Ensign Ollie Bergmen - Let's see that hole
CPT Arianus
(( Near the Western Wing, Klingon Prison Ruins, Wallace Forest ))
Bergmen: Lieutenant? I assume you’ll connect with the Klingons and the archaeological team if they are already there, right? We could, with Imril here, evaluate the Klingon machinery and their methods of exploring and uncovering ruins in the meantime. What are your thoughts on this?
Sadar: ::whispers:: ‘DOCTOR’. ::normal volume:: No Ensign. Ensign Imril and I already ‘connected’ with the Klingons yesterday, and then this morning when the Griffin landed to board Archaeologist B’Equ. We have received all the necessary data on the Klingon’s equipment, and their digging methods are tried-and-tested methods. As I said yesterday evening, we will be dividing our efforts in the ruins.
If Ensign Bergmen's thrilled expression was any indication, he likely hadn't noticed Dr. Sadar's whispered comment. However, the way he tilted his head suggested he might have heard it, but it probably hadn't sunk in yet.
Imril: I don't think anything good can come from looking over the Klingon’s equipment or methods. You wouldn't want one of them coming over and critiquing how you use or maintain your gear, would you? Unless they specifically ask for our help, I suggest we leave well enough alone and stick to our end of things.
Bergmen shook his head in disapproval.
Bergmen: My intention wasn't to criticize or something like that; rather, I aimed to ensure… ah, never mind.
Noting that his proposal had fallen flat, the ensign brushed off his comment and pressed ahead.
Sadar: There’s little obstruction for us to clear in our area. Our part in this is research and logging, and if we find an uncovered route down into the basement layers, all the better.
As their small team stepped out from the treeline, they reached the ruins. It felt as if they had crossed into another realm, where the trees, shrubs, and underbrush gave way to vast, crumbling walls of tan stone.
Despite nature’s relentless advance, those resilient structures remained steadfast. The site emanated a sense of historical significance, infused with the pride of its builders. At first glance, Ollie noticed a striking familiarity in the buildings, echoing an early, brutalist style that was reminiscent of the Klingons themselves.
Sadar: We’re here... The scale of this place…
Imril: ::Nodding in shared awe:: The First Empire must have had a lot of political dissidents.
Bergmen: Or crime. ::shrugs shoulders:: Probably both.
Doctor Sadar approached the ruins and indicated one of the visible buildings.
Sadar: We’ll comb through our wing in a methodical fashion. Don’t separate. Scorpionmoles may be burrowing animals, but we have no assurances they don’t venture above ground. And if you locate a room with sub-par structural integrity, mark it on the map, but do not enter. The Griffin isn’t in a position to beam you out while it’s doing the echo survey.
Imril: Aye, Doctor. Should we begin with a walk along the outer wall? We can get a better feel for how big this part of the ruin is, and mark out the safest places to enter from.
Bergmen nodded and took out his tricorder, starting to work on the side opposite where his colleague Imril had gone.
Bergmen: Understood, m-doctor. I would cover rather more ground, to be sure. In everyone's sight, of course.
Ollie walked around the building's outer walls, while Imril started to explore from the opposite side and ventured into what seemed like a back alley. He found it fascinating to examine the carbon analysis, expecting it to reveal more details about the structure they were investigating. As he raised his tricorder high and gazed at the sky, a bird, shimmering in shades of orange and gold, glided above them in graceful circles. Ollie marveled at its beauty and the elegant dance of nature as it soared overhead. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the bird turned its head and disappeared from view.
Bergmen: Wow, that bird, he’s beautiful! Did anyone have a chance to scan him properly?
Sadar: Response
Bergmen lowered his tricorder and went back to work.
Imril: I wonder if our feathered friends can act as scorpionmole detectors?
Bergmen: Can be. Nonpredatory species often develop six senses of predators, as a protective mechanism.
Sadar: Response
Ensign Bergmen reached the alley’s end and turned right, noting the ruins of what appeared to be the remains of a watchtower, identifiable by its shape and position. What caught his interest wasn't its former purpose—he had previously dismissed it as unimportant and almost walked past—but rather something that became clear only upon closer inspection: there was no entrance to be found.
Bergmen: I think I found something!
Sadar/Imril: Response
Ollie closely scrutinized the information scrolling across his tricorder screen. With every new detail that appeared, his excitement grew, enveloping him in a deep sense of wonder and anticipation.
Bergmen: Yes, YES! Doctor! I found underground space under this ruin! It’s probably a corridor going that way!
Bergmen turned and pointed to what appeared to be a barracks or a similar structure. Its sturdy, more preserved exterior stood in stark contrast to the crumbling tower where the ensign lingered.
Aside from the vines entwined around the walls and creeping through the long-broken windows. And the roof... which had also caved in into the top floor.
Sadar/Imril: Response
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1