Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - How do you answer without answering?

[CPT Arianus]

(( Type-17 Argo Transport “Atlas”, Space around Risa ))

The shuttle gradually adjusted its speed toward the course guidance line between the Artemis shuttle bay and its designated training area in Risa orbit. Bergman began completing the post-launch checklist since they had already passed the launch threshold, allowing him to leave immediate navigation to the autopilot.

Bergmen: Shuttle sealed, pressurization set… thrust detent… landing and taxi lights off, strobe on…

His gaze fell on Doctor Syrex, who scanned him as he worked, and the lieutenant gave her an approval nod and smile.

Syrex: Ok, nicely done Lieutenant. Now please continue on this heading as indicated in your flight plan whilst I ask you a few questions, to make sure we have the basics covered.

As he completed after-takeoff checklist, he nodded, turned back to the controls, and disconnected AP.

Bergmen: As you command, Doctor.

Syrex: All right. Please state your name, rank, species and age for the record.

Bergman: Olliver Kimi Bergmen. Lieutenant, Junior Grade. A Gideon. 50 years, 11 months, and… ::thinks:: 12 days.

The doctor checked out her checkboxes on PADD with every one of his answers.

Syrex: Is there anything that’s happened to you in the last twelve months that you have failed to report?

oO And there goes the trick questions… Oo

Bergmen showed signs of nervousness, evident in his unwitting lip-biting.

Bergmen: You mean… Medically oriented?

As he heard his question, his mind immediately started to scream at him about the failure in his wording.

oO Now it looks like there is more to this question of yours I don’t want to answer, right, doctor? Oo

Syrex: It’s important to note that this isn’t to trick you or catch you out. This is simply to make sure you are fit and healthy for solo flight. It doesn’t have to be anything major you’ve missed; it can be something small that perhaps you forgot to mention?

Ollie glanced quickly and nervously at Doctor Syrex before turning his gaze back to the view of space and the control instruments.

Bergman: I… ::thinks:: Yes, ma’am. Back on the Genesis planet, we were exposed to some… pollen. It had some… effects… ::sighs:: But those already vanished before we got back aboard Artemis, so I did not feel I needed to mention them in my aftermission report.

Syrex: Response

Bergmen: Uh, nothing that special. Color temperature, strength of scents, heightened awareness of surrounding sounds... things like that. No.. uh, hold yourself.

Bergmen checked their trajectory with the approaching rock and turned the shuttle onto its back to maneuver under the asteroid debris in their path, only to stabilize the shuttle afterward.

Bergmen: What did I…yeah. It's not like we had hallucinations or something. Just… highlighted senses I would describe it?

Syrex: Response

Ollie's face showed anxiety, but it felt somewhat different than before as he now examined the side display while zooming out on the visualization that traced their route. He scrolled left and right for a couple of moments before he returned his attention to the doctor.

Bergmen: The path ahead seems clear. No more surprises. Five clicks to the training ground…eh, space. So what was it you asked? Can you say it again?

Syrex: Response


TAG/TBC

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