Ensign Ollie Bergmen - Some sunshine is good for the soul, but I always make sure I wear a big hat
CPT Arianus
(( Near the Western Wing, Klingon Prison Ruins, Wallace Forest ))
It didn't take long before Lieutenant Sadar's ground team swiftly split from Klingons to explore different sections of the forest and the ruins. The air was as musty as it had been on Meraishi, bringing back uncomfortable memories that Ollie wished to leave behind on this mission. Yet, there was little time to relax.
Lieutenant Sadar, on the other hand, seemed to relish the mustiness and humidity—good for her, at least.
Sadar: Ensign Bergmen, did the colonists mention anything about how they intend to move the treeline?
Ensign turned to face the voice and nodded to acknowledge that he had heard her.
Bergmen: They did not mention how, only why. To make a space for farming and better access to this site, ma’am.
Sadar: N-No, it’s about what Ensign Imril said yesterday. Perhaps that is something we can accomplish in the interim. Would that be possible with the equipment we have on hand or on the Griffin?
They were talking within earshot of one another, their voices barely cutting through the clamor of the cleaning operations. So, Ollie was quite surprised, when he heard Imril chime in on their conversation.
Imril: Definitely. Starting with a tractor beam for hauling any felled trees that need moving. And we should be able to work up some tools for cutting the trunks or digging up the soil to get at the roots. Power tools and two-hand items that could be replicated as kits and assembled for use, I mean.
Bergmen shrugged and gestured towards Imril.
Bergmen: Here’s what he’s saying, if this is what you meant.
Sadar: It’s not something to do right now, but it may service us if tempers start flaring to divide and conquer. ::looks around:: Also, we don’t want to, uhhh, ‘anger the trees’?
Imril faced the forest and began to wave.
Imril: ::Waving at the forest:: Hello, trees! Nice to meet you! ::To Sadar and Bergmen:: From what I was able to read on this particular species last night, what we’re smelling right now is just a warning given off by the leaves. Any damage to them, anywhere, will result in the trees expressing something truly noxious. A chemical mixture contained in their sap. A natural defense against insects and grazers. It’s sticky, too. Get any on you and you’ll stink for a day at least.
Ollie shrugged.
Bergmen: Working theory yesterday with locals regarding trees was between superstition curse and toxic pollution from ruins, so this can be an explanation as good as others.
Sadar: Response
Imril: The least smelly option for moving them would probably be digging them out and uprooting them whole. But then, I’m not a botanist or a colonist. Maybe there’s a neutralizing agent that I’m not aware of. And I don’t know how intertwined their roots are either, now that I think about it.
Ensign Bergmen looked at the lieutenant and raised his eyebrows in question.
Bergmen: Are we planning to engage in deforestation with the locals, ma’am? If so, we should closely study what entails their... nature, and ensure we are adequately geared up for hazardous environments while doing so, I would suggest.
Sadar: Response
Imril gulped from a canteen and gazed forward. The light filtering through the trees of the strange forest grew brighter, signifying that they were approaching the edge—hopefully nearing the treeline that signaled the ruins ahead. Ollie took a cue from Imril and pulled out his canteen to quench his thirst.
Bergmen: What do you think they see from the air? Viewing the entire ruins must be captivating…
Ollie pointed to the tree’s top and heaven over their head.
Sadar/Imril: Response
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/Imril: Response
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1