Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen - Death ends a life, not a relationship (part 1)
CPT Arianus
(( Starfleet Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Trill ))
He didn't even know how he ended up here. He originally only wanted to find the drink replicator, but somewhere along the way, he probably took a wrong turn and went in the wrong direction. Somehow, he had ended up in a place where he probably shouldn't have been. Well, he definitely shouldn't have been here.
But he was there, unable to pull himself away. The large plastic-steel window covered the entire wall, and the view it offered was not pleasant. Mortuary technicians on the other side either didn't notice him or didn't pay him any mind. Their focus was on the bodies—bloodied, stained, some scorched, another exposed to the harsh coldness of the vacuum—laid out on tables arranged with geometric precision to fill all available space while leaving enough space for work. Yet those behind the glass approached their work with unwavering calmness, care, respect, and professionalism as they slowly and carefully manually cleaned the body. Mended wounds. Tended the personal effects.
Lost in the mesmerizing, he completely lost track of time. Looking at the scene behind the glass, he didn't even notice that someone approached him.
Masad: You shouldn’t be there, Lieutenant.
He turned to her with a guilty look on his face.
Bergmen: Sorry, I didn’t know. I wanted something to drink and…got lost. I will go, just tell me which way and…
She smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Masad: It’s okay, Lieutenant. I'm not asking you to leave. ::gaze to the window:: She’s not here. We already prepared her for departure.
Ollie nodded; he didn't know what to say. She offered another calming smile to his cluelessness.
Masad: I was personally taking care of her uniform. She was pretty impressive, your CPO. So decorated for such a young woman.
Ollie paused for a moment, staring blankly ahead, before he turned his gaze back.
Bergmen: I… I didn’t know her.
She gazed at him with empathy, choosing not to question him. Instead, she simply nodded.
Masad: Well, you can be sure that her uniform will be perfect.
Bergmen: Appreciated it…
Masad: Master Chief Meedzeen Masad.
Ollie met her warm smile with a gentle nod.
Bergmen: Master Chief.
Master Chief shot him a look that Ollie recognized all too well as one that pierced right into his soul. She arched an eyebrow and, with a quick flourish, retrieved a small laminated card from her uniform pocket.
Masad: You know, whatever it is now or later, it doesn’t matter. But just in case…
Ollie took a quick look at the card before turning back to the master chief with a puzzled expression on his face.
Masad: He’s an off-Starfleet counselor. It’s all confidential.
Bergmen attempted to hand the card back, offering a lighthearted, nonchalant smile.
Bergmen: Oh. No, Chief. I’m fine, thanks.
Masad grasped his hand and gently pushed it, along with the card, back against his chest.
Masad: Just an FYI, lieutenant. ::pause and nods slightly::
Their eyes met, and he understood. Returning her the nod, Ollie’s face had lost the glimmer he once tried to show the world. She understood that. She lived on that side of the world every day.
And that's why the card…
(( The Escort Lounge - Starfleet Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Trill ))
He gazed into the void that only he could see and, clutching the card she had given him, reflected on her words. He barely noticed when Demetry walked in, but it wasn’t until Demetry’s calm yet firm voice cut through his thoughts that he truly acknowledged his presence.
Demetry: Lieutenant Bergmen? Sir?
Ollie turned to him, though his expression remained deep in thought.
Demetry: You’ll be leaving in about fifteen minutes. Civil transport will deliver you to Orion starport, with your final destination, Thidia, Alpha Leonis Sector.
Demeter offered him the PADD, but Bergmen appeared hesitant and somewhat taken aback as he reached to take it.
Demetry: Is that all right?
Bergmen: Of course, Sergeant.
Ollie's mind caught up with the moment, and the lieutenant gave a nod to signal to the sergeant that he was now completely on board. Demetry nodded back, but the sergeant's expression subtly acknowledged that perhaps Bergmen's mind still likely drifted elsewhere.
Demetry: I have CPO Marks’ personal effects. We will now do our inventory and turnover.
Demeter softly placed a hand on his shoulder and guided him toward the chairs and table, inviting him to sit down and continue their conversation. As they settled in, the sergeant handed him a PADD containing an inventory list and necessary administrative paperwork, then placed the Federation flag on the table and turned to Ollie.
Demetry: Sir, Marks’ parents are divorced, so you will carry an extra flag to be present to them. That way, the mother and the father will each get one.
Ollie glanced at Demetri and gave a subtle grunt along with a nod to let the sergeant know he understood. Demetry carried on, carefully removing the Federation blue satin bag adorned with the Starfleet insignia from atop the flag, and began unpacking the items that accompanied Hannah's body.
Demetry: If you could make sure everything’s here, then confirm the inventory?
Ollie glanced at the archaic watch, its age evident as it must have been centuries old. He recognized them; Hannah had once told him they originally belonged to her great-great-grandfather, a pre-WW3 sailor on Earth. Demetry took out a gray Starfleet combadge next and verified with Ollie that the back had her name and rank before placing it next to the watch. Last was a bronze Saint Christopher medallion. Ollie remembered the medallion as well, but the words Hannah had whispered when she first showed it to him all those years ago had long since faded, much like the meaning that necklace once held for her.
The lieutenant looked at the items, confirming one by one against the documents Demetry had given him. The sergeant waited until Ollie was finished before taking the PADD from him and giving him another.
Demetry: I also have a letter Tennessee Williams XO wrote to the family. It’s not on the list, but if you could pass it along.
Ollie stared at the sleek PADD in his hands for a moment and hesitated, uncertain whether he should read it now or not. Taking a deep breath, he let the moment pass and tucked the device into his carry-on bag.
TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1