Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - Like a magpie, I am a scavenger of shiny things
CPT Arianus
(( LTJG Ollie Bergmen’s Quarters, Deck 3, USS Artemis-A ))
A sonic shower can cleanse the body, but not the soul.
He could still feel a gentle tingling on his body as he stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel around his waist. He shook his head to ruffle his hair and smiled at his reflection in the mirror, beaming as always. But his eyes told a different story as he gazed beyond the mirror at his evening dress uniform hanging from one side of the closet door, while the blood-stained jumpsuit rested on the other.
He should have gotten rid of that jumpsuit ages ago, but for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. It felt as if the jumpsuit represented more than just a painful reminder of his failure as a more senior officer. Holding onto it was like keeping a memory of what happened to Ensign Cole; it served him as a deterrent, a stark reminder of the consequences of remaining an officer and the very real possibility of getting others killed.
Ollie turned his gaze away and let out a sigh. It felt petty. He knew he couldn’t change the situation or influence it. Ultimately, it was Cole's decision to go alone. Yet, shouldn’t he have objected at the time? Wasn’t he the older, more experienced one, the one who should have recognized how poor a choice it was for the Ensign?
There was nothing he could do about it now. It had happened. It was time to learn from it, compartmentalize, and let it go. He needed to move forward.
The lieutenant crossed the room to the closet, opened the door wide, and took out his ceremonial dress uniform. The ceremony awaited him, and there was no avoiding it. He let the towel drop from his hips, got dressed, and as he zipped up his dress uniform, he looked in the mirror and allowed himself to smile—a carefree smile of those who do not dwell on the past, but instead look forward to the future.
(( Elysium - Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A ))
He stood at the bar, holding a glass in his hand. In the background, feeling lost and invisible, he watched the others socialize and have fun. He was counting down the minutes to the ceremony, which was about to begin at any moment. The others were gathering, socializing, talking among themselves… Lt. Morgan even caught it right on time, when Commander Munro stepped up at a pedestal and the ceremony was just beginning.
Munro: :: to the room :: Welcome :: clears her throat :: Erm … :: pause :: What can I say?
Ollie raised his glass, suppressing a chuckle that threatened to escape. It was something he never expected from a captain, even an interim one—nervousness.
But was it truly nervousness? Or was it more of a facade, a way to humanize the commander before her crew? Bergmen leaned against the bar, watching the commander, curious about what more she had hidden in her hat.
Munro: I had a speech planned out. I'm not very good at these things: dress uniforms and formalities. It's not something I've ever really got accustomed to so I'll make this as quick and painless as possible.
To Ollie's right, he heard the voice of his colleague from Operations, Lieutenant K'Wara.
K’Wara: Hear hear!
Bergmen looked their way and raised his glass to join in the cheer.
Bergmen: Hear with your ears, listen with your heart.
Any: Response?
Their cheer did not go unnoticed, and eyes shifted their way, an opportunity the commander seized as she gestured to Jovenan to collect the medal cases.
Munro: These are symbols of your steadfast adherence to duty, it wasn't easy. But you all behaved like exemplary Starfleet officers and on that note the entire crew have earned themselves the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon and the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon.
The room fell silent for a moment as the aides distributed the cases with ribbons among the ceremony attendees. Ollie offered a silent nod of appreciation to the weary NCO as he received his case and set it down on the bar beside him.
Any: Response
Munro then turned toward Jovenan, who had stayed by her side.
Munro: To start things off, I have a special ribbon for Lt Commander Jovenan.
Jovenan: Oh?
It seemed that the ribbon given to their chief scientific officer, who was also serving as the acting first officer, caught her genuinely surprised.
Munro: I had barely stepped onboard the Artemis before I was tasked by taking on temporary command, and the dubious chore of selecting a first officer. We were strangers then, extending the hand of trust to one another. I'm glad you accepted and I hope we've come away from this experience closer to being friends. I award you the Superior Support Ribbon, Commander Jovenan.
The captain passed the box to the lieutenant commander.
Jovenan: Thank you, sir. It has been a pleasure to get to know you as well, even if it was in these circumstances.
Any: Response
Bergmen joined the heartfelt applause, appreciating Commander Jovenan deservedly. Everyone in the room knew her and worked with her. She was someone who firmly connected them all with confidence and humility.
As the applause gradually faded, Commander Munro carried on.
Munro: Please step forward, Lt. K'Wara, Ensign Cole and Ensign Tho'Bi.
K'Wara: Ah. ::swigs:: Showtime.
Tho'Bi: Responses
Some seemed surprised, some eager…
Munro: When we join the academy we're taught that Starfleet is more than our assigned duty posts and it seems we're supposed to be more than the sum of our parts :: looks to Tho'Bi and smiles :: It's a challenge, at times. But each of you showed me that you can rise to that challenge. In dealing with the Boraxian diplomat and :: to Cole and K'Wara :: Andoren :: beat :: you proved those academy professors right in their insistence to teach us all Diplomacy 101. Even if it did make me want to fall asleep.
K'Wara: Thank you, Commanders.
Cole: ::nodding slightly:: Thank you.
Tho'Bi: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations.
Any: Response
…regardless, each of them truly deserved a round of applause.
Munro: Lt. K'Wara you stay where you are for now. Can Commander Jovenan, Doctor Morgan, Lt. Imril, Samantha Richards and Doctor Jaran join them.
Imril: Response
Any: Response
Hearing Imril's name, Ollie snapped to attention and watched the lieutenant walk towards the pedestal.
Munro: Your efforts to uncover the mystery surrounding the altered crystals and ultimately deliver a safe remedy to the effects it had on the Boraxian population has not gone unnoticed. Each of you is awarded the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. With Doctors Morgan and Jaran along with Richards and Imril earning the Medical Science Ribbon as well.
Morgan: Thank you, Commander.
Jaran: Thank you, sir.
Richards: Much appreciated. Thank you.
Imril: Response
Ollie clapped enthusiastically, encouraging others to join in celebrating the group's success.
Bergmen: Hooray! Congratulation!
Any: Response
The lieutenant would have kept the applause going a bit longer, but as the crowd gradually settled down, he, too, eventually fell silent for a moment.
Munro: Doctor Morgan and Lt Imril you are dismissed for now. I'm not quite finished with the rest of you yet.
Imril: Responses
Any: Response
The two walked away, leaving the others behind, while the acting captain continued speaking.
Munro: You have all earned the Innovation Ribbon as well.
Jaran: Umm Thank you. ::beat:: Again.
Richards: It’s not much. But it’s honest work.
The acting captain seemed pleased with the reaction, but the ceremony was far from over, and time was slipping away.
Munro: :: good humoured :: Now you can return.
K'Wara: ::winks:: A fair load heavier, Commander. Thank you.
Any: Response
The trio stepped off the stage to well-deserved applause, and after a couple of seconds, the commander gestured to the audience that she would like to continue.
Munro: Can Lt. Commander Silveira, Lt. Storm, Lt. Imril and Ensign Bancroft step forward.
Ollie's left eyebrow arched, and a partially pleased, yet smug smile played on his lips when he heard Imril's name mentioned once more.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
Munro: Old Earth Humans had a popular saying to describe heroic feats, “running into a burning building”. Each of you did just that, you didn't know what you were going to find or discover within it. Or if you'd even come back out again. Yet, you still ran into a burning building. You've earned yourselves a Starfleet Medal of Commendation. Wear it proudly.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
Any: Response
Bergmen preferred to stay out of the spotlight this time, so he quietly reserved some enthusiastic cheers for himself as he was enthusiastically applauding the awardees as they left the stage.
Munro: Doctor Morgan please step forward again and Lt. Bergmen and Ensign Cole can you join him please.
oO So much not wave the waters and nicely clap out of spotlight… Oo
...but there were times when it was inevitable. Ollie stood up from the bar with a smile and walked to the pedestal side by side with the others.
Morgan: ::quietly:: Oh you've got-
Natasha offered Doctor Morgan a shrug.
Bergmen: No need to fret, doctor; it’s just a little sting.
Bergmen gave the doctor a wink as they approached the commanders.
Munro: For staying behind, administering aid to the Boraxian people and upholding Starfleet values you are awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon.
Morgan: ::nodding:: All in a day's work.
Cole: Just did what needed to be done.
Bergmen gazed at Cole, and nodded at her.
Bergmen: And even in the hardest moments, we remained persistent, united in our fidelity and honor.
Any: Response
Munro: Ensign Cole please remain. Doctor Bancroft can you join her please.
Ollie gave Cole an encouraging smile and turned to leave, passing Ensign Bancroft on the way.
Bancroft: Response
Munro: I shall only be acting Captain for a short while more but I cannot express the pleasure it gives me to be the CO who gets to do this final honour.
Ava picked up one of the wooden boxes sitting in front of her and stepped closer to Cole.
Munro: Ensign Cole, you are hereby promoted from Ensign to Lt. JG :: smiles warmly :: You've earned that shiny new pip, Lieutenant. And try not to blow anything up when you celebrate.
Cole: No explosions ::beat:: I guess I can try that.
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Richards: That’s my friend!
Any: Response
Bergmen, leaning now once again back against the bar with a satisfied grin, clapped enthusiastically and cheered, his chest swelling with pride for Security JG.
Munro: Ensign Bancroft, you are hereby promoted to Lt. JG. This means you'll be expected to do five more kilometres. Well earned, Roy.
Bancroft: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Richards: That’s also my friend!
Any: Response
The applause went on until the acting captain raised her hand to calm the crowd.
Munro: I have one final order of duty to perform. Lt. K’Wara can you step forward.
K’Wara: Sir?
Munro: I don’t have a new pip but you have a new assignment Lt. We are appointing you the new Chief of Operations for the Artemis. Well done. Lt. Vailani will be remaining onboard while she stops into a new role.
The words caught Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergman off guard. He was busy attaching his ribbons to his new ribbon rack and organizing them when the announcement of a leadership change in his department struck him with the force of a speeding, applauding monorail.
The ceremony concluded with that last announcement, but it took him a moment to realize what had just happened. He glanced at K’Wara, but the lieutenant was still with the acting captain and XO, so Bergmen decided to wait a little longer before he would approach his new boss. He sighed, finished his ribbons, and pinned them to his chest again. After finishing his drink, he got up from the bar and looked around at the others in a vain attempt to find someone to join.
And new JGs nearby, accompanied by the new medical ensign, were just as good as any other option, and they might even be the best choice available. He stepped toward them, only to hear Ensign Jaran finish congratulating Lieutenant Cole on her promotion.
Cole: ::smiling:: Thank you Doctor Jaran, and pleasure to meet you.
Natasha pointed to Bancroft, the second of the promoted.
Jaran: Lieutenant Bancroft. I wanted to offer my congratulations, doctor to doctor.
Bancroft: Response
Pleasantries exchanged, Jira smiled and walked over to Bancroft.
Jaran: I look forward to working with you more, sir.
Cole: Congratulations Lieutenant Crashcart. ::smiling as she sips her bourbon::
Bancroft: Response
Ollie flashed his welcoming smile and, with a new glass in hand, stepped closer to the three junior officers.
Bergmen: ::to Cole:: Leiutenant. :: to Bancroft:: Lieutenant. ::to Jaran:: Ensign.
As he reached Jaran to greet him, he realized that the well-thought-out witty exchange joke had soured before it could be delivered, so he continued on without waiting for a response.
Bergmen: Congratulations, well deserved promotions, both of you. (beat) I am pleased to inform you that your new quarters connected to that promotion will be ready for you to move into within 24 hours... ::pause for a second:: But if you would like to say goodbye to your former roommates, don't worry; it will take at least three days, and possibly a little longer, before the the wheel of all-wise bureaucracy turns and we come for You to evict you from your old bunks.
Cole/Bancroft/Jaran?: Response
Bergmen: So, how do you feel? Ready to step in and slip into the new shoes of hollow pip responsibilities? ::to Jaran:: And you, Ensign, happy to have Crasss…ehm, Lieutenant Bancroft as your attending?
Cole/Bancroft/Jaran: Response
TAG/TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1