LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Deliberately Diplomatic
Lhandon Nilsen
(( The Celestial Temple Pub, Deep Space 14 ))
Captain Del Vedova had given Nilsen more than he could ever want from this meeting. He had already provided some practical advice: talking to a counsellor would be helpful in getting said progress started and finding someone nearby who could take him under their wing.
A part of him wished that it would be Del Vedova, being selfish. Having the USS Hirschfeld nearby would mean that he'd be around for guidance when needed. Lhandon liked him a lot, and he could appreciate a captain who swore.
Del Vedova: Well, assuming you do, you might talk to them, too, since they'll be equipped to help you deal with changing departments. (beat, again looking over his stein) Because that is what you're talking about. Even if you split your time between posts, which you probably can do, there's no halfway about diplomacy. You're either on call to deal with a cranky ambassador or you're not.
Lhandon knew Del Vedova was right, he could get some early experience moonlighting as a diplomat and chipping in on diplomatic assignments but sooner or later, he'd have to make his choice.
Nilsen: That’s the thing, I love ops, I got to the Assistant Chief, in part because both Ro and Commodore V’Airu believe in me (beat) It's like I said earlier…I’ve just fallen into this role, You don’t want the whole history, but I just want to do things deliberately for once. (beat) How did you end up in Diplomacy? You started in medical right?
He had picked this question deliberately. If he could see an example, it might help him gain some clarity, and if he went to Salo or Stendhal with this, he might just be able to really make one darn good plan.
Del Vedova: (numbering on his fingers) Medical, diplomacy, science, medical research, now command... Yeah, I've done almost everything you can do in red or blue. (beat) But how did I get to diplomacy specifically? (another shrug) My friend Roshanara, Captain Roshanara Rahman, needed a diplomatic officer out in the Shoals, the volume of space where her ship Veritas was assigned. I did a crash training program for a few months and was assigned. (another beat) Not too dissimilar from what it sounds like you're doing, actually.
"Not too dissimilar from what it sounds like you're doing, actually." Lhandon seemed to light up at that, not that he wasn't a ball of eager energy already. He was mentally taking notes and would commit this entire conversation to memory.
Nilsen: Maybe I could take part in a crash course too
Del Vedova: Well, tell me who else you know. There's your single diplomatic ensign... Anyone else on other ships? Or on this station?
And there was the crux of the issue, he really didn't know any other diplomatic officers.
Nilsen: I don't, at least none that come to mind.
Del Vedova: But you want to do this?
And in that moment, everything that had led him to this moment came flooding back to him. With the utmost assurance he had, and casting doubt aside, he replied.
Nilsen: Yes, I really want to do this.
Even so, he didn't expect it to come out as quickly, and as so assured.
Del Vedova: Response.
Then his heart spoke.
Nilsen: I mean, the thing is, I've fallen into everything I've done. I started training as a pilot, then I did SARS training, got kicked out of that, so fell into the HCO track, then got assigned to the Oumuamua, worked on Project Fort and ended up becoming roommates with the future chief of Operations, which led me to becoming Assistant Chief.
Del Vedova: Response
Nilsen: As he said, I've ended up as a circumstance of convenience.
Del Vedova: Response
Nilsen leaned forward, his eyes bright and his voice becoming more passionate as he spoke. Even his native Gaultan accent—which would have sounded somewhat like an Eastern European accent to an untrained ear—crept through:
Nilsen: I mean. I've fallen into every role I had, the SARS training team, the HCO track, then the Operations roles I've done ::beat:: I've just fallen into them. And now, I want to do something for myself. ::beat:: I want to do something deliberately.
Del Vedova: Response
He tried to hide his mouth running away with him by a nervous laugh but it showed something else, something he has not felt in a long time. Control over his own destiny.
Nilsen: Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the entire life story.
He took a deep breath, realizing how manic he must sound, but unable to contain what this was that he was experiencing.
Del Vedova: Response
Tags! and TBC!
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)