Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - Some things you won't wash away, gold or not
CPT Arianus
(( Bathroom, LTJG Bergmen’s Quarters, USS Artemis ))
The sonic shower refreshed his body, yet he still felt dirty.
The cleansing gel began to irritate his skin, yet he continued to rub it between his fingers. Continued scrubbing his hands with a washcloth, kept smelling those scents on his hands.
The scents of death. The scents of sterility. The scents of that place…
(( Transporter room 1, Deck 2, USS Artemis ))
He waited where he was told. He waited on his superiors, waited for a new mission they would send him on. Waited for him to return there. There.
Commander Munro walked into the room, accompanied by Commander Jovenan and their Yurum guest. As they moved past, Bergmen straightened up and stood at attention.
Munro: I'm glad you are all gathered :: nods respectfully :: Luirétt, thank you for agreeing to accompany us. Your experience will be invaluable. If there is anything you can let us know about your customs or ways that would be useful, please do share?
Luirétt: ... Of course. As a people, diplomacy and rhetoric have always been our preferred tactics. When Great Mother Andorenne - may her soul find Ellet - made contact with the Klingons, she managed to turn them into allies and trading partners, and Great Mother Elirielle is every bit her mother’s equal in eloquence and shrewd negotiation, if not in temperament. ::brief pause:: This situation is unprecedented, but my people will take peaceful negotiations very seriously. Your words will hold weight in that space, so make sure to consider them carefully.
Ollie stood, gazing ahead, intentionally avoiding looking at Luirett as she spoke passionately about negotiation and the importance of peace and collaboration. He knew what those words meant firsthand at the New Hope Sickbay; he knew what her people had done to each other. But he was too small to bring it up with Luirett. Nor did he have a say in how they would handle it.
K’Wara/Bancroft: Response
Munro: Does anyone have any questions before we beam over?
Jovenan: If I may… Leader Luirétt, what do you know of this Advocate Chavrainne?
K’Wara/Bancroft: Response
Luirétt: … Advocate Chavrainne is one of the most trusted Ceremonialists, and a loyalist to the Matriarchs. I’ve had little personal dealings with her, but I have the utmost faith in her wisdom. She knows scripture, folklore and traditions better than any other Boraxian alive, and you can be assured that she will know your laws sufficiently to argue her case.
JG Bergmen glanced at Munro, questioning whether that was the reason he was here. Was it because wherever they go, they will need to solve legal matters? The thought struck him as absurd. He had only taken a few semesters of Starfleet intergalactic law to fill a gap, considering it a necessary headache. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d actually delve into it after receiving his commission. He hadn’t even taken his bar yet… or ever…
Munro/K’Wara/Bancroft: Response
((OOC: as with others, open to backsimming if needed or desired.))
(( Reception Room, Halls of Andorenne, The Golden Spire ))
The vibrant blue transformed into a brilliant gold as the shimmering transporters materialized the Starfleet away team, along with their Yurum guest. The glow of the hall captivated everyone in, but it couldn’t hold a candle to the breathtaking view that greeted Bergmen when he gazed out the window at the city enveloping the building. He was aware he was aboard a ship, floating through space, yet the blue sky above them flooded the room with light. It was strange, yet captivating.
Luirétt: ::thick voice:: Welcome to the Halls of Andorenne.
Jovenan: This is a very impressive place.
Bergmen: One might even question whether he is truly on a ship, as your portrayal of the buildings and the sky is remarkably... flawless.
Munro/K’Wara/Bancroft: Response
Cole: ::looking around:: Quite the first impression.
Ollie glanced at Luirett, keenly observing their expression and pondering what thoughts were running through their mind. Did he notice sadness in them? Was there doubt? He didn’t know enough about them or their people... so much knowledge was missing—knowledge he needed to have if he was going to play any role in effectively advocating for their asylum claim.
Luirétt: I am pleased to hear you say this. The Golden Spire is the home to our most important halls, and seat of the Matriarchy. ::looks around:: It feels like ages since I last visited.
Bergmen silently nodded, listening to their words and thinking about the questions he should ask, which gave Cole a chance to speak first.
Cole: ;;to Monroe:: Sir, If I may ::to Luirétt:: Some of us grew up being told what we couldn’t be. And yet, here we are. Luirétt, you’ve already walked a path most would have said was impossible. That’s the kind of strength no title or tradition can take away. The matriarch will see that, whether she admits it or not.
Bergman cast a glance at Cole. He had never worked alongside her before and hadn’t had the opportunity to join her on any away missions, aside from an emergency procedure drill on DS 224, where she hadn’t revealed much of her true self. But that was clearly not the case now.
The lieutenant paused in his train of thought and glanced back at Luirett.
Bergmen: What comes next? How will your people respond to your plea for asylum in the Federation?
Munro/K’Wara/Bancroft/Luirétt: Response
Commander Jovenan, serving as the acting XO, glanced at Commander Mudro, who was filling the role of acting Captain, while JG Bergmen remained a presence, not acting and waiting on the orders.
Jovenan: Captain, I think it might be wiser to meet with the Advocate without Luirétt at first. Presenting a representative of the sacrosanct community as an equal party might alter their perspective of us and hinder our standing in the negotiations. Besides, we could take the opportunity for further fact-finding.
Munro: Response?
Jovenan: I could take a team to investigate the living conditions of the Yurum. Luirétt could guide us there ::to Luirétt:: if that is acceptable to you, of course.
Munro/K’Wara/Bancroft/Cole/Luirétt: Response
The commander shot a glance at Bancroft, Cole, and Ollie before shifting her gaze back. The lieutenant swallowed dryly. Push comes to shove…
Jovenan: Lieutenant Bergmen and Doctor Bancroft, if you would come with me. ::to Munro:: Good luck, sir. Hopefully we can provide you with further clarity when we join you again.
oO Oh... shack. Oo
Bergmen: Yes, ma’am.
Munro/K’Wara/Bancroft/Cole/Luirétt: Response
Ollie gazed at Luirett and gestured for her to lead the way.
Bergmen: After you, Mx. Luirett.
Munro/Jovenan/K’Wara/Bancroft/Cole/Luirétt: Response
Bergmen: May I ask, Mx. Luirett. Considering how this... city of yours... is such a striking replica of a planetary display, have you ever set foot on the surface of a planet?
Jovenan/Bancroft/Luirétt: Response
Munro/K’Wara/Cole: Response
TAG/TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1