[Backsim] Ens Nilsen, 2Lt Maxwell - A Prank To Say Goodbye.
Lhandon Nilsen
(Cargo Bay 2, USS Oumuamua)
Nilsen was up to something…so was Maxwell. A little while ago, Ensign Nilsen was down in cargo bay two for a meeting with private O’relliy to discuss what to do about the FAC situation on their home planet of gault, after a tense meeting of one upmanship and posturing, an accord was reached and hands were shaken.
Now Nilsen is back here, but this time with Maxwell. Lhandon had no idea about Maxwell’s previous life and he certainly wouldn’t have been having this conversion with him if he knew but to Nilsen, Maxwell was one of the grunts, just like him, the only difference was the colour that they wore.
Nilsen: So Max, last one…had a little bit of a mental breakdown ::laughs::
Maxwell: Breakdown is it?
The last plan was to have the grammar glider replicate cake or some kind of food (Lhandon forgets the details) repeatedly after they touched down after the race, but that did not go to plan.
Nilsen: Something like that. I still don’t know what happened myself, but you know…I have an idea
Maxwell: An idea, you say?
Max crossed his arms. He had an idea, and they were meeting in a cargo bay to discuss it like a pair of spies. Max was intrigued.
Nilsen: But before I do; there’s something else I gotta tell you mate.
Lhandon sighed and looked up at the ceiling before returning his eyeline back to Max.
Nilsen: Don’t tell anyone this, not even Tox; I think I’m going to resign.
Maxwell: You’re what?
Max eyed the Ensign, looking for any hint of a wind-up.
Nilsen: With what’s happened in the last mission, my run in with the XOmeans now half the ship knows it was me that made him angry, and then the invitational might have been…something but…
Lhandon paused for a moment and brought a document up on his PADD
Nilsen:...getting the Foxy Lady over the line and in joint third opened up a bunch of opportunities. Including this one.
Lhandon hands a PADD over to show an image of a Type 9 racing shuttle in papaya and black.
Nilsen: That’s Mclaren-Velocity, they’ve erm ::Taking the PADD back to show another document:: they’ve offered me a contract, it’s a test pilot role, with a view to become a main pilot once the seat opens up.. If I take it, I’ll be able to help out Gault, my home as well.
Max let out a low whistle.
It was no small thing to be offered a job with a racing team. And taking it as a means to help others was a fair noble thing to do in Max’s opinion.
Maxwell: Have you given them any hint ae your thoughts?
Nilsen: Not yet, the agent who sorted this out bagged me 21 Earth standard days to make up my mind.
Maxwell: C’mere a minute lad.
He waited a moment for Nilsen to draw closer before delivering a sudden and sharp “Gibbs Slap” across the back of Nilsen's head.
Nilsen: OW! What was that for?
Lhandon held the back of his head and looked at Maxwell with confusion.
Max remained silent, fixing Nilsen with his “good” eye.
Nilsen: Any case :Rubbing the back of his head still:: I wanna get this prank done..and if I go, it’s one hell of a way to leave
Maxwell: There is that.
Nilsen: I’ve just got one condition…it has to be kind ::sighs:: I don’t want to leave a bad taste.
Maxwell: That’s a fair request.
And it was. It ceased to be a prank if it was something offensive or worse, dangerous.
No, gently irritating over an extended period was the way to go.
Nilsen: I’ve had idea for you. You ever watched Star Wars? Pass me your combadge
Strangled by curiosity, Max handed over his badge.
Maxwell: Aye, I love auld films. But which one lad? There’s about thirty ae them…..
Lhandon put the combadge down on the cargo crate and started tapping away at his PADD.
Nilsen: In the old days, I would have had to do this physically but now, as long as I’m a few feet away, I can connect to most badges. ::gives badge back:: now walk through that door
Maxwell: Er, right.
Not sure what was being driven at, or even how this was meant to be funny, Max nevertheless proceeded as instructed.
Nilsen: I also have a way of throwing him off our scent.
Maxwell: Well I know it’s no that aftershave ae yours, lad. Get it telt. How?
Nilsen: I ended up crossing paths over subspace with someone who used to serve with him, Lieutenant Commander Alieth; she said he loves gummy bears..
Alieth.
Max had read the name on a sector tactical update once, but had never met her.
Maxwell: Gummy bears? As in the sweeties, or?
He doubted Lhandon knew about the 20th Century cartoon.
Not many were into watching that sort of old stuff. Unlike Max and Milly of course.
Nilsen: The sweets, apparently there's a story behind it, but god is that theme stuck in me head. I had to babysit me niece before I left for starfleet. I never want to hear that theme again. Now wait there::Tapping on his PADD
Maxwell: Alright, what now?
Nilsen: Hold on
Maxwell: Holding on…..
Lhandon kept working on his PADD, tapping away, the beeps almost furious as he was up to something.
Nilsen: Right, file uploaded. ::smirks:: This better work. Max, come back in now.
As Maxwell crossed over the threshold of the cargo bay, his badge chimed and then it played “the imperial march” theme from Star Wars. Lhandon starts laughing
Maxwell: Is that….?
Max began to laugh as he recognised the music from the films Lhandon had mentioned.
Nilsen: HA! It works. Right all we need to do now is select which doors procs the badge, and get this program uploaded to his badge. ::beat:: There’s just one problem.
Maxwell: There’s always a problem. Go on?
Nilsen: We need to be about 6 feet away, and stay there for about 90 seconds.
Maxwell: Pretty sure I can manage that. He is my boss after all. Can you no just slice it in?
As he spoke, Max tapped a finger to his green collar. He could do it during a briefing or similar when there would be nothing unusual about Max being in close proximity to the Colonel.
But sneaking it via the computer would eliminate even the microscopic chance of Max being caught out in person.
Nilsen: See I could, but then the others in comms would see. This program will delete itself after a few hours. It’s a local program that would stay local.
An idea zipped into Max’s brain with the speed and power of a torpedo.
Reaching behind and pulling his PADD from its belt pouch, Max brandished it at Nilsen.
Maxwell: I’ve got an armory report tae hand in…..
Nilsen: And of course, you’re going to see our good old friend
A wolfish grin split Max’s face, and his good eye sparkled with mischief.
Maxwell: Precisely lad…..
[END]
1st Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Octavia E. Butler: NCC-82850.
O239311AM0
&
Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO
USS Oumuamua
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)