[END Act II] Ensign Ollie Bergmen - So wake me when it's over

[CPT Arianus]

(( City Outskirts - Farmer's Quarter, Lesser Prash, Meirash ))

Timsah: Enough, Spirits! You behave as hatchlingssss! Many things in the jungle. Leave it be.

Those words sounded different. They were harsher, disappointed, like a parent would speak to a child. Ollie stood frozen in the moment.

Dakora: What’d you see Mister Bergman?

oO Glowing eyes of gold. Dagger-sized teeth. Soft, greyish fur. Oo

The monster grew in Bergmen’s mind with every second he tried to imagine it in his mind. A memory of it was fuzzy at best. He opened his mouth to respond and gasped as his thoughts raced over the words he intended to say.

Bergmen: I… ::paused:: There was something feral circling around me, watching me as a predator watches its dinner.

Vito and Savel looked into the jungle, but whatever Ollie saw did not immediately follow the ensign.

Silveira: Maybe it's just a creature from the jungle?

Savel: Whatever it may be, we would perhaps be better off continuing on from here. Quickly.

oO Good idea… Oo

Ensign cleaned himself up and dusted off while three Meriashi began to gather closely behind them, communicating softly in a language filled with hisses and clicks.

O’Connor: I think you’ve ticked off your buddies. I’ve only seen them click like that when they’re stressed out.

Bergmen shot a disapproving look at Legend before turning his attention to their guides.

oO What are they doing? Is it..? Oo

Their guides pulled out from their cloaks some wooden oblong sticks, similar to the ones that Gideon used to smoke herbs.

Dakora: Timsah, what are you doing? What are those?

The commander's voice interrupted Olli's thoughts about the smoker's pipes, prompting the ensign to raise his head. Timash, remaining silent in response to the commander's question, lifted their pipes to their lips. What happened next made it clear that these instruments were not meant for music or enjoyment.

Dakora: Urrrgh, Timsah… why are… you…

The commander in front of Ollie dropped to his knees, a needle protruding from his neck. Ollie felt an urge to scream in shock, but he couldn't catch his breath. His adrenaline-fueled body instinctively reached for the phaser in his holster.

Silveira: You sons of witches…

Savel: Timsah... your music... is…

The ensign still struggled to pull the phaser from its holster when his legs suddenly buckled, and he fell into the mud, face forward.

At that moment, his mind finally caught up with his body.

oO Why on earth did I bring a holster with a safety catch? Oo

Timsah: The will of the Empress is absolute. You will serve her cause as was foretold, Spiritsssssss.

And just like that, the darkness came, pleasantly warm like a child's blanket. It was time for the Starfleet ensign to drift off to sleep...

[End Act II for Ollie]

–
Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1