Ensign Hermaratlo

[Allen]

Character's Name: Hermaratlo (no last name). Nickname "Hermanito" or "Herm".



Stats

Born: Star Date 41174

Place Of Birth: Risa

Gender: Male

Species Of Origin: Risa

Hair: none - completely bald. Dark eyebrows and eyelashes.

Eyes: Gray.

Height: 6'3" (2 meters)
Weight: 180 lbs.

Skin Tone: Appears to always have a light tan.

Telepathic and Empathic Status: None.

Body: Athletic, but not overly muscular.

Face : Heart shaped, cleft chin, possessing the Risian "birth mark" upon his forehead.

Marital Stats: Marriage dissolved.

Children: None.

Habits: Scratches at the nape of his neck when thinking. Often rubs top of his head as if trying to straighten hair that isn't there. Often prone to musically humming even in tense situations.

Quarters: Cluttered, but not messy. Large pieces of art are scattered about. Many are unfinished. Various antique sculpting tools and paint brushes are found on almost every surface.

Likes: "Thinking" games like 3D chess. Music, "classical". Large gatherings. Theater - especially when performing. Prefers the lounge to the holodeck.

Dislikes: Klingon food.

Ambitions and Goals: To separate from the Risian stereotype and to use his abilities to help his fellow man and to share art and music with everyone he meets.

Temperament: Joyous without being jovial. Very easy going and handles most stressful situations with ease.

Hobbies: Listens to music that most would consider "classical". Enjoys Vulcan composers above most others. Acting, painting, sculpting, playing music. Things many would consider "fine art".

Family
Mother: Goarangie, Risian.

Father: Meadorgre, Risian.

Siblings: Jonval, brother. Two years younger. Hopes to apply to Star Fleet as well.

Character History

"Herm" was born and raised on Risa.

At age 16 he joined a religious sect that sought to rid Risa of it's "sexual" culture and it's reputation as "The Pleasure Planet". A small riot was put down by the Risian government and the sect lost all credibility and public acceptance. Disillusioned by the groups leaders, he left the group, but has maintained his self-imposed celibacy outside of a marriage relationship.

While very proud of his heritage, Herm does not like to talk about the "pleasure planet" aspect of his society and prefers to talk about contributions to art and music his people have made (though often overlooked, simply because they are Risian). When asked what his parents do, he often tries to change the subject, obviously uncomfortable with the thought.

His only brother, Jonval, hopes to apply to Star Fleet soon. However, his acceptance is questionable. Jonval has been arrested several times for attempting to steal from visitors to his home world. He is currently wanted by Cardassian authorities and the Ferengi Alliance has tried on several occasions to extract very heavy fines from him. In spite of his legal troubles, Herm is very close to Jonval and writes him often.

From a very early age Herm showed an aptitude in the arts, visual and performing. He taught himself painting, sculpting, and several musical instruments, including the Earth's guitar. He often worked with acting troops whenever possible.

When the time came, Herm chose Star Fleet academy over art school.  He showed incredible competence in the sciences, but most was most adept and attracted to archeology. He interned on many missions to explore ruins found on un-inhabited worlds. His unique insight led to what is now known as the "Rosetta Stone of cave drawings" for a proto-Klingon race that existed on Omega Leonis. This led to special recognition at his Star Fleet graduation ceremony.

Herm was married while attending Star Fleet academy. The relationship ended very badly when her parents (race unknown) insisted that Herm join the religious sect they were a part of on their home world. The marriage was dissolved and Herm was prevented from contacting his ex-wife. Later, she would be killed in the line of duty. Details of the death remain classified. Herm very rarely speaks of this episode in his life, but the themes are often repeated in his stage plays and music.

Herms abilities in art, music, architecture, and especially archeology have proven valuable to ships that include families and children. During his off-duty hours he can sometimes be found on the school decks giving special presentations to the children and filling in for human teachers that are ill and holographic teachers that are malfunctioning.

Still a very young man, Herm looks forward to expanding his professional and artistic abilities in serving Star Fleet. Encountering ancient, long gone, races would not only allow him to apply his skills in documenting and studying them, but also allow him to be inspired by their culture and arts and allow him broaden his own artistic style and skill.

[Allen]

"HOOBITY SHOOBITY DOO! Bhawm bah badda.." The cadet's humming echoed throughout the cave, but he didn't seem to notice – or at least not to care.

"Cadet!", yelled a voice from the mouth of the cave.

"Boogity bam bam chatta!"

"CADET!", the voice was closer.

"Shoobity shoobity shoobity, oh YEAH!"

"HERM!!"

"EEEK! I mean, Yes, Professor!", yelped the cadet, realizing the voice was right behind him. He jumped up off his knees and stood at attention.

"At ease, cadet. I am not a Starfleet officer.  However, like your superiors at Starfleet Academy, I am growing tired of reminding you to KEEP IT DOWN!"

Cadet Hermaratlo, or Herm as many preferred to call him, lowered his eyes and relaxed his posture. He'd gotten this lecture many times before, and he knew this wouldn't be the last. However, he knew this would be the last he would get from this particular instructor. Either he'd focus on keeping his humming quiet, or he'd be removed from this expedition.

"There is a time and a place", continued the lecture, "for practicing your Earth jazz, or whatever you call it, but we only have a few hours left before we have to load the shuttle and return to the Argo.",

Herm didn't know what race  the man was, but obviously not from Earth, given the distaste he put into the word. Also, Herm never bothered to remember the professor's name.

"So I suggest you finish setting up the imagers", the professor growled, " and record these drawings so we can get out of here!"

"Yes, professor!", returned Herm, habitually falling into the loud, snappy, response he had learned at Starfleet Academy.

As the professor walked away, Herm wondered if he would miss him. Very rarely did the cadet meet someone that didn't leave a lasting impression on his memory, but this blustery, overweight teacher might be the first he'd be willing to forget. Herm was grateful for the opportunity to intern on this expedition to Omega Leonis, but he was more anxious to get back to the academy and graduation. He didn't yet know what Starfleet had in store for him, but he couldn't wait to find out. After today he probably would never see this professor again.

He turned back to his work, careful to keep his humming to himself. He didn't know why, but he always had a melody in his head. And he could never seem to keep it there. "Shooby-doo..." he hummed quietly as he set up the imagers.

As he switched on the scanners, he sat on a nearby rock to wait as they did their work. This was his favorite part of recording cave drawings, the time when we could sit and examine them properly in the light of the imagers. Art was his passion and any time he could spend a few moments examining any work of art he took it, with great relish. "Shoobity bow wow wow.." continued the song in his head.

This expedition was sanctioned by some university on Betazed to examine traces of a cave-dwelling society found on the edge of Klingon space. He wasn't sure how the Klingons felt about them examining some of their possible ancestors this close to their border, but apart from the occasional growl, the typical Federation citizen hadn't heard much from the Klingons in a while.

Herm thought about what he had learned of the Klingons at Starfleet Academy as he looked at the cave drawings. He thought about their art and religion and music.... and religion...

Religion. Could these drawings be some sort of religious expression? He stood and looked closer. As the light of the imager swept it, he examined one  particular figure that seemed be especially important. No, that can't be right.... but as he looked, something seemed to click. If he was looking at this right... no... but there it was.

Kahless. Kahless? "The Klingon Jesus" as some so rudely called him in "Religions of the Federation" class, was supposed to have lived several hundred years later than these drawings were produced, and several hundred light years from here. But still, if one assumes this figure is Kahless, then this cave wall tells the story of Kahless and his brother, Morath.

"Professor!", Herm shouted. He backed away from the wall as he yelled, tripping backwards over the rock he was sitting on. "Prof....errr!" he squeaked, having knocked the breath out of his lungs.

"What is it now!", yelled the professor, as he stormed toward Herm from the mouth of the cave. "Did you break the imagers?"

Herm managed to regain his feet and brushed the dust from his cadet uniform. As he did so, he tried, breathlessly. to describe what he had discovered.

"What on earth are you talking about?", blustered the professor, after hearing the excited description. "Don't be ridiculous, just finish the scan and get the equipment loaded on the shuttle.

Herm was generally a peaceful person; much preferring to settle disputes with a nice tri-d chess match than a fist fight. His home world of Risa was known as "The Pleasure Planet" and was, quite possibly, the most peaceful world in the Federation. But when he knew he was right, he made sure others saw it his way.

He grabbed the professor by the arm, nor worrying that the much heavier man could throw him to the ground, and drug him to the cave wall.

"Now LOOK!", Herm insisted, "If this figure is Kahless, and this figure is the sea, and these the mountains, what are we looking at?"

"Don't be a fool! This can't possibly.... a cadet couldn't possibly... uh... what? It... it can't be..."

For several long minutes, the professor looked at the cave wall. He just stood there, hands at his side, staring. Staring. Finally, with a heavy "huff", he sat on the dusty cave floor.

"Cadet, do you realize what you've found? I mean, if this really is, what you say it is, not only is this a great discovery for the Klingons, but it's a Rosetta stone for understanding every other cave drawing on this planet. Possibly this sector!"

"I'm sorry, professor, a 'Rosetta stone'?"

"The expression originated on Earth." the professor answered absently, still staring at the paintings on the wall, "The Rosetta stone helped archaeologists studying Earth's ancient Egyptian society decipher their pictorial language. You, my boy, may have just done the same for these early Klingons."

–

Several hours later, Herm sat alone on his bunk in the cargo-hold-turned-sleeping-quarters aboard the Argo. The captain had invited Herm to dine with him in his private mess, an honor never given to a cadet; apparently his discovery was already making waves in the Federation's archaeological community and at Starfleet. The university on Betazed had sent him a message asking him to present his find. He was overwhelmed. And exhausted.

But now was not the time for introspection. It was time to party! He accepted the captains invitation, replied to the university saying he'd be glad to prepare a presentation, and got up, changed into his off-duty clothes, and headed for the recreation lounge.

As he walked the corridors, he thought again about what Starfleet had in store for him. Doubtful, anyone aboard a Starfleet vessel would know, or care, about what happened today, but it didn't matter. What did matter was he had a job to do. And he'd do it with pride.

As he entered the recreation lounge he was greeted by his fellow archaeologists with cheers and slaps on the back.

Yes, with pride. But also a great deal of fun!

[Allen]

The newly assigned ensign threw his meager belongings on his bunk as he entered his new quarters.

"Computer, begin personal correspondence, my brother, Jonval. Consult Risa home world database for delivery information."

The computer chirped in confirmation. As he began unpacking, Ensign Hermaratlo began dictating in his native Risian language:

"Brother,

I apologize for not being able to respond to you sooner. Someday, when you are in Starfleet, you will understand the insanity of the lifestyle. Oh, but what a glorious insanity it is!

I am sorry, too, that I cannot give you the details of where I have been assigned, but my understanding is that it will be public knowledge soon enough. Maybe then I can tell you where we're going and what I'll be doing.

I can tell you that I have been given the impressive title of "Archeology and Anthropology Officer". Sounds great, right?  But, boy oh boy am I freaked out! I so wish I could tell you where we're going and what I'll be doing! Maybe once we're underway they will lift the restrictions on personal communication and I can tell you how awesome my assignment is.

And, yes, it is rare for an Ensign to be assigned as a team leader. But I have yet to decide if this is an honor or a punishment. The level of work in this department is going to be insane. Even though I am technically a team leader, I don't have a permanent team. Much of what I'll be doing, I'll be on my own, but I will be able to beg, borrow, and steal personnel from other departments when I need them for a dig.

Have I said too much? I don't know. The computer will censor it if I did. Sorry.

How are mother and father? I wish you could convince them to retire and leave Risa. They are too old to be dealing with tourists anymore. Did you tell them about my award at graduation? I know you think it's stupid and childish that both they and I make you be the "go-between", but you know I've tried! And I will continue to try. The riot was a long time ago and I have acknowledged my mistakes and stupidity. I wish they could look past it to what I am doing now. I wish they could be proud of me.

You asked again how I'm feeling at the news of Sulacan's "accident". I don't know how to feel. I hadn't seen her or talked to her in three years. Not since... well, not since we were separated. I have never stopped missing her. I don't know if I feel any different now that I know she's dead. Honestly, I've been too busy to think about it.

What more can I tell you? Right now, not much. I've just arrived on my ship. The crew seems very close. Many of them have been together for a long time and have been through some amazing things. But you know me, it's never hard to make friends. The ship itself is amazing. I will be sharing a suite with someone, another ensign, though I don't know who yet. But my sleeping quarters are still 20 times bigger than the cell I had at the monastery! I have been told that the holodeck library includes extensive information about Risa. I shudder to think what most people use that information for, but I look forward to visiting the virtual version of the music conservatory that was near our home.

Speaking of music, I have learned a new instrument from Earth called a "guitar". I have been practicing an ancient human tune called "Classical Gas".  I look forward to sharing it with you. Maybe whoever runs the crew lounge will let me play now and then. I know a lot of these newer ships have holographic bands,  but who knows?

Brother, I so wish you could be here. If only... no. I won't lecture you. Maybe, someday, after I've been here a while, I can find the right people to talk to to get you into the Academy. Everyone makes mistakes. I just wish there were a faster way to clean yours up.

I have to go. I hope to be able to write you more detail about our mission, about my job, once we are under way. Maybe in a week or so.

Peace to you, brother.

Oh, Ps. Remind me to tell you about an Earth delicacy called a "hot dog". You'll love it.

Computer, end correspondence."

Herm turned and looked out the hull window in his bedroom. From here he could see where Romulus used to be. What was out there? He didn't know, but he was dying to find out.