Ensign Ollie Bergmen - Time to step up to the gallows (part 1)
CPT Arianus
(( Elysium – Deck 6, USS Artemis-A ))
Summons from the captain rarely bring good news. This one felt unusual, given that Elysium is generally a more casual setting. Nevertheless, Ollie took no chances and donned his finest uniform—ironed, immaculate, with every crease perfectly in place.
Now, as he stood next to the bar with all his colleagues and senior staff, he felt somewhat silly, as this event seemed more like a social gathering than the one-on-one meeting he had expected.
Reflecting on it, he realized he should have reviewed the invitation more carefully. However, despite the sender's name, time, and location, he could barely notice the attachment. At least he looked lovely.
But there was no time for thought now. His gaze trailed the captain as she made her way to the opposite side of the counter. Ollie quickly snatched his drink and carefully approached the group in front of him, aiming to steer clear of any awkward encounters with the Goddess. The captain likely didn’t even see him as she walked back to the bar, lightly tapping her finger on her glass with each step. As the band finished playing and the noise around them softened, she started to speak.
MacKenzie: I’m glad to see you all – I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy some time off after a… less than ideal mission. While a successful first contact wasn’t quite in the cards for us, I’m proud of everyone for the job we did in locating and retrieving the wreck of the Tritorian, and the aid rendered to the Meirashi people. My hope is that, in being true to our word and removing the entire crashed ship, that there may one day be an opportunity for us to have a more amenable relationship with them. Still, none of it would have been possible without your work. You have my thanks.
The captain's mimed applause sparked a wave of gratitude, and Ollie joined the crowd in clapping.
MacKenzie: For your work discovering the Orion equipment and then using it to dissuade the rioting Meirashi, I hereby award the Innovation Ribbon to Commander Dakora, Lieutenant Silveira, and Ensign Bergmen.
Bergmen experienced a surge of uncertainty when the captain stepped forward, holding three boxes in her hand. Fortunately, the first person she approached was Commander Dakora, but even so, as Ollie quickly looked around, he was next.
Dakora: Thank you, Captain. It’s an honor.
Ensign Bergmen quickly checked how he looked, and it seemed fine, so he just straightened his back and tried to smile when the captain approached him and handed him a box with a ribbon.
Bergmen: Thank you, Captain. Happy to be here.
Bergmen accepted the box and nodded to the captain. That was it. The captain moved on.
Silveira: Thank you Captain.
Captain completed her lap and went back to the bar to collect more award boxes.
MacKenzie: We had no idea what we would find on the surface, let alone an ailing Grand Rishe suffering from the long-term effects of radiation poisoning from equipment that had been left centuries before. For your work in rendering aid not only to heal the Rishe, but to clean up the equipment, I hereby award the Lifesaving Ribbon to Commanders Adea, Lieutenant Commander Jovenan, and Lieutenant JG Gnai.
Jovenan/Gnai: response
The ribbons were delivered once more, and Ollie joined in the scattered polite applause again.
MacKenzie: For your work in trying to maintain peace and trying to bridge a peaceful relationship with the Meirashi, I’m happy to award the Diplomacy Ribbon to the members of my team: Lieutenant Commander Salkath, Lieutenant JG Gnai, Ensigns Lyara and Imril. Even though this wasn’t a successful first contact mission, you all did good work trying to put Starfleet’s best foot forward. ::she paused, looking to Lyara:: Or realizing the ramifications of leaping to action prematurely.
Ollie watched as the captain approached Commander Salkath to present him with the award. The look the commander cast aside before the captain arrived was... Bergmen had certainly heard the tales about that event and Commander Salkath's role in it. Honestly, he found it so absurd that it was likely just that—made-up gossip.
Gnai/Lyara/Imril: response
More awards, more applause.
MacKenzie: Now that further details have come to light regarding the part the Changelings had to play in the Frontier Day disaster, Starfleet has also seen it fit to award us all the Changeling Campaign Ribbon.
Ollie forced a smile as he heard the words that brought back Frontier Day. The memories it brought back weren't pleasant, but then again. He had been sitting on the slats when it all went down. He wasn't there. Others, like the captain and those she was handing out ribbons, had been in the front row. They witnessed the chaos firsthand; they saw their friends and colleagues perish. And Ollie had been spared that...then.
oO For this time. Oo
Bergmen gazed into his glass and gently ran his finger along the glass rim. He finished the drink down to the last drop.
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1