LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Ending On A High
Lhandon Nilsen
((Conference Room, Deck 5, USS Octavia E Butler))
Lhandon had put his ego aside. He had listened to both Martinson's and Taggart's advice and seemed to have applied it to a decent level.
Martinson: ::whispering:: I'd hit him with the old your enemy is interested. Unless you got something else hidden up your sleeve.
This had become two against one, but it was enjoyable. Lhandon had slipped into this roleplay more quickly than before and was smiling internally. It had felt much better this time. He had thought hard about what he had to say, applied the lessons, and the words just seemed to flowed.
Taggart nodded, the game was afoot.
Taggart: The UDP have shown great interest in what we have to offer.
The room had gone silent for a moment. Lhandon hadn't expected Taggart to bring up the UDP. Lhandon would later realise it made perfect sense, as he had mentioned the UDP when they first met and how those negotiations had gone.
Taggart: They have been.... most insisitent.
He returned to the table, sat down, and had a little bit of a thoughtful moment and interlocked his fingers. Taggart pulled Nilsen just as much as Nilsen pulled Taggart.
Nilsen: Okay, tell you what, you said this was pretty dangerous right, interlopers and thieves, so what if I could solve your problem. No membership but, we know how to deal with this, we know how to defend our convoys. Let us have exclusive rights to the ore.
Taggart: Why would we allow the Federation a monopoly on our resources if we are not a member?
Martinson sat back in his seat, Taggart raised an eyebrow, and Nilsen continued. That was a good question, think fast Lhando.
Nilsen: You see with federation ships always in the system, and crews likely looking to spend their credits when they visit. You get a steady stream of people bringing money into your economy and criminals think twice when even a Nova shows up in a system. You basically get all the benefits of federation membership, without the need to devote much to us, just the mine.
Martinson: Now that sounds like a helluva deal.
Taggart smirked across at Martinson.
Taggart: It certainly does. ::Turning back to Nilsen.:: I believe that is a fair compromise, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant huh? It took him a second to realise who Taggart was referring to. He was still expecting to hear Ensign.
Martinson: Alright, I think we've hit on a high here. ::gesturing towards Nilsen:: You learn quickly.
It certainly felt that way as well.
Nilsen: Cheers folks, that means a lot to me.
Taggart: Yup, as a friend of mine would say, you're a canny lad.
Nilsen: You sound just like Maxwell.
He smiled, it was a spot on impression almost as if Taggart know him, but that couldn’t be right?
Martinson: Maybe not full on negotiations for real. But something more on a micro level, should be enough to handle for now.
Nilsen: I would like that. I’ve been give a lot to think about, but this feels like the right directions.
Martinson: Definitely practice more. And I mean all the time. In little things in day to day dealings, you can find little ways to see if you can get a situation going in the direction you want.
Nilsen: That I will.
Taggart gave a grin as he looked across the table at Nilsen. Lhandon was smiling too.
Taggart: Just never with a Quartermaster.
Lhandon laughed out loud with that comment, Tobat’s hijinks came to mind, and keeping him on your good side was recommended .
Nilsen: Listen, you folks put yourself out for me, you didn’t have to do this, let me get you all dinner tonight, it’s the least I can do to say thanks for this.
Lhandon hoped that he would continue to cross paths with Taggart and Martinson again. He knew he needed to check in with Rouiancet soon, he very much promised that, he just had to find the time. With the mystery crate earlier in the week, and wrapping up the last of the refugee business, he'd hardly had a chance to breathe.
But before he sees Rouiancet, there's one fellow he needs to meet, Eli Kovacs, to ask a very important question.
[End scene]
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO & Acting Asst. Chief
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)