Lt. Cmdr. Lhandon Nilsen - Riley & Woolheater of the Squares!
Lhandon Nilsen
((Holodeck 8, Deck 7, USS Octavia E Butler))
Lhandon loved that climb, and when he returned, he felt his soul lifted. He stood grateful for that day and the extra effort he put into the promotion. He was also grateful that he didn’t have to do the awards in one go, so he could give the final two senior officers on his list his full attention….even if every step down the corridor felt like a marathon after the climb.
As he stepped into the holodeck, a game of Parrises Squares was in full play. The playing surface was made of a series of elevated, rectangular metallic platforms at different heights, arranged in a grid, and framed by a geometric dome around the field of play. Some of the tiles were outlined in glowing neon lights, red and yellow.
Lhandon waited by the sideline, watching the game, as a smile came over his face. He was not in his uniform, but rather in his casual wear: a pair of broken-in blue jeans, heavy brown boots, and a white vest stretched across his chest, topped by an open yellow lumberjack shirt. Both Woolheater and Riley were playing. He was content to just wait for the game to be over. It was clear they were in the final moments of that round. As he watched, the worries of being XO slipped away. His crew seemed happy.
Then, completely unintentionally, a ball rocketed towards him at full pelt. His reflexes kicked in, and he caught the ball with one hand.
Nilsen: Huh, still got it. ::beat:: Woolheater, Riley, may I have a moment of your time?
He wanted to be a first-name XO, but he did not know either of them outside of work well enough for it to feel right to use their first names. There was that distance he worried about the other day. He wondered how he’d stop that. He didn’t want to be the one who was feared, but rather the one who knew everyone, their friend as well as their XO.
Woolheater/Riley: Response
He didn’t want to be one who kept themself apart. At the academy, they were taught that senior staff were meant to keep a distance from the crew, but that never sat right with him back then, and it still didn’t sit right with him.
Nilsen: It’s quite alright. I’ve come here for a reason.
Lhandon pulled his bag from his back. It was the bag that he had brought for his trip up the mountain yesterday. If his legs didn’t hurt, then they were screaming in agony on that day in the holodeck. He reached into the bag and pulled out a box, one that he hoped might also go somewhat towards showing his crew that he was more than just an XO.
Nilsen: First, you, Riley. Everyone gets the First Contact Ribbon. We want to recognise the extraordinary circumstances that the Continuance, or Mama Cee, rather, put us in. But I have two more, just for you, Riley.
The blue, yellow, and red First Contact Ribbon was presented in a similar way to how he had done it with Ragh and Nis.
Riley: Response
Nilsen: I said this to Nis, and I want to repeat it to you. You were put into an impossible situation by the Continuance. You were sent down to a pre-warp planet. You had to find a way to prevent an ecological disaster. You had to navigate the Prime Directive, and you didn't get a chance for a briefing or a chance to prepare. You were just put there. These two ribbons recognise that. Please accept, from us, the Captain's Commendation and the Explorer's Ribbon.
The crimson Captain's Commendation sported a dark blue stripe down each side, while the Explorer's Ribbon was bolder: a dark blue background with two stripes and a giant E in the middle, which was yellow.
Riley: Response
Lhandon then held out his palm to show that he wasn’t done.
Nilsen: I’ve got one more thing for you. I know you’ve been thinking about your future, and you’ve been a great friend to the diplomatic department. You’ve worked extra hours for us, helped with data analysis, and all around have just been someone we like having around our office. So, I want to offer you a place in my diplomatic department as a diplomatic officer. We’ll work out your specialisation later, but I can’t help but feel that the purple might just suit you better. ::beat:: It’s totally your choice. The offer is there and will be there as long as you need.
Riley: Response
He then gave a smile.
Nilsen: Of course, Woolheater. Your turn. As before, you get the First Contact Ribbon too.
Woolheater: Response
As before, the blue, yellow, and red First Contact Ribbon was presented.
Nilsen: I also want to recognise two other acts. The first of which can’t be understated. For helping to save that freighter crew, the child, and, by extension, giving us another positive point in the eyes of the UDP, I want to present you with the Lifesaving Ribbon.
Woolheater: Response
A bold silver and crimson pair on the ribbon was presented.
Nilsen: There are also some who can’t see the relationship between diplomacy and Marines, and how the two can support each other. I like to think that during those last hours with the conti… ::slight chuckle:: with Mama Cee, we showed how our departments can complement each other. For your steadfast support when I was almost dead on my feet, I want to give you my favourite ribbon.
Woolheater: Response
Nilsen presented Woolheater with the papaya-coloured Diplomacy Ribbon.
Nilsen: Wear them well, both of you. They’re more than deserved…
He then paused for a second, his head tilted, and he wondered whether his question would be appropriate to ask, given that he was now the first officer. What distance should he have kept?
Nilsen: You got room for a defender on your team?
Riley/Woolheater: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Executive Officer & Senior Diplomatic Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)