Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen - What? What have you done?
CPT Arianus
(( Operations Center, Deck 5 - USS Artemis ))
Bergmen: Ah… look, Lieutenant Imril improved this shore leave Engineering general stats up to two points. Good of him.
For that fleeting moment, a genuine, almost childlike joy illuminated Bergmen's grumpy face, and the lieutenant nearly twitched the corners of his lips into a smile, not knowing what that moment of weakness would bring.
Brexis: Imril… ::Beat, then tapping her combadge:: =/\= Lieutenant Brexis to Lieutenant Imril.=/\=
She gave Bergmen a half-smile. He glanced at her, forgetting to breathe, trying to voice his no, but nothing came out.
oO What? No, No, No, No, No! Lieutenant, what are you doing?! No! Oo
Imril: =/\= Imril here. A moment, please. =/\=
oO Please, Imril, say her no… Oo
A second turned into two, then three, as the silence stretched on.
Imril: =/\= Sorry for the wait, Lieutenant. What can I do for you? =/\=
Brexis: =/\= If you are available would you mind joining Lieutenant Bergmen and I in the Operations Center? I have a couple questions. =/\=
oO Ok, now you know, say her no, you are busy, I know you are, she will understand. Just say no. Please… Oo
Imril: =/\= Bergman, Sir? ::beat:: I mean, aye, Sir. On my way. =/\=
Brexis: =/\= Got it, thanks.=/\=
Ollie gazed at Lieutenant Brexis, eyes filled with despair, yet outside, outside he had a smile on his face.
oO [Beep] Oo
(( Operations Center, Deck 5 - USS Artemis ))
((( A couple of minutes later )))
If he could, Ollie would have chewed on the edge of the table while waiting for Imril to arrive at the operations center. He tried to calm himself, to force himself into believing that it would be okay.
They would do their job, and everything would be fine.
In the meantime, he had at least prepared a few documents that StratOps wanted to discuss with the engineer, which he hoped would reduce the necessary interaction time to a minimum. Leave no space for downtime, everyone would then go their own way, and it would be fine.
What he hadn't expected was that tightening feeling in his chest when Imril finally arrived. He glanced at them, saw their face, tried to convey in his expression that it was not his idea, that he’s sorry. That…
Imril: ::To Bergmen:: Uh… hi.
He saw how they were nervous. But what could he do? Say to Brexis ‘Sorry, Lieutenant, please, uninvite Lieutenant Imril, because, you know, it’s complicated and we do not want Humanoid Resources to get involved?’ He couldn't do that.
So, Ollie just nodded to Imril and hoped they would get a hint in him acting like they would be just two officers assigned to the same task, nothing more.
Bergmen: Lieutenant… ehm, welcome to deck 5.
Imril turned from him to Brexis.
Imril: ::To Brexis:: Lt. Imril, Engineering. Reporting as requested.
oO Thank you… Oo
Brexis: Response
With the introduction done, the Engineer turned to the holodisplay. Ollie was staring at the holodisplay the whole time.
Imril: ::Pointing to the hologram:: Can I ask what's on the display?
Bergmen: Lieutenant Brexis here, from her role as StratOps Officer, requested to review reports on the ship readiness. Supplies, maintenance records, crew training, and so on. I tried to answer some of their questions on the topic of maintenance, but she felt it would be better for an engineer to explain the details on the various works done by the Engineering department.
Brexis: Response
So far, things have been going well. Or Ollie hoped they were going.
Imril: And how might I be of help?
Bergmen: Mrs. Brexis? It’s your review, so ask.
Brexis: response
Bergmen nodded and enhanced the report in question.
Bergmen: ::not glancing at Imril:: If you need to retrieve any supporting documentation, Lieutenant, just let me know.
Imril: Response
Brexis: Response
Bergmen: ::still not glancing at Imril:: That should be all on this, right, Mr. Imril? Anything else, Mrs. Brexis?
Brexis: Response
Imril: Response
TAG/TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1