Ensign Ollie Bergmen - Homefront, part 1
CPT Arianus
(( Main road to Bergmen’s residence, Gideon ))
The unbroken rays of sunlight and the mournful sound of the sea in the background, carried by the wind, formed the backdrop of Olli's childhood. Now, as he stood in front of the gate of his family home, it felt as if the world had not changed at all. It was as if nothing was different since he had left here sixteen years ago, without ever looking back or considering whether he had made the right decision.
Ensign took off his helmet and placed it on the handlebars of the hoverbike, looking at the gate and its peculiar relief, searching for its meaning or the secret message about the meaning of life that was hidden in it. And now, as then, he could not find the answer.
The grains of sand settling in the relief reminded him of another time—his childhood—when he received a hoverbike from his mother for his thirtieth birthday, and one evening - by then, he was still learning how to drive this overpowered machinery his father commented as "shortest way how to maim oneself" - he had been more than a bit of an idiot when he decided to ride through the gate at full speed as it was opening. The groove, still visible on the right wing of the gate, served as a reminder of his failure to do so.
Now that he was looking at it, it was strange. It had been twenty years, and his parents had never repaired it. Was it a reminder not only to him but also to them? A reminder of the child who had left them behind?
There was no reason to delay. He knew what he had to do—talk to his parents. But having that conversation...
Ensign pressed the remote control and waited for the gate to open.
It was time to visit home.
(( Bergmen’s residence, Gideon ))
Ollie paused at the corner and gazed through the glass wall into the living room. It was a workday afternoon, and he didn’t really expect his parents to be home - yet - but he thought it would be wise to be prepared in case they were.
But the path was clear. Smiling, he entered the room from the courtyard porch. His younger brother was sitting on the floor doing his homework, while his older sister was seated on the couch with a PADD in hand, likely reviewing work documents for the family hotels.
Bergmen: What’s up Bergmens?
Ensign's voice echoed from the door frame, and Prim, his younger brother, turned toward the sound.
Prim: Hi Ollie! Can I have a hug?
His younger brother spread his arms in the air and enthusiastically leaned toward Olli. Olli stepped closer, sat on the couch, and allowed his brother to give him a loving embrace with a little oxygen diet.
Prim: I missed you!
Prim allowed Olli to take a breath as he released his brother and picked up one of the PADDs from the table.
Prim: Can you teach me my homework, pleeease?
Olli nodded with a smile, while Prim, brimming with enthusiasm, raised his fist triumphantly in the air. Their older sister glanced up from the PADD she reviewed, letting out a disdainful snort.
Manow: Really Prim? Running to Ollie every time there is an exam…
Prim met her smirk with one of his own before turning to Olli, wrapping his arms around his leg with a beaming smile.
Prim: Yea, ‘cause he’s not home that often. ::smirks back to Manow:: And you cannot teach me, because you know nothing about the topic.
At that moment, a pillow thrown by his sister landed on Prim's head. Ollie picked up the pillow from the ground and placed it back on the couch.
Bergmen: Manow! You should be the grown-up here.
Prim: Yes, you see her, one big adult?
Ollie lifted a finger and shot his younger brother a disapproving glance.
Bergmen: You too. Don’t provoke her, and go study in my room. I will follow you in a bit.
Prim snatched the PADDs from the table and dashed eagerly across the living room toward the stairs leading to the first floor. As he vanished upstairs, Ollie turned to his sister with a curious glance.
Bergmen: What prompts you to argue with him as if you’re both just the same age?
Manow just sighed and brushed off the comment, turning their attention back to the PADD in hand. But Ollie still had more to say.
Bergmen: And how are Dad and Mom doing? I had little to no time to call them after my assignment to ship duty.
Manow didn't bother to look up from the PADD, yet her face darkened.
Manow: Pretty much the same.
Ollie, however, refused to back down.
Bergmen: In terms of what?
Manow kept reading the PADD for a moment longer, but then she suddenly slammed it down onto the table and turned her entire body to face Ollie.
Manow: You know what. You should have been the one to take over the resorts after Boun ran off to chase his so-called musical dreams. But no, you didn’t even try to step up for us. You left, too, for Starfleet. One day, you were excited about going to university, and the next, you were gone. You enlisted who knows where and did who knows what while I stayed behind with our father. And I was never good enough for him, whatever I will do.
Bergmen: Manow…
Ollie tried to reach out to take Manow's hand for support, but she swiftly pulled it away.
Manow: You should return to your ship and career. Maybe when Dad realizes that you’re truly gone for good, he'll see what's in me and be proud.
Bergmen: Sis… You, me, Prim. We were in this always together. No one is better than the others. Did you forget our promise?
Manow's expression teetered between disappointment and regret.
Manow: You made that promise up for yourself, Ollie. You are the only one who ever believed that. ::sighs:: Yeah. Don't worry about it. You know I'm not someone who really cares about what our father thinks. Let it be.
Ollie gazed straight ahead, his face expressionless, hiding the whirlwind of restless thoughts that churned in his mind like a raging river.
Manow gazed at Ollie intently, her gaze lingering on familiar features that had once belonged to her younger brother. Although sixteen years had passed, she could still catch glimpses of the lost teenager that resided deep within. There was an unmistakable vulnerability that echoed the boy she once knew. It felt as if, beneath the layers of false adulthood and uniform, that same innocent spirit still longed for recognition and understanding. With a warm smile, she reached out her arm to him.
Manow: Ollie… I understand that you are different from me. I know you often worry about others, but sometimes you should let it go.
Ollie took her hand and pulled her in for a heartfelt embrace. They held each other close for a brief moment before he finally spoke again.
Bergmen: Sorry. I'm here to help with anything you need. I can lend a hand when I am here.
Manow pulled away, and Ollie could genuinely see in her the grown woman she had become. She no longer needed him. Standing firmly on her own two feet, she felt a mix of sadness and determination. Although she was hurting, she realized she could and wanted to face her battles on her own, for herself.
Manow: It has been better for you to walk away. You wouldn’t have been able to truly live your life here working for our father. Now that you've got the chance to live a meaningful life in your Starfleet, so don’t dwell on the past.
Ollie felt a swirl of confusion and uncertainty in his mind as he processed what had just happened. It felt as though he were wading through a dense fog, battling to find the right words to convey the chaos swirling inside him. He glanced at his sister and opened his mouth to speak, but after a brief moment, he closed it again. The words still eluding him. He stood up and looked toward the staircase, glimpsing his sister before glancing back.
Bergmen: I will go check on Prim.
She gave a subtle nod, her eyes signaling him to move forward. A moment hung between them, filled with unspoken words, and Ollie felt a strong urge to share his feelings, but the right words eluded him. With a sigh, he turned away, his heart heavy, and began going to the stairs.
Manow: ::whispers:: Be careful Ollie… Don’t let the world hurt you for your kindness.…
TBC
–
Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1