, who had most everyone’s eye, including the first officers, with her in-sync footwork to the rhythm.
In the distance, PR3ST1G watched over them. How long had she been here, and what did she make of all this? It still wasn’t clear to the XO if she was a real and willing participant in the events.
Winters: ♪♪ Through one door an old adventure ends and the Solar Empress begins. ♪♪
Herrick: ♪♪ Ahead of us is the potential for wins, sticking together just like we’re twins. ♪♪
Promontory: ♪♪ The E’ening Star sets, we settle our debts. A new dawn rises yet. ♪♪
As Michele made her way over, Josh noted that some of the ensemble seemed quite pushy about directing her where to go. Nevertheless, she seemed to keep a note -- he wasn’t sure it was the right one.
Winters: ♪♪ A grand adventure awaits, rush ahead before it's too late. ♪♪
[[Autocue: “FINAL FLOURISH!”]]
Promontory: (loudly) ♪♪ Solar Empress, is more than a guess; It’s our future, nothing less! ♪♪
As the music swelled and his ‘husband-to-be’ belted out the final line, Josh wondered what exactly was next. And, he was given the answer of being frozen in place, similar to the incident in the ancient jazz lounge.
Josh almost fell on his bottom when the invisible force field released, and PR3ST1G's hands lifting him caught his attention.
PR3ST1G: Let us make our final voyage the best one yet!
Then the darkness enveloped them.
When people started to move and brush past him, he felt his body pushed toward the direction of the door they’d been trying to reach. He felt several grabs and sympathized with how Michele must have felt earlier. Perhaps this was a good sign; it was progress after all.
With that, the scene went dark.
By the time Josh had reached the exit, the bulk of the ensemble had already departed. It was now just the Starfleet quarter, the principal lead from earlier and two unknown players. Enforcers perhaps.
The music gently rose in the back, and the retiring lead started speaking.
PR3ST1G: I was right in my choice. You are all extremely talented.
So, she orchestrated all of this.
DeVeau: Let us go. You have no right to force us to do this and take us from our home.
Winters: Stand down and release our crew.
How many times had Josh found himself in this exact same predicament? It was still unclear what their situation was, how much power these tentacled individuals wielded, and the state of the Thor. It was all very precarious, and making demands might not serve their interests.
There was tense body language in the room, and de-escalation seemed the best course of action, if at all possible.
Herrick: As much as we’re enjoying this ::waving his hand in that air, motioning to their surroundings:: it isn’t our home… as talented as we are, we still are people with agency.
Trying to help these people to see they were in the wrong was only going to have a slim margin of success; it seemed there was a wide gulf in value sets here.
Promontory: Response
PR3ST1G: I have every right, because our people take the right.
Very different sets indeed. The tentacles on the lower portion of her face swayed for a moment before she continued speaking.
PR3ST1G: However, we both have things we want. If you help me, I will help you.
Better.
Winters: Help you? Why should we help those who trap us and make us play for their entertainment?
Josh gave her a glance, hoping she’d pick up on his non-verbal suggestion to ease up. Perhaps it was his ultimate ‘temporary’ demise that had muted any form of bravado from the man. He looked towards Trake, then Alora.
Promontory: Response
The music stopped, but this didn’t seem to concern their host.
DeVeau: Well, what do you want from us?
PR3ST1G: This story has a parallel to real life. See this musical to the end. Don’t just play in it, embrace it. (pausing, glancing up) There are people here who would do whatever they can to get rid of me. Help me complete this story. You will gain fame and your freedom. If you don’t…you might gain infamy and risk cancellation.
He didn’t mind the notion of PR3ST1G being sent off to the sunset, but the devil you know -- however limited -- was a safer bet than the one you didn’t know. As Michele removed her high heels, Josh tried to do the same, but he had no joy. So what if they were cancelled?
PR3ST1G: We have thirty seconds until we must be back on stage.
Winters: Personally Captain, I'd rather fight our way out of this.
Looking first towards Michele, then his CO, the first officer shrugged.
Herrick: I say we see where this takes us…
And be prepared to be stabbed in the back, like so many times before.
Promontory: Response
Winters: Not really a singer sir.
It wasn’t an unfair self-assessment.
Promontory/DeVeau/PR3ST1G: Response
Winters: (with a defensive posture) And what happens if we do not help you? You just keep trying to cycle us through production after production?
Promontory/DeVeau/PR3ST1G: Response
Well, that didn’t sound promising. Perhaps that was where he’d been before this, while Trake had been on adventures for several years. This archive, with the potential that they might never reawaken, made him shudder.
Herrick: I vote not to that.
But this wasn’t a democracy.
Promontory: Response
The music faded back in, indicating they were up for their next number. Hopefully a short one. He saw Michele give a gentle nod after shifting her gaze to the captain.
Winters: You're my responsibility right now so I go where you go.
Josh followed behind as they all took their places back on stage, some of the ensemble helping ensure he found his ‘mark’ as they called it. While the first song seemed to introduce the reason they were there, this one appeared to detail who they were.
Captain Snape was up first.
Promontory: Response
Well, it was trying to mirror some of their reality. Next was Joni, and he followed the instructions dutifully. Begrudging acceptance would likely put them on her naughty list.
Herrick: (clasping Trake’s hands) ♪♪ And all throughout this year, with all of your cheers, I’m now your number one, your one and only hon. ♪♪
Winters: Response
DeVeau: Response
Last up was the tentacled starlet.
PR3ST1G: Response
Ensemble: ♪♪ The show never ends, as long as you're with friends. ♪♪
Each of them was clearer in the role they’d be playing, with the briefest of backgrounds. As the ensemble carried on, he tried a very quiet semi-in-tune statement to the group.
Herrick: ♪♪ Now that we’re here to roost, what will give this the biggest ratings boost? ♪♪
Promontory/DeVeau/PR3ST1G/Winters: Response
Herrick: Response
Promontory/DeVeau/PR3ST1G/Winters: Response
[Tags/TBC]
