Ensign Ollie Bergmen - Klingon revenge
CPT Arianus
(( Guest Accommodations - Wallace Colony, Kahines II ))
The Starfleet trio strolled back to their guest quarters, taking in the crisp, refreshing air that danced around them. The soft sounds of nature settling into the evening wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. Above, the sky turned into a stunning canvas, sprinkled with countless stars that sparkled like diamonds against the deepening blue.
And if Bergmen weren't feeling nauseous over all the past smells of Klingon cuisine, and if Lyara weren’t there to chaperone the two, one might even consider that evening a romantic opportunity for Ollie to gather the courage to ask Filistrien out.
But it was what it was, so the trio walked to their accommodations in silence. As they entered, Lyara was the first to see Gila and Imril talking in the living room.
Lyara: Knock knock!
Bergmen nodded to the lieutenant as she turned and stood up to greet them.
Sadar: Welcome. Did any issues occur on your end?
Filistrien: No Sir, the interview proceeded without complications. I will submit a full report, including Ensign Lyara’s transcripts, to the Griffin computer before the end of the day.
Sadar: Thank you, Petty Officer. ::to Lyara and Bergmen:: Give me the brief rundown then.
Lyara took the initiative and started their action report.
Lyara: We found out that the ruin was discovered by the two settlers trying to find their niece who had run off. Technically she is the one to be credited with the discovery. ::Alroyo held up a PADD:: We also got a map of the area drawn by Hazel and Barto themselves.
Ensign in red set the PADD down on the table and moved aside to give Bergmen the opportunity to add any comments.
Bergmen: There are mole-like creatures that are poisonous, stinging, and the size of a kappa hound.
Ollie pointed to the symbol on the map that was situated near the excavation site. The Petty Officer seemed rather to change the topic.
Filistrien: What of the Klingon scientists?
Lieutenant Sadar appeared somewhat unsettled by the question as if she were anxious about her part. Imril stepped in.
Imril: The data from Trorin’s padd has given me a lot to work from. I’ve tweaked the Griffin’s sensor settings to better distinguish the local geology from any artifacts and structures. I’ve also got them programmed to alert us if any significant amounts of baakonite turn up. That’s a metal alloy used in making Klingon melee weapons. If there’s an intact armory at the site, it could mean that the place was abandoned in a hurry rather than an organized retreat. Which, in turn, could mean all sorts of things that I won’t waste time speculating on just yet.
It was certainly an information dump that Ollie couldn't wrap his head around all at once, as he struggled with a sudden and peculiar feeling around his stomach.
Sadar: W-Well, it could’ve gone worse… Most of the scientists seem interested in doing the survey with as little conflict as possible, but one seems... Irregularly aggressive, even for a Klingon.
Bergmen sympathized with the lieutenant, as he, too, was beginning to be bewildered by a slightly different side of Klingon's hospitality.
Imril: I got the impression that Trorin thinks B’Equ’s just blowing smoke. But she sure acted willing enough to pick a fight if crossed.
Lyara moved and sat down on the couch, her face wrapped in thought as she crossed her arms.
Lyara: Was it a personal problem she had with you?
The lieutenant's face could tell the story of her encounter with a strange and overzealous Klingon. Words were really not needed… as she fiddled with her anxiety band.
Sadar: I, uhh, can’t be sure... The other Klingons were dismissive, but Archaeologist B’Equ seemed... Almost hateful. ::to Filistrien:: I’d like a background check done on her, just in case. One more in-depth than the ones you’ve already done. Is that possible?
The intelligence NCO knitted his brows, and aside from that, his expression remained neutral, giving no indication of his thoughts or opinions regarding the meeting Lieutenant Sadar had recounted.
Filistrien: It’s possible. I shall make that a priority task, Sir.
Imril:I’m not even going to try to explain her behaviour with dressy words about her culture. Some people are just jerks.
Ensign Bergmen forced a smile, his face pale, trying to nod in support of the lieutenant while battling his own battle with a sudden churn in his stomach.
Lyara: If she’s as aggressive as she sounded, maybe there’s something more to her behavior. I’m not saying there’s a conspiracy involving the empire itself, but she might have some thoughts or beliefs here herself.
Lieutenant remained silent, which spoke volumes about her feelings on the matter.
Imril: I wonder if she’s been treating the local civilians the same way she treats Starfleet officers.
Bergmen leaned against the couch and focused on taking slow, deep breaths, hoping to ease the sharp pain in his lower abdomen and the wave of heat coursing through him.
Filistrien: Regardless of Doctor B’Equ’s conduct, the dig will be commencing tomorrow, yes? ::to Sadar:: How should we proceed, Sir?
Sadar: The Griffin will be used to conduct a subterranean echo survey, see if we can identify how much of the structure is underground, and whether it’s something easily excavated without heavy equipment. ::to Lyara:: Ensign Lyara, you’re the pilot. The equipment itself will be operated by Archaeologist B’Equ, who will be accompanying you. ::to Filistrien:: As such, I want you in the shuttle too, Petty Officer.
Lyara: Response
Ollie shut his eyes, resting against the couch, fighting off a wave of nausea that threatened to make him vomit.
Filistrien: An indirect interrogation, Sir?
Sadar: If possible. If not, just find out how to make her, uhh... Less ‘Klingon’ until the team from the Historical Society can replace us. ::to Imril and Bergmen:: The two of you will be joining me at the dig site. We’ll be coordinating our efforts with Klingon scientists.
Imril: Aye, Doctor. I’ll have all of Trorin’s information reviewed by then.
Bergmen tightened his butt and sucked in his stomach as he lifted his chin, managing a forced smile.
Bergmen: We should arm ourselves, ma’am. The scorpionmole tunnels and probably nest are nearby. Just… to be sure. Ma’am.
The reference to the local wildlife clearly rubbed everyone in not good way.
Sadar: Ah, I see... ::frowns:: Y-Yes, uhh... M-Make sure to pack your phasers.
Ollie gave a nod and gradually got up from the sofa channel backs.
Lyara: Response
Imril: Whatever a scorpionmole is, the second half of that name implies that they dig lots of tunnels. Depending on where and how big those tunnels are, and the dens connected to them, the expedition could be digging into unstable ground. I’ll program the Griffin’s scanners to try to identify and map out any subterranean hollows based on airflow and missing sub-strata. But it may take one of us looking over the data to confirm anything.
Bergmen: Good idea.
Sadar/Lyara/Filistrien: Response
Imril: ::To Bergman/Lyara/Filistraen:: Is there anybody we need to be concerned about making things more difficult on the colony's end? I can report that Administrator Baum looks to be plenty annoyed with the Klingons, but is holding it together for the sake of putting all of this behind him as soon as possible.
Ensign Bergmen started to breathe unevenly, his body visibly tensing as an expression of distress emerged on his face.
Bergmen: Could you please excuse me for a moment?
Sadar: Response
Ensign wasted no time waiting for confirmation and hurried towards the restroom, quickening his pace with every step.
Sadar/Lyara/Filistrien: Response
The toilet door barely closed behind him when Ollie plopped down onto his throne, his pants pulled down just at the last moment. With mere tenths of a second to spare, he knew that what landed in the toilet might just as easily have ended up in those pants. A spasm ran through his stomach, making him feel as if he was a malfunctioning flow heater.
Imril's voice, muffled by the door and the sounds of the ensign's digestion, was barely audible, but even so, Ollie was able to catch at least snippets.
Imril: We've spent all this time working out how we're going to help the Klingons do their job. But might there be something that the colony needs help with that we could do for them? Anything that doesn't involve the dig-site or the Klingons, I mean? A charitable gesture on our part may help cool things down if they do get heated.
Sadar/Lyara/Filistrien: Response
As quickly as it happened, it calmed down. The pain in his lower abdomen subsided, and his insides could no longer offer anything to the porcelain god. Bergmen waited a couple more seconds before standing up and starting the cleaning cycle. He washed his sweaty, pale face, took a deep breath, and then returned to the living room.
Bergmen: I'm fine, but I'll wait for the ventilation to clean the air. The Klingon cuisine avenged.
Sadar: Response
Ensign Bergmen nodded and took a seat in the chair next to the sofa.
Bergmen: Did I miss something important?
Lyara/Imril/Filistrien: Response
Ollie nodded and tried to steady his breathing. Although he still felt a bit unsteady and his stomach was tight, he knew he had to endure it.
Bergmen:::to Sadar:: Will we be on the dig site only as ground and diplomatic support, or are we expected to go underground with the archaeology team?
Sadar: Response
Ensign nodded and turned to his colleague.
Bergmen: ::to Imril:: We should add more water to our kit, as midday can be quite hot.
Imril: Response
Lyara/Filistrien: Response
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1