Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - You call it singing, I call it a war crime

[CPT Arianus]

(( Main Shuttlebay - Deck 11, USS Artemis-A ))

There were only a few places on the USS Artemis that Lieutenant Bergmen loved. His cozy quarters, which offered him a comforting retreat, the quiet catwalk over the ground hover footpads on deck 17 where he could find solace and reflect in solitude, and the bustling main shuttle bay, a lively spot where he could observe the ebb and flow of life, with shuttles arriving and departing, each carrying the hopes and dreams of those aboard. Leaning against the wall, looking at the PADD displaying the list of recently delivered medical supplies that he had promised to obtain for Doctor Bancroft, Ollie enjoyed the moment with the magnificent view of blooming life.

Departure announcements, technicians navigating outgoing traffic, and another shuttle moves along taxiways... Another group lined up and prepared to take advantage of shore leave to enjoy time outside the confinement of this ship. The lieutenant could see many new faces, invisible otherwise behind walls of work on decks Ollie only rarely visited. The buzz of activity was what he needed.

But his peaceful moment was disturbed by a sound that was so unflattering to his ears, a sound as if a targ were screaming somewhere in the grip of a double spring steel trap.

K’Wara: Mi ú tu zeyon cí, gon zyo gon tan jodí, mei lai danja o shínjo... ::unintelligible mumbling:: FU AN’NA NAJA!

Ollie glanced at the parked shuttle. - Kerynitis was its name, painted on its side behind the cockpit - and briefly thought about calling Security, but then chose not to. After all, having his musical taste insulted was unlikely to warrant Security's intervention, let alone their involvement. Instead, young JG decided to investigate the auditory crime scene himself.

Bergmen: ::from shuttle entrance:: Sir? Sir! Do you know that the targ is a protected species in the Federation, and their abuse is a punishable offense of up to two years in a penal colony?

But there was no targ, nor abused animal of another kind. Just an officer sitting on the ground, alone, working on the shuttle. Bergmen stopped and watched him, startled as he began to realize that the wailing he heard was the officer… attempting to sing.

K’Wara: Oh, hello there! Sorry, kinda stuck. ::moves elbows emphatically:: I’m new! Lieutenant Tamio K’Wara. Pleasure to meet you. ::gauges appearance:: Do you need something?

Ollie tilted his head while he pondered how much to criticize his superior officer for the lack of musical taste. The silence stretched on, making it clear that he needed to say something—anything—because K'Wara didn’t seem to hear him initially. And repeating his words was definitely out of the question.

Bergmen: Lieutenant Junior Grade Olliver Bergmen, Operations. I was investigating what was happening there, and you were heard up to outside, and it sounded… suspicious. I did not see you on board before. What are you doing here with the shuttle… sir?

JG Bergmen spread his legs slightly and placed his hands on his hips, surveying the lieutenant on the ground with a look of suspicion.

K’Wara: Right, just gimme a moment and I’ll get the circuits closed up. ::quiet inaudible mumbling:: Don’t think this girl’s had a proper EPS grid stress test for ages.

Ollie frowned and relaxed his stance slightly. The name said didn’t mean anything to him; after all, he was supposed to have a rotation in P&O until after his return from shore leave - which he had been diligently postponing - however, it seemed he had struck gold by finally meeting a new lieutenant, about whom he had overheard a week ago will be joining the department from DS 224.

Bergmen: Kerynitis was extensively used in the past year, and unfortunately, most of its deployments resulted in severe damage. As a result, I’m afraid that not even the light switch remains from the original shuttle. Therefore, there was no need for even an A-check maintenance yet, because it is technically considered new. But I see, it seems that our colleagues may have forgotten to properly document the repairs, not to mention resetting the shuttle’s maintenance inspection record.

So the stress test was technically unnecessary, but on the other hand, it didn’t hurt to conduct it. Regardless of the fact that it revealed space for improvement in departmental documentation policies. But that wasn't why Ollie was here, and frankly, it wasn't even in his remit... So, he simply smiled and decided to set aside the thought of encouraging the lieutenant to investigate that can of worms and somehow find a resolution.

Bergmen: Since you've completed the stress test anyway... Did the shuttle pass inspection okay?

K’Wara: Response

Ollie nodded in acknowledgment of what was said. He didn't seem surprised.

Bergmen: Welcome to Artemis Operations. Hope you will enjoy your stay.

K’Wara: Response


TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1