Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen - She didn't know…
CPT Arianus
((OOC: Music for this sim added to the OST, here))
(( Ramp B-5-B, Orion Civilian Orbital Space Station ))
A few hours of delay was enough for the station to escape the planet's shadow, and even though the system's sunlight was dim and filtered, it was enough to give the impression of a planetside morning. Technicians and ramp agents continued checking the vessel, and its passengers were still likely to disembark the vessel through the sleek tube above their heads.
But he was there as instructed, ready, as did his somber cargo. The ship captain stood on the ramp, on the other side of the vessel, visually controlling the condition of his barge. His gaze fell upon Ollie, and he paused, setting aside his tasks to approach him.
Captain: I heard we are carrying remains today. You must be the escort.
The captain extended his hand, Bergmen nodded slightly, and shook it.
Bergmen: Ollie Bergmen.
Captain: Ian Garret.
Ollie smiled wearily.
Bergmen: How are you doing, Ian?
The captain did not answer, as he took an interest in Ollie’s duty dress uniform ribbons on Bergmen’s chest.
Captain: Where did you get that Starfleet Commendation Medal?
Bergmen: The Borderlands.
A spark of light ignited in the captain's eyes, illuminating his weathered face, as if the word had summoned memories of better days long gone.
Captain: Yeah? I was flying Peregrine in the Borderlands, during the Klingon War in ‘72. Man, we tore it up over there.
Bergmen tried to chuckle politely, but the sound barely escaped his lips. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't feel completely at ease with where the small talk was heading.
Bergmen: Yea, you guys were good. (beat) I enlisted in ‘85; we had a couple of history lessons about you at the Academy.
Captain: The Borderlands. Is it still the same dump as back then? I tell you, I miss it some days.
Ollie shrugged his shoulders, wishing he were anywhere but here now, talking to that man.
Bergmen: I wouldn’t know. I’m a number scratcher on the exploratory ship. We usually do the boring stuff, watching nebulae, transporting supplies, stuff like that.
The captain took a hint and nodded.
Captain: Hm, I guess the place got better. Good for them.
Bergmen: If you excuse me…
Bergmen smiled politely and nodded as the ramp agents were ready to load. He stepped forward to the conveyor, checked the certificate on the lid, nodded, then stepped back to stand at attention, ready to render honors. The ramp agents next to the palletized casket paused as Ollie sensed the faint sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Turning slightly, he saw other starport employees standing in a solemn line behind, and when he gazed forward, he saw other agents and technicians, a dozen or so, line up against him, ready to render honor with him.
The lieutenant turned to face the casket and nodded. The technicians lifted the pallet from the platform and placed it onto the conveyor. Those standing in front of Ollie followed his lead in paying their respects; some placed their hands over their hearts, while others used gestures or other means that likely held meaning for their species.
The casket slowly rolled up the conveyor and disappeared into the depths of the Raven-type passenger vessels. Ollie loosened his stance and nodded at the one in front and then at the one in back.
Bergmen: Thank you. (beat) Thank you.
Ramp agents, technicians, and others began to scatter across the ramp to their duties. And it was time for Ollie to take his leave, too.
(( Flight to Thidia ))
Ollie had long settled in by the time the starport began allowing other passengers to board. As a young lady approached the seat next to her, Ollie was deep in thought, holding the PADD with the escort trip record—a document he tried to keep up to date—halfway filled.
Annie: Hi!
A girl, no older than twenty, sat down beside Ollie and squeezed his hand.
Bergmen: Hello?
Annie: Annie.
Bergmen: ::uncertain:: Ollie…
A warm smile brightened her face.
Annie: I guess we’re travel mates for the next few hours.
Bergmen: Yeah.
Annie: I have a ton of ebooks, happy to share, if you want.
Ollie nodded and took a stack of tablets off her hands.
Bergmen: Thank you.
Bergmen browsed through the books she had given him, and when he found one he liked, he turned to the girl. Annie was already engrossed in writing a message on her device. Although he didn't want to invade her privacy, he couldn't help but see what she was writing.
// HOT Security guy from Starfleet is sitting next to ME!! Would you believe it? //
Ollie smiled and paused for a moment to consider whether he should bring it up.
Bergmen: I’m, uh… I’m from Operations, actually.
Annie placed her device in her lap and turned to face him, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson with embarrassment, her lips pressed together in a nervous giggle.
Annie: How embarrassing…
Ollie just aimed to clear up any confusion about his colors, not to embarrass her, so he quickly softened the moment.
Bergmen: No, no, it’s ok. (beat) Trust me, you’re a breath of fresh air.
Her smile shifted from a nervous embarrassment to something more genuine, brightening with the same excited energy she had when she wrote the message.
Annie: Did you pick any book, Ollie?
Bergmen felt relieved and glad that she had changed the topic as he picked up the tablet with the ebook he had chosen, moving the rest of the stack back to the console between their seats.
Bergmen: Yeah, thank you, I will borrow this one.
She smiled, placed the stack away from the console into her backpack lying at their feet, and returned to writing to whoever she was communicating with. Ollie picked up the tablet and opened the ebook.
(( Thidia Planetary Spaceport ))
The vessel softly touched the ramp, and its engines started to cool down when the captain's voice resonated over the PA.
Captain: =/\= Welcome to Thidia, folks. I’m gonna ask you to remain seated for a moment. (beat) During this flight, I’ve had the honor of carrying the remains of a fallen member of Starfleet… =/\=
Annie, sitting in her seat, suddenly became restless and turned to Ollie.
Captain: =/\= … I’m going to inconvenience you for a few moments, while the escort disembarks our flight. As you go back to your day, please, keep the family in your thoughts. =/\=
Ollie wanted to stand up and leave, but Annie touched his hand to get his attention.
Annie: I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, Ollie.
Bergmen gazed at her worried face, smiled calmly, nodded.
Bergmen: It’s ok, Annie. Thank you for the company.
She tried to return a smile, as she watched him leave, and he knew she still regretted it despite his reassurances.
(( Landing ramp, Thidia Planetary Spaceport ))
Ollie stood and rendered honors as the palletized coffin rolled down the conveyor. A crowd of passengers, old and young, who had just disembarked the flight, had gathered, their expressions a blend of shock and sorrow, eyes wide with disbelief as they watched the ceremony from afar.
Thidia was a small agricultural colony. A couple of tens of thousands of colonists, all of whom knew one another. Agriculture and service in the Starfleet were the only two exports the planet could offer. And what that service and connected sacrifice meant, now lay bare for all to see, especially for the young one, who probably thought about escaping the boredom of this planet through Starfleet. As they all watched, he sensed the weight of their collective grief; Ollie may not have known them, but they undoubtedly knew Hannah, or at least someone from her extended family.
The ramp agents lifted the pallet and placed it onto the flatbed. A moment passed, and the crowd began to disperse, returning to their day as they walked toward the terminal building. Ollie gave Annie, who was still lingering, a subtle nod, reassuring her that it was okay to leave, then turned to the pallet to verify.
Captain: Well, I’m off the Celes.
Ollie turned his gaze from the coffin to the captain, who approached him once more.
Bergmen: Well, thank you for the smooth flight, Ian.
Both exchanged courteous nods and a handshake, yet the captain appeared reluctant to leave.
Captain: What was their name?
Bergmen: CPO Hannah Marks.
The captain nodded and glanced at the casket.
Captain: Hannah Marks… ::glance back to Ollie:: I know the name of every KIA I’ve ever carried. Now I know hers. (beat) Take care of yourself, lieutenant.
Begmen: Thanks. You too.
The captain nodded and smiled. There were no words to say, so he simply turned and walked away.
Ollie watched him until he disappeared by the massive hull of the vessel, then turned to the ramp agents, ready to leave as well.
(( Hangar, Thidia Planetary Spaceport ))
Ollie had just finished carefully unbuckling the lid of the casket resting on the pallet, when a weary man stepped into the hangar. His face bore the markings of fatigue, with deep lines etched around his eyes and a slight slump in his shoulders. He was clearly searching for Ollie.
Garry: Hello. I’m Garry from Dunbar’s funeral home.
Ollie turned to the man and shook his hand.
Bergmen: Garry… ::nods:: Ollie Bergmen.
Garry: ::with tired voice:: It’s a real honor to meet you, sir. (beat) Shuttle is ready to go. We… we should get started as soon as we can. We’ve a long flight ahead of us. Took me over six hours to get up here… ::twirl your finger around in the air:: …from other side of the planet.
Bergmen: Okay, just give me five minutes. Then we can load.
Garry nodded and glanced at the casket.
Garry: I didn’t know Hannah very well. ::gaze back to Ollie:: I’ve known her dad for years. ::turns back to casket:: I’m glad she’s finally home.
Ollie nodded, unsure of what to say. The funeral director understood, nodded back, and left him to finish.
Bergmen removed the protective foil from the coffin, along with the folded flag attached to it. He carefully inspected the coffin to ensure it was flawless, checking for any scratches or dents. Satisfied, he placed the folded flag on the casket lid, where the head had been, and spread it across the coffin, centering the Federation emblem and fastening it so it wouldn't slip. With the final check, he squared the folds, pressed the edges, and turned to the waiting cargo handlers.
They were ready to go.
TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1